Quick correction, the MC-101 DOES have probability for drum tracks and that's my bad for missing it. And in general, to be clear, I don't think one device is objectively better... They're both the gold standard for budget, hands-on, surprisingly powerful gear. Hopefully this helps you decide which one fits your specific needs better.
Yep, it becomes a multitrack midi controller. I did a video about that exact thing at the beginning of this year, and the process should be pretty much the same with the Tracks.
Intresting vid.need some advice pal iv been trying to synch my korg electribe 2 into my minilogue so i can play minilogue on my electribe .ive turned input up but no sound .is pluged in midi out and sent to synch in to the electribe with midi cable (ive got the synch adapter)is something i need to press ?
I bought an Mc101 and, even though I was worried about the menu diving, I got used to the shortcuts and button combos really quickly. On the other hand, Circuit's workflow is a thing of beauty. That's why I really wanted chromatic sample flipping, direct sampling and more synth tracks. I really don't care about having side chain inside the box since I prefer to mix and master outside the device. Of course that depends on the way you use the machine, from a performance stand point having side chain compression it's very handy. Thanks for the video!
Yeah the MC-101 workflow is pretty fluid at this point, which is great to see. And having the ability to chromatically flip and even chop samples on the 101 is really useful and unique for something of this price and feature set.
I was actually looking for exactly this kind of comparison. This is super informative, so happy I found this channel. definitely deserves more subs. keep it up, you're doing everything right.
I ordered my Circuit Tracks as a complete newb and was kinda unsure wether the 101 would have been better for the money. Nonetheless I went on a 6 hour binge with my Circuit today. Its just such a fun and intuitive device.
Rechargeable batteries - Am I a joke to you? The built in battery is a big con to me. If you use it regularly it will last maybe three years. If you for some reason forgets it uncharged it can be dead in a year.
I've recently been watching many of Gabe's videos about Grooveboxes. All very helpful (especially the "Terms" one). This was the one where I finally felt like I decided on which one would work best for me and my budget (the Novation Tracks). I am a beginner, no music training, never learned an instrument. But I've always enjoyed electronic music (especially Todd Terje) and remixes, and want to try getting my music ideas out of my head and onto recordings. His description of the easier live jamming and intuitive interface with Tracks is what sold me! Thanks for your informative and easy to understand videos Gabe! 🙂
That's awesome! Hopefully you enjoy it, glad the videos have been helpful. I've got multiple tutorials as well if you get stuck. Getting into music production can be a huge learning curve but it's super fulfilling, regardless of the gear route you go for.
I just can’t decide. Leaning towards circuit tracks but wouldn’t have any external gear to connect to it. Don’t mind spending a bit more time learning the mc101 if it suits my needs better. Anyone with experience got any advice?
This comparison is pretty spot on. I never owned a circuit, the but workflow seems really fluid and a definitely better performance device than the mc101. If you're new to music production and want a device you can lay down ideas fairly easily, i would probably go with the circuit tracks, if you want to do more sound design in a box and dont mind menu diving and really learning as many aspects of a device as possible, i would say shoot for the mc-101
What is nice about the circuit is the FREE offline editor. Roland's subscription model for an offline editor alone disqualified the 101 for me. I had the 707, and IMO the Roland Zencore sound is unapologetically digital, more so than other digital synths I own. I never fully loved any demos of the circuit engine, so for me could only be a scratch pad, but one with amazing workflow. I could see using one for writing on the go, then using that midi to send to my other synths to be used for their sound. Best of both worlds if you don't mind the extra steps. Nice video as always!
damn I have the 101 and that audio input from the tracks would be an awesome feature to have! I hope the Rythm improves on that and add the ability to live record samples from that input as well.. that would be the perfect setup for me !
On the 101 you can use the 4 macro's to change different parameters for each track. I sometimes tweak decay on the bass and filter on the arp for instance. When it's on 'filter' it can still change any parameter you want. So that could be a selling point for the 101, albeit something very specific.
Thank you very much for this very informative video. At the MC-101 you can also change the settings for the knobs, so that all 4 control one track at the same time. So you can be able to change the cutoff and resonance at the same time for example. For the circuit tracks I am still unsure how I think about it. I feel like they optimised some things but not as much as they could have. We still don't know all the details about the new Rhythm but I think one machine with the capabilities of both would have been perfect.
A thing that has me still considering the MC-101 is running via USB bus power. I think it would go really well with a USB power bank but I don't see a lot of talk about using it that way. Really seems like Roland underplayed it as a feature
Really difficult to decide between those two. People tend to fall a bit for more features and here i think the 101 would win. You can have 16 samples tracks + 3 powerful synth tracks, usb multitrack audio and clip based workflow. However in my experience the Circuit is just so much more pleasant to use. Very quick, immediate and logical. Just think about the experience when deciding! Btw. i chose a used OP-Z in this price range, hahaa. The sequencer is just insane + a lot of other stuff and a lot of fun.
@@KunchangLeeMusic Didn't know Bon Iver, but had a listen. If i had to do such music directly on a groovebox, i would probably go with an MPC One honestly. Reason is that none of those small devices is great at working with samples. In EU the Circuit Tracks is 400 Eur, MC101 is 430, OP-Z 500 (400 used). MPC One is 600 Eur and maybe 520 used. So the prices are pretty close. If i was forced to choose between the 3 portable boxes for that type of music, it would be 101.
@@Maochan81 Yesterday I bought used MC-101 for 300Eur. I probably would go with Circuit Track if not this real bargain offer I found. It had been send today to me so can't wait to get it
@@sinewaymusic A month :) It's tiny music powerhouse, with great, great sound patches, with well samples capabilities, very,very portable which is really big pros. But it suffers (my opinion) from lack of proper song mode and 60sec sample limitation. In fact if it had more memory for sample I could workout song mode quite easy with looper track. MC-101 is suite the best for live performance at least with current 1.60 fw. I'm using 101 not mostly for sketch ideas on my couch and later evolve it in Ableton. I made one full song but it took a week and at the end I fixed few issues in DAW. So I might as well did it in Ableton entirely. Besides all that 101 is fun...a lot of fun!!
Hey Gabe, relative newbie to electronic music production. Been having great fun with Logic, but have been watching your content for months. Love your style and your approach. Was looking for a good place to start my groovebox journey. Opted for the Circuit Tracks and I’m absolutely loving it. Will you have dedicated Tracks packs for sale soon? If so, I’ll be first in line to buy them. Thanks again and keep it up Gabe. 👏👏👏👏🏴
Just bought my circuit two months ago. Will have to wait a few months, but definitely getting it. Not selling the og, though. Probably combine them for 14 tracks!
From my point of view, there is one key difference between those 2, and actually very important one. Zenoligy pro vs novation circuit component. Unlike the mc707, mc101 is limited on how to edit the synth patch, not even an LFO :-/ The only way to do your own patches is to buy zenoligy for 250€. On the other hand, novation circuit need also an external tool to edit the patches called novation circuit component that is for free (linux compatible!!) and with it you can build patches, backup your device... So in one way would make sense to even compare those 2 tools to edit your patches on your hardware.
TBH i was never a fan of Novation sounds. They all are... i don't know... "mini nova" that was never THAT good to begin with. And the prices up to a grand for Rhythm (here in western Europe) was actually a deal breaker from the start. Roland and Korg don't charge as much as Novation, and those companies have much bigger names and re-sell values than ANY novation stuff.
@@GabeMillerMusic Will love to see you playing it! I am spoiled by iOS Gadget, Cubasis and got Zenbeats from day one. Just upcoming integration with Verselab is a killer harness, both on a go with iOS and desktop on a studio table driving synths. (skipped on 101/707 due to lack of this integration, but i knew Roland is up to something with Zenbeats. Maybe even support other grooveboxes one day). But man, I like the Circuit pads and sequencer flow! (as in Launchpads and Push). One drum and two synth is too little to jam on a go. If at least Circuit could capture audio of from driving external synths to the same tracks it would be a real deal. Will keep waiting for Push Standalone, really hoped Circuit be closer to it. For pocket groovebox OP-Z is a s great. Love to learn more on Verselab. I think everyone should get zen-core in some shape or form eventually. All great stuff!
@@GabeMillerMusic because it's been cool to hate Roland for the past 10 years but nobody will admit that's why. everyone nitpicks the crap out of everything they make while giving Behringer endless praise. imho it's the price tags and nothing else.
Well, you can without problem create full songs on Tracks easily, that sound good. If you're interested, check out my newest video- the song is created on Tracks and OG Circuit
Adeptus Psychonautica, no sir. Please don't sell it short. There are too many "modular synth" cats out there who only play 'drone ambient" or some Plinkity-Plunk-Bleep-Bleep-Bloops. Seriously, I don't own either one, but I have the original 808, 606, 626, 707,, 909, and now the 8s. I also have the Circuit and the Circuit Monostation. Definitely check out the Circuit Patch Store...this will help you become inspired, and I assure you that you will be creating whatever sort of music you want on that thing. Throw your sh*t up once you've rocked it some. All the best with it!
Wrong, because a noob wants a big patch library. The Circuit needs you to set up all the patches and samples you want to use. You need weeks to program all those synth patches with the external editor.
Good job, kid. The thing I respect about this channel, you don't seem to be in anyone's poclket. Moreso, it's obvious you actually USE the products you speak on (as opposed with being sent gear to borrow along with a script to read aloud). Please keep it that way, I was the first to be "sponsored" via YT content (on an entirely different account within a different domain..but it's all the same. It is impossible to "keep it real" and have sponsorships these days, and honestly it's because so many 'Starboys' out there wanna be....all in the video, all on the record, dancin....etc. :-)
I'm not cool with people putting down any of my contemporaries to make me look better, but I appreciate the sentiment. I value my integrity and try to make it VERY clear when something is or isn't sponsored, and always keep the focus on the music making process. I've been fortunate to work with brands more often lately, and they've been cool about giving me quite a bit of creative control.
When I found out Roland recently rolled out proper Zen-core userbank support to the MC-101 it was what has pushed me to be willing to spend the extra money on the MC-101 after my MS-20 Mini sells. This opens a huge world of possibilities for the MC-101 if you are willing to do your sound design on a computer as that means the full Zen-core synth engine is now properly usable on the MC-101 which wasn't the case before. I really think Roland has been slow to roll out features to the MC-101 as they where afraid of it possibly cannibalizing some MC-707 sales. Doing sound design on my computer doesn't bother me but I still wish Roland would allow more access to the parameters on the MC-101 itself even if it would inevitably end up super menu dive heavy. The other major downside with the MC-101 is if you do want to make your own sounds/presets on a computer to my knowledge that requires either paying for a Roland Cloud subscription or buying a lifetime license to Zenology Pro which either way you go is an extra expense against the MC-101. For me though having what is becoming more and more access to the proper Zen-core experience in such a relatively affordable package just makes the MC-101 too good to ignore for me even with it's limitations, especially when I consider most of it's Zen-core based compatriots cost so freaking much when many are 1K or more here in the states. I would still say parts of the MC-101 have obvious places where Roalnd can expand it's feature set and I half expect them to as it seems they intentionally held back a little to see what the competing devices would offer.
I find it strange that you say mc 101 can sound more polished, (out of the box) everything you play on novation tracks sounds better that the 101. I think it's cause of of the side chain
Before I start, I loved the OG Circuit. This comparison seems to be swayed towards the Novation Tracks, and I think that's because it's new. I have 2 x MC-101 units and I absolutely know that these are much better and capable than the Tracks is. Yes there's menu-diving, but once you know where stuff is it's really not a problem. The Tracks has 2 x 6-note synths, yet the MC-101 can have 4 synths with many, many notes AND have a different sound on each clip, so the Tracks is very limited in comparison. The Novation box needs to be linked to a computer to properly edit/create sounds and to transfer samples = the MC-101 you just dump the WAV files on the SD card. Handy MC-101 Shortcuts: Track and > = randomises the current track whilst held (so it does have a 'mutate' equivalent) Track and < = reverses the current track whilst held Also, the MC-101 DOES have probability = shows as 'MTE' when step editing. These 2 together would be a great combo, but if anyone thinks the Tracks is better than the MC-101 is nonsense to me = more immediate maybe, but not better in terms of sound and functions
I was a little worried when I put this out that it showed a Circuit bias, as that's not my intent at all. I think the Circuit wins on workflow and live jamming (especially with multiple devices), but there's a huge amount of producers who will get much more out of the MC-101's features (how it effortlessly and powerfully deals with samples, its synth engine, audio over USB, chord and arp and random patch engines, the list goes on). I think "better" is a strong word, but the 101 will definitely be better for someone trying to make full, polished songs. I still think the Tracks is better for complete beginners and for advanced live jamming. It's nuanced and situationally dependent, and that's why I try to steer clear of just calling one device better overall.
@@GabeMillerMusic I do understand what mean, and I'm glad you made that distinction whilst summing-up. I did edit my comment so it didn't sound like I was saying you thought the Track was better (knowing how much you love the Circuit!) but after getting the MC-101 I can see how much better it is than the Circuit & Tracks (which isn't as much of an upgrade as I'd hoped), however if you pair these things together you get the best of both worlds, which maybe should've been your recommendation right at the end
I appreciate it. I didn't recommend both simply because I'm imagining that a lot of people looking to buy a budget groovebox can't or aren't willing to spend the money to get both, which is why I took the approach of showing features and capabilities so people can decide which fits their needs better. Both devices together would definitely be a powerful combination though, I'm hoping to give that a go in the nearish future.
The lack of any screen on the Circuit was a step too far in manufacturing cheapness. Even the 1980s tech screen on the MC101 is vastly superior than nothing
Thanks for another great video Gabe! Just got me a Circuit Tracks and I think it's perfect for finding inspiration when you've been stuck inside the box for too long!
Don’t forget the MC-101 can also sequence external hardware. In effect, it could actually sequence four external synths by using all four tracks as tone tracks controlling external MIDI. Circuit Tracks with 2 external synths would leave drums + 2 internal synths, MC-101 with 2 external synths would leave drums + 1 internal synths. I suppose the Circuit Tracks could probably run duplicate sequences on internal and external synths in the same way as the original Circuit? As can the MC-101. The MC also has probability, but only on drum tracks I think? The way the external synths can be routed back into the Circuit Tracks is really cool (the more expensive MC-707 can do that, I think, but not the MC-101). The MC-101 can also sample directly via USB which is really handy to capture sound from a phone or iPad etc, but it only is currently usable on the looper tracks. I’m hoping firmware 1.7 might change that! I’ve been looking forward to seeing the performance of the Circuit Tracks for a while and it seems really good. I think combining a Circuit Tracks with the Circuit Rhythm (when it’s released) could be a killer combo! Great video as always!
I'll go for the tracks. I want to MIDI sync it with my RC 505. I play percussion and wind instruments and I want a setup that works good for performances.
All I will say is....... "Polyend Tracker"!!!!!! All argument's over! 💯👌🏾 life changing instrument/synth/performance tool/groove box/sound shaping device/interface/feel/speed/learning curve/inspiration and pretty much everything.
I definitely want to give one a go. But not everyone is going to be down to learn the Tracker workflow, and not everyone is able or willing to pay the extra for it. There's still absolutely a place for more pads based grooveboxes.
@@GabeMillerMusic Honestly, I thought the exact same until I tried the Polyend, then I was hooked! it really is such a great bit of kit, and for what is achievable on the tracker it really destroy's the groovebox price range battle, it's got £1000 quality, functionality, great build and feels amazing. (sorry, I'm just a bit of a fanboy ATM :)) it really has changed my entire workflow and outlook on music production.
Gabe, please make a song of these two fighting each other on each solo!! Each one putting its best strengths on each solo duel... And in the end the Circuit assimilates the MC-101 inside a midi track with side chain and effects for a dope performance beat!!
Gabe, you really have the talent to explain things very very clear without being boring at all. I really appreciate the fact, that you always clarify if it is an objective difference or your personal opinion. I agree, that the most powerful addition to the circuit is the possibility to sequence two external devices AND mix them with the internal effects. I own an MC-101 and love it. But, when i want to use it for example with my modal craftsynth 2, I need a mixer, a lot of cables and an additional sequencer (with a different workflow) because the craftsynth doesn't have one built in.
Now, when you have also Digitakt .. imagine situation you want to add to live set second synth/groovebox to Digitakt. Like for more synth tracks. Which one will be you choice, if you had to choose one ? MC101 or Cicruit Tracks ? I'm currently in phase i need sadd something to my DT+DN kombo (i'm missing at least 2 more polyphonic synth tracks) and for the hell i can't decide which one to choose .. Sub question. I tested it and when i switch pattern on DT/DN, it switches scene on Circuit OG (i guess it will be same in Circuit Tracks). But can you please verify if it does same thing with MC101 ?
17:45 - just small detail, Circuit synth engine is "Ultranova" engine (as you correctly said, 10 years old, first time presented in 2011) - not "Nova" engine. "Nova" engine is different (in my opinion a much better), and originates in Nova / Supernova flagships from late '90s ..
Gabe on og circuit if you pick blank pattern and make chords on steps then turn volume down on synth track...you can play chords live and they sound...so kinda like chord mode😉 either turn volume down or hold bottom left step on it it holds that Patten so think you pick blank pattern but hold the Patten with left bottom step that holds you on that Patten view so you can play chords live?
I love my MC-101. Either standalone or as a sound module slaved to the MPC One, it's earned a permanent place in my setup. The biggest negative for me is that the pads are terrible. I'm surprised nobody seems to mention it. If you hook up a midi controller with nice pads (like the Launchkey mini mk3) it improves things massively.
You recall projects, patterns, scenes, sound presets etc. by clicking on the pads. The pads are just a great context sensitive control surface. Ingenious.
@@steventaylor3789 But doesn't that mean you have to remember where the sounds are like you have to remember what the control knobs do to each sound? The only instrument I own that dosent have a screen has no presets and comes with cheat sheets.
this is what stopped me from getting the first circuit and why i am confused about how everyone loves them but complains about the small screens on rolands...
My test for a sequencer is: can it malmsteen? If I had the technical playing ability, would I be able to record a yngwie malmsteen cover into the sequencer and have it accurately record the note resolution. There are so many sequencers that fail this test. The mc 101 passes it with flying colors, and I'm spoiled now, because more advanced and expensive grooveboxes cannot match the note resolution of the mc. It's like some kind of polyphonic wizardry they did, where even if it's mono, they can take poly voices off step to create micro steps or something??? I don't know. But even elektron can't match the note resolution, unless you bump the bpm up to like 250+, but then your sequences are so short that is a pain to record. I'm really curious how fast notes can be played on the circuit. Is there any other groovebox that can match the MC's note res? Black box can't quite from what I can tell, neither can elektron's stuff, the electribes can't, not sure about mpc's, but the Polyend tracker CAN by using multiple tracks. I'm not crazy about the MC's glaring limitations, but as a sequencer it's extremely hard trying to find a replacement that has that crazy daw level note res and accuracy
The tracks holds a special place on the groovebox realm. The inmediacy of it cannot be found anywhere ese. It works beautfully as the brain of far more complex gear, since the sequencing and midi implementation is the best out there, just for the simplicity of it. Where it lacks a bit is in the Synth engine, but has great effects, a master compressor, and SIDE CHAIN... As i said, the synth engine may lack (although it can do pretty decent bass and pads), but if your main use is going to be MIDI sequencing, then this thing is going to be hard to beat (even compared to elektron gear), The two midi tracks work like butter. Don't think twice about it, for the price, its unbeatable.
Instead of a VS and having them fight, I want to see them have a hug and collab on some music :D MC101 and Circuit Tracks collaborating to make music would be a dope jam ;)
I wouldn’t leave the Circuit Tracks plugged in all the time. I really doubt that they have the advanced battery conditioning that Apple does (for instance). You will shorten the battery life if it is charging all the time. Just plug it in during use or before going mobile. If they do have advanced battery conditioning, that would be good to know.
That's really a shame. Devices like this stay useful for much longer than the latest cellphone etc, so a battery that's not easily replaceable is a bit of a non-starter for a lot of people (myself included). Great review!!
Gabe Miller Music would ChordBot (Chord Module VIA Midi) give you a better vantage to review a pro/con between MC-101 and Circuit Tracks? Love your final words on MC-101 - Spotify-Advanced; VS. Circuit - Beginner Dawless Summation
If you want a studio hub buy an MC-707. Being able to use the onboard effects with external gear is a big enough win to ignore the price difference if you don't want to use a mixer. The Verselab is piquing my interest.. Easy access linear sequencing? Like, yeah.. Also - I'm one of those people that enjoy using my Circuit but think the sound engine is utter shit. 😂
Cool can you do a novation mk3 with mv-1 verselab. Maybe a great mix of equipment. Because you can get so much classic roland sounds in the verselab with cloud downloads and controle with 8/16 patches mk3 as well.
The Novation sounds very very cheesy and outdated IMO, it's the main reason I've never actually hit the Buy Now button because I like the intuitive workflow, the speed of production etc, but I'm yet to hear a decent sounding modern track coming out of the Circuit, but the Roland on the other hand is definitely more polished and modern sounding, and this is the main reason we buy these groovebox devices right? to make good quality audio in one simple package.
Definitely fair. Personally, I don't think the Nova engine gets enough credit for its versatility, but that's just my opinion. The 101's power, sound quality, and amount of control is going to make it the better option for a lot of producers... Hell, if I had to start my hardware setup from scratch, it's the first thing I'd get. But I'd very quickly follow it up with a Tracks and a MicroFreak, the ability of that setup to be fun and immediate is too much for me to resist.
@@GabeMillerMusic Definitely agree, music should be fun and easy to lay down ideas, but if everything you lay down just sounds a bit outdated and lame, to the point where you have to re-sample, re-design, re-edit, and re-sequence every idea, it no longer becomes a quick music production tool, it becomes a chore.......You may as well just hum, sing, tap tables & beat box into a phone and use a DAW to finalise your sketch.
Most of my kits are groove boxes and fx units which can almost any kit sound the way you like. The only downside the most versatile ones are at least twice the price a Circuit
One question, I have an akai mini mpk3 an I want to connect with some device (without using a computer) that brings power and sounds, and at the same time connect to this device a boss rc500 looper that I use live woth my guitar ad vocals. Some of these two devices can solve this?
Oh wow didn't know the 101 is so expensive in the States. In Europe it's the same price as the new Tracks. I was kinda hoping for 101 functionality with a circuit workflow. That would be so rad. Still kinda want the Tracks though, it does seem nice and I bet it'll get a bunch of new features with updates. I'd definitely wait for it to go down in price, but I can see how it's exactly what some people were waiting for.
It's really interesting to see each device's strengths and weaknesses knowing these differences can be nice since it makes it easier for someone to chose between them based on what that person is specifically looking for.
Before i finish the video, i just hope both novation and roland do not stop updating the firmwares for these devices anytime soon (more worried about roland since mc101 has been out longer)
Hmmm. Great review Gabe. We should figure out your Las Vegas Residency EDM Moniker. Like G- Money? Naw-General Mechanics? Anyway-thank you for posting, Man!
now that all the shops are closed, im super grateful that you do these comparisons! thanks! do you know if the roland supports live recording midi data from a midi keyboard?
I enjoy your videos and your production is top notch, but I think you missed or incorrectly stated a bunch of stuff about the MC-101. I hate to be the 'well actually" guy...BUT 1. note probability - Not only do you have note probability on drum kits, but you can set the clip play modes for all tracks including inverse and random 2. distortion - There are tons of distortion, saturation, and overdrive FX that you can put on each track. it’s Roland/Boss after all. They make guitar pedals. There's like 90 different FX to choose from on each track. 3. side chain - You can 'fake side chain' using the motion designer to apply waveform modulation to volume or filter 4. external input - You can actually route audio over USB into 101 enabling you to record external audio into a looper track or assign the scatter to USB input. If you have an additional audio interface with analog inputs, if you set the 101 as the audio output and the other interface as the audio input in a DAW, you route LIVE EXTERNAL INPUT through the 101. Run a microphone or external synth through the scatter for instance, 5. control knob modes - There’s an option to change the 101’s control knobs to macros for controlling 4 parameters of a single track instead of 1 parameter for all 4 tracks. set ‘knob trk’ to ‘single’ in the system settings. 6. batteries - The 101 will run off a USB power bank. It's actually the best way. I can get 20 hours of use from a small $17 power bank. Never use alkaline batteries. 7. master filter - There a button to toggle the master FX off/on right nest to master FX knobs. That’s what you use to engage the filter instead of a notch at 12 o’clock. It’s actually better as you can set the filter at a certain level and instantly jump to it in addition to sweeping the filter. 8. synth engines - One thing I think you missed in comparing the synth engines is that the Zen-Core has a wider range and a lot more acoustic and bread n’ butter sounds. You can do way more styles of music with Zen-Core vs Novation’s virtual analog synth engine.
Thanks for the comment. Tbh I was a bit worried that I displayed some unintended Circuit bias, which wasn't my goal at all since I adore the 101 and think it's an incredibly powerful, impressive device. 1. Yeah not sure how I missed that one. I even dug through the manual for my "tips and tricks" video and still managed to not come across it. That's my bad. 2. Yeah totally, I just wish I could control it within the unit itself for both samples and patches more. 3. Totally, although I imagine that only works for straightahead drum patterns (4 on the floor or similar). 4. I definitely should mess with that more. 6. Yeah, I didn't mention it but I figured that was known. I still like the batteries for ultimate portability though. 7. True, but I like the notch because it's more forgiving... Since it's continuous, you don't have to 100% nail the timing on the downbeat. 8. I mentioned all of that briefly, but probably could have gone more in depth. I also really like that the Zencore engine is meant to be the basis for a lot of Roland stuff, so you can get pretty accurate recreations of classic Roland synths in a budget hardware device. Plus the way it works with samples is something that the current Circuits can't touch.
Dude I love your work! However, I would still love to see you do something with the Novation circuit and the zoom ar48... If you can't do both, at least do something on the zoom, ar48 please!!!
Hey Gabe! Thanks so much for shairing the knowledge! I'm owning the mc 101 and Circuit OG focusing on live performances. I love the combination of the dirtyness of the og and clean sound of the mc 101. But as you said live performance with the roland is not as smooth as with the circuit (especially tracks). I wonder if you can control two tracks of the mc 101 via Midi tracks and use even side chain or put parameters of the roland to the microknobs of the circuit. Do you think that would work?
It's a decent time now to buy a used MC since they've been out for a while. The extra tracks alone of the 707 doesn't in itself make it the one to get, or the sampling, but the deeper synth engine might be. I'm good with not being able to edit too deep depending the circumstance, but circuit actually lets you get in there with an editor. 101 doesn't. But the 707 is going to cost twice the price of the 101 and the 101 is going to be a ton of fun anyway. Anyway, how is it not being able to edit sounds much? And do you use an eitor on Circuit (components or otherwise)? Nice new circuit demos. Hopefully you have the unit outright already so you can continue making videos on it.
Roland did release a plugin for their Zencore synth engine that gives you similar control to Novation's components, although you have to pay for it. I don't do a ton of patch editing outside of either device, but I do load samples on frequently. It's super easy on the MC-101. And yeah I own the Tracks outright, lots more videos with it on the way.
Just bought the circuit tracks! One thing worth mentioning is that circuit tracks is the second generation and has improved over time and after much user feedback. Cant wait to get my hands dirty!
even if i sold the OG circuit (the 707 as well, hated the roland work"flow") and i have the deluge, i bought the tracks now again, just for fun and jamming.
Bottom line is it's all about sound a newbie to these devices still needs to learn how to use them so if it was me l would go with the mc101 because of the sound engine.
Bougth my first groovebox for something like a 3 weeks ago. Actually wanted to purchase Notaion Circuit cuz while it seems less capable than MC-101, it's much more simpler to dive in (and it aslo a little bit cheaper). However there was no possibility to get Circuit in my region, so MC-101 was the only option I had. And I really like it - such a great device to start. But now, when Tracks is out, I'm already wainting 'till it arrives to us and will take it too.
Thanks for the video! I saw the original Circuit at Instafest several years ago and bought it. I love steptime recording and thought it would get me back into it. The entire reason for selling it was the lack of a screen. I never knew exactly what the pads were doing. I spent the entire time I had it looking at the poorly written manual and the cheat sheet, trying to accomplish anything, The fact that you have no feedback to tell where you are left me never using it. I, also, have a JDxi, that’s almost as frustrating. The fact that all sounds are tied to the pattern, to some on who’s first synth was a Juno 60, is stupid. I saw the MC101 at NAMM and it seems to be a major improvement over the JDxi. Just the fact that I can name a bass sound and use it on 3 different songs, is so much better, than coping a pattern and then spinning all of the way through the sounds to not find it...It’s tied to the pattern. That too is a complaint of mine about the Circuit, with no screen I can’t jut name a sound and use it wherever I want to (the Editor Lib. for the Circuit was far from easy to use). The one thing I really loved about all of these named units sound great! But, I have to respectfully disagree that the Circuit is easier for anyone to ever use. I suppose you might be able to learn all of the button pushes by roat, but I certainly didn’t. I own both the PreSonus Atom and Atom SQ and the addition of the screen, IMHO, makes the SQ a hundred times easier to use, FWIW. Thanks again for the video.
thanks, I'm from a world before cryptic coloured squares (ex MC-303 owner), so interesting to hear it's not easy for everyone to grasp. I think the MC-101 is closer to what I'm used to.
Did you work out a way yet of exporting patches from circuit to tracks better than exporting each one of them individually, I only did 4 packs this morning but it was starting to make my hand hurt, then I released I did 512 clicks to export them, at least it was only drag and drop to do the new pack. And I'm surprised there is no samples.syx import, it just seems to be audio unless I'm missing something.
