• 1 x Novation 61 SL MkII 61 note USB MIDI controller keyboard
• 1 x Ableton Live 8 upgrade from Live Lite/ Live APC

Ableton Live v8.1.3 fully integrated with Novation SL MkII range

Having co-developed the Launchpad, Ableton have worked with Novation to make the Novation SL MkII range fully integrated with Live 8. Now, SL MkIIs are the most comprehensive bus-powered Ableton Live 8 controllers on the market, and the only ones with on-board keyboards. The new integration makes controlling Ableton's Session view, Mixer, and plug-ins and devices quick and easy, because all of Ableton's major controls are instantly assigned to SL Mk II's 56 knobs, faders and buttons:

New Features

• Live's plug-in devices are assigned to controls as you load them up. Open 'Auto Filter', for example, and instantly see parameters such as 'Cutoff' and 'Res' — along with their current values — appear on the LCD above each knob on the SL MkII, with LED rings around each rotary encoder. 

• Comprehensive mixer control. Touch a fader on the SL MkII and see the channel name and volume level appear on the large LCD, activate and record-enable Ableton tracks using the fader's corresponding backlit buttons, and take control of all Sends. 

• Launch clips and scenes. Launch and view the status of Ableton scenes and clips with the SL MkII's backlit buttons. Real-time LED feedback ensures you always know what's playing and what's waiting to be launched. 

To take advantage of the new functionality, the latest version of Novation Automap is required, in order to update the SL MkII firmware. This is free for all existing SL MkII users and is available now from Novation. The latest Live update, v8.1.3, is also required, and can be downloaded from Ableton.

Novation 61 SL MkII 61 note USB MIDI controller keyboard

SL Mk II combines a high quality semi-weighted keyboard with a full DAW and plug-in control surface, that visually feeds back all control information to the user. A giant 144-character display, back lit LED buttons and LED ringed encoders show the status of all controls. Ultra-quick mapping of all 56 knobs, faders and buttons is managed by the groundbreaking Automap 3 PRO software.

Overview
SL Mk II has been designed to equip the modern DAW user with every dimension of hardware control, enabling a hands-on approach to navigating software, mixing and controlling plug-ins. It represents extraordinary value as a controller, integrating a DAW control surface with a quality semi-weighted keyboard (with after-touch) and the most intuitive plug-in mapping capabilities available - presided over by Automap 3 PRO - unquestionably the most advanced control software on the market.

SL Mk II upholds Novation's reputation for building quality hardware (like the SL Mk I, they will also appeal to performers who need a well-constructed keyboard on stage). Quality is not just reflected in their robustness, but more importantly in the way the SL Mk II has been designed with every detail calculated to maximise workflow. The SL Mk II's visually feeds back all controller information to the user with back lit buttons and encoder LED rings.

The difficulty with other control surfaces is knowing what is assigned to what. SL Mk II has a giant 144-character ultra-bright LCD screen that displays all the parameter names and values for the currently selected row of controllers. All 8 faders and 16 knobs are touch sensitive, so the moment one is touched, the display shows the names and values on that row and puts brackets around the controller that is currently being touched. This enables the user to see which parameter is assigned to the controller without having to change the value, or refer to their software. SL Mk II also has a dedicated 'Speed Dial' knob, which can be used to change the value of any parameter the cursor is positioned over without making any assignments whatsoever.

The 8 continuous rotary encoders have 11 segment LED rings around each of them, allowing encoders to behave like pots so the user can see the value before moving them. All the buttons have LEDs underneath them so users can instantly see their status without having to press them. There are 8 soft-feel drum pads, a pitch/modulation wheel and an X/Y Xpression touchpad which (along with footswitch and sustain pedal inputs), are all fully assignable to any parameter with the Automap software

The SL Mk II has been designed to draw minimum current so it can be used as a USB buss-powered device, and an optional 9V DC power supply can be added for stand-alone use. As well as USB interfacing, the SL Mk II has 1 MIDI in, 1 MIDI thru and 2 MIDI outs.

The power behind SL Mk II's unique ability to map controllers at the touch of a button, is contained within the included Automap software. Automap 3 PRO enables users to map controllers with incredible speed and ease - no more digging through MIDI continuous controller numbers, the Automap server takes care of it all. Automap's GUI gives the user a visual representation of all the current mappings on screen, as well as the ability to save and manage mappings across different projects. There is also an option to only bring up the GUI when a controller on the SL Mk II has been touched!

FEATURES

High quality professional keyboard
Velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted action keyboard from Fatar, with assignable after-touch. Novation deliver the feeling of playing an instrument, rather than just a computer peripheral.

Illuminated controls provide instant visual feedback
Brightly lit LED rings around the eight smooth encoders, and backlit buttons throughout provide instant visual feedback for every physical control, further reducing reliance on the computer screen.

Giant 144-character LCD screen
Frees the artist from being chained to the computer screen, placing all the essential data right alongside the relevant controls.

Huge array of touch-sensitive controls
Full control surface supporting ultra flexible DAW control and Auto-mappable plug-in controls, 16 knobs, 8 faders and 32 assignable backlit LED buttons.

Automap 3 PRO Control Software
SL Mk II comes with Automap software which enables you to instantly map software parameters to faders, buttons, encoders and pots and other controllers.

Further Hardware Features

MIDI control interface.
Built in MIDI I/O Interface and comprehensive MIDI implementation provide complete control over all external hardware synths and other external MIDI devices.

Novation’s unique ‘speed dial’
A touch-sensitive rotary encoder that instantly takes control of whatever your mouse is focused on, providing real time access for composers and performers alike.

Programmable ‘soft-feel’ drumpads
Eradicates the need for a separate set of drumpad triggers, providing the ideal platform for sketching out beats or triggering samples

Unique 2-Axis Controls
Fantastic ‘Xpression’ pad and adjustably sprung pitch/mod joystick, both freely assignable in MIDI Controlling mode

Dedicated, yet fully-assignable transport buttons.
Control the sequencer’s start/stop/loop/record/forward/rewind actions, direct from the MIDI controller, reducing reliance on mouse and screen, or switch them out to allow use of more assignable buttons. SL Mk II recalls how these buttons were previously assigned.

USB buss powering
Provides the artist with a mobile MIDI control solution, freeing them from the confines of the studio

Includes the Xcite+ bundle
Featuring 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.

Key Features - Automap 3

Automap 3 PRO software comes bundled free with SL Mk II, and boasts the following features:

Intelligent control over all sequencers and VST/AU/RTAS/TDM plug-ins. Automap 3 removes the pain and time involved in assigning MIDI parameters, and all layouts are fully customisable.

Heads-up transparent control GUI Places a transparent control map across your computer screen - see at a glance how the parameters are automatically assigned to each of SL Mk II’s controls.

Instant ‘learn’ function Simply click on the software parameter and touch a touch-sensitive control to assign it. Now you can re-assign every control in seconds.

Keystroke Assignments - Automap 3 can assign almost any computer keyboard shortcuts to hardware controls. For example arrow key functions can now be assigned to hardware controls, allowing you to flick between tracks using buttons on your SL/Nocturn. You could also zoom in and out, open windows or create and jump to markers in your DAW.

Innovative MIDI support within Automap Name your parameters and store mappings for later use. The same heads-up display provides quick and simple assigning of regular MIDI parameters. This ensures SL MkII can also turn its hand to controlling the few software application that still rely solely on the MIDI protocol.

Plug-in and Mixer Browser Lets you review all open plug-ins, then quickly switch to control and one of them. Mixer 'MIDI maps' can be created, saved and recalled via the same map browsing facility.

Autoview Mode - Optional Autoview mode means that the GUI only becomes visible when a controller is touched, then it disappears again allowing you to get back to your DAW.

Minimum Operational Requirements:

Mac OSX 10.4.0 or greater (Leopard also supported) or Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or greater (Vista 32/64 also supported)

Minimum Computer spec: Mac - G4/1GHz, both with 256MB RAM or PC - Pentium 3/1GHz/256MB RAM (machines running Vista will require a higher spec)

Ableton Live 8 upgrade from Live Lite/ Live APC

Ableton Live is about making music: for composition, songwriting, recording, production, remixing and live performance. Live's nonlinear, intuitive flow, alongside powerful real-time editing and flexible performance options, make it a unique studio tool and a favourite with live performers. If you'd rather be ‘making music’ than just ‘using music software’, Ableton Live is for you. Live 8, the latest version, includes a wealth of new techniques and improvements with a new groove engine, revamped warping, live looping, new effects, crossfades in the Arrangement View and a reworked MIDI editor.

Session View
Live is the only music production software with the 'Session View': a unique grid for recording and playing musical ideas and phrases. The Session View is non-linear, so you can record and play back your ideas in any order you want. When you're working on a new track, this is a smart, flexible way to write and record. If you're performing music live, it gives you complete flexibility and freedom to improvise.

Arrangement View
Live also has a second view: the 'Arrangement View,' a complete music production environment. This is the linear counterpart to the Session View and is well-suited to 'traditional' recording, arranging and mixing. These two views interact with one another, each with its own strengths and intricacies. Both views are based on the single principle of creative, intuitive music-making.

Uninterrupted creative flow
In Live, you never have to stop the music. Record audio and MIDI on the fly, drop in loops and samples, add effects and swap sounds without ever hitting the stop button: everything happens in real time. You're free to improvise and the computer actually becomes a musical instrument—an expressive and creative tool, perfectly at home on stage or in the studio.

Beats made easy
Live's unique Drum Rack combines drag-and-drop simplicity in a familiar pad-style interface. Each of the 128 drum pads can have its own instrument or sample plus effects. Slice beats, loops or REX files to MIDI for additional control options and use the new groove feature (which includes grooves from the legendary MPC and SP1200 machines) to add swing to your beats.

Creative expression for DJs
Mix and match tracks and loops automatically, remix on the fly, capture audio loops in real time from decks and other external sources, incorporate your own productions into the mix, and much more. Whether it's the centerpiece of the DJ rig or just a creative sidearm, Live gives DJs entirely new worlds of creative expression.

Looping with Live
Not only for guitarists, the Ableton Looper gives you classic sound-on-sound looping without the limitations of a hardware device. Looper is set up for remote operation, so you can record, overdub, undo and more without touching the computer.

Totally compatible
Live works seamlessly with controller hardware and assigning custom MIDI controls is simple. Live supports AIFF, WAV, MP3, Ogg Vorbis and FLAC files, VST and AU effects and instruments. Live can handle REX files and runs as a ReWire Master or Slave, so it works nicely alongside other DAWs like Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase or Reason. And if you have a multicore or multiprocessor system, Live supports that, too.

Key features

• Multitrack recording up to 32-bit/192 kHz
• Nondestructive editing with unlimited undo
• Powerful and creative MIDI sequencing of software and hardware instruments
• Advanced warping and real-time time-stretching
• Supports AIFF, WAV, MP3, Ogg Vorbis and FLAC files
• A comprehensive selection of built-in audio and MIDI effects
• Built-in instruments: Simpler for sample-based synthesis, Impulse for sampled drums
• Instrument, Drum and Effect Racks
• New groove engine- apply and extract grooves in real time
• VST and AU support- automatic plug-in delay compensation
• REX file support plus built-in audio to MIDI slicing
• Video import and export for scoring, video warping
• Simple MIDI mapping plus instant mapping for selected hardware
• Full ReWire support- runs as Slave or Master
• Single-screen user interface for simple, creativity-focused operation
• Multicore and multiprocessor support

Also includes

• A selection of loops
• Essential Instrument Collection 2: a wide range of sampled instruments (box only*)
• Printed reference manual in English, French, German or Japanese (box only)
• Built-in interactive lessons
• Localized software menus, tutorials and PDF reference manuals in English, Spanish, French, German and Japanese

System requirements

Mac: 1.25 GHz G4/G5 or faster (Intel Mac recommended), 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended), Mac OS X 10.4.11 (10.5 or later recommended), DVD-ROM drive

Windows: 1.5 GHz Pentium 4 or Celeron compatible CPU or faster (multicore CPU recommended), 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended), Windows XP or Windows Vista, Windows compatible sound card (ASIO driver support recommended), DVD-ROM drive, QuickTime recommended

This item is normally sent to Mainland UK addresses by DPD courier. If you need this item faster, please upgrade to a Before 12 service at checkout.

Mainland UK: FREE within mainland UK

UK Non-Mainland: £ 12

Rep. of Ireland: £

Mainland Europe: from £ 15 (calculated at checkout)

*Please note that this is an indication of stock levels only and is subject to change. Please contact us if you need further details.

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