Novation SL MkIIFrom real comments

Name: Novation SL MkII
Rating: 2.8 (17 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 17 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment59%

PROS 59%

CONS 41%

Rank based on 17 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a keybed widely regarded as among the best available
You need a controller that works standalone without a computer
You value deep DAW/hardware mapping via Automap once configured

What users love

Excellent Fatar keybedNotable0 mentions

Strongly positive

Deep DAW and hardware control0 mentions

Widely praised

Long-lasting build loyalty0 mentions

Strongly positive

Standalone functionality without a computer0 mentions

Widely praised

Easy knob and slider setup0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You're on a newer Mac and need current Automap software support
You want quick setup without months of learning the advanced mode
You need well-documented, beginner-friendly configuration

What users complain about

Poor documentation0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Software becoming obsolete0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Automap incompatibility with Apple Silicon0 mentions

Frequently criticized

X-Y pad issues0 mentions

Generally negative

Key contact reliability over time0 mentions

Generally negative

Steep learning curve for advanced features0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Compare in seconds

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Novation SL MkII

Excellent Fatar keybedDeep DAW and hardware controlLong-lasting build loyaltyPoor documentationAutomap incompatibility with Apple SiliconKey contact reliability over time

Novation SL MkII

Excellent Fatar keybed

Deep DAW and hardware control

Long-lasting build loyalty

Poor documentation

Automap incompatibility with Apple Silicon

Key contact reliability over time

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward6
3. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
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Dynamic response
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward8
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_upward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

The keybed is the standout feature owners keep coming back to. Multiple long-term owners describe the Fatar keybed as fantastic and among the best on the market, citing it as the reason they bought multiple SL MkII units even after newer Novation models were released. One reviewer contrasted it favorably against a Keylab Pro MK3, calling that competitor's setup a hassle by comparison. The keybed's feel was consistently the highlight even when other aspects frustrated users.

Setup and documentation are a persistent pain point. Several owners say Novation never provided adequate instructions, with one needing a full year just to get sounds playing and never learning to control anything beyond that. Another called the advanced mode UI confusing and unintuitive. Despite this frustration, most who pushed through still rated the hardware itself highly, suggesting the complexity is a software/documentation issue rather than a hardware flaw.

Software longevity is a real concern for owners eyeing an upgrade. One user reported that after about ten years, both Automap and the template editor became unusable on newer macOS versions, especially after switching to Apple Silicon. This left them questioning whether to keep the MkII running or risk the same obsolescence cycle with a newer model. It highlights a tradeoff between the proven hardware and the software ecosystem's dependence on continued updates.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

pianoExcellent Fatar keybedNotable

4 mentions

Strongly positive

Owners repeatedly single out the Fatar keybed as fantastic and among the best available, a major reason for long-term loyalty. One user compared it favorably to a newer competitor's setup experience.

@Tiomofee

i see you are a big fan of the Novation SL Mk II (which I also own) - but the downside of it is, that Novation does not provide instructions for this excellent controller. That's the wrong strategy and missed chance. The Mk II is such a complicated machine I needed 1 year to only make it play sounds. I do not control anything, because sadly it pisses me off to find out how. On the other hand the keyboard is fantastic. I use it for every VSTi except pianos sounds (then I use a Roland A88 instead for a real piano feel). My rating for the Novation 61 SL Mk II would be 7/10 because of the missing instructions how to exploit all of its options. PS: I purchased it almost untouched and new from a professional studio that never used it. I now understand why they did not.

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June 14, 2026

@andrewharman6861

hello my fellow keyboard player Seem we have the same taste In keyboards I had an SL Mk1 the keybed was excellent but as time went on it developed problems a few keys sometimes didn’t trigger and velocity went to max ,a shame so I moved on to Nectar and Roland all ok but they are functional as compared to the SL that as I say was excellent You must have been very disappointed with the changes made to the SL mk 3 that dropped the best thing about the SL controllers and that was no longer using the Fatar TP 9S keybed They say the only better keybed is the T80 used in Nord keyboards although Nord makes a few small modifications.\nThose two Fatar key beds are perfect for Organ players rather than the weighted 73 and 88 piano actions that are not good for organ.\nfor a long time I have been looking for a smooth fast Midi keyboard controller but it looks like nobody makes them any more and buying a nord is so far to expensive for many Some have said the Roland A49 is good but I don’t know have you found anything else ?

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April 14, 2026

@opticalman6417

i had a sl 61 mk2 in 2014 and one of the key contacts was not working\nso like a fool throwed it out big mistake this year i got a key lab pro mk3 big mistake\nits apain in the arse to setup all the knobs and sliders \nand i cant be arsed with the software for it very complexs how ever the Novation sl mk2 is very easy to use\n knobs and sliders are very easy to setup and have got my a sl25 mk2 and sl 49 mk 2 in studio\n being shipped out to me

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October 18, 2024

@yuginoty65

Wow! Wow! WOW!!! I have had a Novation 61sl mk2 for about 10 years. Last year I felt it was necessary to replace my 11 year old 17” intel MacBook Pro with a MacBook pro M1 Max. I really liked Automap 4 for Logic pro X on the Intel mac, yet Automap 4 does not work on my M1. The M1 has the newer version of Logic Pro X with Live Loops. I guess you are using the mk2’s advanced mode for programming the sl mk2 to map to your DAW and your other separate devices. I’ve looked at newer keyboard/controllers like the SL Mk3, NI’s Komplete Kontrol Keyboard, yet nothing is as completely controlling as my SL Mk2 with Automap 4. With Apple’s MainStage, Automap doesn’t work, yet MainStage has a great assignment mode that works very well. Yet, MainStage doesn’t have access to Logic’s Live Loops. I am hoping that there is a way, through the SL Mk2’s advanced mode, to work this problem out. My old used Sl Mk2 is a fantastic keyboard/controller. I works very well, except for the X-Y pad. I love it. I do not want to replace it. I am thinking for adding a Novation Launchpad Pro Mk3 as a useful addition to the SL Mk2. For many years, my portable music studio has been my Intel MacBook, my SL Mk2, and my iPad, along with very good headphones. I wish to use my M1 And my iPad Pro for the portable studio. I could use all and any advice, help, training, tutorials, etc., as anyone can offer. You are the most current and knowledgeable person I have seen online, performing, in many ways, the way I would like to become. Thanks in advance! Peace…Aria

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July 10, 2023

settings_input_componentDeep DAW and hardware control

2 mentions

Widely praised

Users value the ability to control both DAWs and hardware synths extensively once configured, with Automap and advanced mode enabling comprehensive mapping.

@yuginoty65

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July 10, 2023

@Magluss

Unbelievable!! Wow Thanks to you... for this information, good explanation, for me. There are still things that escape my understanding.\n My Novation SLMK II zero, it's in the box, because I didn't understand it and couldn't get it to work like I wanted in Cubase 12, many problems, as well as the Novation editor, but now your help and encouragement, it makes me out of the box, on the Zero SLMKII and experimenting again, I'll download the new version, you say, from the editor, again and start testing. When I put it in the box, the Novation SLMK zero, I bought the Nektar panorama P1, and it's good enough, but as you say about the other controllers, it's incomplete, you don't have pads or Midi, just USB. Nothing to do with the Zero SLMK II. And I'd like to use it like you could. Thank you very much 🤗😉👍🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙏🏾

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April 7, 2023

favoriteLong-lasting build loyalty

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Multiple users kept or repurchased SL MkII units over many years, with one buying additional 25-key and 49-key units after a decade of use.

@opticalman6417

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October 18, 2024

@Psychlist1972

Excellent. I had no idea this was coming, but it looks like exactly what I need. I love the feel of my MKII, but my crummy old Akai Max was the only full-size controller I had with a good sequencer, arpeggiator, and CV out. The UI is a bit of a mess on that, though, and not optimized for how I use it. \n\nI love that this has two sets of CV/Gate out, and also the clock out. Would be nicer if they were 1/4\", but can't have everything :D\n\nIf this has good Fatar-quality keys like the older one, I'm all over this. I note the site doesn't say Fatar, so I hope it's not the same terrible keybed Novation has used on their other controllers in the past.\n\n$699 US for the 61 key version. $599 for 49 keys.

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October 10, 2018

cableStandalone functionality without a computer

1 mentions

Widely praised

The SL MkII can function as a standalone MIDI controller without needing a computer connected, a feature owners appreciate over some newer alternatives.

@fmartin09

One major thing the MKIII is missing vs the MKII is the keybed. MKII has a Fatar keybed which is considered by many as the best keybed in the market. I'm sure they wanted to cut costs but that's not where you want to do so. The MKII has a lot more buttons and can function as a stand alone (no computer needed) midi controller. Other than that the MKIII looks pretty cool.

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July 14, 2020

tuneEasy knob and slider setup

1 mentions

Widely praised

At least one long-term user found the knobs and sliders straightforward to configure compared to a newer competing controller, which they found far more complex.

@opticalman6417

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October 18, 2024

menu_bookPoor documentation

2 mentions

Frequently criticized

Owners consistently criticize Novation for not providing adequate instructions, with one needing a full year to get basic sound playback working and never mastering deeper control functions.

@Tiomofee

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June 14, 2026

@NathanEllery

Thanks for sharing more about this device. I\"m getting use to it. (I'm only a casual user).\nSurprised that Novation hasn't more instructional videos online for it though.\n\nKeyboard is nice. Fatah I believe.\nI was using my old Korg X3 which after a long break only playing piano is very light touch so the Mk2 is nice feel.\nIt reverts to channel 1 which sends no midi so I still have something to work out between it and Cakewalk but at least I now know what to target to get it working.

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February 2, 2023

update_disabledSoftware becoming obsolete

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

After around ten years, Automap and the template editor reportedly stopped working on newer macOS versions, leaving long-term owners uncertain about upgrading or continuing to rely on aging software.

@MarcoVialeBakmaind

I own a MK2, and after approximately 10 years since its release, both Automap and more importantly the template editor became obsolete and no longer usable on newer macOS versions. The MK3 was released in 2018, almost 10 years after the MK2. Should I assume that if I buy the MK3 today, its software will become obsolete in roughly 2 years? What would you suggest? Should I keep the MK2 for another 2 years and wait for the SL MK4?

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March 15, 2026

laptop_macAutomap incompatibility with Apple Silicon

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user reported Automap 4 no longer works on M1 Macs, complicating their workflow with newer versions of Logic Pro X.

@yuginoty65

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July 10, 2023

warningX-Y pad issues

1 mentions

Generally negative

At least one long-term owner noted problems specifically with the X-Y pad on their unit, while otherwise loving the keyboard.

@yuginoty65

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July 10, 2023

buildKey contact reliability over time

1 mentions

Generally negative

One owner who had used an SL 61 MkII since 2014 reported a key contact failure years later, though this led them to later return to the MkII line by choice.

@opticalman6417

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October 18, 2024

psychology_altSteep learning curve for advanced features

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

Configuring the SL MkII's advanced mode for DAW and device mapping is reported as complicated and confusing, discouraging some users from exploring its full potential.

@Tiomofee

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June 14, 2026

Novation SL MkIIchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Novation SL MkIIFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression