since i use primarily software, i didn't want to cheap out on the device that could best control them. I decided to go straight to the top of the herd for the sl. (previously i was using the radium61 which is fine, but the novation offers so much more)

i'll soon add a pic to the studio section!

pros:

after playing around with the Remote for the last couple days, Things got started pretty easy. Just followed the instructions on how to setup the 'automap' in cubase, and it was good. I've had no problems with automap, it seriously is as simple as a button click, it detects which vst is loaded, and on the lcd, even displays the name of the patch, which i though is pretty cool. Easy to navigate between vst's. Everything was functional and easy to control. Controls feel great. and i LOOOOVE the LCD screens, 8 characters per control allow you to easily see what you're controlling all the time. With a million knobs on vsts these days, its almost essential to have this feature to not control blindly. and each row of controls has 3 sets, giving the possibilty of assigning up to 72 controls on the encoders, pots, and sliders. (3x3x8) Even for Vst's that aren't automapped, into the system, the editor provided makes life so easy, it scans through your vsts and puts all the controls into a spreadsheet, and all you have to do is drag and drop the source you want graphically on to the corrisponding control. (The downside is the vst developers don't always name these in the most user friendly way, so it may still take a little trial and error to get things exactly how you want. Overall its just a great keyboard to look at and makes you feel professional and passed the 'toy phases' of making music.

cons:

so far, in cubase at times i've noticed some latency from the response of the controls and when they'll move. I emailed novation about this and hopely a driver of some kind will be able to fix this. In automap mode, the buttons aren't used, which is a bummer (novation says this may change in the future which i really hope) whats the point in having the buttons if they cna't be used for the main functionality of the keyboard? so hopefully this is looked after.

so far thats pretty much it really. i'll post if i can find anything else, but after hearing ppl have problems with it, it kinda scared me. but overall the controller is operating just as promised by novation, i just hope buttons will be soon included in automap and the latency issue is addressed.

Nice review... now, onto the actual important stuff:

1. how is the key feel? Do they have a nice response or spongy/springy/etc?

2. What can be assigned to joystick/touchpad? The assign process itself, have you tried it and if so - how convoluted is it?

3. Speaking of pads (buttons, not sound ;-) ) - can they be assigned as well?

4. Can keyboard be split into different zones?

5. Overall construction - does it feel solid or flimsy?

6. How is knob/buttons/sliders/etc response? Do they seem sturdy?

7. Is there a room to put computer keyboard on the side (I see that 61 key has some room, just can't tell how much).

Thanks again for feedback. I'm looking to pick this one up - so any additional feedback would be helpful.

oh, and how much did you pay for it?

thx!

hey, to answer your questions best i can:

1. the keys feel pretty good (better then the radium which is much stiffer) so the SL is a bit springer then that, not the best keyboard i've ever touched, but definately good enough, no huge complaints there.

2. Anything can be assigned to the touch pad (in theory i guess) its by default a cutoff/frequency controller, so kinda fun that way, i haven't looked to far into it so far though. I have to find out if i can change the sensitivity of the touchpad, right now, too much pressure is required, same for the 8 pads, so i have to check myself if i can change that (hope so)

3. as i mentioned, the buttons can't be assigned in automap which novation says they may fix in the future, so i hope they do. When not in automap though, they can be assigned.

4. yes. the keyboard can be broken into 4 zones

5. yep, as i said, it makes me feel professional opposed to feeling like a toy. The radium felt to much like a toy. Everything feels pretty sturdy. I'm not going to be reckless with it though, don't want to test the limits.

6. they feel good.

7. no, its a bit small to put a keyboard on it.

i paid $680CDN+tax. i see $599US seems pretty standard on most websites.

Overall i'd recommend it. I'd recommend buying it from a store with 30return policy to make sure its right for you first though. I'm happy with it though!

thanks for your reply mate. I'm currently using AN1x as my master controller for studio 1 and for studio 2, I use Roland AX-70 (killer midi controller but without modern USB integration).

I'll probably hold out until ZeRo is available, as I think I have the best feeling keys ATM and that's important to me.

I used to use my Korg Wavestation synth as a master and while I does have some serious MIDI flexibility for splitting into zones, plus the vector joystick that can be used for bunch of fun stuff - I hate the Korg key feel - it is just too noisy and not as responsive as yamaha.

However, the most phenomenal keybed I ever laid my fingers on was in Kawai K5000s - what a wonder

anyway, njoy your purchase and do share any insights you come across.

oh, and PS. I find it a bit silly having a joystick that will return to its original position - I think it sort of defeats the purpose. I don't know if yours has this or maybe novation smartened up. But say I assign joystick to filter cut off, I wouldn't want it to release back to 0 (in some cases) when I let go of it. I think it's a bit counter-productive for some of the features (such as where you'd want your set value to remain set).

that's one thing I love about Wavestation joystick... but take the rest and throw it out the window, as it mostly sucks.