Novation Circuit Tracks Reviews

Powerfull groovebox

I bought this item for live giging with synthwave stuff. In a pair of monts you can fully now the manual. Its posible to produce long lenght songs.

The quality of sounds Is very good, just a little tricky patch editing with the software if you are nota familiar with syntesis. More a machine for plug n play!! I use It with a model D for bass and system-1 from Roland. The i order the circuit rythm LOL. NICE NOVATION STUFF

Amazing ease of use

I bought this as a gift for a friend, I am mostly the traditional type and really want to play keys.

This is very very ease to use, very logically laid out and after glancing on the manual for a bit you will be able to immediately start laying tracks, drums etc. It's an amazing product for the price.

easy to use but powerful

learning curve is not complicated, but powerful . once you learn it is very easy to get good result. the first week i create four packs and my own presets for the synth engine, after 3 weeks i got around 30 songs done and upload on soundcloud, look for Dark O.C.T. playlist circuit tracks jam

Perfect groovebox

It's a perfect groovebox to learn the basics and have some fun while laying on the couch with headphones on.

The only con for me is that the default synths are too "electric" and "snappy", more difficult to get a more melodic, chill sound out.

Does more than what I thought

Easy to learn, hard to master. Nice groovebox with tons of possibilities, uploading your own samples/synth patches and a memory card can make this a very powerful device (factory soundbank is also great tho).

Sequencing is easy, applying effects and sidechaining is very convenient for me.

This is an excellent device for getting into producing electronic music.

value for money

I needed something to help with my recordings. If you don't have too much time and need a firm drum&percussion support, this is your thing.

The best “mobile” groovebox

I was a bit skeptical mainly because it lacked a screen. But it’s just huge beast packed in a tiny body.

I have never been as productive with a grear as the Circuit Tracks.

I would have wished for a better software though (Component sucks).

Best introduction for making electronic music

Handling: The Circuit Tracks is probably the most hands-on device you can find for making electronic music. Virtually no menu navigation and super easy to pick up and start creating beats. The only issues I had were with the SD Card, which are limited to 32 GB (larger SD cards won't work well) and had a lot of problems uploading packs, but those were eventually solved by making sure I was using an SD Card formatted to FAT.

Features: CT packs a ton of features in it without feeling overwhelming. On the other hand, patch editing on the companion software can be very hard for beginners. Advanced users will find the CT a bit too limited but I think they can benefit from using it as sequencer for external hardware (something I haven't tried yet).

Sound: For the size and price it packs a lot of punch. The synth engine sounds good and the FX section works as expected. Being able to apply FX to external sound sources is a nice hidden feature.

Quality: The CT is a well built tool, feels sturdy but also light enough to bring to you anywhere.

Overall: I recommend the CT for any electronic music beginner who wants to get into hardware. The CT has huge expansion possibilities by adding external hardware and there's enough packs available online to not to get bored anytime soon. For advanced users it may feel limited.

Good workflow

Good workflow, mediocre synth.

didn't liked much

synth and effects sound is not sound good in my opinion, sequenser is cool.

I also didn;t like keyboard implementation, default keyboard is using minor scale instead of regular keyboard layout.

will hold it for couple of month before deciding to sell it

Awesome entry to the electronic music composition

The Novation Circuit Tracks is a very versatile groovebox that basically goes beyond what groovebox could do.

I really like it's sequencer and all of the pre-build synth sounds are good for the basics as well.

You would probably like to explore the device a bit further and connect it with it's PC application to upload more samples, synth sounds, midi templates or projects.

It has really good connectivity with standard MIDI-ports and two external audio inputs where you can mix external synthesizers or even some other audio gear, like guitar.

I have found it's very easy to navigate without any LCD display and the keys are basically lighting up with specific modes as you work with it.

And it really shines external synthesizers like Arturia Microfreak!

Best for beginners

Really good value product for beginner music makers.

Pros:

- Portability - all you need to start is inside this machine, enough battery life and features.

- Connectivity - you can add two external synths plus drum machine and sequence all this together with internal sounds, also apply effects to external synths.

- Sequencer - you can use this as 5 channel sequencer for external gear, for example i can use this to sequence my Jupiter-X synth which has total 5 channels.

- Features - lot of tuning options and features.

- Easy to learn - just needs few days to learn

Cons:

- Only two external midi sound tracks available, if you want to use internal sounds, mixer and fx section.

- Internal sound quality is mediocre

- Case slightly collects scratches

Swiss Army Knife

Two poly synths, four basic samples tracks, two all new poly MIDI tracks and a very touchable sequencer with pattern chaining, Ableton-Live-like "scenes" and step probability.

BOOOOOM! Novation drop the successor to the OG Circuit and double down on (internal!) battery driven portability, external MIDI and overall pad grid sequencing goodness. What's new? Audio In, 32 step patterns, variable pattern speeds, stop and start points, "scenes" AKA song mode, and one cleaned up caressable hardware package.

DAYUM, Wycombe! Pry this box from my cold dead hands if you dare! Need a musical sketchpad with synths and samples? Check! Need automatable Send-FX? Check! Need four MIDI tracks of poly sequencing? Checke-di-check! Need a citrus juicer? Yeah... look elsewhere maybe.

Circuit never dies,

Peace Out!

Amazing upgrade

This unit is amazing. The upgrades this machine came with are great. The addition of extra features, midi control of 2 external devices and buttons on this layout is great. The body is slim and it works for about 2 hours on a full charge. the pads are velocity-sensitive and it has full ports now instead of mini ports for the midi section. The only thing I feel is missing is an arpeggiator and a chord mode. But aside from that it is an amazing piece of gear. The way its features work you don't even need a screen. Well worth buying.