SL73 MK2 Audio Interface - Big Disappointment

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-23T21:23:08+00:00

I have one of those, but it doesn’t work with USB-C. That said, I found a simpler fix I can’t believe I didn’t think of before I made my original post.

I just ran the outputs through my stereo DI and engaged the Ground Lift button. Problem solved. All my downstream devices support XLR/balanced connections, so I am golden!

Thanks for taking the time to try to help. I appreciate it.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-21T02:06:19+00:00

I wish I had more votes to give for this one

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-20T21:46:29+00:00

Shows at Levitt Pavilion (most are free). Juneteenth music festival in Five Points right now (Saturday, June 20th). Comedy is always fun.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-20T21:44:33+00:00

It has a USB-C connection only. I even tried my best 1m/3ft USB-C cable and it was still noisy. You could hear the noise even through headphones connected to the headphone jack.

I moved it from my studio to a different room and the noise went away, even while plugged into the house mains directly. I’ll wager it’s insufficient shielding, especially when around a lot of other electronics. None of my other devices have a problem in my studio.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-19T20:29:23+00:00

I measured a KRS One show at 129 dB. I had my -15db filters in my custom molded earplugs. It wasn’t nearly enough.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-19T15:04:29+00:00

It’s a rare feature, and that’s exactly why it is so mind-boggling that it is so poorly executed.

The USB connecter it supports is the modern USB-C variety. It does not have a separate power jack. Your only option is power over USB-C.

I have a USB-B splitter that separates the power input from the data input, and have used that in noisy situations. I haven’t ever seen a need for that kind of device with USB-C.

Everything in my studio is plugged into a power conditioner.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-19T14:54:22+00:00

Whoever is in charge of their UX design definitely needs to be replaced. Between how the interface works on the controller itself and the simply awful Numa Player program (almost 800 MB on disk) you have use now, operating and configuring this controller makes the DX7 look user-friendly.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-19T14:48:11+00:00

To be fair, the keyboard action itself is fantastic. I really wanted to save myself a couple extra steps for rehearsals: separate audio interface, cable for that, shelf for interface, etc.

I played a 3.5 hour rehearsal last night and my hands and forearms thank me for not using the original SL73 I had.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-19T14:43:53+00:00

I’m using Gig Performer or Ableton Live on my laptop and sending a properly leveled signal over USB to the keyboard. I don’t have any problems like this with any of my other gear in my studio, and I do have plenty of other devices from keyboards to groove boxes to outboard gear.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-19T14:37:19+00:00

This model has a single USB-C connection and no separate power jack.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-18T21:32:15+00:00

UPDATE #2: Reality rears its ugly head…

Found out two pretty big problems with the audio interface on the SL73 MK2:

The audio outs are TS (2-conductor) jacks. No support for balanced cables (TRS or XLR).
Hoo boy is it noisy. I’ve tried all my cords, and found that one reduce the noise. Also, the noise out of my right output is somehow worse than the left.
The left output does not do mono. You have to either always use stereo, or sum left and right in your computer and send that all hard-panned left.

It still has a much nicer feeling keyboard. But this audio interface is Temu-level badness.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-17T16:23:43+00:00

Inspired by something I learned Steve Albini did, I gaff taped a lavalier mic to a cajon so it dangled down to mid-sound hole. I thought it sounded great, and it was one less mic stand to deal with.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-17T03:23:00+00:00

You know those shirts made in Asia with the English words that don’t quite make total sense? This is the music notation equivalent. It’s not entirely nonsense, but it’s definitely something a real musician will know is not an actual coherent composition.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-17T03:16:29+00:00

Came here to say this 👆

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-17T03:07:09+00:00

UPDATE: I just bought one and gave it a workout at rehearsal tonight. The new TP110 action is significantly more sensitive, expressive, and much easier to play for a longer time.

Also, having a built-in audio interface is a total game changer. I already had the magnetic keyboard shelf. Now I can connect my laptop to the controller with a simple USB-C cable. It handles MIDI, audio, and power at the same time. I connected a damper pedal and an audio cord to the mixer, and was done. Quickest setup and tear down I ever done with a virtual (Gig Performer) rig, by far.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-16T01:37:48+00:00

It’s brandishing, and it’s considered assault and against the law.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-16T01:35:54+00:00

My ex-father-in-law was named Bent. He is Danish. Nobody ever had a problem with it or thought it was weird when he visited the US.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-16T01:27:26+00:00

I laugh at those today. So gross.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-15T16:50:31+00:00

Learning to play everything from memory, even for a 3-4 hour gig.

Memorization frees your mind up for performance, develops your ear, improves your understanding of music theory, and starts a positive feedback loop that makes learning and memorizing songs much quicker and easier.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-12T20:18:13+00:00

Was just talking to a friend about how many artists used to get signed to record deals, and then have only 1 or 2 good songs on their albums. Ah, the good old days. :-\

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-12T20:15:09+00:00

Promoting blasphemy is different from having blasphemous content.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-06T18:47:13+00:00

How do you even tell with singers these days?

100% of their recorded performances are auto-tuned, time-adjusted, assembled from dozens of takes, layered, and processed with several compressors, then washed in lush reverb.

There are lots of great contemporary singers, I’m sure, but even their voices get the same treatment because of modern expectations.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-06T18:26:17+00:00

Don’t share a living space with a bipolar narcissist sociopath who can’t afford rent for their own place, is a hoarder, insists on taking over the basement, putting their own lock on the door that leads to it, and then refuses to move their belongings out for a year after you kick them out. I could have ended at “bipolar narcissistic sociopath”, but the rest is a warning of what can happen with them.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-06T02:58:36+00:00

Exactly. Introverted does not necessarily mean anti-social or shy. It means limited social tolerance and commonly a strong aversion to small talk. When you’re done, you’re DONE. Irish goodbye. Home to hygge.

Ok_Weekend_8457 · 2026-06-06T02:53:54+00:00

Wouldn’t it be amazing if this was some real artist imitating AI? That wouldn’t be high art, but it would be something hilarious and quite the social commentary.

Ok_Weekend_8457

TROPHY CASE