There is a lot of interest for it on other forums. Here, most of us already possess boatload of more advanced hardware, the average Naut might not be Novation main target.
I’ll buy one for sure, though. Plus, it might be a cool controller for my OT.
I wonder if it’s because many are waiting for the circuit rhythm to make it’s debut…
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I have one and I am really enjoying it, I bought it to replace a Launchpad Pro MK3 which I had bought as the sequencer was similar to the Circuit but I wasn’t getting the most out of it as I don’t use Ableton much. I don’t think the improvements made will convince anyone who doesn’t like the Circuit workflow otherwise but for those that do they have improved it’s sequencing capability significantly. Pattern lengths, speeds, randomness, probability, scene chaining are all additions that get much more out of just one pattern.
I am pleased with my purchase so far as I much prefer the 8 knobs and in built sounds over the extra four rows of pads on the Launchpad. I have found it very easy to map the circuit controls to VST’s and can get a similar experience to the Circuit but with better sounds. I can do what I was doing with that but I can also get something going much quicker by having the on board sounds if I want them or I can have a jam with it and a hardware synth if I don’t want to turn by DAW on I can go and sit somewhere else to get an idea going.
The Nova engine is still a weakness, it is a shame they didn’t add an extra Oscillator, a proper Unison mode and a couple of extra effects, especially as the Ultranova is now discontinued so they aren’t really competing with that anymore. The only real improvement I would love to see is being able to switch the sample flip rows on the drum tracks for chromatic rows to allow for basic chromatic playing of samples.
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i am certainly very interested in the rhythm. could be a very interesting machine, if they’re able to translate the immediate circuit workflow to a more sampling based one. I really hope for a modern take on the sp404
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there’s a lot of activity in FB community.
i’m considering Tracks, but definitely not in hurry — i already have OG.
I’m wondering about its implementation with Ableton. So, can really the Circuit Tracks replace the Launchpad Pro MK3?
Its sequencer I guess it will work somehow, but what about launching clips ans scenes, mapping its knobs etc? I had tried to map my old Circuit with Ableton to make it like a mini Push and it was an annoying experience, because nothing worked properly.
If proper mapping of the Circuit Tracks is possible with Ableton. then only for using it as a sequencer/controller with Ableton worth the purchase.
If you go right now at the Novation components software you will see that Novation offers for free custom mappings to the Circuit Tracks owners for whatever you want, custom mappings for your Volcas, custom mappings for your Korg Logues, but no Ableton mapping no custom map.
When you have time, please test some things with Ableton and let us know how things work.
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I imagine that would still be a nightmare to be honest. The LP Pro MK3 is cheaper and has the exact same sequencer plus print to clip and built in integration with the rest of Ableton. I am quite time poor so learning Ableton was something I was struggling to invest in so I was pretty much only using the sequencer and chord mode of the LP Mk3 but with Studio One.
If the fx are decent, I’m with it. I wanted to like the 404. And I know they’ve at least dealt with my main issue with the 404, which is the inexplicable lack of proper pitch control.
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Lack of pitch is killing me! SP fans will tell you to buy a 202 to pitch and then to resample into the 404, but yeah, no…
Give me an SP555 with proper pitch, at least amp decay and pan and I would go crazy.
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thank you for this, great comparison for launchpad users too
Spent my first proper night with the new Circuit. It’s a ton of fun, a little less limited than the old one (but still very limited), and really comes alive with a couple of extra synths plugged in.
I wish it had compressors (and not just sidechains) on the audio ins, as I’m trying to use the Volca Bass and there’s a wild discrepancy in volume between tame and squelchy. In the interest of keeping it a more affordable jam, I’ll abstain from adding a compressor pedal to the table and just ride the Volca’s volume, but it would be easier with even a one-knob compression feature on the Circuit Tracks.
The stock sounds, both synths and drums, are good and have basically everything I need to get going. The new synth macros are so much better and more predictable in sound shaping, but occasionally I miss the wild surprises that came with the old macros.
I know it would have added more real estate, but I do wish they’d gone with an 8x8 grid, as I find the workflow on the Launchpad Pro MkIII to be faster and less fiddly. But as an affordable, portable device to sketch ideas, it’s pretty spectacular. Looking forward to capturing a song with it!
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it’s a common problem with analog synths.
luckily, there are pedals.
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Absolutely! Just thinking of the Circuit Rhythm as a small-in-one solution for synth audio input and effects, it would be ideal if it also had a simple compressor on each track to better mix into the rest of the sound.
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well, there’s MC-707. but there’s only one MFX slot, so if you process the external synth with compressor, you can then only send it to master reverb/delay and that’s all.
and 707 does not have sidechain.
so, multiFX pedals (e.g. Zoom MS series) rock.
Could connect LPPMK3 to the Circuit. Isn’t ideal but yeah that’s what Novation is willing to offer us.
Guess other companies had to step in to show Novation. Sad but true.
In the meantime their marketing department keeps telling that the missing features are the best part.
They could figure out ways to build audio interfaces with pads to control. (EG: Keith MCMiller Kmix but better in other ways)
They could turn the Launchpad into a highly performance 8 channel audio interface/mixer with dyns and FX on each channel. (EG: 1010Music Bluebox but better in other ways)
Playing with a Tracks now. It’s light years better than the OG Circuit.
Loaded up 64 techno samples and created a few synth patches via Components.
I didn’t realize you can create patches with Components in real time on the computer while playing the hardware box. Then send your created preset to the box and BOOM. No more cheesy stock sounds!
I mean. Yea. This thing is dope.
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Please someone answer this question. Can I play my external synths through the midi out channels from my key step through midi in…like on my launchpad pro mk.3
I love the mk3 but having the Circuit Tracks with 4 midi channels out plus the 2 drum tracks is nicer and more capable IF I can use it like most other sequencers playing external from my controller.
@djadonis206 sounds like good fun right there. I’d like to branch out from my usual hiphop activities and create a little light-hearted setup for live, cold pounding techno. I was thinking about selling the Models, which I like but I’m not too crazy about, and getting a Tracks. I’d use the inputs / midi for a Monologue thru a Rat pedal, and a Volca Sample filled with foley and crazy shit thru a monotron delay. Counterbalance the clean sound of the Circuit with straight dirt.
@therockfrog unfortunately, I think you can’t do that without a splitter of some sort. That’s a terrible omission from Novation.
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Anyone know where to get Circuit Tracks sound packs?
Thanks!