Funnily enough, I bought a Rhythm as I needed some sampling capability as an add on. But I probably get most of my ideas from that side of the combo, and even though there is a YouTube video describing the pair as the killer combo. It’s an absolute head scratcher getting the best out of them together. Which requires workarounds such as using Project switching to change scenes on both devices at the same time. Unless you happen to have 3 arms.
I’ve stuck with them though for my DAWless / live setup, as I was a DJ first and the circuit workflow is very immediate and fun. Very much like DJ’ing.
You just have to ignore the niggles and crack on. I’ve written more tracks on the pair in combination over the past 10 months, than I have in the past 15 years.
I’ve been using the Model:Samples as a drum machine for a couple of years, and it’s generally worked fine for me, but two things really put me off: the pads are not usable except with velocity turned off and samples and related settings are only per-pattern (so I have to do a lot of copy/pasting from one pattern to the other to keep sounds consistent).
So I went and checked a few alternatives among which the Teenage Engineering EP 133, the SP 404 and a couple of others.
I did skip on the EP 133 because there were too many things I didn’t like about it (limited hands-on control over parameters, faulty fader, etc.) and did not go with the SP 404 because while it’s an amazing and powerful sampler, the sequencer is really basic and I really just wanted a drum machine.
So I ended up with the Circuit Rhythm and I have to say that I’m liking it way more than I had thought. I was a bit concerned about the usability of it, since it does not have a display, but that actually works quite well, and the workflow is really streamlined.
The pads feel great to me and I love the ability to combine patterns in scenes!
Sample management and the whole packs thing is a bit convoluted, and can be cumbersome but I guess I can live with it.
Btw. it seems like you can edit samples on the SD directly, if you respect their naming convention and make sure they are in the correct format.
Of course, no music making device is ever exactly the way one wants, so I do have some big criticism as well:
I find it quite annoying that unused sample slots and especially unused pattern slots are not unlit. This seems such a basic UI design thing, especially for the patterns! Please Novation change this (I guess I’ll have to send them an email)!
The other thing – which has been pointed out a few times as well here – is how parameter locks work on the Circuit. I was expecting the parameter to go back to the default when you change pattern, but that is not the case. It’s easily solved by adding a param lock at the end of the pattern with the default value, but it still feels weird and counterintuitive, especially since the CR does share samples and parameters across patterns!
again, not the first one to notice this, but I have to crank up the gain almost full clockwise to get a decent level. I’ll probably pipe that through a thru track on the OT anyway and add some more compression.
The sequencer is definitely a bit more limited than on the M:S, I do miss the control all feature and the Elektron FX do sound a lot better (also you can tweak the settings!)
But yes, all things considered, I do like the Circuit Rhythm quite a lot!
I’m about to get a Tracks but not for any serious use, just jamming with family. But the more I research it the more I want a launchpad sized Tracks. I think they have the technology all sitting there waiting to be combined into something great.
My absolute favorite possession is a Synthstrom Deluge. If they made something that capable with their MiniNova engine (or better) I think they would have a winner.
I think the MiniNova itself is genius too, but I’ve heard the same thing about its software. It is totally broken, according to some reports. Some owners simple can’t update the machine with external patches
Still, I will buy a Tracks. For some reason the used market prices are increasing this month, so no luck yet
Novation sometimes sell refurbished circuits on their shop. It is a little bit more expensive than second hand prices, but totally worth it, mine was like new.
A question to all Circuit Tracks / Rhythm users: did you notice the rubbery coating on the lower part of the device starting to turn into a sticky mess?
I trashed a device in the past trying to get that sticky goo off it (mostly my fault, but still) so I try to avoid that kind of thing now.
I know it was pointed out earlier by @Calc that only the knobs use the coating, which should be relatively easy to replace if they go bad, but the bottom part of the enclosure feels pretty rubbery to me as well.
Thanks everybody for your feedback. On closer inspection, the bottom of the Circuit Rhythm does not look like it’s been coated. The rubbery feel comes from the surface texture of the plastic, but seems to be indeed hard plastic without any coating.
Indeed, as mentioned above, I also realized that the bottom of the CR is just hard plastic, with a texture that makes it feel sort of rubbery. So everything is good on that side!
In this video, I dive deep into the creative possibilities of the Novation Circuit Rhythm paired with the Hologram Microcosm. Watch as I explore ambient soundscapes, textures, and rhythms.
Circuit Rhythm is a fun machine for sure. With the Roland P-6 out though, I can’t help but feel that Novation missed a trick no including a mic input on it.
Just occurred to me - try using the Circuit:Tracks as just a MIDI controller & playing grid.
It’s got velocity sensitive pads, and 8 encoders which I can map to any CC. The scale mode means I can mash a few chords over ambient stuff in real time and it’ll (mostly) be fine. I’ve got it running into the DN2 and it works pretty damn well. The pad sensitivity isn’t great and there’s no aftertouch, but for something that would otherwise be gathering dust it’s putting it to some use
Whew ! So for black friday I decided to order a Circuit Tracks! I have had my original for… Since it came out! It was my first groovebox ever, and started my youtube based on tutorials on it! I can’t wait to get it (still waiting on shipping info!)
It has threshold recording. So you can trigger your external drum machine over MIDI and recording will start when it hears audio. So…not exactly the same thing
