I bought this 88 key controller right away for a few reasons (June Release Date) (sorry, not so good after all)

Cantabile
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I just wanted to share what I believe to be an excellent controller for me as a Cantabile user since 2014. It is the Studiologic SL88 MK2.

I have a Studiologic SL88 Studio.
Here is my complaint about it. The keybed action is too hard and noisy.
I paired the SL88 with a Mixface, and, again, for me, this combination has been excellent since my second keyboard, the Yamaha Montage, has a high quality audio interface integrated into it.

The SL88 MK2 integrated a little bit of a Mixface into it (apart from the drawbar faders). However, the biggest benefit is the addition of the new keybed and integrated audio interface so that no hardware such as an external audio interface or hardware synth is necessary.

Nevertheless, the SL88 MK2 does not have a good way to quickly change patches (same problem as the original SL88 that I currently have).

I overcome this by using an iPad Air 1st gen with an app called Surface by 4pockets to set up patch selection.

I have a CME H4MIDI WC and I installed the bluetooth WIDIcore 1.3 which easily integrates the iPad with the whole system. The Surface app allows me to set up any kind of controls that are missing from the SL88.

My VSTs are only Omnisphere 2, Keyscape, IKmm B-3X and a Waves L3 Multimaximizer at the end of the audio chain (lightly applied). All running on a Samsung Galaxy Book Flex2 Alpha with 16gb RAM and i7 11th gen CPU.

For my my main band in Northern California I use the SL88, Cantabile and Montage 7. However, I occasionally have to play in LA/Ventura, Ca and other gigs to cover for bands, and I bring only my SL88 and my Roland A-800pro (it has “drawbars”). Why not the Montage? Because I need 2 keyboards, and the Montage/SL88 are two large flight cases. The pain is that I have to bring an audio interface, and, always, the iPad Air 1st Gen.

With the SL88 MK2, I can leave the audio interface in the transport bag as a backup because of the addition of the interface in the new SL88 MK2. I can’t wait until it gets here. It took me no time to make the decision to buy it right away. I still have to wait until June or later to have it in my possession.

Why the CME device? I control an external vocal effects processor connected to the mixer console, patch changes in the Montage and patch changes and more in Cantabile with a single iPad running through the CME H4MIDI WC. I love that thing!

Just thought I would share.

John O.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SL88Mk2--studiologic-sl88-mk2-88-key-midi-keyboard-controller

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I tried the Numa X 73 exactly for this reason, the built in Audio Interface.
Small form factor and Audio Interface made in unique for me. Unfortunately the interface was not working, because there is no driver and no asio4all etc possibilities…

Hopefully the new sl mk2 will fix this, but i really doubt it

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Oh no! That is not good news! I am used to Steinberg Audio interfaces that are solid, and what you mentioned is the main reason why I changed my mind about buying a Korg Kronos and Roland Fantom 7 (audio interface driver issues). This is a deal killer for me! The item doesn’t come out until June. I am going to look into this a lot more.

Thank you so much!

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It’s confirmed. No AISO for the SL line of audio interfaces (Cheap garbage). I am so angry about this, but grateful for the warning from Tobias. SL is foolish for putting such a poor audio interface in their machines!

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I have two Studiologic Numa X Piano 88 keyboards and I find the internal audio interface to be more than adequate. It has replaced an external Steinberg UR22C USB audio interface in my live setup.

I currently use ASIO2WASAPI as the Windows audio driver, but have also successfully used ASIO4ALL and WASAPI native drivers with the Numa X Piano. I personally don’t see the lack of proprietary ASIO driver as a huge drawback. With ASIO2WASAPI, I get 5ms latency with a buffer size of 240, which provides no noticeable latency and less CPU than ASIO4ALL.

I should note that I don’t use the internal sounds in the Numa X, as they are inferior to the VST patches on my laptop. I do very much like the keybed however, which is the same as the new SL Studio Mk2 referenced in the OP. I much prefer it to the original SL Studio (which I have also and is now up for sale).

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I have been trying to download it, but I can’t seem to get it downloaded. This is really strange!

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@Howifeel, here is the GitHub link I used:

Release v1.2.3 · levmin/ASIO2WASAPI · GitHub

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I think I need to try a again maybe. The Numa wasn’t stable enough for my needs. While it worked fine for basic computer audio, MP3 playback and backing tracks, and Cantabile initially performed well with simple patches using just one Pianoteq instance, it couldn’t handle my more complex band patches. I experienced audio dropouts, crackling sounds, and loss of polyphony.
Perhaps someone with more technical expertise could make it work, but for my purposes, it proved too unstable.

Happy with my Roland Fantom 7 and its dedicated audio driver works perfectly! Just wanted the studiologic for a cheap and small form factor alternative

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Thanks for the help, all of you! I can now try out that driver ASIO2WASPI to see if it will work!

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With ASIO2WASAPI, I can get down to 5ms latency on my beefier laptop.

I am currently working with Brad on trying to get native Windows WASAPI working in exclusive mode with the Numa X Piano.

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Thanks so much Bruce! I can’t justify purchasing the SL88 MK2 otherwise. Cantabile is my primary money maker going on 11 years!

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