A few new things over the last few weeks:
- I picked up the SQ-64
- After contemplating the SQ’s eight gate outputs, ordered the Ornament-Lyra Adapter from DM
- Added the SD-1 to get free shipping
- Cables from Amazon, DIY assembly.
- Launchkey 61 mk3
a. DM sent me a SL61 Mk3 instead of the Launchkey. The keybed felt too good to give up, and I couldn’t possibly resist adding an additional sequencer to my studio in addition to great Ableton integration. DM responded to my after-hours message with an offer to send me the Launchkey instead or to invoice me for the difference. I opted for the invoice, and they cut a few dollars off the top. I couldn’t be more pleased.
Plans:
- Sequence the Lyra with the SQ64 (success!)
- Jam with soft synths (success!)
- Revive my extremely rusty keyboard skills
- Engage overdrive (success!)
- Don’t buy anything else this year except an NTS-2 and maybe a Roland Cloud membership
I can’t say enough about how much I love the 61SL MK3. The keybed reminds me of my old SuperNova II and the Virus 61 keybed. DAW integration and standalone use are both excellent and easy. There are a few UX details I need to read up on, but overall my experience has been very pleasant.
The 61 SL is one of the more expensive master keyboards, but it really does seem to be the best of all possible worlds:
- Great keybed, pleasant semi-weighted synth action
- Two DIN MIDI outs as well as two sets of CV/Gate/Mod 3.5mm jacks
- Arp is extremely easy to program from the front panel, may give the MnM’s arp a run for its money
- Excellent Ableton integration
Big thanks to Detroit Modular for quickly shipping me a much better keyboard than I ordered, and then being responsive to my CS queries over the holiday weekend once I discovered the surprise.