Polyend Tracker vs Novation Circuit Rhythm

I compare the Novation Circuit Rhythm and Polyend Tracker, two self-contained sampler grooveboxes that operate with a tracker interface that is implemented fairly differently.
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00:00 Intro
00:23 Similarities
02:42 Build
04:04 Pads
05:12 Loading Samples
07:18 Workflow
13:00 Shaping Sounds
15:23 Synthesis
16:41 FX
17:49 Sidechain
20:12 Outro

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[GabeMillerMusic]

To be clear, scrolling to notes/samples is not the only way to enter them on the Tracker, you can also scroll to the step, then select the corresponding pad (like I show at 10:27), which I actually have gotten a lot quicker at over the last couple of weeks!

[Polyend]

Hey Gabe, this is awesome. Thank you so much for making this!

[DeleswaProductions]

Awesome unbiased comparison Gabe. I believe both units can be inspiring and effective for making beats. I was intrigued by the workflow and features the tracker offers and decided to give it a try. Honestly, I could not be more satisfied. It not only quickly grows on you with its unique approach to music production, it is crazy fun to use. And you have all the tools you will need to make solid tracks from simple to highly complexed, Including self-generating beats using the random effects available. You also can throw a 256 gig micro SD loaded with the stock sounds and your personal collection of sound packs, to free yourself from being tethered to the computer. I simply love it. Beats coming very soon using it.

[pianoyan]

As a newcumber (02:02), I appreciate the shoutout. We newcumbers have been ignored for too long.

[skarryprankhunter]

Nice video! Keep with the comparation videos!

[AashayDesai]

Amazing, I've been waiting for you to make this video! Still debating whether or not to add a Tracker to the mix...

[ShaighJosephson]

Thanks for the comparison... I don't need portability...so this is helping to affirm that spending more for the Akai Force makes the most sense to get everything in one unit...

[SparksD]

The Tracker is a full DAW that competes on the level of a MPC Live and gear in the $1000+ price range. The Circuit Rhythm is more of a beat making sampler/sequencer that is more comparable to a Roland SP-404 in the $400-$500. As far as your comparison though, you basically compared the entire Circuit Rhythm to one track on the Tracker, didn't show all the FX that can be added per step in 2 FX channels per step, rendering multiple steps/tracks down to one sample to free the track of steps, how the Tracker controls external gear, samples from the radio, plays NES games, song mode, performance mode, and the list goes on. I get that the pads are important because you like to finger drum, which in that case why not get full sized pads with a Beat step or Akai LPD8. I think you barely scratched the surface on how the Tracker can be used, but pretty much fully explained the Circuit Rhythm. Comparing the two is a stretch imo because the price difference isn't huge, which just shows how much further your money goes by investing in a full DAW compared to a performance sampler/beat maker. In fact I've seen iPad apps that could compete with the Circuit Rhythm on just about every feature you showed!

[Erinmre]

amazing.. was looking for some time, for the perfect groovebox, and now I think I found it :D as a Linux power user, I am quite comfortable with the CTL diving type interface the Tracker offers, and it just feels right at home. It offers everything I need and more. hope to get it for a good deal this black friday

[aikighost]

One pf the biggest selling points of the tracker that you don't cover here is the perfomance/live remixing mode, its deep and a lot of fun.

[teabreakbeats]

I work with Excel spreadsheets as my day job, so this thing makes sense! I've only made one beat on it so far...

[Magnetic_loops]

I would say that the performance mode on the tracker is very similar to the grid effects on the rhythm, in fact I think it’s a little deeper. Sure it needs setting up first, but you get a bunch of performance parameters and can select which tracks you want to apply them to. It can do all of the beat repeat, filtering, reverse etc tricks that you can do on the grid effects plus quite a bit more.

Like you say, hardly a deal breaker or a reason alone to buy the device, but I think it’s a cool feature of the tracker so worth a mention.

Nice comparison overall though. I hadn’t initially thought about just how much these things DO have in common, despite owning both.

[sponkerdahooman]

I’d prolly go for the polyend tracker, as there’s way more in terms of sound design.

[josecortez]

The monophonic tracks sound really great. My sp1200 has a similar feature.

[TheCuri]

Very good camparison well thought thruh and Feature rich

[BachelorMachinesTV]

Great video: helpful content, also the devices are well-lit and easy to see, and the audio is really good.

[synth-studio]

Nice comparison Gabe. I find myself pitting these two against each other lately, with both having a dedicated focus on samples. I want so bad to love the Rhythm, but for me the main limit or of the Rhythm is that it’s one-step-per-sample is nice in theory, the track-level sample edits kinda kill that. The Tracker’s different take of having discrete ‘instrument’ parameters overcomes this for me.

I also get lost a bit on the Rhythm without the screen… it’s hard to remember where I put what, especially if there’s multiple samples per track. To me, , the Tracker totally blows the comparison out of the water, validating it’s extra cost ;)

[galaxyofsynths]

Great video Gabe. I have a Circuit Tracks and a Tracker and personally find the latter more accessible somehow, less limiting, a more rounded piece of kit to produce pieces

[hvhvgitaar]

Thanks for this comparison. I have the 2 Circuits. They are super powerful . However, the lack of any screen or other clear feedback on values of the macros or names of the patches/samples is a big issue for me. Once you have dialled in a good sound, based on some patch, it’s almost impossible to recreate it in another project without spending ages again. And you need to keep a notebook with the names of packs and their patches or samples unless you want to spend an eternity “blind browsing “. So after an initial burst of heavy use, they have now been in their boxes for months…

[davidcooke]

It’s easy to criticize the Rhythm for having limited functionality but it’s extremely quick and simple to work with. I find it great for quickly experimenting with beats. I will say that I only really use it as a drum machine now.