I just ordered a Novation Circuit and was looking at some videos while waiting for it to arrive. This review makes me think I have ordered the right thing for me. I'm be checking your other videos out too thanks!
I always watch good reviews when I wait for an instrument -_- it's a way to assure yourself that you made the right choice... But in the end, what matters is not what people on youtube say ( even though Bo has one of the best synth channel on youtube ) it's all up to you. But I must say, I always watch a review before getting anything. ( Now I want to get one too -_- )
I'm a beginner to music production that's looking for something to back up my guitar, and also wants to make electronic music on a portable, standalone device. You pretty much just took the words out of my mouth.
Thanks for the help Bo! After a few months of toying with the idea (and discovering your channel), I think it's time for me to get involved with the circuit :)
I stumbled upon your channel while researching what synth to buy. Gotta say that I love your chilled out style, you get to the point and throw in a few light laughs. Really great content! I sold all my synths a couple of years back to travel and now I'm settled again and I'm really itching to tweak some knobs and get lost in loops. You've got me feeling pretty sold on the circuit, I can see myself having a lot of fun. The analogue lover in me wants to get something a bit more knobby and slidey and generally tweaky... I have more research to do! Anyway, cheers for the great work, enjoy your coffee!
Most of the time I lose interest after 5 mins or so with these types of videos , but I watched this the whole way through and subbed because of this video. Thanks for the helpful review.
Hello Bo, Once again it s a great video ! I bought the circuit a few weeks ago in addition to my mininova thanks to your videos. I just add to my setup a monologue and i can't be more happy with !) I m a metal guitar player and i wanted to add synths to my music, so i used Vst and i had so much Fun that i upgraded to a hardware setup ! You helped me to build my setup to try and more important tout allow me to have fun with something different ! So thank you Bo, for your work and for your positivity ! Take care !
xxTEKAxx - If you set your Mininova to send on channel 1, you can use it to edit the synth 1 on Circuit, and use Channel 2 to edit Synth 2....There are some differences (Mininova has options that Circuit doesn't, and less filter and waveform options), but for the most part it works.....you can look at the MIDI Implementation for both to find the differences. Just being able to use the AMP and Filter controls on the Mininova is great in itself.
Andrew Cummings i will check this, thanks for the tips ! I just plugged the circuit to sequence the mininova/ monologue arppegiator but i will check all its possibility !
Im very often at a friends house wich whom i make music with, at work im sittin 3-6 hours in the back of a car and i like to go camping as well. The Circuit gonna be my "where ever i go i can work on my music".. this device fits all my needs. And after touching these maschine crap shit, i sweard to myself im goin for an dawless setup. Circuit is my first step towards an dawless setup. Thx Bo for your informational videos, this helped me alot
First time watching this I was really confused. After doing more research and watching your hardware sync setup tutorial, I understood everything you said in the video and now I am going to buy the Circuit for my Volca (currently only have the Sample, about to get the FM, Modular, and a free Mix) + Minilogue + Arturia Keystep setup. Many more thanks again :)
Just watching this again. I remember watching that 1st video and the thing that struck me was that not only did talk about the Circuit in an interesting way, but you did it with charisma, intelligence, and character. Keep it up Bo, and thanks for all your inspiration.
Got a 2ND hand one on the way.. can't wait, just hope I can get all the updates and software etc. I'll be making breakcore (managed it with a po33ko so 60 secs is awesome) so really need to be able to get into the synth engine and sample import
I got bitten by the budget synth bug via a volca beats, followed by a monologue and volca fm. I'm looking for a polysynth and this looks absolutely phenomenal for the price. Two synths, 4 samples, great sequencer, effects, continual updates. There is nothing else that comes close to competeing.
After all this time I'm buying one! I hope there's another firmware upgrade one day to allow micro timing, retriggers and conditional triggers. It could happen! 😊
I love having a saved session and then warping it with all sorts of changes, voices, macro tweaks and then smoothly segue back to the saved session. Also I make say three copies of a session with variations and Circuit switches seamlessly between them. All it needs is to record such a performance out to an external device, if I do not concretise my performances at some point I end up a week later with so many changes to those sessions it's like a different track.
I continue to think of Circuit as quite amazing. I highly value the synths for their exciting colours and textures and I love to have a drum sequencer, so much cleaner than finger drumming to a seperate metronome. I like to play Circuit drums through an external effect such as Beat Repeat on a rc505 to give them a more granular glitched element, otherwise they are very 909 clean.
Hi Bo, unfortunately your affiliate link doesn't work anymore because 'The Novation Circuit is regretfully no longer available'. But the information here is still useful for those of us who like me, want to pick up a used Circuit instead. :-) Thanks so much Bo for keeping this 1 year review up on your channel!
Good review. Helped me to decide :) I appreciate the honesty and feel as though my thoughts reflect you're own when you mention at the end about the sound quality. I feel as though this would let me down. This is the point for me. Thank you :) Respect x
I'm thinking of getting something like this to go with my 2 synths. The problem is that I can't decide between this and the Beatstep Pro. I need to make my mind up soon and buy something! :-) Reviews like this are very helpful so thanks very much.
Excellent review bud. Glad you mentioned ios. It's getting big now. You might want to check out the new LayR iOS synth. It's pretty mind boggling for 20 quid. Cheers.
Great video! I really like thatthe circuit and new electribes respond well to midi click over USB. This makes them great for programs such as bloc waves and other iOS apps that use phrase sample style production.
Nice vid Bo :) I would never get rid of my circuit, it is so versatile, I use it alongside an iPad and as well as what you mention in the vid it also works really well as a MIDI controller for apps like Gadget, as well as a sequencer to drive iOS synths. As you mentioned Mininova, Where the Circuit doesn't have all of the available waveforms and envelopes and FX, the synth engine is basically the same. I am using circuit and mininova together, and Mini nova also works as a sound editor for Circuit (with some very simple mapping of waveform numbers).
Yeah the MiniNova and Circuit are fairly similar no doubt. Mini has 3 OSC tho which does make slightly more "powerful" (such an arbitrary term) and I think some of the waveforms sound a lot better. But very similar indeed. I have not tried it as a controller yet. Never felt the need (I use Maschine Studio) but I can definitely see the appeal. Do you simply use "midi learn" functionality in the apps (since Circuit has fixed CC values per knob) or some other way? Curious!
The Mininova definitely sounds better overall, I havent done side by side comparison of presets using the same features and values tho. When using as a controller then yes MIDI learn when available or if not then I have resorted to MIDI Bridge to remap the CC's. It works particularly well with both ModStep and Gadget, have them running using MIDI Clock sync, and you can record sequences from Circuit into the apps, meaning you get the ease of use and speed of using the hardware sequencer and scale mode for playing live, as opposed to trying to use a piano roll or on screen keys. With ModStep you can easily transfer patterns to/from the circuit by just recording the midi. You do have to swap your midi channels around a bit to make sure you are on channel 1 or 2 when receiving MIDI from circuit.
BO you're the main reason i got the Circuit in the first place! Now the real question is do i get a new sampler like the MPC Live or another Circuit because i love it that much! Keep up the Circuit videos because i think The circuit will keep evolving. You inspire me to someday post my first Novation Circuit video. Practice Practice Practice:)
Just hit me up whenever you do post a video mate! Depending on your setup I think a MPC Live will add more than another Circuit. I mean two X Circuit is something I am aiming for in the future BUT it only gives you that much more... And its tricky to control!
My Current Setup. Novation Circuit, Artura Drumbrute, Cyclone TT-303 Bass Bot, Pioneer DJm-800, CDJ-1000MK3, and Juno 106 that needs fixing. + a Digi002.
If you want a DAWless setup: go for the MPC Live. If you are fine with recording into a computer and want to expand your hands on control and jamming potential a Circuit might give you more value (for its much lower price).
you have the dx racer I wanted, and the same colour. I ended up getting a similar chair, technisport, in blue, it is quite good quality. After electribe2, Novation circuit sounds like a toy for teenagers. I hope they release electribe3 some day before I grow older. In 10 years I will be an old grandpa with a walking stick, if I am still alive. I was recommended synthstrom deluge, but not available in my country.
Great video, I got my Circuit last week and it's revolutionised the way I try to make music. Now I don't really "try" to make music, I just experiment and feel the groove! Your videos convinced me the Circuit was worth the chance. Novation should link to this review as it is also a good overview of the features.
Hi Bo, thank you for the great review. You pressed much knowledge in to 19 min so in some places you had to talk rather quick. But I found a nice solution to catch up with you. I just throttled the video speed to 0.5. That was "Circuit for Dummies". 😀
Thank you sir! I have gotten critique in the past for speaking slowly so I guess I am adapting to the TH-cam speed of talking. People joked they used to set the speed to 1.5 or 3 :D hehe
If they ever add a chromatic option for samples, then I'll buy one. It looks like such a fun thing to use, but that omission really limits what I'd be able to use it for.
i dont feel this unit is for me, but i cant get over how underappreciated it seems to be by the larger electronic music production community. the value of it still seems totally unbelievable i think for what it can do.
I heavily invested in the whole Novation line and I am also very new at trying to be a "Producer" I am however a tradition instrument Musician and I am new to the Circuit A few months now and I am just now wrapping my head around how to use it.. I LOVE your videos, and I am truly just now beginning to understand how to use the Circuit.. I got a lot of useful information from this Video .. THANKS and keep them coming? Do you have any Base station II or Mininova videos like this?
Wow.. I dont know how to respond because I have been marathon watching your vids and they ALL have at least 1 or 2 very good take away points in them .. I am an old school guy when it comes to keys .. Yahama V50 .. Roland U20.. Ensonique TS-10.. so things like DAW's and the like are fairly new to me.. I guess I would like to see how to use this stuff in a chain.. and how to make "My OWN" sound using the factory presets as a starting point.. Is that too much? Also where are you from? I am in FL USA..
Great feedback mate. I am based in Sweden. I might actually do something on the BS2. Probably not soon since I have a lot of other stuff to cover but stay tuned. Going from the presets is a great way to start building stuff. Also checking out Synthorial program could be nice. its a very nice tutorial if you want to get more into things like synthesis
Thanks .. You have a TON of vids for me to catch up on.. so there is plenty of time!! :) Thanks for the awesomely quick response as well, that is a rare thing on youtube .. I will send you a pic when I get my studio arranged this week if you get PM's .. but right now I have the French Press making Coffee and the Circuit in front of me and that will be the rest of my day today :)
Nice! Have a good cup of coffee... Oh and just to give you a teaser... Got a series of videos coming on how to use 2 x Circuits + Novation Launch Control XL ;) Ultimate Circuit Setup
Nice video, we saw a lot of reviews of this cool novation machine but it's always interesting to see one year later if the thrill is still on. Novation made huge improvements and thumbs up for the developpers team., the sample flip per step kind of p-locks thing is awsome. The only thing i'd like them to unlock is triplets.for far that i know it's not available and i think it's for me a lack for electronic musicians nowadays. But for the price the circuit is a must have. And it can be a cool cheap but very capable sequencer for bigger synths and drum synths in a full setup. But now that you got your elektron moog ang korg machines do you still use the circuit?
Unquantized recording or something like that is high on my wanted list. I actually use the Circuit quite a lot. I love to just jam on it. And I make songs for my TH-cam on it as well. Its harder for me to integrate it into my current "big" workflow, but thats just because I have too much gear.I would say I use it just as much as I use my Analog Keys for example
Don't have the circuit at home but tried out one and i thought it would be a good and esay small sequencer if you hook up the moog and the minilogue (that means 4 synths with the internal ones) etc did you try? (That would be a good "setup"new video by the way....;)
Nice 1 year review Bo! ;) I agree with nearly everything you say. Only when you talk about the circuit having only 2 synth channels as a limitation, I would have added that the true 6 voice polyphony per channel gives you the opportunity to have multiple melodies on different octaves and when you assign "keyboard" as source in the mod matrix, the sound can be very different on high and low octaves of one channel. PS: Its cute how you say "syntersizers" instead of synthesizers (#no homo :D).
HA HA. I didn't even think about the lack of R in synth-te-sizer. I add it to the list of funny pronounciations... It got fine company by "arp-e-G-G io" and me always saying BoBeats so it sounds like BOB-EATS. Yeah this is very true! I often abuse the 6 poly to create say one channel with both bass and lead for example. A very good point!
If I want something I can use just to jam out, nothing for serious producing, is it worth getting? I imagine this would be fun to play if I’m traveling or hanging out at home.
Wouldn't mind a pro version that's basically 2 put together with more session space, a microsd for samples, and extra midi out tracks for external gear without using up the built in tracks.
Great video Bo. I might add that Isotonik just released a VST editor for Circuit and I think it includes a Lemur template also... it's not free unfortunately, but I'm thinking of getting it, as I'm not a fan of the Max4Live editor. I also heard that Novation *might* be making an offline version of components, which will be nice if it turns out to be true!
How many machines could you hook using midi out (with a thru split) ? Is it easy to switch midi channel ? How does a keyboard controller responds playing the synth when plugged in MIDI in ? Thanks.
+orbitalchiller hey mate: if you connect a midi keyboard to the circuit IN the Circuit synths respond to it. Most midi keyboard can change channels so you just set it to channel 1 or 2. With a midi splitter you can send to several other synths. But you are limited to midi channels 1-2 and 10 basically. And 10 is not a real sequencer channel anyway. I have a tutorial on this "how to sequence external gear using the Circuit"
I thought you were going to lay down some serious rap at the start Bo! Those hands are on fire man! "Hello and welcome to Bo Bitch... BOOM" Thanks for sharing, going to buy one and the Minilogue xd soon, inspiring tutorials!
Yeah I felt like there were a lot of people wanting me to do a update on this. I need to do more reviews overall. Rytm, Minilogue, AK, I havn't reviewed them. But now I will start doing that as well. I just want to make sure I can articulate what is good/bad etc with them
Nice video, pretty obvious you love your Circuit, which is a good indication of its qualities and usefulness. Something I've always wondered though: Why the Novation Circuit is much more popular than the new Korg Electribe? I have spent a bit of time with both, I like them both. The sequencer is a bit faster to work with for the initial step-recording on the Circuit. But the Electribe seems much more flexible. On top of that I found that the number of parts, sounds, effects and features more or less blow the Circuit out of the water. And more subjective I think its engine sounds nicer too. The Electribe is a bit more expensive, and I've heard talk about some faults, which seemed minor to me, but then again I don't own one. But that difference in public opinion have always intriqued me. So if you, or someone else, knows, I'm very curious. Btw, isn't the synth engine supposed to be the exact same as the Ultra-/Mininovas? Just in need of an editor for the deep edits.
Hey Marc! The Circuit engine is based on the Nova engine but it is not the exact same engine. You can not use synth patches from any other synth in the Circuit because of this reason. The MiniNova got 3x osc and Circuit 2x for example. And both Novas sound a lot better I think. Now as to why the Circuit has gotten so much praise. I don't think you can view it from a reductionistic standpoint. It is not the parts (where the Korg has several benefits on paper) but its rather a combination of price, ease of use, form factor, hands on workflow that makes it so popular. And ofc the great support it has received. Also I think the Korg Electribes received some flack from its core user base because it was less like old school Electribes. Also I think the Circuit is much easier sold to a beginner for above reasons. That is my analysis. I think I would love an Electribe. I too think it sounds very good and has a lot more options and flexibility. But playability and fun factor is where the Circuit shines.
I didn't know that. But then I've only tried the Circuit standalone, not seen the building blocks in the editor. Just thought it's be more or less 1:1 when they said it was the nova engine. I think your analysis is fairly accurate, except I personally don't think there's a big enough difference in form factor and hands on workflow, to warrant the big difference in public support, which in turn ought to narrow the gap. Normally I'd think there'd be a bigger (60-70% of their shared market?) group supporting the Circuit for the low price and simplicity. And the other, smaller, group supporting the Electribe for its power and flexibility. Which is why I wonder about the current state of things. Given their individual strengths, one would also think there'd be more people with both than there currently seem to be. Knowing what I now know, if I was building a setup from scratch, I'd probably get those two, a Rolls MX42 to mix them into a (mini) Kaoss Pad, and finish in a recorder. Simple, fairly cheap, portable, batterypower-able and extremely capable and flexible. My GAS has a tendency to run amok, and bloat my studio, which can be quite counterproductive to creativity.
Man I need to get my hands on an Electribe. Never worked with one. I was more into the Yamaha grooveboxes (RM1X) back then. So I never really considered the Electribe. But I really like the sound of its engine.
I find the Circuit has a liquid airy synth space. I've used it now for several months and been through phases of frustration with the 8 measure sequences and not being able to sequence pads for more than one measure. But once I began recording it out to a five track looper, with pads held for as many measures as \I want, I am creating some of the best work I have ever done.
I have been through this too, I think you end up with better results because of the sequencing limitations, it forces you to still play and not be able to sequence the whole thing.
This video could not have come at a better time! I've been looking at purchasing my first drum machine recently and this really helped, awesome review and answered a lot of questions I had. I do have a few questions tho if anyone is able to answer them. A) What are some other great alternatives for someone like me (fitting into the musician category) looking for a portable, not to complicated to use drum machine? (Preferably battery powered) And B) Does anyone know if novation would be adding in a "Non Quantize" mode, it's high on my list as well as I love to use triplets and syncopated drum beats so really not being able to do that is a bit of a bugger. Thanks so much all!
A) Korg Electribe 2 / Electribe 2 Sampler (two different machines BUT they look pretty much identical). Volca Beats. Volca Sample. 2) I know a non-quantize mode is high up on the feature list. People really want that. BUT I can't say if they ever will be able to make it. At least you can do polyrhythms and polymeter on it. Thank you for the kind words and feedback!
One of the encoders was broken off in airport security! Novation was cool enough to replace it. They're really great. Next time I'll pad it with more care...or not take it
Sorry for posting on an old video but not sure if I can direct message you. Just want to ask you is Novation Launch Control XL the best option for on the go deeper editing or are there other good options?
+Dan47839 depends on what you mean by editing. Lcxl is great for controlling parameters (basically anything already on the Circuit) but an iOS app like Lemur or Touch OSC or the new Circuit Synth Editor app could work even better. All you need is a camera connection kit (for iOS) or equivalent for andriod.
How compatible do you find the Circuit workflow with the Octatrack. Also, since I'm interested mainly on the synth parts of the Circuit, do you find them powerful?
I feel a bit ashamed of buying it because I didn't touched the possibilities of the Circuit's synths engine yet.. But a 2 days deal is a 2 days deal ! Hey Bo, I'm sure you'd be glad to ear that your videos just made me more creative, and open minded when I play music! ( Circuit also counts ahah! :D ) Keep up the good and inspiring work man!
Old video, sorry for popping this on here... But, hey, I got a Novation Circuit for my niece (because you make it look so fun!) and now I'm figuring it out before sending it off to her. So, here's a question I can't seem to find an answer to: I know that when you save a session, it will save the tempo. But when you switch sessions in play mode, it just goes with the tempo you currently have. This make totals sense in most cases, since a lot of techno is roughly the same tempo. But...when I'm switching to a much slower session, it's often really awkward to do while playing. I'd rather it just went down to the new temp... Do you know of anyway to do this? Between reddit and the manual I am stumped.
Ah, well, as I keep telling myself "limited options force creative solutions". For the longest time I've been working with Ableton Suite + Ableton Push + a few very nice software synths and sounds banks. I can do pretty much anything I want...and often end up paralized by choice when making music or, even more often, caught up in trying to determine if I want my third oscelator to be a Saw4 or a Saw6 (I mean, is there really a difference Jay, really?) The Circuit has such limited options...it's just so awesome for my creativity because I don't get bogged down in details, I just take what I have and actually make something. In the end, I'm passing the Circuit on to my niece (I'm trying to foster an appreciate for electronica in her budding intellect), but I'm definitely taking the lessons learned from this and reworking my approach to music in Ableton land. So, you know, thanks for posting all these videos about the Circuit, I think it's put me in a better place :)
+Jay Carr i just got the Komplete 12 Ultimate pack... and man while its amazing it also puts me right in that spot: saw6 or saw6.3245332....i too need them limits
If you have a kick drum and a snare, you can only have 2 hats playing? and if i have one channel playing a hat that is hitting on every step, i can't layer another hat ontop of it in the same channel?
You can only have one sample playing on each step. So your second suggestion is correct. If you play 16th hihats on one channel that channel would be "full". But you can easily program or live record a kick+snare loop on ONE channel.
So this is made for more an electronic sound of music, would this work for lo-fi or just other styles in general? Or are there different boards I should be looking at?
I've had my Novaton Circuit and MiniNova for about a year as well, still love it but need a stand and can't find one that is right for either, any reasonably priced suggestions?
I have tried it but never owned one. I think it sounds very good. It is also very versatile. But I prefer the Analog Rytm from Elektron (own that one) because I like their workflow better. Also I heard that Dave Smith won't keep developing the Tempest further, so thats a bummer.
If you record your samples at double pitch(speed), they will take up half the space, then you can use the pitch on the circuit to pull them back down to the correct pitch.
Hi I love your vids and aded a circuit to my Roland mc505 because of your vids however for some reason my circuit is not working through my active speakers why is this can you help or have I been ripped off
hey Bo, I made a short tune on the Circuit not long at all yet just an idea and I wondered if you would be willing to take a listen? and how I could send it to you if so?
15:00 Quite interesting ! This is exactly what I'd like to do. I'm a bass player/singer and I'd like to use a sampler/drum machine on stage, but the song programming on the circuit seems pretty limited. Can you really make full song structures on these machines, so you have your hands free to play another instrument on top ?
Thanks ! That's what I thought. I'm considering the Korg Electribe 2 Sampler for that matter, since it has pattern chaining + event recorder. But still I feel this will be more tedious than on my old Alesis SR18...
I understand so Push 2 is more a MIDI controller designed to make Ableton easier to use from what I can see and can double as an instrument while connected to the software whereas Novation Circuit is a true stand alone synthesizer/drum machine, right? I definitely want to pickup both. The Akai MPC Live and Akai MPC X are way too expensive. Just for what MPC Live costs, I can get both the Push 2 and Novation Circuit.
I would advice picking up Push 2 first and see if you really need a Circuit then =) might want something else like a more dedicated synthesizer instead. The Circuit is more of a stand alone groovebox. Doesn't really work super with Ableton.
BoBeats great idea thanks! Yeah I'll stick to the Ableton Push and maybe later on consider picking up a used circuit or mpc live synthesizer. Great review!
Is there any way to edit the synths/samples from Android? That would be a must for me, as I travel a lot and would bring it with me but I couldn't justify buying an iPad/iPhone just to edit the synth
Want to pick up a Novation Circuit? Use my affiliate link: redir.love/VmtyAXa5
By the way the link is down on thomann :/ ( not available anymore on thomann )
This is great! A one-year-later review is far more useful in the practical than an unboxing or sales-floor review. Thanks for doing this!
+Andin Briwel most welcome sir!!
You have so goddamn positive vibes. love it bro
I just ordered a Novation Circuit and was looking at some videos while waiting for it to arrive. This review makes me think I have ordered the right thing for me. I'm be checking your other videos out too thanks!
I always watch good reviews when I wait for an instrument -_- it's a way to assure yourself that you made the right choice... But in the end, what matters is not what people on youtube say ( even though Bo has one of the best synth channel on youtube ) it's all up to you. But I must say, I always watch a review before getting anything. ( Now I want to get one too -_- )
Bo beats
Lenny is it good??
I'm a beginner to music production that's looking for something to back up my guitar, and also wants to make electronic music on a portable, standalone device. You pretty much just took the words out of my mouth.
This should work for sure!
I am exactly in the same situation, and just got the Roland MC-101, hope it won’t be a bad choice for me...
Thanks for the help Bo! After a few months of toying with the idea (and discovering your channel), I think it's time for me to get involved with the circuit :)
+A - 55 glad I could help mate! I hope you enjoy it if you do pick it up
I stumbled upon your channel while researching what synth to buy. Gotta say that I love your chilled out style, you get to the point and throw in a few light laughs. Really great content! I sold all my synths a couple of years back to travel and now I'm settled again and I'm really itching to tweak some knobs and get lost in loops. You've got me feeling pretty sold on the circuit, I can see myself having a lot of fun. The analogue lover in me wants to get something a bit more knobby and slidey and generally tweaky... I have more research to do! Anyway, cheers for the great work, enjoy your coffee!
Thanks mate! Check my Minilogue videos. I think thats tweaky and knobby enough for ya! Or maybe a Mother 32? MiniBrute 2 / 2S?
i'm addicted to falling asleep to the sound of your voice
+hamed rahmani aww :-)
hamed rahmani lol that’s the gayest thing I’ve read all day bro :p jk
Forgotten Mohawks Being Gei is Gud , Budd
Most of the time I lose interest after 5 mins or so with these types of videos , but I watched this the whole way through and subbed because of this video. Thanks for the helpful review.
+Conor O'Gara thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
If you chuck in loops, you can get some swing going and that will help break up the fixed pattern.
What a coincidence you would post this video on the day mine shows up in the mail! I can't wait to jam out on it.
I hope you enjoy it mate! Let it grow on you
Hello Bo,
Once again it s a great video !
I bought the circuit a few weeks ago in addition to my mininova thanks to your videos.
I just add to my setup a monologue and i can't be more happy with !)
I m a metal guitar player and i wanted to add synths to my music, so i used Vst and i had so much Fun that i upgraded to a hardware setup !
You helped me to build my setup to try and more important tout allow me to have fun with something different !
So thank you Bo, for your work and for your positivity !
Take care !
Thank you for the kind words! Sounds like you got one fun setup there mate!!
xxTEKAxx - If you set your Mininova to send on channel 1, you can use it to edit the synth 1 on Circuit, and use Channel 2 to edit Synth 2....There are some differences (Mininova has options that Circuit doesn't, and less filter and waveform options), but for the most part it works.....you can look at the MIDI Implementation for both to find the differences.
Just being able to use the AMP and Filter controls on the Mininova is great in itself.
Andrew Cummings i will check this, thanks for the tips !
I just plugged the circuit to sequence the mininova/ monologue arppegiator but i will check all its possibility !
That is solid advice. I have heard about this but I was not sure how well it worked.
Im very often at a friends house wich whom i make music with, at work im sittin 3-6 hours in the back of a car and i like to go camping as well. The Circuit gonna be my "where ever i go i can work on my music".. this device fits all my needs. And after touching these maschine crap shit, i sweard to myself im goin for an dawless setup. Circuit is my first step towards an dawless setup. Thx Bo for your informational videos, this helped me alot
First time watching this I was really confused. After doing more research and watching your hardware sync setup tutorial, I understood everything you said in the video and now I am going to buy the Circuit for my Volca (currently only have the Sample, about to get the FM, Modular, and a free Mix) + Minilogue + Arturia Keystep setup. Many more thanks again :)
Oh!! The sample flip thing was something I did not know about. This is actually something that is now interesting...hmmm. Thanks.
Just watching this again. I remember watching that 1st video and the thing that struck me was that not only did talk about the Circuit in an interesting way, but you did it with charisma, intelligence, and character. Keep it up Bo, and thanks for all your inspiration.
Thanks Steven!! Glad to hear it
yeah for sitting in the caffe and writing and screech ideas its super for me.
Bruno Wiebelt what in the world is a ‘screech’ idea? Lol
You don't NEED a computer, but I have a ton of fun using it as a midi controller with maschine !
Keith W. I think he mentioned that because not everyone has or uses a computer.
Got a 2ND hand one on the way.. can't wait, just hope I can get all the updates and software etc. I'll be making breakcore (managed it with a po33ko so 60 secs is awesome) so really need to be able to get into the synth engine and sample import
I got bitten by the budget synth bug via a volca beats, followed by a monologue and volca fm. I'm looking for a polysynth and this looks absolutely phenomenal for the price. Two synths, 4 samples, great sequencer, effects, continual updates. There is nothing else that comes close to competeing.
really really great video. I want to get in to making some music for fun, and I really liked how helpful and detailed your review is!
Love your video's! Made me want a circuit yesterday ;). Thanks!
Nice review Bo..love the curcuit and the Synths And Wood stand 😀
Thanks Mike!
After all this time I'm buying one!
I hope there's another firmware upgrade one day to allow micro timing, retriggers and conditional triggers. It could happen! 😊
But there is micro steps and micro timings now!! Watch my ”Circuit 2018 still worth it video”
I love having a saved session and then warping it with all sorts of changes, voices, macro tweaks and then smoothly segue back to the saved session. Also I make say three copies of a session with variations and Circuit switches seamlessly between them. All it needs is to record such a performance out to an external device, if I do not concretise my performances at some point I end up a week later with so many changes to those sessions it's like a different track.
+girl in a gale this is what I love so much about it!!
I continue to think of Circuit as quite amazing. I highly value the synths for their exciting colours and textures and I love to have a drum sequencer, so much cleaner than finger drumming to a seperate metronome. I like to play Circuit drums through an external effect such as Beat Repeat on a rc505 to give them a more granular glitched element, otherwise they are very 909 clean.
I think so too! I don't think it sounds bad at all and it handles multiple tracks very nicely! Superb value/money
Thanks for the channel and sharing your knowledge. I’m going to buy the original circuit. Used they’re going for £150.
that minilogue in the background looks beautiful!!!
love it!
Another great video. Just bought mine! I came in the last category!
Hi Bo, unfortunately your affiliate link doesn't work anymore because 'The Novation Circuit is regretfully no longer available'. But the information here is still useful for those of us who like me, want to pick up a used Circuit instead. :-) Thanks so much Bo for keeping this 1 year review up on your channel!
Thanks for letting me know! And glad you found it useful
Good review. Helped me to decide :) I appreciate the honesty and feel as though my thoughts reflect you're own when you mention at the end about the sound quality. I feel as though this would let me down. This is the point for me. Thank you :) Respect x
Thanks Ben! Glad to be of service
I'm thinking of getting something like this to go with my 2 synths. The problem is that I can't decide between this and the Beatstep Pro. I need to make my mind up soon and buy something! :-)
Reviews like this are very helpful so thanks very much.
Thanks mate! Both are nice products for sure. This is definitely more "graphic" and "tactile", while the BSP has more controls that you can assign
Excellent review bud. Glad you mentioned ios. It's getting big now. You might want to check out the new LayR iOS synth.
It's pretty mind boggling for 20 quid.
Cheers.
Hey mate! Thanks! I will check out LayR. I want to do more in iOS
can you add this to your dj set or traktor?
Great video! I really like thatthe circuit and new electribes respond well to midi click over USB. This makes them great for programs such as bloc waves and other iOS apps that use phrase sample style production.
Thank you mate! Yeah I have had little trouble syncing the Circuit to just about anything
My setup is an sp 404 sx and a circuit as a sequencer, drum machine, and synth and its perferct for my workstyle.
Great Review! I'm gonna get the Circuit some time soon - I have a microbrute already ^^
Thanks mate! Hooking up the Micrbrute to the Circuit will be great!
Nice vid Bo :) I would never get rid of my circuit, it is so versatile, I use it alongside an iPad and as well as what you mention in the vid it also works really well as a MIDI controller for apps like Gadget, as well as a sequencer to drive iOS synths.
As you mentioned Mininova, Where the Circuit doesn't have all of the available waveforms and envelopes and FX, the synth engine is basically the same. I am using circuit and mininova together, and Mini nova also works as a sound editor for Circuit (with some very simple mapping of waveform numbers).
Yeah the MiniNova and Circuit are fairly similar no doubt. Mini has 3 OSC tho which does make slightly more "powerful" (such an arbitrary term) and I think some of the waveforms sound a lot better. But very similar indeed.
I have not tried it as a controller yet. Never felt the need (I use Maschine Studio) but I can definitely see the appeal. Do you simply use "midi learn" functionality in the apps (since Circuit has fixed CC values per knob) or some other way? Curious!
The Mininova definitely sounds better overall, I havent done side by side comparison of presets using the same features and values tho.
When using as a controller then yes MIDI learn when available or if not then I have resorted to MIDI Bridge to remap the CC's.
It works particularly well with both ModStep and Gadget, have them running using MIDI Clock sync, and you can record sequences from Circuit into the apps, meaning you get the ease of use and speed of using the hardware sequencer and scale mode for playing live, as opposed to trying to use a piano roll or on screen keys.
With ModStep you can easily transfer patterns to/from the circuit by just recording the midi.
You do have to swap your midi channels around a bit to make sure you are on channel 1 or 2 when receiving MIDI from circuit.
Thanks mate! Great to hear how you use it =)
BO you're the main reason i got the Circuit in the first place! Now the real question is do i get a new sampler like the MPC Live or another Circuit because i love it that much! Keep up the Circuit videos because i think The circuit will keep evolving. You inspire me to someday post my first Novation Circuit video. Practice Practice Practice:)
Just hit me up whenever you do post a video mate! Depending on your setup I think a MPC Live will add more than another Circuit. I mean two X Circuit is something I am aiming for in the future BUT it only gives you that much more... And its tricky to control!
My Current Setup. Novation Circuit, Artura Drumbrute, Cyclone TT-303 Bass Bot, Pioneer DJm-800, CDJ-1000MK3, and Juno 106 that needs fixing. + a Digi002.
If you want a DAWless setup: go for the MPC Live. If you are fine with recording into a computer and want to expand your hands on control and jamming potential a Circuit might give you more value (for its much lower price).
Just wanted to say thanks, you're the man!
I love exploring knobs.
Don't we all! :)
Funniest thing I read all day.
as do i ;)
you have the dx racer I wanted, and the same colour. I ended up getting a similar chair, technisport, in blue, it is quite good quality.
After electribe2, Novation circuit sounds like a toy for teenagers. I hope they release electribe3 some day before I grow older. In 10 years I will be an old grandpa with a walking stick, if I am still alive.
I was recommended synthstrom deluge, but not available in my country.
Insane ! I love your voice mixing!
Great video, I got my Circuit last week and it's revolutionised the way I try to make music. Now I don't really "try" to make music, I just experiment and feel the groove! Your videos convinced me the Circuit was worth the chance.
Novation should link to this review as it is also a good overview of the features.
Thank you Robert. Glad you are enjoying it. Novation are often good at promoting my videos, I am sure they will
Thank you. Just what I needed!
Hi Bo, thank you for the great review. You pressed much knowledge in to 19 min so in some places you had to talk rather quick. But I found a nice solution to catch up with you. I just throttled the video speed to 0.5. That was "Circuit for Dummies". 😀
Thank you sir! I have gotten critique in the past for speaking slowly so I guess I am adapting to the TH-cam speed of talking. People joked they used to set the speed to 1.5 or 3 :D hehe
If they ever add a chromatic option for samples, then I'll buy one.
It looks like such a fun thing to use, but that omission really limits what I'd be able to use it for.
Very interested in this little box as part of a live rig. Is it easy to program on the fly and 'improvise' with?
i love mine! and you were the reason i bought it still figuring it out but a great instrument :)
Thank you sir! =)
i dont feel this unit is for me, but i cant get over how underappreciated it seems to be by the larger electronic music production community. the value of it still seems totally unbelievable i think for what it can do.
Its definitely not for everyone! Its quite peculiar really, but a lot of people like. So a lot of people are bound to not like it.
I heavily invested in the whole Novation line and I am also very new at trying to be a "Producer" I am however a tradition instrument Musician and I am new to the Circuit A few months now and I am just now wrapping my head around how to use it.. I LOVE your videos, and I am truly just now beginning to understand how to use the Circuit.. I got a lot of useful information from this Video .. THANKS and keep them coming? Do you have any Base station II or Mininova videos like this?
Thanks mate! I just recently bought the Bass Station 2. I am thinking of doing videos on it as well. ANything in particular you would enjoy?
Wow.. I dont know how to respond because I have been marathon watching your vids and they ALL have at least 1 or 2 very good take away points in them .. I am an old school guy when it comes to keys .. Yahama V50 .. Roland U20.. Ensonique TS-10.. so things like DAW's and the like are fairly new to me.. I guess I would like to see how to use this stuff in a chain.. and how to make "My OWN" sound using the factory presets as a starting point.. Is that too much? Also where are you from? I am in FL USA..
Great feedback mate. I am based in Sweden. I might actually do something on the BS2. Probably not soon since I have a lot of other stuff to cover but stay tuned. Going from the presets is a great way to start building stuff. Also checking out Synthorial program could be nice. its a very nice tutorial if you want to get more into things like synthesis
Thanks .. You have a TON of vids for me to catch up on.. so there is plenty of time!! :) Thanks for the awesomely quick response as well, that is a rare thing on youtube .. I will send you a pic when I get my studio arranged this week if you get PM's .. but right now I have the French Press making Coffee and the Circuit in front of me and that will be the rest of my day today :)
Nice! Have a good cup of coffee... Oh and just to give you a teaser... Got a series of videos coming on how to use 2 x Circuits + Novation Launch Control XL ;) Ultimate Circuit Setup
Nice video, we saw a lot of reviews of this cool novation machine but it's always interesting to see one year later if the thrill is still on. Novation made huge improvements and thumbs up for the developpers team., the sample flip per step kind of p-locks thing is awsome. The only thing i'd like them to unlock is triplets.for far that i know it's not available and i think it's for me a lack for electronic musicians nowadays. But for the price the circuit is a must have. And it can be a cool cheap but very capable sequencer for bigger synths and drum synths in a full setup. But now that you got your elektron moog ang korg machines do you still use the circuit?
Unquantized recording or something like that is high on my wanted list. I actually use the Circuit quite a lot. I love to just jam on it. And I make songs for my TH-cam on it as well. Its harder for me to integrate it into my current "big" workflow, but thats just because I have too much gear.I would say I use it just as much as I use my Analog Keys for example
Don't have the circuit at home but tried out one and i thought it would be a good and esay small sequencer if you hook up the moog and the minilogue (that means 4 synths with the internal ones) etc did you try? (That would be a good "setup"new video by the way....;)
Buying this!
+XxxM-swisher MusicXxx cool!!
Nice 1 year review Bo! ;)
I agree with nearly everything you say. Only when you talk about the circuit having only 2 synth channels as a limitation, I would have added that the true 6 voice polyphony per channel gives you the opportunity to have multiple melodies on different octaves and when you assign "keyboard" as source in the mod matrix, the sound can be very different on high and low octaves of one channel.
PS: Its cute how you say "syntersizers" instead of synthesizers (#no homo :D).
HA HA. I didn't even think about the lack of R in synth-te-sizer. I add it to the list of funny pronounciations... It got fine company by "arp-e-G-G io" and me always saying BoBeats so it sounds like BOB-EATS.
Yeah this is very true! I often abuse the 6 poly to create say one channel with both bass and lead for example. A very good point!
If I want something I can use just to jam out, nothing for serious producing, is it worth getting? I imagine this would be fun to play if I’m traveling or hanging out at home.
+Shaun Carabajal definitely!!
I love syntersizers
Oh and great video by the way!! I love the circuit!
Thanks mate!
irs works with native??
Wouldn't mind a pro version that's basically 2 put together with more session space, a microsd for samples, and extra midi out tracks for external gear without using up the built in tracks.
Hello Bo! Would you show us some synth streams in this year? Thank you
Great video, I will be ordering mine now
+TheDarkPhoenix13 cool! Hope you enjoy it mate
Great video Bo. I might add that Isotonik just released a VST editor for Circuit and I think it includes a Lemur template also... it's not free unfortunately, but I'm thinking of getting it, as I'm not a fan of the Max4Live editor. I also heard that Novation *might* be making an offline version of components, which will be nice if it turns out to be true!
Thanks mate! I will be testing out the VST version as soon as I get the time for sure =)
How many machines could you hook using midi out (with a thru split) ? Is it easy to switch midi channel ? How does a keyboard controller responds playing the synth when plugged in MIDI in ? Thanks.
+orbitalchiller hey mate: if you connect a midi keyboard to the circuit IN the Circuit synths respond to it. Most midi keyboard can change channels so you just set it to channel 1 or 2.
With a midi splitter you can send to several other synths. But you are limited to midi channels 1-2 and 10 basically. And 10 is not a real sequencer channel anyway.
I have a tutorial on this "how to sequence external gear using the Circuit"
you a cool dude, I subscribed!
Justin Lim Hi Gei 🖊
I thought you were going to lay down some serious rap at the start Bo! Those hands are on fire man! "Hello and welcome to Bo Bitch... BOOM" Thanks for sharing, going to buy one and the Minilogue xd soon, inspiring tutorials!
Thanks Bo was waiting on this one 👍
Yeah I felt like there were a lot of people wanting me to do a update on this. I need to do more reviews overall. Rytm, Minilogue, AK, I havn't reviewed them. But now I will start doing that as well. I just want to make sure I can articulate what is good/bad etc with them
BoBeats yeah that's sensible I look forward to whatever comes
nice finger drumming ;)
+Sam S so skilled ;-)
synthersizers!!
Nice video, pretty obvious you love your Circuit, which is a good indication of its qualities and usefulness.
Something I've always wondered though: Why the Novation Circuit is much more popular than the new Korg Electribe? I have spent a bit of time with both, I like them both. The sequencer is a bit faster to work with for the initial step-recording on the Circuit. But the Electribe seems much more flexible. On top of that I found that the number of parts, sounds, effects and features more or less blow the Circuit out of the water. And more subjective I think its engine sounds nicer too.
The Electribe is a bit more expensive, and I've heard talk about some faults, which seemed minor to me, but then again I don't own one. But that difference in public opinion have always intriqued me. So if you, or someone else, knows, I'm very curious.
Btw, isn't the synth engine supposed to be the exact same as the Ultra-/Mininovas? Just in need of an editor for the deep edits.
Hey Marc! The Circuit engine is based on the Nova engine but it is not the exact same engine. You can not use synth patches from any other synth in the Circuit because of this reason. The MiniNova got 3x osc and Circuit 2x for example. And both Novas sound a lot better I think.
Now as to why the Circuit has gotten so much praise. I don't think you can view it from a reductionistic standpoint. It is not the parts (where the Korg has several benefits on paper) but its rather a combination of price, ease of use, form factor, hands on workflow that makes it so popular. And ofc the great support it has received. Also I think the Korg Electribes received some flack from its core user base because it was less like old school Electribes. Also I think the Circuit is much easier sold to a beginner for above reasons. That is my analysis.
I think I would love an Electribe. I too think it sounds very good and has a lot more options and flexibility. But playability and fun factor is where the Circuit shines.
I didn't know that. But then I've only tried the Circuit standalone, not seen the building blocks in the editor. Just thought it's be more or less 1:1 when they said it was the nova engine.
I think your analysis is fairly accurate, except I personally don't think there's a big enough difference in form factor and hands on workflow, to warrant the big difference in public support, which in turn ought to narrow the gap.
Normally I'd think there'd be a bigger (60-70% of their shared market?) group supporting the Circuit for the low price and simplicity. And the other, smaller, group supporting the Electribe for its power and flexibility. Which is why I wonder about the current state of things.
Given their individual strengths, one would also think there'd be more people with both than there currently seem to be.
Knowing what I now know, if I was building a setup from scratch, I'd probably get those two, a Rolls MX42 to mix them into a (mini) Kaoss Pad, and finish in a recorder. Simple, fairly cheap, portable, batterypower-able and extremely capable and flexible.
My GAS has a tendency to run amok, and bloat my studio, which can be quite counterproductive to creativity.
Man I need to get my hands on an Electribe. Never worked with one. I was more into the Yamaha grooveboxes (RM1X) back then. So I never really considered the Electribe. But I really like the sound of its engine.
I find the Circuit has a liquid airy synth space. I've used it now for several months and been through phases of frustration with the 8 measure sequences and not being able to sequence pads for more than one measure. But once I began recording it out to a five track looper, with pads held for as many measures as \I want, I am creating some of the best work I have ever done.
I have been through this too, I think you end up with better results because of the sequencing limitations, it forces you to still play and not be able to sequence the whole thing.
This video could not have come at a better time! I've been looking at purchasing my first drum machine recently and this really helped, awesome review and answered a lot of questions I had.
I do have a few questions tho if anyone is able to answer them.
A) What are some other great alternatives for someone like me (fitting into the musician category) looking for a portable, not to complicated to use drum machine? (Preferably battery powered)
And B) Does anyone know if novation would be adding in a "Non Quantize" mode, it's high on my list as well as I love to use triplets and syncopated drum beats so really not being able to do that is a bit of a bugger.
Thanks so much all!
A) Korg Electribe 2 / Electribe 2 Sampler (two different machines BUT they look pretty much identical). Volca Beats. Volca Sample.
2) I know a non-quantize mode is high up on the feature list. People really want that. BUT I can't say if they ever will be able to make it. At least you can do polyrhythms and polymeter on it.
Thank you for the kind words and feedback!
@bobeats can I hear the built in speaker in any of your videos? Wonderings it u 8:46 at all?
I had to send mine in for repair, and I miss it already! 😕
♥️♥️♥️
What happened to it?
One of the encoders was broken off in airport security! Novation was cool enough to replace it. They're really great. Next time I'll pad it with more care...or not take it
@@AndyTanguay decksaver...
Sorry for posting on an old video but not sure if I can direct message you. Just want to ask you is Novation Launch Control XL the best option for on the go deeper editing or are there other good options?
+Dan47839 depends on what you mean by editing. Lcxl is great for controlling parameters (basically anything already on the Circuit) but an iOS app like Lemur or Touch OSC or the new Circuit Synth Editor app could work even better. All you need is a camera connection kit (for iOS) or equivalent for andriod.
K thanks I actually bought an IPad for Touch osc after watching your Alcahol video but I'm not skilled and it looks complicated to set up 😃
+Dan47839 all you need is to download a preset for touch osc. There are several on the circuit owners group on FB :-) files section
Sweet sounds good thanks. Keep up the amazing toons and coffee 👍
Ok Sub, my friend. Now I watch the video to the end and maybe I buy this thing.
Thank you for this video!
How compatible do you find the Circuit workflow with the Octatrack. Also, since I'm interested mainly on the synth parts of the Circuit, do you find them powerful?
YES YOU SHOULD!!! :D
Circuit is amazing! Btw Bo, I have a Monologue coming to hang with his bro circuit :) got it for 250E brand new!
Nice man!! Bad ass setup!
I feel a bit ashamed of buying it because I didn't touched the possibilities of the Circuit's synths engine yet..
But a 2 days deal is a 2 days deal !
Hey Bo, I'm sure you'd be glad to ear that your videos just made me more creative, and open minded when I play music! ( Circuit also counts ahah! :D )
Keep up the good and inspiring work man!
Thanks mate!! =) keep it up!!
Old video, sorry for popping this on here... But, hey, I got a Novation Circuit for my niece (because you make it look so fun!) and now I'm figuring it out before sending it off to her.
So, here's a question I can't seem to find an answer to: I know that when you save a session, it will save the tempo. But when you switch sessions in play mode, it just goes with the tempo you currently have. This make totals sense in most cases, since a lot of techno is roughly the same tempo. But...when I'm switching to a much slower session, it's often really awkward to do while playing. I'd rather it just went down to the new temp...
Do you know of anyway to do this? Between reddit and the manual I am stumped.
+Jay Carr glad you picked it up! As to your question I do not know of any work around for this.
Ah, well, as I keep telling myself "limited options force creative solutions". For the longest time I've been working with Ableton Suite + Ableton Push + a few very nice software synths and sounds banks. I can do pretty much anything I want...and often end up paralized by choice when making music or, even more often, caught up in trying to determine if I want my third oscelator to be a Saw4 or a Saw6 (I mean, is there really a difference Jay, really?)
The Circuit has such limited options...it's just so awesome for my creativity because I don't get bogged down in details, I just take what I have and actually make something.
In the end, I'm passing the Circuit on to my niece (I'm trying to foster an appreciate for electronica in her budding intellect), but I'm definitely taking the lessons learned from this and reworking my approach to music in Ableton land. So, you know, thanks for posting all these videos about the Circuit, I think it's put me in a better place :)
+Jay Carr i just got the Komplete 12 Ultimate pack... and man while its amazing it also puts me right in that spot: saw6 or saw6.3245332....i too need them limits
+BoBeats komplete 11*
If you have a kick drum and a snare, you can only have 2 hats playing? and if i have one channel playing a hat that is hitting on every step, i can't layer another hat ontop of it in the same channel?
You can only have one sample playing on each step. So your second suggestion is correct. If you play 16th hihats on one channel that channel would be "full". But you can easily program or live record a kick+snare loop on ONE channel.
Novation Ultranova 37-key, is that what you mention? is it standalone?? does it sound good? does it have preset patterns to see it in action?
can you let us know what sound pack where you using in this video ?
very good vid, must pick up one of those myself, cheers
Thank you! I am glad you like my videos. If you do pick one up I have a big playlist of Circuit videos and tutorials
Would this be a good addition to my SL MKIII? I'm still learning and feel I should have gotten this first. But think they would be good together?
So this is made for more an electronic sound of music, would this work for lo-fi or just other styles in general? Or are there different boards I should be looking at?
You just said you can't Change the auto quantization of sequencer. So is there no way to Realtime sequence external synthesizers?
I've had my Novaton Circuit and MiniNova for about a year as well, still love it but need a stand and can't find one that is right for either, any reasonably priced suggestions?
Is there a way to connect it to a PA for live club situations or is it mainly to make beats ?
Is it able to record automations, like filter cutoff automations?
yepp
Have you ever tried Dave smith - Tempest Analog Drum Machine . If yes , what is your opinion on that ? . Thanks for the great video ..
I have tried it but never owned one. I think it sounds very good. It is also very versatile. But I prefer the Analog Rytm from Elektron (own that one) because I like their workflow better. Also I heard that Dave Smith won't keep developing the Tempest further, so thats a bummer.
Has anyone considered a way to upgrade the 60 second sampling limit?
Not that I know of
If you record your samples at double pitch(speed), they will take up half the space, then you can use the pitch on the circuit to pull them back down to the correct pitch.
Yeah this works for sure. A bit tedious (I can't stand boring!) but it works =)
Andrew Cummings old school hip hop stylee! good looking out my friend
Hi I love your vids and aded a circuit to my Roland mc505 because of your vids however for some reason my circuit is not working through my active speakers why is this can you help or have I been ripped off
If I don't normally quantize my drums, should I stay away from this??
+ruff. Yes!
BoBeats thanks for that straight forward answer 😂.
;) you are welcome sir!
ruff. first off i know your channel and watch your shit for a few years and would say you can use this with your sp and you'll be straight
Hello Bo, can you recommend this machine to sidechain my Yamaha MODX? Thanks in advance, Michel
can it be used as a midi controller as well for DAWs and DJ ing softwares?thanks
hey Bo, I made a short tune on the Circuit not long at all yet just an idea and I wondered if you would be willing to take a listen? and how I could send it to you if so?
15:00 Quite interesting ! This is exactly what I'd like to do. I'm a bass player/singer and I'd like to use a sampler/drum machine on stage, but the song programming on the circuit seems pretty limited. Can you really make full song structures on these machines, so you have your hands free to play another instrument on top ?
No, not full songs. Because you need to switch sessions manually
Thanks ! That's what I thought. I'm considering the Korg Electribe 2 Sampler for that matter, since it has pattern chaining + event recorder.
But still I feel this will be more tedious than on my old Alesis SR18...
How does it compare to the Ableton Push2 and Akai MPC Pro controllers?
Well its not a controller at all really. its a synth and sample player. So not same category of tools =)
I understand so Push 2 is more a MIDI controller designed to make Ableton easier to use from what I can see and can double as an instrument while connected to the software whereas Novation Circuit is a true stand alone synthesizer/drum machine, right? I definitely want to pickup both. The Akai MPC Live and Akai MPC X are way too expensive. Just for what MPC Live costs, I can get both the Push 2 and Novation Circuit.
I would advice picking up Push 2 first and see if you really need a Circuit then =) might want something else like a more dedicated synthesizer instead. The Circuit is more of a stand alone groovebox. Doesn't really work super with Ableton.
BoBeats great idea thanks! Yeah I'll stick to the Ableton Push and maybe later on consider picking up a used circuit or mpc live synthesizer. Great review!
Circuit forever! 😁
I think getting this device is go to add different parts to your music and sketch ideas
Can i save the songs i made in the circuit? Or do i have to build from the scratch everytime?
bo this is impotant please, does it pitch samples?
I’m positive it can, I’ve seen people who programmed a macro knob to sample pitch, or a fader on a MIDI controller to sample pitch.
Is there any way to edit the synths/samples from Android? That would be a must for me, as I travel a lot and would bring it with me but I couldn't justify buying an iPad/iPhone just to edit the synth
Does it midi sync out ? to like a looper station.
How do you record finished songs with the Circuit? How good is the quality of sound after transfer?
You have to record into a computer using a sound card. The quality depends on the soundcard and the mixing.