1/31/2024 0 Comments Novation launchey sound packOn Tracks, you can easily drop different samples into the step sequencer in one view. On the original, this was only really possible by real‑time recording from the expanded Note view. Although four drum voices is a bit limiting, Circuit makes good use of what it has by allowing sample flipping: triggering different samples on each step. The reorganisation frees up half the pads within the drum sequencing views, and these are used to display a palette of 16 sounds. Each track still has eight Pattern slots but you have to page down to see Patterns 5‑8. An upshot of these additional MIDI and Drum tracks is that in the Pattern launch view you now see eight columns of four clips, instead of four columns of eight. Before, the drum lanes were paired into two pattern groups. The four sample players now have discrete sequencer tracks. The inputs feed their own channels in Circuit’s mixer so benefit from level and pan control as well as sends to the effects. Even better, there’s a pair of audio inputs so you can bring in the sound from these outboard synth sources. The Circuit Tracks adds two tracks dedicated to external MIDI sequencing, with customisable CC control from the knobs. In the studio I primarily used my Circuit as a sequencer for other synths, stealing the two polyphonics tracks from the inbuilt sound engines. From left to right, there’s a USB‑C port, microSD card slot, MIDI In, Out and Thru, a 3.5mm Sync socket, quarter‑inch audio outputs, a 3.5mm headphone socket and a pair of quarter‑inch audio inputs. The Circuit Track’s back panel is small - those full‑size MIDI ports give you an idea - but packed with connections. Also tucked around the back is a micro SD card slot, greatly expanding the portable independence compared to the original. I like the decision to move the headphone output to the back - although a front‑facing jack seems to make sense on paper, in reality it gets in the way when the unit is on your lap, or is sitting behind a keyboard. There’s also a variable‑rate analogue Sync output that worked great with my 303 clone. Novation have reverted from TRS MIDI jack connectors to traditional DIN ports, and have even added a Thru which can act as a duplicate Out. The AA battery bay is replaced by an internal battery, and an AC adaptor is no longer required: the USB‑C port is all you need for power and charging. The unit itself covers the same surface area, but has transformed from a chunky box, to a light, sleek wedge. The layout of the Tracks is almost unchanged, but it’s had a makeover to match the new Launchpads, with larger, all-square pads. There’s no display, which is mostly a blessing during general operation, although it makes accessing some settings a memory test. Controls are simple and minimal: the eight encoders control preset sound macros, levels, etc, depending on the current view. There’s a built‑in mixer, with reverb and delay effects and side‑chain compression, plus a master filter which is great for transitions. Like the original Circuit, the Tracks has two on‑board synths (using the same Nova engines) and four sample‑based drum voices, all played and sequenced in various ways via a 4x8 velocity‑sensitive pad matrix. It has a new moniker instead of a number iteration to differentiate it from the upcoming Circuit Rhythm, which looks to be more of a drum machine/sampling workstation. It offers just enough sonically to sketch out ideas, and its fluid clip‑grid sequencer is great for capturing ideas, generating performances and controlling other synths.Ĭircuit Tracks is a Mark II Circuit in all but name, expanding on many of the original’s features and pushing aside some of the limitations. Novation’s Circuit (reviewed SOS January 2016) sparked an obsessive interest for me in portable tabletop music gadgets, and a move away from computer‑centric composition. Novation’s Circuit Tracks is a portable musical playground.
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