Novation Circuit Review 2018: The Best Groovebox?

An up-to-date, in-depth review of the Novation Circuit. Among other things, I cover the basics of how it works, the build quality, the sound quality, portability, and its limitations.
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[spotlight-kyd]

Regarding the need for a computer to edit sounds and change samples: the Novation Components online editor is targeted at the Chrome browser. So if you have an Android tablet with a USB port, an USB-OTG adapter, USB cable and an internet connection (for example via your smartphone), you can still have a portable, mobile setup with the Circuit. Did this on my last summer vacation. Recorded to a Zoom HN2 with Y cable.

[GabeMillerMusic]

A couple of quick clarifications:
1. You get 8 patterns per track.
2. You can have multiple different samples playing on one drum track, they just can't overlap. So, combine that with the fact that there are four drum tracks, and you can make some pretty complex and interesting drum parts.

[bca]

The Circuit really is an amazing device, I've had mine for about six months and love it. The continuing support is really amazing too, and the overall capability is great for the price and form factor. For anyone looking for a great step-up device, check out the Deluge. It has a lot in common with the Circuit, and very nicely improves upon most of the Circuits limitations, while adding in some other great features. It's not cheap at $900, but it is possibly the best 100% portable, do-it-all-groovebox-type device out there. It plays very nicely with the Circuit as well!

[Tilakmusic]

Hi ! Thanks for your very good videos. I’d like to know if it’s possible to turn the pads into a 32 step sequencer ? For the drums .. I’ m frustrated with my TR-08 and the A/B switch to get the other 16 steps .. thanks 🙏🏽

[ifxman]

That was an awesome overview video, you really have all the bases covered and articulately filled us in on this fun little groovebox. Hey Gabe, I think from version 4 or 5, whenever they gave us Sample Flip, you can actually play many samples (drum parts) at a time to make very complex rhythms. Very well done, sir! Looking forward to following your channel.

[raazmusic]

Of course, it's not just a toy (and never been)! Great review! Good job!
One little correction - you can tie patterns up to 32 slots, but not bars. Remember you can also put there a chain which always takes 2 slots. Maximum chain is 8 (from 1 to 8), so 8 times 16 is the maximum amount of bars.
Another one - you can play more than one sample using one drum track - check out "sample flip" term.

[ChristopherMangels]

A lunch break is never wasted time. #appreciateFood

Your voice tone reminds me of Adam Neely - in a good way. Great recording quality!

[shawngrignon]

Good review, thinking about picking one up soon. Really looking to get into dawless composition so I don't have to carry around and set up my laptop all the time. Have you tried the circuit mono station yet? Going to look into that next.

[chaddonal]

Gabe, you are a great reviewer! Informative, thorough, high clarity, you keep it moving. Nicely done!
Do you interface with other gear? Like, how well does this work with DAWs (i.e. Live, Logic, Studio One, etc) for editing and mixing? And how does it compare to other Beat Boxes, like those made by NI, Akai, or Korg? One drum sound at a time? That seems weak. Looks great though!

[zzzkarlzz]

pls make a review for the mono station

[cloudpierre]

my problem is the sounds just aren't good enough stock.. and changing the knobs is mostly trial and error. i like creating my own sounds and if i'm using presets they have to be good ones and easily tweakable. sure you can fix this with software and new updates but this is time consuming and tedious when i could just be creating a patch on a minilogue or serum for instance. as a drum machine/sample player i think the volca sample is similar but more capable and cheaper too. so the circuit is a decent all in one solution jack of all trades but definitely not master of any. i found myself sketching out ideas on the circuit and then re-doing the song with different instruments.. so it was just an unnecessary extra step. i would only personally recommend the circuit if you need the portability for writing song ideas.. and it's surprisingly versatile as a midi controller as well. for actual useful sounds in a studio though i had to sell mine. for making music on the go, however, it seems to be about the best choice for the money.

edit- also it can be useful as a sequencer for 2 external synths and basic drums. this solves the issue of the onboard synths being meh .. but then you lose benefits of motion sequencing which i love. this thing can do a ton but i was forcefully trying to make myself use its features rather than finding the features useful for what i wanted to do

[kentxx]

Why not a 4 synth engine and 16 patterns per track and micro flash card slot, then we talking, but than we have the Synthstrom Deluge who is of a other world in quality and price.

[glennmeader]

Born To Sing: Please post a video review of your MC505, showing how it is the best
Groovebox. Or you can even compare your MC505 to the Circuit - that would be interesting. Show us!