Novation Circuit Tracks: Groovebox Sequencer With Synth Tracks, MIDI Tracks And Drum Tracks Electronic Music Making

Product Information

With Novation releasing sound packs regularly for free into Components, it’s a great cloud resource and companion to the Novation Circuit Tracks itself. The engine can produce classic digital pads, morphing wavetable leads and dirty basses quite well – but can struggle with classic “analog-style” sounds due to its distinct digital coloration. With the original Circuit, the only way to access more Project slots or a different pool of samples was to swap out the current Pack from your computer.

Around the back are an on/off switch, a USB-C for power, a microSD slot, the aforementioned full-sized Mini sockets, an analogue sync jack socket, and all the audio inputs and outputs: Two 1/4″ jacks for audio out, a headphones 1/8″ jack, and two 1/4″ jacks for audio in (more on these later). Novation Circuit Tracks leans into the screen free and deeply intuitive workflow which made the original Circuit a fan-favourite ever since it launched in 2015. This is the pack that changed my mind on what the Circuit can sound like, and actually convinced me to upgrade from the OG to the Tracks.Passing external instruments through allows you to control them in the built-in mixer and apply the built-in effects and filter, which is very nice. Even without having used it in any extensive fashion (I spend a lot more time futzing with my OP-1, which sits in my office), I quite like the Tracks because it made me dive into a lot of the practicalities of sequencing on a standalone device. The original Circuit didn’t have one, so you always needed to step sequence something at the start of a Project before you could record in real‑time. Circuit Tracks gives you total control of your setup, with two dedicated MIDI tracks capable of sending notes and CC automation. It is built with an extremely light plastic chassis, but is still very sturdy and has no problems with bending or wobbling.

Novation Circuit Tracks is an all-in-one studio unit that includes everything you would need to design, create and perform your music. Tracks can record Macro movements into patterns too, and those eight controls can send configurable CC messages, allowing for automation of external gear via the MIDI tracks. A unique instrument, the Novation Circuit Tracks is a sequencer, drum machine/sample player dual synth, mixer and FX unit – and it doesn’t even have a screen! The two‑bar patterns are a welcome upgrade and mitigate the fact that you can only see four patterns at a time.The unit itself covers the same surface area, but has transformed from a chunky box, to a light, sleek wedge. The Circuit Tracks, like its predecessor, is based around its dual Nova synthesizer engines that come with a distinct digital sound.

I would have also preferred some type of performance FX option, which is provided in rival units such as the MC-101 (with its Scatter FX) and Electribe 2 (with its mini Kaoss Pad. The audio ins at the back are for your two external Midi instruments, and so you have two internal synths, two external instruments, and four drum tracks to mix. Recording longer patterns can still be awkward in Circuit, as you can’t tell where you are in the loop unless you are in the Pattern view. Douse synths, drums, and incoming audio in lush reverb and delay, make your mix pump with sidechain, and punch with the master compressor. NAMM 2024: Trivium’s Alex Bent announces signature Axis bass drum pedal, “I’m super-stoked to have my own pedal with Axis.I am pretty sure there is not technical reason to prevent Novation from doubling the number of patterns.