Studiologic SL88 Studio

The standout feature of this keyboard is the build quality. The chassis is heavy powder coated metal, the keybed is satisfyingly weighted and very consistant key to key. The features on offer are also impressive, It can connect up to 4 pedels, two switched and up to two expression, and modulate 6 parameters (via pitch bend or CC) using the joysticks. That means without any aditional hardware you can modulate 8 parameters of a patch.

The software is matching in its ambition. The SL88 claims to control up to 4 instruments on different midi channels simultaneously using velocity and key splits. Each of the modulation sources can be routed to any set of the instruments. Additionally a global layer on a 5th channel can send all note and expression events to a DAW or similar. This feature is then configurable in up to 256 patch slots, which are able to be saved along with per instrument program change messages. So with careful setup the SL88's patches can be used to configure your whole studio.

Sadly this feature doesn't gel well with how DAW's expect midi controllers to work, USB -> MIDI merge & passthough is also limited (check the manually carefully for your usecase) This has meant a lot of fidding with configurations has been needed to integrate it into my studio.

Which could be forgiven if it was not for the awful PC editor. This editor is unusable. It cannot do basic operations like save an individual patch, and create a bank of patches, copy one patch to another slot etc. It can only operate on complete banks. Thankfully all communication with the SL88 is via MIDI SYSEX so there is hope for a 3rd party patch manager eventually.

Overall I have the experience that StudioLogic were trying to make the workflow of an arranger keyboard, without the built in audio engine. This makes a lot of sense when you consider their E-Piano has the same user interface.

Given the aggressive price, excellent key tracking and rich feature set I am very happy with my SL88, and wholely recommend it. Although I would also recommend checking out the mixface if you are using it with a DAW (I will be getting one to test soon)

I did a preorder, and Thomann sent it the same day as they got it in.

I use this in my studio for piano, strings and synth. I'm a heavy Kontakt user, but do not like the Komplete Kontrol software (nice for browsing, but not for my use). I like the features of the SL88 better than the NI S88, and it's quite cheaper too. I use an Akai mpd226 to control my daw and pads.

Four zones on different midi channels - great for splits, 3 sticks, onboard editing possibilities and software (on the second midi input so you can use it at the same time as your DAW), aftertouch, USB-buspowered (you do not need to use the powersupply), true halfpedaling (with the slp3).


Keybed: tp100lr - same as in NI S88(a version of it), Arturia Keylab88, several Kurzweil, several Nord and more..

The keybed feels great, but A0 got some low rattling noise when struck hard - maybe the hammer is loose or something. Keybednoise is slightly different from middle c and up (a sharper noise) then below. Still the keybed is fairly quiet (I did expect more noise after seeing the Arturia Keylab88 video. Triple sensors works great, I can retrigger without the keys go all the way back up. Aftertouch is heavy and need some force.

Pros:
The price
Weight
Great keybed
USB-powered
Aftertouch
Editor
3 XY sticks

Cons:
Some keybed noise
Keys could be faster (triple sensor counter this)

Can't be beaten at this price point. Recommended!

I first want to point out that Thomann customer service is one of the best international services I have ever seen. You can actually feel that they care about you getting quality service. Props to you guys for that

Now to the keyboard.

I had difficulty when I was first decided buying this keyboard because the only reviews I found were 5 word reviews that were immensely hyped up, and there literally weren't ANY demos on youtube that extensively covered what this keyboard is capable of.

The keybed feels a bit stiff at first but I have been playing with this keyboard for the last 3 hours non-stop and once you get used to it, it feels amazing. Studiologic knows what they are doing.

The menu feels a bit wonky at first so you really need to read the manual, and the editor is kind of counter-intuitive.

TL;DR, if you want a keyboard with a fantastic keybed and without many features, this is amazing for its price range, once you learn to use the menu.

Thank you StudioLogic.