How to use the Novation Circuit as a 51 knob MIDI controller

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The Novation Circuit is a fun groovebox, but it can also serve as a great MIDI controller for soft synths because its 8 macro knobs can be used to send CC messages across multiple views - in total controlling 51 different soft synth parameters

NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any what by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[Jamesrgwright]

You are my hero! I came here to discover how to MIDI map the Circuit macros to Ableton's macros for Instrument/Effect Racks. As it turns out...I found out myself anyway (Preferences>MIDI>Input Remote needs switched on) but I had NO idea each of the different modes changed the CC-value...totally makes sense now. This has completely revamped the way I use the Circuit with Ableton now! Cheers!

[ejanejarr]

Since Circuit has panning now, that's some 8 knobs more. In Reaper I'm in the middle of some setting up so I can map those 58 knobs (not using the filter knob) to almost any VST and even have MIDI feedback. This tip is fantastic, MUUUUCHAS GRACIAS, LOOPOP!

[Stadsjaap]

Another killer hack from the master. Keep 'em coming! Loving the screen layout too. Looks great.

[fimkatube]

Can't thank you enough for your Circuit tutorials. Spacial like for your screen layout.

[robertlee]

I feel like this blows the Launchpad out of the water in terms of DAW integration now. Thank you!

[kmontzka]

Awesome! This dropped my jaw wide open. Yet another reason to love the Circuit. Thanks so much for all the tutorial videos btw!

[ClaudeYoung]

This is absolutely brilliant!!! Thanks for posting this!!! A quick idea to solve the midi channel problem. If you use an application between the circuit and your DAW you can re-program the channel numbers and CC numbers to use the same channel. I use Bome's MIDI Translator Pro for this. You can also use the Circuit's notes to trigger key commands as well! Great video!!!!

[edmundgrimes]

Ziv you absolute legend, information such as this is why I recently became a Patron, thank you so much!! I was looking at picking up a cheap controller even though my wife had just recently bought me a circuit and it's not easy to find whether it can be used like this or not. Then I see this title and think "Cool, sounds like what I want", only to find that the channel is of course loopop :-D Kindest regards from Ireland!

[WrvrUgoThrUR]

Was just considering selling my Novation Circuit after buying my new Maschine Mikro MK3. Now this. Thx.

[alistairsheehyhutton]

Fantastic tutorial. I'm going to use this for MPC Beats

[rayflux]

Thank you so much, this is what i needed for Pigments!! Great! :)

[SubitusNex]

Oh man.. This with VCV Rack might be a dream....

[tomvtroye]

Thanks for your great informative videos!

[zooblestyx]

"Try that with a mouse!" I love it when talk dirty <3

[sandscribbler]

Dude! That was exactly what I was looking for! — and I rarely use exclamation points. You addressed the challenge I'm trying to solve, which is being able to more easily control the settings on a couple of my iOS soft synths (particularly, AudioKit's impressive Synth One) more easily. I found your video via a random Google search, and didn't realize until I started watching the video and recognized your voice that I'm already a subscriber to your channel. I love the careful and clear way you explain things. And the timeline along the left side of the screen is really helpful, too. Before I purchase the Novation Circuit, do you know if it will do precisely what I'm hoping it will — control AudioKit's Synth One on an iPhone 8?

[gerardopujado]

It's kinda late but the "try that with a mouse" right when I was using a mouse cracked me up so bad! LOL You think this trick holds true for the Novation Circuit Tracks?

[martingerken]

Nice. I assume that Circuit Tracks has 8 dials on all pages...

[kyfisher]

If I exit the vst and start a new project will it remember the midi map when I open the vst? (I use ableton if this matters)

[kurtklingklang]

Edit : Have it working now. Needed to toggle the orange buttons in the Setup page, even though they were already lit.


I suddenly had a use for 51 twiddle-able knobs. Unfortunately, I've spent all afternoon trying to get this to work. I can monitor notes being transmitted but nothing seems to be be transmitting from the knobs - this is via the USB connection. I can see CC data being sent from another keyboard with controller knobs without a problem, but the Circuit doesn't seem to be sending anything. Have Novation disabled this in recent updates?

[jacke_RS]

That thumbnail looks like something straight out of theonion.com