Novation today shared this set of video tutorials, which look at working with melodies, scales & chords on the Circuit.
8 thoughts on “Melodies, Scales & Chords On The Novation Circuit”
without a display i cannot use this thing, i´m sorry. for comparison: electribe 2 and 2s both have decent screens. novation should come up with an upgraded circuit pro or something. then–and only then–i would contemplating purchasing it.
Ever used an 808? Or a Juno 106? Or an SH101? No screens on them, people seem to like them just fine.
the products you´ve mentioned are not midi sequencers. take the mpc500. without its display the tiny mpc would be a complete and utter disaster, gui-wise. let´s face it: by not implementing a screen into the circuit, novation saved money at the wrong place.
zoran j.
It’s strange how much you’re hung up on the fact it doesn’t have a screen. If it’s not for you, who cares?
Why do you think it’s selling so well, while nobody’s buying the Electribes?
It comes down to the fact that, for a lot of people, getting a multi-timbral synth and sampling groove box for under $300 is a great deal, and they don’t need a screen to make music.
The biggest requested feature from owners isn’t a screen, it’s panning.
the circuit isn’t a midi sequencer either, it is a groovebox.
Screens mean menu diving. I’ve never once wished for a screen with the circuit. It’s all about great interface design. Something too easily over looked when screens are available.
Too basic. I’d much rTher understand how people made patches that are arcade arpeggios, or chords in themselves.
I kind of get the screen thing, I felt the same way when I first saw it. But then I played with one and it wasn’t bad. I’ve owned one for a while now and I have to say it doesn’t get in the way of anything. In fact, it’s pretty easy to get ‘in the zone’ and lose yourself in the jam.
Does this replace Abelton? No. Would I want to write complete songs in it? No. But for what it is – a jamming groovebox, an idea machine, a portable musical instrument, and a great controller for the DAW too – it excels. It sounds great and has plenty of flexibility to have a ton of fun.
Look at this way: if Novation DID put a screen on it, forums would be full of people complaining about editing the synths on a small screen. Or editing MIDI events on a two line display. Every action would end up needing it and ultimately it would just slow it down, add unnecessary complexity, and take more battery life. Instead we have nice synth and sample editors on the laptop when you need them. I like that much better than trying to squeeze it into a tiny display that will fail in 10 years anyway.
The Circuit is a unique device. You have to look at it with a slightly different perspective. But if you do you’ll be rewarded with a very fun device for jamming out wherever you happen to be. There’s a reason it’s as popular as it is, and the limitations have a lot to do with that.
without a display i cannot use this thing, i´m sorry. for comparison: electribe 2 and 2s both have decent screens. novation should come up with an upgraded circuit pro or something. then–and only then–i would contemplating purchasing it.
Ever used an 808? Or a Juno 106? Or an SH101? No screens on them, people seem to like them just fine.
the products you´ve mentioned are not midi sequencers. take the mpc500. without its display the tiny mpc would be a complete and utter disaster, gui-wise. let´s face it: by not implementing a screen into the circuit, novation saved money at the wrong place.
zoran j.
It’s strange how much you’re hung up on the fact it doesn’t have a screen. If it’s not for you, who cares?
Why do you think it’s selling so well, while nobody’s buying the Electribes?
It comes down to the fact that, for a lot of people, getting a multi-timbral synth and sampling groove box for under $300 is a great deal, and they don’t need a screen to make music.
The biggest requested feature from owners isn’t a screen, it’s panning.
the circuit isn’t a midi sequencer either, it is a groovebox.
Screens mean menu diving. I’ve never once wished for a screen with the circuit. It’s all about great interface design. Something too easily over looked when screens are available.
Too basic. I’d much rTher understand how people made patches that are arcade arpeggios, or chords in themselves.
I kind of get the screen thing, I felt the same way when I first saw it. But then I played with one and it wasn’t bad. I’ve owned one for a while now and I have to say it doesn’t get in the way of anything. In fact, it’s pretty easy to get ‘in the zone’ and lose yourself in the jam.
Does this replace Abelton? No. Would I want to write complete songs in it? No. But for what it is – a jamming groovebox, an idea machine, a portable musical instrument, and a great controller for the DAW too – it excels. It sounds great and has plenty of flexibility to have a ton of fun.
Look at this way: if Novation DID put a screen on it, forums would be full of people complaining about editing the synths on a small screen. Or editing MIDI events on a two line display. Every action would end up needing it and ultimately it would just slow it down, add unnecessary complexity, and take more battery life. Instead we have nice synth and sample editors on the laptop when you need them. I like that much better than trying to squeeze it into a tiny display that will fail in 10 years anyway.
The Circuit is a unique device. You have to look at it with a slightly different perspective. But if you do you’ll be rewarded with a very fun device for jamming out wherever you happen to be. There’s a reason it’s as popular as it is, and the limitations have a lot to do with that.