NEW GEAR

NOVATION’S CIRCUIT TRACKS COULD BE THE PORTABLE GROOVEBOX THAT ALSO SITS AT THE HEART OF YOUR STUDIO

We’d maintain that, even five years after its release, Novation’s Circuit groovebox is still one of the best value standalone musicmaking devices on the market. A second Circuit, the Mono Station, was released in 2017, but it’s Circuit Tracks, which has just been announced, that looks like the spiritual sequel. Novation is also teasing another member of the Circuit family, Circuit Rhythm, that’ll be released in the summer.

Offering a new look and feel, Circuit Tracks once again features two polyphonic digital synth tracks and four drum tracks, along with a suite of effects. Back, too, are the velocitysensitive pads, along with eight macro knobs for speedy sound sculpting.

One of the great things about the original Circuit was the number of firmware updates it received – adding the likes of microtiming and probability – and these are included here. You’ll also find a new mutate feature.

There’s still no screen, but Novation says that this is in keeping with Circuit Tracks’ intuitive workflow, in which feel and instinct are more important