Novation 49 SL MKII | USB Midi Controller 4 Octave

Novation's SL MkII 49-key controller is the flexible MIDI keyboard/DAW control surface musicians and producers have been waiting for, putting tactile control of every element of your software at your fingertips. Employing assignable encoders, buttons, faders and the X/Y Xpression touchpad, this semi-weighted controller (with aftertouch) ships from the factory with advanced mapping via Automap 4 PRO. Featuring templates and user programmable mappings, the 49SL MkII will improve your workflow for nearly every DAW, plugin and production environment you'll encounter in the studio, on stage, or working from your hotel room.

The SL MkII uses the same velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted action keyboard from Fatar employed in the original SL, a roadworthy set of keys ideal for synth players, without disappointing those used to organ action. With playable 'soft feel' drum pads and keys that respond like an instrument, it's quickly apparent that the SL MkII is no toy. Add USB bus powering, rock-solid encoders and sturdy faders and you've got yourself a professional controller that you won't be afraid to take out of the studio.

With a bank of 8 sturdy faders, 16 knobs -- 8 of which are continuous rotary encoders -- and 32 assignable backlit LED buttons, the 49SL Mk II leaves you in control of your digital workflow. The unique two-axis X/Y Xpression touchpad makes for expressive manipulation of multiple parameters simultaneously, and is conveniently located below the spring adjustable pitch/mod joystick. These controls, the dedicated, fully-assignable transport section, and footswitch/sustain pedal inputs are all easily routed to any parameter with the flexible Automap software.

With a bright 144-character LCD screen, the SL Mk II makes it easy to quickly identify which parameters are being manipulated, even during theater blackout in a dim pit. Bright red LEDs beneath the assignable buttons make toggle status unmistakable, and the 11-segment LED rings surrounding the continuous rotary encoders supplies clear information on an otherwise dark stage. Designed for maximum brightness with a minimum power draw, users can spend more time playing music and less time staring into screens, even when powering the unit solely via USB bus. With this huge display to help you, you'll never have to worry about memorizing which knob is controlling which MIDI parameter.

Beyond the touch-sensitive controls and sturdy, semi-weighted action, the 49SL Mk II delivers a wide array of versatile features demanded by working professionals. In addition to the flexible mapping of the Automap 4 software, Novation has included the Xcite+ Bundle, a host of royalty-free loops and samples, a full-fledged soft-synth and Ableton Live 7 Lite, providing an affordable upgrade path to Ableton Live. The built in MIDI interface provides USB control over software synthesizers and DAW control, but with 1 MIDI in, 1 MIDI thru, and 2 MIDI outs, the 49SL Mk II, is an excellent companion to hardware units as well.