Novation SL or SL mkII

[huima]

One local store is selling the old one for half the price. Should I pick it up or save some money for the mkII?
Has anybody got experience on both of them?

peace

[rids]

I'm gonna just say that if you like immediate feedback, get the new one with the lite buttons. Otherwise the older one has 2 screens on it for more visual feedback at once. It's a toss up and money could easily pull towards getting the older version.

[The MPCist]

Go get the old one! I had the MKi, sold it to get the MKii and now I wish I didn't. Yeah, Automap and everything but the keys on the MKi were better -- these MKii keys are just above the level of 'shit'

[pyvnd]

All sl models have automap so if you want to save money go for the older one. I got the sl compact myself and I'm pretty happy with it.

[T71]

I Just picked up a new 25 SL MKI on clearance for $212. I'm chuffed with it.

The MKII looks like a cheap piece of junk with those gimmicky LED rings and they eliminated one of the screens. Hello, Novation, why does it need LED rings when its got a readout above each knob?

[e-smile-z]

i would get the one without the keys cause the mkII keys are compared to a motif es keys really shitty...automap is greate!!!but the hardware......

[The MPCist]

Originally Posted by e-smile-z

i would get the one without the keys cause the mkII keys are compared to a motif es keys really shitty...automap is greate!!!but the hardware......

+1, the keys on the Novation suck big time! I'm considering selling off my Novation since I'm not using it for keyboards anymore.

Really bad, I'd rate it at M-Audio levels.

[jetplane666666]

I have the older SL61 and I like the keyboard action. It's as good as my other non-weighted keyboards.

The lack of feedback from the buttons is a real drawback. You have to target the SL screen to show solo or mute or other status', and it leaves the Mk1 wanting as a control surface.

Also, the button assignments are completely different in each application, so you don't get the benefit of motor memory assistance, which is one of the main reasons to get a control surface in the first place. I work in Pro Tools and Logic, and the solos and mutes are on opposite sides of the machine in each app. I can't understand what Novation are trying to achieve with this setup.

When I first heard about the MkII's I was excited, but now I think I'll wait for someone to build something really good in this space. I think Novation could do it, but the SL isn't sufficiently thought out to be a great controller.

[JES]

I have mixed feelings about my MkI but I'm glad I didn't drop the extra coin for the mkII. First, if you want the latest automap, you can always drop $35 or whatever to have it with the Mark I. Second, the Mark I keys are better and you get an extra screen. So it all depends on workflow. It's a pure studio piece for me, so there's no need for visual feedback with 3400x1200 of screen in front of me, but for a live show I could see the MkII having advantages. I'm actually happy with the hardware for the level of stuff I do right now.

That said, Automap is really hit or miss with the remote SL. I found that some automap wrapped plugs don't respond well or become glitchy, and worse, automap simply didn't work with Digital Performer and Native Instruments synths, which was one of the big reasons I bought it in the first place (worked fine in Ableton LIve, though) and is one of the sets of applications they ADVERTISE AS ACTUALLY WORKING. All I'd get is wacky button behavior.

Posting here and on their user forum brought me no answers, so I sprung for a call to Novation tech support in England. The tech support rep was very responsive and helpful and spent lots of time with me until he confirmed that it was a bug. Then it was sent to the developers and after a couple months I gave up sending followup emails as the TS rep obviously wasn't going to be able to set the agenda for the coders. I guess I would be less disappointed if Novation didn't actually advertise automap and the Remote SL MkI as working with Native Instruments synths and Digital Performer. I think it's kind of corrupt to falsely advertise, but then in an vaporware-filled industry, perhaps it's par for the course.

Long story short, when I use DP, I still mostly mouse my synths and plugs. But I've been doing that for 10 years so I don't feel any different. I just thought I'd have another option.

[huima]

Thanks for the replies.
Still don't know which one I should get. Automap looks really good on paper but if it doesn't work the way it should there's no reason to spend money. I'm using Logic 8 with Korg Collections and Sylenth1.

[T71]

Originally Posted by JES

if you want the latest automap, you can always drop $35 or whatever to have it with the Mark I.

Novation are giving Automap 3 Pro away via rebate if you buy an MKI.

Novation Two great ways to get free software

...Personally, I don't use Automap templates. My MKI is for controlling rack hardware.

[rids]

Holy Sh!t! Did anyone see this?

Novation Apple enhance Logic to add full Automap integration

I must have been sleeping, but finally Logic plugins and Automap work together. Sounds like I need to D/L Logic 9.01.

One other point about the controllers, just to emphasize... The SL mk1 buttons suck. I hate them. That's probably my #1 dislike on it (the pads suck too, but I use my PadKontrol instead). The SL Mk2 look like better buttons, but I have no expereince with both. Anyone confirm this? On the Mk1, the keys are fantastic, the XY pad is fun and the pitch stick is flexible. Sliders could be better, but get the job done and are fine.

T71, how do you usually setup your control templates. Consult your rack synths manual for CCs and them program accordingly on an SL user template?

[moog man]

Originally Posted by rids

Holy Sh!t! Did anyone see this?

Novation Apple enhance Logic to add full Automap integration

I must have been sleeping, but finally Logic plugins and Automap work together. Sounds like I need to D/L Logic 9.01.

How would you have controlled Logic's native plugins before? I take it you can program your own templates if you have Logic 8? They just won't be set up for you already in Automap?

[pyvnd]

Regular automap does all that pro does except with pro you can use more than 1 automap device. I got a coupon though for the pro and some other stuff I need to send in. Novation is not perfect but so far they have come up with the software controllers in the reasonable price range. Still no match for a proper hardware synth but it makes softsynths tollerable.

[T71]

Originally Posted by rids

T71, how do you usually setup your control templates. Consult your rack synths manual for CCs and them program accordingly on an SL user template?

I just got my SL, but yes, that is the chore ahead of me. I wish Novation had created some hardware templates like the original Remote.

[rids]

Originally Posted by moog man

How would you have controlled Logic's native plugins before? I take it you can program your own templates if you have Logic 8? They just won't be set up for you already in Automap?

Logic and Automap for some reason had no way to Automap the plugins in Logic because of Logic's coding (from what I heard). Now it seems that Apple and Novation have got it set up. I have to try this because I don't believe it, this took a really long time for them to get to this point. I thought the coding was too complex or something to where it wouldn't work. Anyone else Automapped Logic's plugins yet?

[kilon]

I chosen MKI , because I wanted 2 lcds and the 37 version. The key action is far from shitty and can easily compare with my yamaha motif es6.

The controller together with the software is very flexible and can control more than 5000 prameters, but through various reasons after the failure of KORE I as well, I decided that there are no software that can be controlled 100% by hardware or at least 90%. And of course the whole process is a pain. So I decided to go get an andromeda which costed only 4 times more and get over with it. Andromeda has benn a huge success and as a result my remote 37 sl mki has been repackaged and waiting for a new buyer.

If I dont manage to sell it when I move to my new house I Probably use this with my BCR2000 to control my waldorf blofeld.