UPDATE: After this video was released, Novation released a firmware update that triples the total sample storage to over 3 minutes! However, you still can't play melodies with samples, unless you get my template here :) www.patreon.com/posts/47328078
More like what, 15-20 official videos? That was a lot from them in my feed.... I also jumped directly to loopop's video, haven't watched Novation's promo videos.
One thing missing on the Microfreak was the Reverb and cool Delay FX's thought I'd have to buy a pedal or run through a DAW, but the Circuit Tracks makes it a joy.
Novation is doing the good job, also Arturia with the continue updates to the Microfreak. So I should get a Circuit to pilot my MF and get new features for a long time :)
Looks really nice, I'm glad to see them building on an established system that really works well. The Circuit was already a capable MIDI controller and I'm glad they're leaning into it I'm gonna be missing the speaker though
Hmm it's more of an update than an upgrade to the original Circuit. The 2 main limitations I have with the original Circuit still remain: 1) Can't do sound design on it without a screen 2) Stereo out only. Considering the price, that's perfectly fine... but I have no intention of selling my old Circuit to get the new one.
@@geluix69 Can I ask why? There's still a battery inside, what's so specific about a USB C cable into a power brick vs a barrel plug into a wall wart cable?
Ok, I'm sold. The rechargeable battery, 4 independent drum tracks, can store multiple packs on SD card and recall them, USB power, sleek design and form factor, black color scheme, external input to run stereo signal chain thru effects... yup, definitely getting that.
Surely the stereo out only, is still a huge limitation. I just transferred 6 tracks (on my old Circuit) to Logic Pro - took a lot of fiddling. When the MC-707 and MC-101 let you export to separate tracks (4 and 8 respectively) I think Novation have missed a trick here. If you are serious enough to buy this new Circuit, over the old one secondhand, you are serious enough to want to get your sounds into a DAW eventually. All that work, tweaking, panning, adding FX to each track, sample flipping building up a really complex piece of sound/music and you can't keep it separate for extra mixing and mastering in a DAW..........when you can on MC101, Akai Force, MC707 - even the old Electribe allowed you to export stems/parts to Ableton - and that is as old as the original Circuit.
Fully agree with you! Should be able to interface with the DAW as separate tracks.. Especially with a name like "Circuit Tracks", and since you can run and mix external sound with it... only makes since to be able to send separate audio tracks to a DAW for recording. Novation was good about their firmware updates... maybe they'll sort that out when they release their firmware updates for the Circuit Tracks.
@@justFUNdimples maybe, I hope so (although what a tease that would be) and if they did do it - I'd for one jump straight in, and keep my current Circuit 1 as a spare or simple drum machine - Circuit 2 has actually rekindled some love for my old version, which is not that far behind as it stands now - in fact it's on my desktop right now building a new pack for it........
@@BsYtHandle no I don’t sadly. Gabe Miller does a good comparison between the two (old circuit and 101) that might be helpful. I nearly bought the 707. But now resigned myself to learning Logic Pro properly and finding that more rewarding.
I don't understand how these machines are still so artificially limited hardware has advanced massively since the original circuit and they still don't have more than a minute of sample memory.
@@kiko1935 My MODX (Plastic version of Montage w Montage Engine) has only 1.5gb and it's already full, I have the Bosendorfer and Chick Corea Library. Hoping that Yamaha could just allow external SD drives.
i understand it when theres an sd slot. for the most part I think most people would prefer to use sd instead of onboard flash memory. As for a reason, cost obviously. But there are a few I didn't consider initially. Yeah larger memory modules cost more money, but making a board that can accommodate them is a engineering and hardware cost as well. I still think its inexcusable to be putting out a device like this in this day and age and not having more than 20gb of storage, especially when these devices are so expensive and so premium.
Your review was awesome as always but Tracks is really disappointing. I was hoping for chromatic sample play mode, more than 2 synth tracks, direct sampling and a new synth engine
I am a massive fan of Circuit. Released two albums based primarily on work with it. Have to agree. This is more of a hardware revision and I was hoping for more. Maybe we'll get it with the one they are releasing over the summer.
@@strangersun7721 I love circuit too, it has a nice, fast workflow with no menu diving and it's very fun and inspiring. The thing is I didn't want labeled knobs or flat buttons, just something like the mc101 but with circuit's sequencer.
Novation engineers: We should update our circuit; it is a pretty nice device after all Novation boss: Totally! make it slick; but don't overdo... Remember that people freak out if there is a LCD that does not look like a calculator, have more than 32 steps per sequence and more than 8 tracks and 1 minute of total audio for sample pack.
I was expecting 4 tracks of Internal synth deluge style synth edition, where knobs functions change per pad and everything else just like that but for me is just hardware update and some extramemory
What changed your mind? All I'm seeing is an OG Circuit with 2 MIDI tracks and longer patterns. Same effects, same synths, same 4 drum tracks, same nearly everything
Expanded MIDI capabilities without sacrificing my drum/sample tracks, divided drum/sample tracks, external audio in, probability, more room for patches, scenes instead of having to use separate sessions unless I want a different patch, SD card, rechargable battery (I'd actually take my Circuit places if I didn't have to worry about batteries, well and pandemics but that's hardly Novation's fault that I know of). All of that's enough for me to prefer the new one between the two, and the things that remain the same aren't really negatives for me since I love my Circuit and am already familiar with it.
Oohh real time link with components? The software looks way nicer too, I hope Novation will do an iPad Components app for full portable control of the Circuit
This isn't the huge update I was hoping for, but I'll probably still buy it as soon as the shops open again here in the UK. I am still holding out for a circuit pro that's more in the MC-707 bracket. Biggest con here is there still only being one pair of outputs, bit disappointed that it's still the Nova engine and a heavy reliance on components, but the additional MIDI sequencing and CC automation is worth buying it for. I could probably do a lot of what's available with the launchpad pro mk3 and the original circuit. £360 is on the upper limit of reasonable, the MC-101 seems like the competition and that has audio over USB, which is a huge advantage and a feature that appears to be a massive omission from this generation of circuit. If this had audio over USB it would be the game changer I was hoping for, it's kind of baffling that Novation haven't included it.
I agree - all that work building up a song on 8 tracks and then to get it into Live or Logic you have to play it in 8 times - once for each individual track - or pan L and R and do it 4 times - but what a faff.
@@renek.6434 I'm not convinced by that - £360 and constant claims 'it is not a toy' - even when the first Circuit was launched. The specs are so good across the board, the sequencer and now as a controller for midi external gear that the lack of separate channels as outputs is a big mistake. Roland can do it for the same price and similar form factor MC-101.....?
@@andyhcape Well for sure it's more than a toy but I meant it's more suitable for jamming around than producing professionally. I guess the best idea would be to include a usb sound card with separate channels as many more outputs probably wouldn't fit on the unit.
Neat sounding track at the begging/end as always, LP! Use flow looks non-complicated to use. I like they managed intake most of the best handy features from Push to OP--Z. While more accessible pricewise, so why not have enlarged OP-Z around and dock it it as mini-Push standalone to drive no-obligation synth session in studio. Midi track and audio-in makes it possible to be used as a heart of the studio.... I've heard this, I think, just lately, so lil hypnotized :)
Seems like a lot of the updates are focused on jamming workflow which is great. It is a shame they didn't update the synth engine but it's still a lot of fun for your money. Components was always the weak link. If that update is solid then that alone is cause for celebration.
I already have the circuit mono, but this will definitely be then next purchase. I love the workflow of the circuit. It's faster than the elektrons, and for jamming it's super forgiving. I'm glad they added the SD card. If the Circuit Rhythm is legit, that would also be a no brainer, would be a great addition.
Awesome video! As usual your videos enlighten me to features on my music boxes I didn't understand inspire me to go make music. Clear and concise explanation and some talented hands. Thanks for your quick reply about Ableton drum rack translation for midi patterns. I'll use that for the circuit and maschinedrum. Cheers!!! Subscribing to your patreon later!
Love my original circuit, and I like this one too. Lots of good new stuff. I won't miss the speaker. It wasn't useful. There are a lot of nice changes that take into account some good features on the launchpad mk3 and sl mk3. The per-step setting of macro knob values is one of the main things I was missing on the original Circuit. Sequencing more gear with midi tracks is excellent as I love the Circuit sequencer and have been sequencing external great with a launchpad pro. Won't need it for live stuff anymore.
That's all that mattered to me to ! I have a bunch of samplers to connect that thing too so I use it almost exclusively as a synth. My OG stays for now
Nice review🙏the sample knobs is a big con. You speak out of my heart when you mentioned a knob for sample start. Would be such a game changer. I guess something must be left for the rythm 😂
I love the integrated battery and revised editor and sleek design. The only thing preventing me from ordering it is the same dated nova engine.. this would be a relatively expensive sketch pad as I have too many other devices that just simply sound better. I don't have any as portable or with this great workflow though.. I just wish they updated the sound engine and I could bounce tracks I made on the go into ableton as audio. Currently, I'd only record then as midi and then replace sounds.
A few things I'm curious about: 1. Do the two internal synth tracks have the capability of also sequencing externally (overdubbing like the original)? 2. Is the probability function able to be applied to individual notes on polyphonic steps? 3. Are you able to play external synths through the Circuit Tracks with a MIDI keyboard? On the original, if I were to plug a keyboard into the Circuit's MIDI in, and have a synth sequenced using the Circuit's MIDI out, the keyboard would play the internal synths but not the external ones.
@@loopop Thanks! Circuit Tracks looks awesome and I'm super excited to see what Novation do with its firmware updates going forward. And by overdubbing, I meant that the MIDI sequencer on a track for the internal synth and external gear assigned to the same MIDI channel are shared. Meaning, if you don't turn the mixer volume to 0 for that track, you'll hear both the internal synth on that track and the external one that's set to that MIDI channel. Maybe overdubbing isn't the best word for that.
@@loopop *(Update: This comment is irrelevant due to miscommunication. If you're reading this and don't continue further in this thread, know that Circuit CAN sequence 4 synths total, with two of the tracks being shared with the internal synths, like on the original)* Oh ok, nevermind then. That's kinda disappointing honestly. I would've loved to be able to sequence 4 external synths in total, even if the internal synths shared a sequence/channel with two of the external synths. At least it's still an improvement over the original, just not as much of an improvement as I hoped. Maybe a firmware update can make it so, hopefully. Thanks for replying.
Do you know if it's possible to load my existing packs from Novation Circuit into the Circuit Tracks? Wouldn't want to loose the work i did on my Circuit if I decide to upgrade.
When changing scenes does it keep the same tempo like the old circuit? I was hoping it could change tempo between scenes as the music I want to play has several tempo changes that just happen and I wanted to trigger.
It's funny how I just completely blow off the "official" videos and search here instead. And this box is exactly (pretty much) what I've been looking for. I'll get a couple NTS-1's to round it out. It's nice to see something that was designed right from the start as an "instrument". That is, it was designed to be played and not searched through. When you want to play the guitar, you just pick it up and play it. Why not the same for groove boxes?
Another excellent review. I'm sure the good folks at Novation are noticing your hints for improvements, and are probably already planning some user stories for their sprint backlog ;) ... I will probably stick with the old Circuit for now, but hopefully a couple of these improvements that are possible on the older Circuit will get ported over.
Man oh man! I was waiting on someone on youtube to get their hands on this thing and of all people it's my Dood, Loopop! Sweet! Ok, enough chatter. Time to watch the video!
Great video as always. I'd really love to see a review of the Tracks' Ableton device control capabilities (it seems no reviewer has covered this yet). Novation always goes deep with Ableton integration and I'm really curious to see what this thing can do (file browsing in particular, as the MK series does).
@@loopop I am not sure that it exists lol. That would explain why no reviewers mentioned it. I guess I assumed Novation would continue the level of control of the MK series and LaunchPad. If the Tracks does control Ableton well (or at all, I guess) I would be interested to see what it can do!
So, just finished watching. I do like the new upgrade and think it's worthwhile, the only thing i'm bumped about is that they didn't update the Synth engine which I never really liked.
Incredibly detailed video, thanks for posting! Is the operation and workflow of Tracks largely the same as for the current release of Circuit do you know?
the one thing about switching between projects is it keeps the bmp the same and not the bmp of the project it was made in or saved 2, It seems to keep the bpm of the first project before switching projects I guess this for a long set but you would have to make every project the same bpm or switch on the fly ?
Thanks for the comprehensive review, as always! 👍👍 Quick question - is pattern chaining still implemented in the same way as OG Circuit, now that the Scenes are involved? The old format of going back and forth, chaining pattern 1 three times in a row followed by pattern 5 twice and pattern 8 once? That was very good, does pattern chaining still function in this way in the new unit? Can you chain the Scenes out of numerical order as well? 🤷♂️🤔
Thanks! You can't chain scenes out of order currently. Regarding the OG firmware update pattern chaining workflow, I have to admit I never explored it...
Thank you for the nice and comprehensive review Loopop. I want to ask you about the pitch adjustment per sample, because as I can see at 7: 50 you change the pitch of the sample sound. So, per sample you can adjust the pitch, am I right. So, let’s say that you add the same bass sound in eight different Circuit pads, and then you record a bass line in real time, and afterwards you adjust on each pad the pitch creating some sort of bass melody. Or alternative maybe the user can add 8 different notes with the same bass sound and to record them in real time. Definitely I will get the Circuit Tracks, and given the fact that it doesn’t have pitch quantization I’m trying try to discover some tricks in order to create melodies in the drum tracks, to have free space for the pads and melodic parts in the synth tracks. So, at 7: 50 you’re saying that ‘’you can’t create melodies without a template of course’’, so I guess you mean the tricks that I describe above or something else? Loopop, thank you very much anyway, because you offer so much valuable information to all of us.
Thanks Alex - yes, if you watch the video towards the end you'll see my template which contains pre-tuned steps across two and a half octaves for any drum sample. You can get that on my patreon or just create a template like that yourself
the Sample Melody thing is great btw (got it from your Patreon)... the thing you didn't mention though (in detail) is you can't record into any pattern this way. You can only play the sample chromatically live, or set the steps. Would be dope to be able to record it into a pattern in real-time! But of course, that's a strength of Circuit Rhythm.
Thanks! Indeed you can't record them when playing live - like I mention in the video it's either play them live or copy-paste the notes (unfortunately!) Thanks for your support BTW!
I love the original but I've never enjoyed connecting a computer or ipad to it. Many times, I just want to slightly tweak a sound outside of the 8 macros and I can't. Also, for me, It some times takes 5 minutes to get the connection to chrome going but this may be my situation. Seems like a really small OLED would have been a fantastic addition for on the spot editing. Perhaps even like Korg VOLCA FM where its cryptic but allows you to get in change a setting if you really need to. Love the look!
not really with the 6 year old hardware, its storage and computing power. It’s an upgrade to many features, and the price will be not much more when it actually hits stores... its not as great as it could have been made after 6 years ... but maybe i am more looking for a „pro“ version, at double the price but with major enhancements...
@@HenningSprang Well, I'd be happy with the change to the drum tracks f.e. And yes, it's more of an evolution than a revolution, but that's fine. You also need to keep in mind where Circuit 1 started and the amount of features they added over the years... I guess there is a lot of potential here. And we still don't actually know what the rhythm will be exactly.
I was sort of hoping for a super circuit with a screen so I can sound design, sampling inputs and an updated sound engine. This seems more like a quality of life update rather than "worth the hype"
@loopop Myselfsays, yeah that would be fun for DAWless jamming, cool little box for experimenting and ideas, I like Novation a lot, I had a x-station which was basically a midi keyboard, synth and audio interface in one, that thing lasted for years in and out of planes and off and on stages then back into the studio, loved it. Great onboard sounds/engine...kinda late 90's/2000's sounds, I am gonna watch this a few times, I enjoy your channel a lot, your great at what you do, thanks for all the hard work and great videos. I'll flick some patron cash money love. I will watch this a few times and see what creative processes come from the tech capabilities...It must run on batteries, be cool down at the beach or wondering around...thanks again! Jeramiah
I think you are confused. The original Circuit allowed patterns of up to 32 bars with firmware 1.7. AFAICT, with the extra page on Circuit Tracks, this has been increased to a max of 64 bar patterns.
