User Guide
5
English
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing this Novation Circuit: the inspirational grid-based Groovebox. Circuit
is a great electronic musical instrument based on two Novation MiniNova synth engines, four
drum parts and a 6-track, 16-step sequencer.
Circuit has been designed to let you create music fast: getting great rhythm patterns together
is quick and easy. It’s both a compositional tool and a live performance instrument. You
don’t need to connect Circuit to a computer or other device to make music – it’s completely
standalone, and can run off batteries if you wish. If you’re working in the studio, Novation’s
superior sound quality means you can use Circuit as the basis of your nished track.
Circuit’s playing grid is a set of 32 illuminated, velocity-sensitive rubber pads, which can act
as synth keys, drum pads, sequencer steps and perform numerous other functions. The pads’
internal illumination is intelligently RGB colour-coded*, so you can see at a glance what’s going
on.
Eight rotary controls are provided to let you tweak the synth and drum sounds to perfection and
a large Filter control is always available to further enhance your performance. There are a host
of other quickly-accessible features: Synth patches and drum sounds to choose from, a choice
of musical scales, adjustable tempo, swing and note length, and more. You can assemble
sequences together into longer patterns and save your work in one of 32 session memories.
Circuit also sends and receives standard MIDI data, so you can connect other MIDI-compatible
devices, synchronise with other drum machines or grooveboxes, or to trigger synths, for
example. The USB connection also handles MIDI; this lets you connect Circuit to your computer
so you can synchronise and record MIDI data in your DAW.
For additional information, up to date support articles and a form to contact our Technical
Support Team please visit the Novation Answerbase at: www.novationmusic.com/answerbase
* 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.