Circuit Rhythm is a versatile sampler for making and performing beats. Record samples directly to the hardware, then slice, sculpt and resample your sounds effortlessly. Capture your groove either quantised or off-grid into the sequencer, and layer up across eight sample tracks. Invigorate your live set with performance FX: embrace imperfection with vinyl simulation, stutter your mix with beat repeat… and more. Integrate Circuit Rhythm into your studio, or unplug and create anywhere using the built-in rechargeable battery.
Circuit Rhythm is both a compositional tool and a live performance instrument. It’s an eight track sample-based groovebox with pitching and slicing capabilities. It lets you create music fast: getting patterns together is rapid and intuitive. If you’re working in the studio, Novation’s superior sound quality means you can use Circuit Rhythm as the basis of your finished track.
The playing grid is a set of 32 illuminated, velocity-sensitive pads, which act as a chromatic keyboard, sample slices, drum pads, sequencer steps and perform numerous other functions. The pads’ internal illumination is RGB colour-coded*, so you can see at a glance what’s going on.
Eight rotary controls are provided to let you tweak sample parameters to perfection, and the Master Filter control is always available to further enhance your performance. You can start with a simple pattern of 16 to 32 steps and rapidly assemble these together into more complex patterns of great length.
You can save your work in one of 64 internal Project memories. Additionally, Circuit Rhythm’s powerful Packs feature lets you access, create, and save thousands of Projects, and samples on a removable microSD card.
Circuit Rhythm integrates with Novation Components, a powerful software application which lets you swap out your samples and store your work in the cloud.
For additional information, up-to-date support articles and a form to contact our Technical Support Team, please visit the Novation Help Centre at: support.novationmusic.com
* RGB LED illumination means that each pad has internal red, blue and green LEDs, each of which can light at different intensities. By combining the three colours at different brightness levels, almost any colour of illumination can be achieved.
Note
To download this user guide in PDF format, go to: downloads.novationmusic.com.
This is Version 6.0 of the Circuit Rhythm user guide.
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Eight Sample tracks
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Slice samples or play them chromatically
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Flexible playback options: Loop, Reverse, One Shot, Gated, and Choke
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RGB grid with 32 velocity-sensitive pads for playing and displaying information
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Eight customisable macro encoders for further tweaking of sounds
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Hands-on sequencing with eight chainable 32-step patterns non-quantised record, step probability, pattern mutate, sync rates, and more
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Sample recording via stereo input, or resample internal audio
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Instant performance control with Grid FX
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Drum pad performance mode with beat repeat functionality
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Reverb, delay, and side chain FX
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DJ-style master filter (Low pass/High pass)
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microSD support - save thousands of samples and projects across 32 packs
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Built-in rechargeable battery with four hours of battery life
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Novation Components integration – send samples, edit Grid FX and backup projects
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Full size 5-pin MIDI In, Out and Thru
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Analogue sync out
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Stereo audio output (L/R pair)
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Headphone output
We’ve tried to make this manual as helpful as possible for all types of user, both newcomers to electronic music making and beat making, and those with more experience. If you’ve already been beat making for a while, you may want to skip over certain parts of the manual. If you’re just starting out, you may want to avoid certain parts until you’re certain you’ve mastered the basics.
However, there are a few general points that are useful to know about before you continue reading the manual. We use some graphical conventions within the text, which we hope everyone will find helpful in navigating through the information to find what you need to know quickly:
Where we refer to top panel controls or rear panel connectors, we’ve used a number thus: to cross-reference the top panel diagram, and thus:
to cross-reference the rear panel diagram. We’ve used Bold text to name physical things – the top panel controls and rear panel connectors, and have made a point of using the same names used on Circuit Rhythm itself. We’ve used smaller Bold italics to name the various Views that the grid can display.
Easy Start gives you a step-by-step guide to setting up your Circuit and creates personalised tutorials based on how you plan to use your Circuit. This online tool also guides you through your Circuit’s registration process and accessing the software bundle.
On both Windows and Mac computers, when you connect your Circuit to your computer, it first appears as a Mass Storage Device, like a USB drive. Open the drive and double click ‘Click Here To Get Started.url’. Click ‘Get Started’ to open Easy Start in your web browser.
After you’ve opened Easy Start, follow the step-by-step guide, to install and use your Circuit.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to use the Easy Start tool, visit our website to register your Circuit manually and access the software bundle.
id.focusritegroup.com/register
Important
It's crucial you update your Circuit's firmware when you first plug it in, whether you go through Easy Start or not.
If you don't update the firmware of your Circuit, it's likely many features won't work.
To update your Circuit's firmware, you need to use Novation Components. Go to components.novationmusic.com to update your firmware.
Visit Components at components.novationmusic.com to unlock the full potential of Circuit Rhythm. Use Components software to load your own samples, get new artist-made packs, create Grid FX templates, back-up your work, and install the latest firmware updates.
For help getting started with your Circuit Rhythm, visit:
If you have any questions or need any help at any time with your Circuit Rhythm, visit our Help Centre. Here you can also contact our support team:
We recommend you check for updates to your Circuit Rhythm so you have the latest features and bug fixes. To update your Circuit Rhythm's firmware, you need to use Components:
You can power the Circuit Rhythm in three ways:
Circuit Rhythm can be powered from a computer or laptop via the USB connection. Use the supplied cable to connect the unit to a Type ‘A’ USB port on the computer or laptop. The internal battery will be charged while the unit is connected (provided that the computer is powered on and that its USB ports have an adequate power rating).
You can power your Circuit Rhythm with a USB-C to USB-C cable if required. A cable of similar length to the included USB-A to USB-C cable will offer the same performance.
The AC adaptor supplied with the unit is a 5 V DC, 2 A type with a Type ‘A’ USB output, and can operate on mains voltages from 100 V to 240 V, 50 or 60 Hz. The adaptor has interchangeable slide-in AC plug heads; different plug heads are supplied, which make the adaptor compatible with AC outlets in many countries. Plug heads can be swapped if necessary by pressing the spring-loaded semicircular button in the centre of the adaptor and sliding the plug head upwards to separate it from the adaptor body. Then slide in the correct plug head (as shown by the arrows), ensuring that it locks firmly in place.
Use the supplied cable to connect the AC adaptor to the Type ‘C’ USB port on the rear panel of Circuit Rhythm ( on Rear view).
The use of AC adaptors of a type other than that supplied is not recommended. Please contact your Novation dealer for advice on alternative PSUs if necessary.
Circuit Rhythm will also operate from its internal Lithium-ion battery. The internal battery is not user-serviceable. If you are having issues with your battery, please contact your distributor or the Novation support team directly.
Circuit Rhythm will operate for up to 4 hours, depending on battery state. When powering on Circuit Rhythm, the remaining charge level will be displayed on the pads. If the central 12 pads are green, the charge level is high. As the charge level decreases, fewer of the central pads will be lit in the battery indication view:
The battery will be charged while Circuit Rhythm is connected to the AC mains via the AC adaptor, or to a computer’s USB 3.0 port: charging time is up to 4 hours, again depending on initial battery state. To indicate that Circuit Rhythm is charging, the power button ( on Rear view) be lit green.
See also the Important Safety Instructions packed with the product for information regarding battery disposal: this information can also be downloaded from the Novation website.