My Circuit Tracks didn’t include drum sounds! If this happens to you, use the novation firmware updater, then reload the factory sounds 😰 then come back to Gabe
I ordered this one the other night, and a bunch of sd-cards, adapter.. etc.. Im hoping Ill get Circuit this week at least.. music production used to be therapy for my mind, Im trying to get back into it.. your videos helped my research towards the best compromise of a machine for me! awsm dood!
@@GabeMillerMusic Oh, your channel has helped me a ton already. I have plans lined up to get a cool lower cost set up going. My only hurdle is figuring out a way to set it all up so that it will work ergonomically. I am confined to one small folding table since I am in an apartment. So, I need to find a way to get things situated so I can use it all at once. I am running everything out to an old Peavey PV8 mixer.
Gabe, thanks again always giving a solid player point review. I would say now that I have a tracks, it's a miss having the drums totally separate and having single channels split for 32 per section makes editing each bar added pain to use. something about the OG simplicity made it fun easy to lay it down quick. Maybe it needs to grow on me, and these slight complexities are worth bells and whistles. The added pack storage so far is the one. I use to lay down the idea for my daw
Thanks for explaining this amazing little machine! :) It looks really nice and interesting. I saw that there is a software (Novation Components) to edit the patches etc. but is there also a way to edit the patterns / scenes / projects "outside" the hardware?
Glad this has been helpful! I'm not aware of a software that can edit patterns/scenes, but if I recall correctly, you can somewhat manage projects in Components.
Great tutorial Gabe. Somehow I couldn't get to control my external synth's volume through the circuit's mixer and all external gear is sounding pretty low as a result. This is puzzling, as the master filter does its job on the external synth. Any idea of what's going wrong here ? (note that my setup is almost identical to yours, I'm also using the microfreak).
HI Gabe, the last part on the set up is great. I just have one question: the MIDI cables you have there, are those going into your laptop? Basically, is it possible to then route the 3 devices, say, to Ableton via MIDI? thanks so much
I’m thinking of getting one but it’s nowhere near as pretty as the first version with its beautiful brightly coloured buttons. This thing looks like a prototype!!!! Ugh!! The audio ins and doubling the size of the patterns makes it a much more viable track making device for me though 🤩
Any track can be used as a midi out track. You’d just need to turn the volume down on whatever track your using. It’s the same in the circuit rhythm. No reason they couldn’t put 2 more synth or drum slots in instead of making them useless when you don’t have an external synth with you.
I really don’t under stand I just got my circuit and I have OP1 and USB host for OP1 I plugged midi “in” on circuit And midi ” out “ on OP1 How can I change synth1 to midi 1 or 2? Op1 sound comes from Synth 1 Want to play op1 on midi channel Not on synth channel I’m super beginner
I'm having an issue with patterns and scenes. I come up with a set of patterns and save it to a scene...all good. Then I duplicated the scene and wanted to modify the patterns within that to make the next song session, but in doing so it modifies BOTH scenes. I can't seem to figure out how to independently change things in each scene without affecting the other. Am I missing something here?
Hey gabe, id reccomend the MPC one, it's so much better than a circuit IMO it competes with the Roland ones very well too! I've owned a circuit,circuit tracks,MC101,mc707. The best is the MPC one or the 707. Thanks.
i don't understand how the demo tracks can be so long; some of them go for several minutes with multiple voices before starting over...is there some tutorial somewhere that demonstrates how this is done?
They're probably chaining scenes together, as well as playing on different octaves of the two synths. This video might help demystify some of the steps to get there: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JBLonF-siMA.html
I have a mono synth where I make my patterns. How can I make my circuit just trigger a pattern (made on that synth) just play along ? I can hear notes when I play on the circuit so sound routing is ok but It just wont just trigger and play the pattern I made .
The sample memory is somewhat limited, so I'd be hesitant to load in melody loops, but if you were to do it, you'd just have to note the tempo so you can set your project to match. And for breakbeats, you'd probably want to do some sample chopping in advance, then load the individual chops onto the Circuit. I just posted a Components tutorial today that might be worth a look.
Another question. I made an arrangement similar to the one used in this video, and I wanted 2 scenes with the same arrangement, only with the 2nd scene in a different key. I went to the 2nd scene(the same one saved to a different scene) and changed the key, then hit play on the 1st scene. That one was in the different key! I only wanted the 2nd scene key to change.
The scale/key settings are global across a project, so if you change it, it'll change everywhere. If you want to have a key change happen in your song, save a duplicate of your project, change the key there, then you can switch to that project when you want a key change to happen. Projects behave a lot like patterns, and I use pattern switching all the time for more drastic changes in a song.
No direct sample import, unfortunately. You have to bring samples in via components. The audio in basically means the Circuit can function like a mixer and effects unit.
Great tutorial! A note on your camera, though: it keeps trying to refocus, and your lens has some lens breathing, which is distracting. Especially for shots like this, where everything stays in one place, you might want to focus at the beginning and then switch to manual focus so it doesn't keep trying to focus (or focus on your hand and back on the synth, etc.).
It was way too fast for me too. Then I messed around on the machine for a few days to learn as much as I could on my own, then I came back and his explanations were filling in gaps instead of teaching me every little thing. Much easier to follow. Also changing playback to a slower speed and pausing as needed….
Awesome! I got my Tracks last Tuesday. Absolutely loving it. Still a lot to learn, but it’s so much fun. Wouldn’t have got it without your inspirational videos, so thanks for that. And, I’m away to buy your pack now. 👏
It’s also worth noting that with one of the recent firmware updates, you can configure the microfreak’s midi out as a midi through. I run my circuit -> Microfreak -> Subharmonicon
Gabe, this is the best tutorial on how to use the Circuit Tracks. I'm a complete newbie to this type of device and you have got me hooked on it. Well done!
I received mine today. I watched this video after reading the manual and I think you went over almost everything in a very simple, visual and synthetic way. Thanks a lot, it was really helpful.
You just saved me £45 as I was about to buy a MIDI Thru Box. I didn't realise the Tracks' MIDI Thru could be switched to be a MIDI Out. (I have two synths that lack MIDI Thru). What a wonderful device the Circuit Tracks is. I'm finding your videos very helpful in learning how to use it.
Yes same! I have a TR6S and Im selling that to buy the tracks, so I dont have to buy a midi box to control my Microfreak and Volca FM. This thing is perfect!
Holy crap! Thank you for showing me how to get the Volca Keys working on the circuit. I've been beating my head against a wall for over 2 hours. Switching the channel to 1 worked perfectly. Question: If I add a Volca Bass, what channel would I use if 1 is taken?
Great tutorial, also the instrument is so cool, I switched from the original Circuits and I am very happy with the tracks. The sd card alone worth the upgrade. Also there are a bunch of improvements. (And several downgrades as well yes like chaining limitation or the removal of the speaker but in a direct comparison the new device is much better. Also the new midi tracks are another killer feature. Adding BassStation2 or PocketOperators to the set and control them from the Circuit… yumm yumm. It really is a game changer.
I must confess, the tracks is excellent. The ability to sequence, add fx and mix two additional hardware synths all in one go has changed my desk entirely for the better.
Thank you. Not only was this a great introduction to the Tracks it is also the best video I have seen that simply demonstrated the use and power of a standalone groovebox.
Just a little help for you Volca users out there. Except for the Volca Sample and Modular, to change the MIDI channel, turn the unit OFF. Hold down the MEMORY key and power the unit ON. The keypad can then be used to select the MIDI channel (1-16). Hit RECORD to save. The Sample however uses a different MIDI channel for each voice, 1-10 (which pisses me off) and is fixed. The Volca Sample is my second to last favorite Volca. The Volca Modular is the worst because it has no real quantization and no MIDI in port at all.
TIP: If you're using a Volca Keys as an external MIDI device, make sure you turn off the clock synchronization, otherwise it's sequencer is going to start when you press play on the Circuit Tracks. :)
Does this thing send NRPN? I mean, can you programs the enconders to send NRPN in the MIDI tracks? I wanna make this device fully compatible with my QY70 and Microsampler, but the user/programmer's reference guide do not address the subject.
Thanks for the tutorial. I just purchased the tracks and have no experience with groove boxes at all. I am a guitar player trying break out and experiment with EDM and guitar.. Day one of owning this unit I almost returned it out of intimidation and frustration. I am not a Manuel reader, this video was very clear and helped my get going. I absolutely love the circuit tracks now on day 2 of using it and I have some killer songs ideas. Keep up your informative videos Man. Good stuff. Next learning steps for me is using the circuit tracks to control my jdxi. Not sure what I am doing wrong but may assumption is there must be settings on the jdxi to use it as a slave.. 🤔
Very cool tutorial, I learnt a few things too. One thing I've been doing is laying my samples out into 2 row drum racks it's a lot easier now we have the sequencer and patches on the same screen. So BD, SD, CP, CH, OH, CY percs then repeat with the next kit, took a few hours to do but it feels worth it.
I’m a keyboard player and I hate playing squares!! WHY can’t somebody bring out a small device that has a mini keyboard on it……and no not 12/24 keys! To me that is neither use nor ornament. Like a key step but with sounds and audio inputs? …..now there’s an idea! Or an OP-2…… with a proper keyboard!!!!!
You're too quick when you explain. If you want to explain to a beginner you have to be calmer. In 10 seconds of video you have already explained 4 different functions.
Thanks for this very helpful video! Can i ask? Can we connect a guitar or mic directly to circuit tracks input and will it recognize it as input of guitar and vox?
I really want to use a groove box, but I think my red/green colorblindness might mess with the process. Green/orange/yellow buttons will all look the same 🤣
I’m very much a beginner. I just bought a micro SD card (64 GB SanDisk ultra Plus UHS-I Class 10) and formatted it to fat32. Stupid question...how can I tell if it’s working ok with my circuit tracks?
can i hook circuit tracks to the m-audio oxygen pro 25 and m-audio duo interface. I just bought the oxygen pro 25. Planning to buy a Tascam DP-006 6-Track Digital Pocketstudio Multi-Track Audio Recorder will this setup work and allow me to record also. Using Mpc 2 software on my laptop.
Hey, i cant find any Video about how to record a guitar using the inputs. Is it possible to do? I plugged in my guitar into input 1. There is sound, when i play it. But how can i record it and loop it, if i want to? 🙈
I'm using this for busking in the NYC subway as a one-man electro band. I play mostly guitar actually, but w/synth pedals & a lot of two-handed tapping trickery, & then sing on top of it. Think Milosh or Apparat. The control I have was unaffordable just 5 years ago, & I do all this w/portable power & 2 Cube EX's. I use the JOYO Powersupply 5 for peripherals & one for back-up in case I wanna play an hr or two past the battery life of the Circuit.
Hi Gabe i'm from italy, and i have a problem with sending sample packs in my circuit tracks. Ok i explain to you the problem: In the novation component, with the circuit connected via usb cable obviusly, when i pressi send to my circuit tracks , the machine turn off itself and restart, than this condition make fail the operation. I have an sd card inserted obviusly. Can you help me?
Thank you for the video, very informative! I have those same instruments, and I would like to add a drum machine to the setup, like a TR-8S or a drumbrute impact. Is there a way for me to connect the drum machine to those three devices, so that all four devices are on the same clock? I am very new to midi and would appreciate the info from anyone, including how you would route the audio and midi cables to connect all four instruments. Thanks!
Merci beaucoup mon ami .It help me a lot ...but seriously a lottttttttttt ;) If i want to go further what is the level up of the CT , the next step of this machine who can do more . Best regards
I'm confused about how to load different songs from each pack I downloaded from Components. I can change one pack to another but I can only access one song from each downloaded pack. How do you get to the other songs within each pack?
Cool tutorial !! Is there any way i could use this as a guitar looper ? I mean some beat, bass n play some chords with a guitar ? Maybe with some helix or something?
Is it possible to sequence the two synths on this from your DAW? When I'm not on the go I prefer to have that visual representation and not having to chain patterns cause I'm not sure if this has a song mode or not?
I wish you could forcibly assign tone differences with samples instead of having to live record them as envelopes. Also, not sure if this has been covered but I love hitting note expand while on a sample track so you can see all four sample tracks on a pad and you can work out your whole beat in a practce/ live environment.
When you get the cc's down it would be interesting to see what you can do with the volca. On the volca keys you can control everything but the resonance with cc values. So theoretically if you recorded your movements with the circuit you would be able to save volca presets per project, or even per pattern using the Circuit tracks.
I disagree, this can't be for both complete beginners and intermediate, no way, too complicated and you are explaining too fast. Like, what are patterns? And how do you use them? And where is the sequencer? Utter maze this synth is.
This tutorial is for Circuit Tracks beginners, not for beginners in general. You should already be familiar with groovebox/sequencer jargon and basic concepts at least (tracks, patterns, automation, etc.). There are many basics that can't be covered in a 30-minute tutorial. And yes, without them you won't be able to follow this video.
The dawless approach looks liberating. Is there a limit to the style of music one can make with the circuit? Is it just for dance music? Could one do ambient, cinematic, experimental dronie sci-fi, lo-fi triphop?
You could definitely do all of these if it's electronic in nature. I tend to default to dance music but that's just me. I definitely want to try some more cyberpunk soundtrack stuff.
As always...u show a synth or an other tool. and im here to check out, how it sounds...but u always "have loaded some sounds on it", that i dont have, if i buy it new. so its so useless.
This isn't meant to show how to make the specific beat I made, it's to show you how to navigate and use the interface. All of the stuff I show works the the exact same if you're working with different sounds. Also, I did a dedicated video on how to load your own sounds onto it.
Damn that's rough. I probably put more of an emphasis on color than I should have, but I've heard from some sight impaired people that they find the Circuit pretty usable. It might be more frustrating, but hopefully the contrast between the light and dark pads gets you far enough.
Great overview. Could you please do one on creating samples/patches in projects on Novation components site. Would also like to know how to use loopops template for pitching samples. Cheers.
