Novation Circuit Rhythm is here: All information about the sampler groove box

Have you been waiting for the new portable sampler music pad from Novation? Then rejoice, because Novation Circuit Rhythm is officially introduced. Even if the sampler with its 32 RGB pads, eight encoders, and buttons for operation looks almost exactly like the previous models, there are some differences. We’ll tell you all the details now.

After Novation music provided a great update with the Circuit Tracks at the beginning of the year, the next round is now going on. Novation Circuit Rhythm should convince as a sidekick as well as a stand-alone device. In return, the compact Groovebox has an important feature that was missing in the previous Circuit models – namely sampling. Drums and other sounds no longer have to be imported, but can be recorded and edited directly on the device. And not only that – you can directly resample the edited sounds again. It starts off really well!

Features such as slices are available as editing options so that beats should be able to be created very quickly. The samples can be played on eight tracks as one-shots, but can also be used chromatically for melodies. Gate, loop, and reverse playback are also available as playback modes.

The manufacturer is again relying on a fast workflow, as you already know from the circuit and circuit tracks. You shouldn’t get lost in winding submenus. The intuitive operation is certainly one of the reasons for the success of this groove box.

Oh, speaking of groove. You can record patterns without quantization or directly on the grid. Features such as Note Repeat, Mutate, or Step Probability is available to you. The groove sampler also supports micro-steps, and the device can play individual patterns with your own tempo or your own rhythmic patterns. The beats can play forwards, backwards, randomly, or in a ping-pong mode.

But not only that: You get a range of different Grid FX that offer effects such as vinyl simulation, digitize (a kind of bit crusher), stutter, beat repeat, gater, or reverser. On top of that, there is an auto filter and a phaser. Especially in combination with resampling, sounds can be twisted beyond recognition. As with the previous Circuit models, you will find the reverb, delay, and sidechain effects here again. And the DJ-style master filter is also included, and the Circuit Rhythm also provides a summing compressor.

As far as the connections are concerned: USB-C, 5-pin connectors for MIDI In / Out / Thru, analog sync-out, and stereo inputs and outputs for audio. The input can not only be used for sampling but also gives looped audio signals to the various Grid FX.

Of course, the slot for microSD cards is also very important. 32 packs can store them at the same time, with one pack containing up to 128 slots and up to 222 seconds of sample time. It also includes projects that can take up to 64 slots. If you connect Circuit Rhythm to the computer, you can also use the Components software to manage samples, edit Grid FX, or create backups of projects and samples.

Did we forget something? Yes, the headphone jack. This is particularly useful when you are out and about with the sampler. Because the internal, rechargeable Li-ion battery offers up to four hours of electricity. During this period of time, a new track or beat is created.

Now for the sequencer. They offer eight patterns for each of the eight tracks, which in turn can contain up to 32 steps. You can use this to create longer sequences and combine them as a chain. You arrange patterns into scenes, which then result in whole songs. Movements on the eight encoders can be recorded. Anyone who has gained experience with the previous circuits should get along here quickly. By the way, the patterns don’t support polyphony, but you can play different samples on one track (just not at the same time). Novation calls this feature Sample Flip.

Novation Circuit Rhythm looks very exciting. We are very happy about the sampling function, which actually belongs in every “real” sampler. We already like Grid FX and the resampling feature. And who knows what surprises Novation might be planning with an update?

Novation Circuit Rhythm price and availability

Novation Circuit Rhythm will be available from mid-July 2021. The price is $415.81. You can pre-order here at the Amazon.com website.