You just saved me from selling my Tracks. I’m planning to sell some gear (mc101 and TR6S as I have the 707 and tr8s) to get the SH-4D and didn’t think of this. Thank you. Excellent job in your explanation!
This is so inspiring, not only the wit put into making these two interact with each other but the Tune is just fantastic! It would fit a glorious 80s guitar solo somewhere there. Maybe be I should let the mc101 go and get the circuit tracks to interact with the SH-4D, the complex sequencing and side chaining are killer features!
This is a fantastic video - thanks for this. I got a lot of new ideas for live performance from this and better ways to use the Circuit Tracks. Great stuff in here!
I would zero the audio levels of the Circuit Tracks' synths1 & 2, and use the CT to sequence all 4 parts of the SH-4d. It is a fantastic starter combo!
Great video! You did a fantastic job explaining everything, and it is quite useful for anyone who is trying to become a music producer, like me, even though I don’t have either of these instruments. All the best with your new channel, I have a feeling that you are gonna do really well!
I have had my sh4d a while, but really would like to be able to chain longer patterns with the awesome sound engine it has, rather than hold a button down at the right time to switch to another sequence. Pretty limiting, idk why chaining wasnt included. Great ideas 💡 here, thank you!
I find the two units to be really complimentary. The SH-4d is the superior synthesizer/sound generator. The Circuit Tracks has the superior sequencer. I agree that Roland seems to have missed an opportunity to add value to the SH-4d with a more robust sequencer.
Really cool breakdown of your song. I like how you're using these two devices together. You gave me a lot of really good ideas on how to use my setup, which is pretty similar. Thanks. Good song too 🤘
Some great ideas here. As a longtime Circuit (OG & Tracks) owner, I combine it with my Roland MC-101 as I need additional timestreched Loops and One-Shot Vocal samples. I will have to figure out, how to combine those perfectly with my new SH-4d now for my DAWless setup ;-)
Super video !! I have a circuit tracks which I am still getting used to and just discovered that the SH-4d existed. I always wanted to have an elektron box and was really looking to get the syntakt to try and work with my tracks but now you have really ducked up my mind 😂 Thank you for being so clear and intuitive. Great jam 👍🏼
That was very dope brother, informative as well. I have a circuit tracks that pretty much goes everywhere with me. I also have a couple of other small boxes, 3 keyboard synths, a push 2, a couple launchpads, a whole assortment of midi controllers, sequencers, mixers, speakers, microphones, audio interfaces, and even a mid 90s vintage Alesia ADAT…oh, and a smaller pioneer Dj controller! I’m an Ableton user and I love it…I might even qualify as addicted…but ever since I got my Circuit Tracks I too have been dipping my toe into the idea of a dawless set up and working towards putting a live set together. Needless to say I’m glad I found your channel and you definitely earned my subscription! Looking forward to checking out your other videos
Circuit Tracks and SH-4d do indeed complement each other very well, the CT sequencer is great. I use it in pattern mode with the "sticky shift key" on, so I can make quick pattern jumps from time to time, rather than using the scenes. I love too the scale function of the CT, so I also use it as a Remote Keyboard to the SH-4d.
Hi, Thanks for that vid. There are a ton of SH4d vids out there and I got mine yesterday, so I've been trying to absorb them all! :) However yours has so far been the most well explained, with the hands on demao with reall music (Compliment there ;) ) that really illustrates what appears to be a "Simple" setup of incredible power. Well done! However as i am colour blind to a degree, I have been nervous about purchasing one of those lit up matrix devices, such as the Circuit tracks. Do you think that would be an issue?
It might somewhat of an issue. It depends on the intersection of the nature of your color-blindness (which colors you can’t distinguish), and where the Circuit Tracks uses color not just to distinguish an instrument, but to indicate the nature of the data it’s showing. In my videos (or others), have you been able to tell via perceived brightness of the selector buttons on the side, and the pads in the middle, which function was selected and what kind of data it was showing?
Yes. I can’t remember the number of steps (it’s been awhile), but it was basically a sequence that was running the whole time, but muted. When I needed the fill, I unmuted the track and triggered the next sequence.
Combine them together, one would have up to 10/12 parts. Pretty powerful. The SH-4D has sold really well, making getting one a little difficult. I think the mc101 or tr-6s would also be useful as they are battery operated.
That’s pretty accurate. You get 5 parts on the SH4d (4 Tones and the Rhythm channel), and combine them with the 2 synths and 4 rhythm tracks on the Circuit Tracks, for a total of 11 tracks. Plus, you get the 2 MIDI tracks to basically supplant the SH4d’s internal 64 step sequencer with 8 32 step patterns that can be chained together, or triggered independently. I’d love to try an MC-101 some day, but I don’t currently possess one.
Great video! Thanks! Just a question, is it possible to do the same with the Circuit Rythm instead of Tracks (considering I do not use the Synth 1 and Synth 2 of the Tracks) ?
Thank you. I don’t recall any latency issues at the time. I’ve experienced some latency running a wireless MIDI controller through Ableton to the SH-4d, but I attribute that to Ableton and wireless. Running direct MIDI out from the Circuit Tracks to the SH-4d there was no discernible latency.
What I've read or found out is, that you can change the midi channel on synth1 and synth2. Afterwards mute them. If I am correct, you should even be able to sequence all Tone parts on the SH4d and have even room for 4 drums. It's amazing gotta try that out. Otherwise nice video and thanks for the setup. :) Edit: okay i see you wanted to use synth 1 and synth 2 of the circuit. Well thats actually nice.
Thank you. I need to test that out. On both the Circuit Tracks and the SH-4d, it’s MIDI that is muted, not audio. For example, I muted MIDI 1 on the CT, sent to Part 3 on the SH-4d, and no MIDI information reached Part 3. For this trick to work, the Synth tracks would have to behave differently from the MIDI tracks, muting audio rather than MIDI. I’m interested to learn if this worked for you.
Sorry, I just remembered the solution. Yes, the mute button on the CT will mute the MIDI only. However, you can go to the mix page on the CT and reduce the volume on the Synth tracks so you don’t hear them.
Ah yeah thanks that was it what I've wanted. You can always like in your video easily mute on the SH4d. Love that synth and sound. Had always liked the circuit but the synth was a bit cumbersome for me to configure on the computer. Now with the SH4d it is a dreamteam. And combining sp404mk2 for sample. Full mobile dawless workstation 😂😂😂 Maybe a bit crazy but works and is a lot of fun.
Yes all parts send midi on separate channels the only difference with the “ midi tracks “ is having the 8 macros as templates , but otherwise no functional difference. There is even a cool expansion for the OG circuit ( haven’t tried with the tracks ) called the CV OCD that is a dedicated circuit to cv box to control a skiff or small modular rig .
Thank you for watching and commenting. Yes I have, in this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ttzwm2q6UmY.htmlsi=hxOhLjrY7WptBcl6 . However, I'm using the SP-404 as a FX processor rather than a sampler. It's FX alone are phenomenal.
I’m glad I could help in your decision. I’m going to include some links to cables I use with my unit. I full disclosure, as an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. I can’t tell from this comment whether you ordered the SH-4d, or the Circuit Tracks. Both could benefit from stereo cables (1 stereo out for the SH4d, and 1 stereo in and 1 stereo out for the Circuit Tracks). I’ve tried various cables, and I’ve had a good experience with these cables for the past year: amzn.to/3PSprmT . Unless you’re driving it from a computer via the included USB cable, you’ll probably want some MIDI cables, too (unless you’re running it in standalone mode). I prefer using short cables to keep a minimum of spaghetti clutter on my performance table. I’ve used these short standard MIDI cables for some time, and they work great: amzn.to/3VH8eio . I more recently picked up these even lower profile CME cables, and they can work spectacularly depending on how you arrange you gear (they don’t have a long reach): amzn.to/43Smfxo . I hope this helps. Let me know.
If you had to get one first, which one do you recommend? I have the Roland Juno x and thought about getting the circuit tracks but then I noticed I could get a lot of the same from sh4d and maybe I should sell the juno x. Choices lol
I might recommend the Circuit Tracks. I love my SH-4d, but the Juno X offers true Zen-Core and a keyboard. As long as it fits well in your current workflow, I think I lean towards keeping the Juno X, and adding the SH-4d when time and funds allow. Unless, of course, you’re looking to downsize for space and portability.
I would prefer to be able to sequence all 4 parts of the sh-4d on the novation or something very similar, is that possible do you know? Sadly Roland have made yet again the sequencer sooooo un intuitive it’s infuriating because it sounds absolutely gorgeous.
I know what you mean. I love the sound of the unit, but find the sequencer limiting for many applications. But, that's what MIDI's for, right? Yes, you should be able to sequence all four synth parts on the SH-4d using the Circuit Tracks. Just use the 2 MIDI tracks, and the 2 synth tracks with their volume turned down and their MIDI channels assigned to the corresponding channels on the SH-4d. The Drum tracks, however, are another story, since they share the same MIDI channel, and each track's output's note is fixed (you can change the samples used in any sequence, but they're considered a "flipped sample", not a distinct MIDI note). Hope that helps.
I haven't worked with the MPC Live, but a cursory glance indicates it should be possible. It might look a little different on the MPC since my approach was somewhat shaped by the idiosyncrasies of the Circuit Tracks. I'm currently adapting this track to Ableton by "modeling" some of the structure and workflow of the Circuit Tracks.
Hi, im looking at both of these but with the idea to use the circuit tracks as only a sequencer. Basically midi channels 1-4 for each sh4d track and channel 10 for the drums. Im hoping the 4 sample tracks on the circuit tracks can sequence the drums on the sh4d. Or even just 3 of the sample tracks leaving one sample track to trigger the odd sample as well.
Thank you for the comment. I tried something similar. Unfortunately, I was unable to sequence the SH-4d using the Circuit Tracks drum tracks. The drum tracks on the CT only send out one fixed MIDI note per drum track, regardless of which drum sample you trigger on that step. I believe it’s because the Circuit Tracks treats changing a sound on the drum tracks as “sample flipping”. It’s also an issue when trying to capture the MIDI data of your CT performance in a DAW like Ableton when you want to record, store and edit for a more finished production.
As someone who has never used a DAW i find it always strange when they talk about a dawless setup. For me going DAW would mean a new computer, all those interfaces i have no idea about, i also never used midi other than maybe for sync, and then learn that complex software.
I see that as one of the strengths of the Circuit Tracks, especially for someone who is getting into music production who is overwhelmed by or just not interested in all the hardware, software, and the learning curve involved in the typical DAW setup. The CT interface is fairly simple and immediate. And that can be appealing even to someone who has plenty of experience with DAWs.
