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Novation is a manufacturer that has always focused on building user-friendly hardware. This focus on workflow and ease of use has played a part in introducing a new generation of creatives to music-making.
In our Novation Circuit review, we are going to talk about what the Circuit is, what it does, and who would need it most. We will look at some of the main features, and find out if the Novation Circuit is still the force it was when initially released in 2016.
What is the Novation Circuit?
The Novation Circuit is a standalone groovebox that will appeal to musicians of all kinds. Standalone means it can function without a computer; it even has a built-in speaker and can be battery-powered, so it’s super portable. A groovebox should make it easy to hit the ground running, making music from the get-go; that’s what the Novation Circuit does very well.
It has two 6-note polyphonic synthesizers, a 4-part sampler, and 3 main function modes; pattern, FX, and mix. The Circuit is just as much a performance instrument as it as a production tool that you can sequence in step or real-time. The heart of the Circuit is the 32 velocity-sensitive drum pads that make it easy to get started instantly.
Let’s take a more in-depth look.
Sequencer
As we mentioned, the sequencer works in real-time or step mode. Despite being suitable for beginners, the sequencer is pretty expansive. What you get is enough working room for 32 sessions at 6 tracks per session (4 drum tracks, and 2 synth tracks), and 8 patterns per track.
One clear advantage that the Circuit has over many similarly priced drum machines is the ability to record automation in your patterns. When working as a step sequencer, you can automate up to 6 events per step, which is more than enough. The 50 automation parameters equate to a massive up to 4800 events per pattern.
The beauty of the Circuit sequencer is in the way patterns can be chained together to create longer variations. Patterns are set to the standard 16 steps, but extending a loop is as simple as holding down 2 pads; the sequencer will then loop both together, creating a more extended pattern.
The step sequencer has an internal tempo of 40 – 240 bpm, and an external synced tempo range of 30 – 300 bpm. It also has an available swing ration of 20 – 80% if you want to change up the feel of your groove.
Real-time recording expands the automation range even further with full velocity scanning (16 levels). There is an expanded view available for both drums and synths to make playing more comfortable. For drums, the expanded view gives you the pad area needed to finger drum, like a proper kit. For the synths, the expanded view lets you fully take advantage of the scale types available.
There are 16 scale types to choose from, meaning you can choose a scale, and the pads will only represent the notes that are in that scale. So, if you don’t know your music theory, you can get some help finding the most suitable notes for your loops.
The other good thing about this feature is that you will learn by getting used to how each scale sounds. After a while, your music-making will have more depth because you will associate specific scales with certain moods; if you already know your theory, there’s no harm done.
Playing in real-time is fantastic for live performance, and it shows you just how good the velocity-sensitive drum pads are. When you think about drum pads, you have Akai’s MPC units and Maschine from Native Instruments; not many challenge them in that one department. However, as far as feel and responsiveness, the Novation Circuit is as good as any outside of those top 2.
The Circuit Sound Engine
The sound engine consists of 2 synths and a 4-part drum machine. We will take a closer look at the synths and drum machine, but first, some controls are universal to both. A mixer view with levels and mutes lets you tweak your mix quickly and accurately.
There are plenty of master effects with individual track sends; this is very important. This set up means you can utilize effects exactly where and when you want to, which sounds obvious, but it’s a luxury, not all grooveboxes offer.
Onboard effects include 16 delays, 8 reverbs, and 7 types of sidechain effect. Overall, the effects are of a pretty high standard, especially the delays. For any of you who make house music or any EDM, you will know how useful the sidechain will be for your club kick and bass, so we are impressed that Novation made this so simple.
Novation added a master filter to the Circuit; it’s a hi-pass/low-pass filter. While this filter might not compete with filters found on some other top drum machines, you can still create some lovely sweeps and animation in your sound.
Let’s take a look at the different sections of the sound engine.
Polyphonic Synthesizers
The 2 synths are both powered by the same synth engine. Each one has 6 notes of polyphony, and they are Novation’s Nova Heritage synths, which are known for deep basslines, bright leads, and warm pads.
On the surface, what you get is 64 synth patches shared between the 2 synths. However, things get much more impressive when you step outside of the presets. There are 8 synth macro controls, but each rotary knob can control up to 4 parameters. You get an idea already of how deep the sound-shaping capabilities go. The Nova Heritage synths have a more extensive than the expected range of modulation and oscillator sync.
When getting started, the presets are an excellent foundation to get used to the macro controls. You’ll notice that the macro controls are assigned similarly for most presets, and it’s a pretty standard template. Once you’re used to that and want to experiment more, it’s down to you to get the best out of them. As we said, each macro can control up to 4 parameters, so assign them well, and you can do an awful lot.
Recording automation with the synth is one of the most significant creative aspects of the Circuit. As well as the ability to be incredibly precise, it’s also useful for some random fiddling when you need a little creative boost. When you do want to be more precise, you can even set macro values for specific steps in your sequence. Adding values to specific steps can produce some interesting rhythms or accent single shots.
The important thing to remember is that this is a digital groovebox, it’s never going to provide the sound-shaping scope that a great analog synth/drum machine will. So, you shouldn’t judge it against analog drum machines in that respect, but there will always be people who want more!
The standard layout of each synth sees the pads split into 2 rows of notes and 2 rows of step selectors. If you are in the chromatic scale, the notes will be laid out across both rows; the lower row being the white notes, and the upper row being the black notes, like a piano. In all other scales, each row of 8 pads represents an octave of the scale. As for step selectors, each pad represents a specific step in the current sequence.
Novation Circuit Drum Machine
The 4-part drum machine is default set to kick, snare, and closed/open hi-hats. In total, there are 64 good-quality drum samples, ranging from kicks, snares/claps, hi-hats, to lots of percussion sounds. Drum sounds are versatile but generally best for EDM/house/hip-hop production.
When playing in real-time, you can use a simple layout with 4 drum pads. This layout is great for finger drumming or overdubbing on a sequence created in step mode. Selecting steps works just as it does for the synths, 16 pads represent the steps of your sequence.
The drum machine comes with 4 parameter controls, which are pitch, decay, distortion, and filter. For the genres we mentioned above, the drum sounds are good without much tweaking, but there’s enough here to keep your experimental side happy.
The best thing about the drum sounds is that you can now upload your samples. Uploading samples wasn’t possible when the Circuit was initially released, but 2016 saw the introduction of Circuit Components, and it’s various new features. Circuit Components lets users save up to 64 sounds (60 seconds per slot) as a single file. So, you should never run out of sounds!
Uploads aren’t limited to drum sounds either; it can be anything from drums, to chord stabs or vocal samples (MP3 and WAV supported).
Circuit Components Updates 2019
As well as the improvements made since 2016, Novation has released some rather fantastic updates in 2019.
No More Auto-Quantize
No more auto-quantize, unless you want it that is. Before this update, everything you recorded in real-time was auto-quantized. That means everything you played would be snapped to the nearest step, creating perfect timing.
While perfect timing sounds like a good thing, it isn’t always, and a lot of users were screaming out for a change. Now, you can record between beats, creating friction, and more realistic rhythms, whether it’s guitar strums, or hi-hats. Hip-hop producers will love this update; it allows creating Dilla-style beats and raises the overall standard of the Circuit.
Micro-Step Editing
Advancing on the ability to record without quantize, each step now has 6 micro-steps when recording synth. So, you can fine-tune to the extreme and record precise triplets, etc.
Per Note Velocity Tracking
All synth notes that landed on the same step used to share the same velocity, regardless of how they were recorded. Now, when multiple synth notes share the same step, they maintain the velocity that they had at recording. There is also the ability to edit the velocity of each note independently after recording.
Workflow
Workflow is where the Circuit excels and what Novation does best, making everything easily accessible. The Circuit has 32 multi-function, velocity-sensitive pads, and 28 backlit function buttons. Let’s take a closer look at how they work.
In pattern mode, the pads are split into 4 columns of 8 pads, which are the 8 pattern slots for each part. We said earlier that extending loops was simple, so let’s look at an example:
If you have a full column of 8 synth patterns, simple hold down any 2 pads, and it will loop all patterns between those 2 pads. That means it doesn’t have to be 2 pads that are right next to each other; you can link as many of the 8 patterns as you like. Once you combine patterns, you then work within the longer sequence.
Whether using the synths/drums in step recording or real-time, the layout is quick and efficient. Assigning a sound to a step is just a case of holding down the correct step from 1-16 then pressing the desired sound. What we are trying to say, without repeating ourselves, is that everything in regards to playing/sequencing is as intuitive as it can be. Everything is designed to inspire and speed up creativity.
Even smaller features are exceptionally well thought out. For example, to adjust the velocity for a specific trigger when using the drum machine, hold down the correct step then choose a velocity setting from 1-16 from the other row of pads. Adjusting the gate length or velocity for synths is done in the same way.
A common complaint of other systems is that saving your session is far more convoluted than it should be. Fortunately, we can say there is no such problem with the Novation Circuit. In the session view, you can quickly save a copy of your session to another slot, effectively wiping the slate clean for you to create a new session.
If you are a performer, the speed that you can recall previous sessions is fantastic. Sessions can be recalled instantly, but what’s more impressive is that they start in perfect time without any issues. Furthermore, if you want to trigger a saved session on a specific beat before the current sequence ends, hold shift while selecting the session.
The 8 macro controllers are continuous pots, meaning they work perfectly for multiple parameters per rotary knob.
We could go through every single function, but it would take too long. The bottom line is that the Circuit will increase your workflow and creativity if you put it to use.
Connectivity
There isn’t a great deal of connectivity, and that’s not unusual for products of this kind. It has 1/4″ jack audio outs, MIDI in/out, USB, and a mini-jack headphone input. Although, it does have something that most don’t; a Kensington lock port for security when traveling.
Conclusion
The Novation Circuit has always been pretty well-liked by musicians and producers. However, if this review had been written a few years ago, it would be easier to find faults. There were problems after the initial release, and Novation has taken care of most of them via their Circuit Components software/editor.
Having said that, there are still a few minor niggles, but they are minor issues at best. For example, a click would be helpful in real-time playing. It’s easily overcome by starting in step mode and placing a note/sound that you can use to keep time. Complaints like this are things that Novation will hopefully continue to rectify, so overall, we have nothing but good things to say.
Our general advice on equipment like this is that if it doesn’t increase your workflow, you shouldn’t buy it. In that department, Novation has absolutely nailed it.
Beyond workflow, a groovebox should have enough quality sounds and editing options to keep you creating longterm. Previously, the Circuit would be lacking here, but now that you can upload samples, the possibilities are endless. The synths are analog-modeling, not fully analog synths; they sound excellent, with more than enough parameters to alter, and that’s impressive for a budget drum machine.
In terms of musical ability, the Circuit is suitable for beginners right through to professionals. Beginners will learn through using it, and advanced users will get more done in a day, so we can’t complain about that. Even beginners will be making music almost straight away, too.
In regards to genres, we would say it fits best with EDM, house, or hip-hop producers. Although, being able to upload samples opens it up to musicians of all genres.
Our final verdict is that anyone who wants an affordable grid/pad-based drum machine/groovebox, and can’t quite stretch to an MPC, should consider the Novation Circuit. We love it!