My thoughts on the Novation Circuit

circuitghost · Post by **circuitghost** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 8:28 pm

Tarekith wrote:LOL, my OT was more like "hell no, you're not sticking that thing in me!".

(I was one of those who had the CF card reader pins break off randomly)

circuitghost · Post by **circuitghost** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 8:28 pm

apapdop wrote:You write a good post Circuitghost!!

I thank you, good sir, for your kind words

circuitghost · Post by **circuitghost** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 8:27 am

Boom. Just picked up a Circuit, second hand. The experience left me wanting for more and when an offer presented itself, I could not resist.

I'll post my thoughts in this thread when I've had a go at it. Mostly for my own sake. Though I'll make an effort to create an enjoyable read for you good people, as well.

1_inch_punch · Post by **1_inch_punch** » Wed Jan 27, 2016 3:58 am

Just seen the thavius beck vid - cool little trick entering synth chords as step notes then muting the track

then playing the chords manually by hitting the steps you entered the chords in.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:28 am

Link?

musicmagus · Post by **musicmagus** » Wed Jan 27, 2016 1:22 pm

1_inch_punch wrote:Just seen the thavius beck vid - cool little trick entering synth chords as step notes then muting the track

then playing the chords manually by hitting the steps you entered the chords in.

Haven't seen the vid, but I love this feature... Makes up for the missing chord mode.
The electribe sampler and the circuit make a powerful combo.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Wed Jan 27, 2016 1:27 pm

Here's the vid:

https://youtu.be/S68U7O4Svco

gizmoismogwai · Post by **gizmoismogwai** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 2:55 am

musicmagus wrote:
1_inch_punch wrote:Just seen the thavius beck vid - cool little trick entering synth chords as step notes then muting the track

then playing the chords manually by hitting the steps you entered the chords in.
Haven't seen the vid, but I love this feature... Makes up for the missing chord mode.
The electribe sampler and the circuit make a powerful combo.

I figured this out the other day on my own and was SO EXCITED about it and I've been meaning to post here about it but ya'll beat me to it.

The only thing I wish is that you could then record the output back in but it makes sense that you can't since you're using the step sequencer for it. Still, I used it to jam with friends the other day and it's incredible how easy it is to add and remove notes to change voicings. The E2S is impressive for everything they packed into it, but Novation's product devs hit a home run with the Circuit.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 6:50 am

Another trick along those lines is that if you have parameter locks recorded on the synth parts, pressing a recorded note will make the synth engine act like a whole new preset if you're playnig it via an external controller. I think Gaz showed this too in his Sonicstate review.

circuitghost · Post by **circuitghost** » Sun Jan 31, 2016 10:09 am

Well, I've had the Circuit for a few weeks now, and while my Octatrack is in storage (I'm thinking about selling it), and I'm playing the piano to just enjoy the simple experience of music making in its purest, I have to say - the Circuit is a blast.

I know that on paper, the Electribe beats it in almost every aspect. But when I sit down, and just do things with it, better things come out of the Circuit, no matter its limitations.

Interestingly, since I'm in gear rehab, comparing the Circuit to the pure experience of playing the piano has some relevance, to me at least. The immediacy, the just sitting down and playing and something comes out of it, and capturing that, and building on that, just works with Circuit.

For me, the strongest point is that I don't miss anything from the Circuit. Yes, more synths and drums would be nice, yes, more effects, yes, blah blah.

But it doesn't feel like a flaw or a compromise. Circuit gets it right on almost every level. They're not omissions or neglections, they're just not what you need.

I'm betting Novation has a family planned. Circuit Sample and maybe even a Circuit Pro. Like the Launchpad family, with different entry levels for different needs.

zobbo · Post by **zobbo** » Sun Jan 31, 2016 3:33 pm

I am not trying to upset people, I'm just talking.

I love the circuit so much more than the Electribe. It's simpler, it's more immediate. And I'm willing to understand I just need to understand the Electribe more but the killer is really I don't like the sounds. I can't make them sound 'deep'. Yes - it's all just personal I know. The drums are 'ok' but the synth sounds just weak to me. It's not something I hear much as a complaint from others and therefore possibly just me.

The circuit sounds better. It doesn't sound amazing. But it sounds better.

To my ears - all very much my personal opinion

Ian

PS In other Korg news I sold my Radias just before Xmas. Now trying to find another one

musicmagus · Post by **musicmagus** » Sun Jan 31, 2016 5:20 pm

I might be in the minority but I only like a handfull of the presets in the circuit. That's why I waited for the editor and am currently in the process of replacing the presets with my own. The editor really lets you dig deep.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Sun Jan 31, 2016 5:25 pm

I spent the last week doing the same, replacing all the presets I didn't like with versions better suited to my music. I think for me it might have been 28 or so, and usually they just needed something simple like the filter envelope turned down to work better for me.

musicmagus · Post by **musicmagus** » Sun Jan 31, 2016 5:33 pm

zobbo wrote:I am not trying to upset people, I'm just talking.

I love the circuit so much more than the Electribe. It's simpler, it's more immediate. And I'm willing to understand I just need to understand the Electribe more but the killer is really I don't like the sounds. I can't make them sound 'deep'. Yes - it's all just personal I know. The drums are 'ok' but the synth sounds just weak to me. It's not something I hear much as a complaint from others and therefore possibly just me.

The circuit sounds better. It doesn't sound amazing. But it sounds better.

To my ears - all very much my personal opinion

Ian

PS In other Korg news I sold my Radias just before Xmas. Now trying to find another one

If you like the electribe workflow, but don't like the sounds I would highly suggest getting the sampler. Yes, the sample management is a bit tedious, but once you've got your favorite sounds loaded in, it won't matter.
Worried about missing all those synth Oscs? Don't. Just load up your favorite single cycle waveforms and transform your electribe into any synth you want.
I've got sounds coming out of my E2s that more than hold their own in the mix with the circuits sounds.

Right now I've got the e2s and the circuit on either side of my octatrack and couldn't be happier with this small setup.
Pure joy.