Novation Circuit Rhythm vs MPC One

A comparison between the Novation Circuit Rhythm and Akai MPC One. They're two very different standalone samplers / grooveboxes, and that's exactly why I figured it would be helpful to compare them.
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00:00 Intro
01:53 Loading and Storing Sounds
03:56 Sound Engine
07:57 FX
10:17 Sample Chopping
12:13 Interface
14:21 Performance

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Social media:

[GabeMillerMusic]

IMPORTANT: I filmed this before the MPC 2.10 update got released, so they've now added even more ways to shape sounds and *multiple* new synth plugins. It might be a bit before I can carve out the time to properly cover the update, but I'm really excited about it.

[anniesthesia]

Thanks for talking about drawbacks for low vision people. Most folks don't even think about how the disabled would use these devices.

[michaeltrenier]

Maschine user. This MPC One has morphed into a MONSTER. That update leveled the playing field. The Novation has always been something I’ve flirted with but it’s limitations have always held me back from a purchase. The portability is what draws me. It’s definitely up next just need to touch it first. Great vid per usual 😎✊🏾

[BigBadWolf..............]

I’ve tried maschine mk2, mpc live, touch, one, 1000, 500, 2000xl, sp404, sp404sx, sp202, digitakt, op-1, circuit, circuit tracks, and rhythm. I don’t own all of those now just the notations and op-1. I might sell the tracks or original circuit. The circuits are fantastic because they are portable and easy to learn. I realized that learning my daw was a better option than learning a mpc. The op-1 is so portable it’s ridiculous. Digitakt is fantastic in its simplicity and simultaneous depth. It only suffers because of the buttons and lack of battery power. All the Mpcs are complex and capable machines but they require a lot of time. I spend my time learning my daw when I’m in the studio. In my living room I use a circuit. On a trip or at the park I use the op-1. It’s nice to focus on making music rather than learning the equipment

[dbrian]

The Circuits are wonderful gateway devices. I'm forever thankful to Novation for creating such thoughtful workflows and helping me get into this stuff.

[LiftedNoise]

Great video Gabe! I appreciate this. I've been in the MPC world for a long time and it's pretty incredible as far as functionality, can't really beat it but the way you describe the the workflow on the circuit really sounds amazing! Looking forward to getting mine soon.

[jacobsettlemyre]

I appreciate this a lot, I’ve narrowed it down to these two choices, and your video helped me a lot. Killing it, Mr Miller!

[CupofCloud]

Before buying my MPC, I remember reading that it only had 8 Audio Tracks, and I like to record guitars and vocals in my tracks...But with the way the MPC is, and how I only tend to record guitar, vocal, etc parts in like 4 or 8 bars at a time, maybe 16 at the most.. the amount of tracks is virtually unlimited for me. I haven't even recorded in the area for the 8 audio tracks. Recording with the Looper and assigning them to pads is not only easy, but even breeds more creativity with manipulation opportunities.

[RoofElmao]

got myself an mpc live 2 still preordered rhythm for switching workflow from time to time
thanks for content!
waiting for more rhythm videos

[Imetalman]

Team Circuit!! I do see myself getting an MPC one, but for now I’m happy with my tracks and rhythm. Best song writing tools on the market.

[mubafaw]

Much appreciated! Helped my decision making process. 😊

[ejmikk]

Thanks for the video! It would be awesome to see a video about live performance on the MPC One!

[CrescentRollCarl]

At first glance the Novation Circuit is ticking all the boxes!

[LaymensLament]

I think its crazy so few devices (or softwares!) support performance (live) slicing. Btw. I got mpc last week also because of your first video. I was avoiding it because i didnt want to work with a screen but ur first video showed u can do alot with buttons. It might be the best device for me after all, having tried some others. So far im really liking it and it fits the way my brain works.

[SuchaDoofus]

I think the reason people hate their DAWs is that they just cant be arsed to get off the sofa. As soon as someone markets the perfect sofa workstation with an integrated drinks holder, I'm there.

[J-Hz]

You're pretty much on point here. MPC has so many things going on, it would be hard to fly around on it like you would the Circuit. The touchscreen doesn't really help either since you can't rely on muscle memory like you would buttons. Still, I love the MPC one and the recent updates are great, especially the drum program updates like drum effects, pitch envelope and randomisation pages.

Regarding live performance, I think the MPC is better at sequencing gear and finishing tracks. It would be hard to use it on it's own to do a full live set. I would say the mute tracks and mute groups, xy pad are great tools to do live sets with

[sinewaymusic]

I think this was a good feature comparison video that gets into the technical side of what the devices are capable of. However, I feel it didn't quite touch on the philosophical differences and how that might influence your creative process.

What are you planning on doing with the device? Is the goal to replace a DAW, sketch out song ideas, perform live, or a combination of those things? Without having owned either of the two devices, I'd say that the MPC is geared more towards those who are looking to build complete songs outside of a computer DAW. It's much more capable and robust in that sense. The Circuit, on the other hand, seems more geared towards idea generation and quickly jamming out a new beat as quickly as possible, but where you're more likely to want to rebuild it from scratch in a DAW once you've got a solid song sketch laid out. I realize you can of course make a proper song on the Circuit too, but it just feels too limited compared to the MPC.

So basically, what part of the creative process are you looking to optimize with the hardware? If it's idea generation, I'd say go with something like the Circuit, or Digitakt or Model:Samples, depending on your budget. But if it's to intentionally step away from the computer for a much greater part of the song creation process, and you're less interested in in-the-moment improvisation, then the Akai MPC One seems to offer the best "DAW-less" bang for the buck than any of the competition out there today.

[teddybearasaurus]

I have the circuit rhythm. For me cause I know the tracks this is ideal. With enough vsts and such its limitations doesn’t bother me. Also the sampling isn’t horribly bad. It kinda reminds me of how people would just collect sounds. That being said mpc one could be a future thing.

[fleximarvellous]

I unpacked my live2Retro today, after lying in the corner since July first and my first impression was.. “where have you been all the time?”

[nathanom_]

Greetings, thank for for all the very informative videos, it’s bee a lot of help.

I’m new to stand-alone gear and after researching for a month or more, ams still confused with all the options.

What I am looking for:

1. Stand-alone, do not ever need a computer (I only have and use iPad, I do use garage band and another mastering app)
2. Minimal and simplistic foot print.
3. No screen preference but not deal breaker.
4. Ability to live sample into a live song creation using bass guitar, and/or keys, and vinyl.
5. Ability to switch “scenes” at the press of a button.
6. Ability to connect MIDI keyboard
7. Some level of synth manipulations but not overly complex.

Stand alone that I’ve liked the sound of most in demos: Digitone, MPC one, some of the Roland 101 but some Roland also sounds a little….video game-like to me. Love the MPC hip hop style sounds but also like the more ambient type beats.

Notations are super tempting but I have not liked all of the sounds I’ve on them, some are really good though, like the more ambient electronic sounding stuff which is the direction I want to go next. I was thinking maybe the best solution is one of the notations combined with something else? Longer samples is pretty important so that I can record a 8-16 measure song form and then layer things, similar to a looper pedal only I would walk over and press a button and then play on my instrument. I wonder how the notation (either rhythm or tracks), would pair up with the Roland 101 for doing what I want.

Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the great videos!

-nathan