Novation Circuit Tracks User manual

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Trade Marks
The Novation trademark is owned by Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd. All other brand, product and
company names and any other registered names or trade marks mentioned in this manual belong to
their respective owners.
Disclaimer
Novation has taken all possible steps to ensure that the information given here is both correct and
complete. In no event can Novation accept any liability or responsibility for any loss or damage to the
owner of the equipment, any third party, or any equipment which may result from use of this manual
or the equipment which it describes. The information provided in this document may be modified
at any time without prior warning. Specifications and appearance may differ from those listed and
illustrated.
Copyright and Legal Notices
Novation and Circuit are trade marks of Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited.
2020 © Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited. All rights reserved
Novation
A division of Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd.
Windsor House, Turnpike Road
Cressex Business Park , High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire , HP12 3FX
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.novationmusic.com

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Contents
Introduction ..............................................................................................................................6
Key Features...................................................................................................................................7
About this manual ..........................................................................................................................8
What’s In The Box...........................................................................................................................8
Getting Up and Running ................................................................................................................9
If you’re on a Mac:........................................................................................................................................................................9
If you’re on Windows: ..................................................................................................................................................................9
Novation Components Overview...................................................................................................9
Getting Started with Circuit Tracks...............................................................................................10
Having Trouble? ...........................................................................................................................10
Power Requirements ....................................................................................................................10
Hardware Overview................................................................................................................12
Glossary........................................................................................................................................12
Top View.......................................................................................................................................16
Rear view......................................................................................................................................19
Basics ......................................................................................................................................20
Powering the unit on....................................................................................................................20
Getting started.............................................................................................................................22
Loading and Saving......................................................................................................................23
Starting from Scratch....................................................................................................................25
The Synths ..............................................................................................................................28
Playing a Synth.............................................................................................................................28
Expanded Note View.................................................................................................................................................................29
Scales ...........................................................................................................................................31
Scale selection............................................................................................................................................................................32
Root note ....................................................................................................................................................................................33
Selecting Patches .........................................................................................................................34
Patch Preview..............................................................................................................................................................................34
External Patch Select .................................................................................................................................................................35
Exploring the Macros ...................................................................................................................35
Recording a synth pattern in real time .........................................................................................36
Recording Knob Movements ....................................................................................................................................................37
Non-quantised record ...............................................................................................................................................................38
Recording from an external controller......................................................................................................................................39
Step editing..................................................................................................................................39
Deleting notes............................................................................................................................................................................41
Inserting notes............................................................................................................................................................................41
Clear and Duplicate .....................................................................................................................41
Clearing Steps ............................................................................................................................................................................41
Duplicating Steps.......................................................................................................................................................................41
Velocity, Gate and Probability ......................................................................................................42
Velocity........................................................................................................................................................................................42
Gate.............................................................................................................................................................................................46
Probability...................................................................................................................................................................................48
Micro step edit ...........................................................................................................................................................................49
Tied / Drone Notes ....................................................................................................................................................................52
Pattern Settings............................................................................................................................54
Start and End points ..................................................................................................................................................................54

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Play order....................................................................................................................................................................................56
Pattern Sync rate ........................................................................................................................................................................56
Mutate..........................................................................................................................................57
The MIDI Tracks ......................................................................................................................58
Introduction..................................................................................................................................58
Selecting Templates .....................................................................................................................58
Default Templates ......................................................................................................................................................................59
Setting Up Templates in Components .....................................................................................................................................59
Connecting to external hardware via MIDI Out ...........................................................................60
The Drums...............................................................................................................................61
Playing Drums ..............................................................................................................................61
Expanded Drum View ................................................................................................................................................................62
Selecting Samples........................................................................................................................63
Using the Macros for drum design...............................................................................................64
Recording a Drum Pattern............................................................................................................65
Non-quantised record ...............................................................................................................................................................65
Manual hit entry and step editing ................................................................................................65
Micro step edit ...........................................................................................................................................................................67
Velocity........................................................................................................................................................................................69
Probability...................................................................................................................................................................................71
Recording Knob Movements........................................................................................................72
Clear and Duplicate .....................................................................................................................73
Patterns ..................................................................................................................................74
Patterns View................................................................................................................................74
Clearing Patterns..........................................................................................................................75
Duplicating Patterns.....................................................................................................................76
Step Page and 16/32-step Patterns .............................................................................................76
Chaining Patterns.........................................................................................................................77
Pattern Octave .............................................................................................................................80
View Lock .....................................................................................................................................81
Scenes ..........................................................................................................................................82
Assigning Patterns to Scenes....................................................................................................................................................82
Chaining Scenes to create an arrangement.............................................................................................................................84
Queuing Scenes .........................................................................................................................................................................85
Clearing Scenes..........................................................................................................................................................................85
Duplicating Scenes ....................................................................................................................................................................85
Tempo and Swing....................................................................................................................86
Tempo ..........................................................................................................................................86
External clock..............................................................................................................................................................................86
Tap Tempo ..................................................................................................................................................................................87
Swing............................................................................................................................................87
Click track.....................................................................................................................................88
Analogue Sync Out ......................................................................................................................88
Mixer ......................................................................................................................................89
FX Section...............................................................................................................................91
Reverb ..........................................................................................................................................92
Delay ............................................................................................................................................92
Master Compressor......................................................................................................................93

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Side Chains .............................................................................................................................94
The Filter Knob.......................................................................................................................95
Projects...................................................................................................................................96
Switching Projects ........................................................................................................................96
Clearing Projects ..........................................................................................................................96
Saving Projects to new slots.........................................................................................................97
Changing Project Colours .........................................................................................................................................................97
Packs.......................................................................................................................................98
Loading a Pack .............................................................................................................................99
Duplicating Packs.........................................................................................................................99
Using microSD Cards .................................................................................................................100
Components .........................................................................................................................102
About Components & Navigating to Circuit Tracks...................................................................102
Appendix ..............................................................................................................................103
Firmware Updates ......................................................................................................................103
Setup View .................................................................................................................................103
Brightness .................................................................................................................................................................................104
MIDI Channels ..........................................................................................................................................................................104
MIDI I/O ....................................................................................................................................................................................105
Clock settings ...........................................................................................................................................................................106
Analogue clock rates ...............................................................................................................................................................106
Advanced Setup View ................................................................................................................107
Easy Start Tool (Mass Storage Device) ...................................................................................................................................107
MIDI Thru configuration ..........................................................................................................................................................107
Master Compressor..................................................................................................................................................................107
Save Lock ...................................................................................................................................108
Project loading problems...........................................................................................................108
MIDI parameters ........................................................................................................................108
Bootloader Mode.......................................................................................................................109

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Introduction
Circuit Tracks is an agile groovebox for creating and performing electronic music quickly and easily.
Its acclaimed, hands-on sequencer gives you a seamless workflow and its two refined, polyphonic
digital synth tracks let you expand your sonic capabilities. The four drum tracks let you load your own
samples and shape them to perfection. Two dedicated MIDI tracks permit seamless interconnectivity
with other equipment. With a built-in, rechargeable battery you can unplug and create music
anywhere. Let your creativity thrive!
Circuit Tracks is both a compositional tool and a live performance instrument. It’s an eight track
instrument - two for the polyphonic synths, four for samples and two for interfacing with external
MIDI devices like analogue synths. 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
Tracks as the basis of your finished track.
The playing grid is a set of 32 illuminated, velocity-sensitive pads, which 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 the
Master Filter control is always available to further enhance your performance. There are a host of
other quickly-accessible features: synth patches and drum samples to choose from, a choice of musical
scales, adjustable tempo, swing and note length, and more. You can start with a simple pattern of 16
or 32 steps and then 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 Tracks’ powerful
Packs feature lets you access, create, and save thousands of Projects, synth patches and samples on a
removable microSD card.
Circuit Tracks integrates totally with Novation Components, a powerful software application which lets
you download, edit, and create synth patches, swap out your samples, create MIDI track templates,
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: https://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.

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Key Features
• Two synth tracks with 6-voice polyphony
• Two MIDI tracks with programmable CC output
• Four sample-based drum tracks
• RGB grid with 32 velocity-sensitive pads for playing and displaying information
• Eight customisable macro encoders for further “tweaking” of sounds
• Hands-on sequencing with eight chainable 32-step patterns, non-quantised record, step
probability, pattern mutate, sync rates, and more
• Reverb, delay and side chain FX
• DJ-style master filter (Low pass/High pass)
• microSD support – save thousands of synth patches, samples and projects across 32 packs.
• Built-in rechargeable battery with 4 hours of battery life
• Novation Components integration – full synth engine editing, sample upload and project
backup
• Full size 5-pin MIDI In, Out and Thru
• Analogue sync out
• 2 mono audio inputs – mix external audio with native sounds, apply FX too
• Stereo audio output
• Headphone output

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About this manual
We’ve tried to make this manual as helpful as possible for all types of user, both newcomers to
electronic music making and those with more experience, and this inevitably means some users will
want to skip over certain parts of it, while relative novices will want to avoid certain parts of it until
they’re confident they’ve mastered the basics.
However, there are a few general points that are useful to know about before you continue
reading the manual. We’ve adopted some graphical conventions within the text, which we hope
all types of user will find helpful in navigating through the information to find what they need to
know quickly:
Abbreviations, conventions, etc.
Where we refer to top panel controls or rear panel connectors, we’ve used a number thus: Xto
cross-reference to the top panel diagram, and thus: Xto cross-reference to the rear panel diagram.
(See pages 16 and 19 ). 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 Tracks itself.
We’ve used smaller Bold italics to name the various Views that the grid can display.
Tips
These do what it says on the tin: we include bits of advice, relevant to the topic being
discussed that should simplify setting up Circuit Tracks to do what you want. It’s not
mandatory that you follow them, but generally they should make life easier.
What’s In The Box
Circuit Tracks has been carefully packed in the factory and the packaging was designed to withstand
rough handling. Should the unit appear to have been damaged in transit, do not discard any of the
packing material and notify your music dealer.
If practical, save the packing materials for future use in case you ever need to ship the unit again.
Please check the list below against the contents of the packaging. If any items are missing or
damaged, contact the Novation dealer or distributor where you purchased the unit.
• Novation Circuit Tracks Groovebox
• USB Type A to Type C cable (1.5 m)
• Safety information sheet
• AC adaptor: 5 V DC, 2 A; includes interchangeable AC plugs

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Getting Up and Running
We’ve made getting up and running with Circuit Tracks as easy as possible, whether you’re a
brand new beatmaker or a seasoned producer.
To access the Easy Start Tool, first connect your Circuit Tracks to your computer with the USB-A to
USB-C cable supplied.
If you’re on a Mac:
1. On your Desktop, find and open the folder named TRACKS.
2. Inside the folder, click the file Circuit Tracks – Getting Started.
3. Click Novation Components to access the full potential of your Circuit Tracks, or click Register
Circuit Tracks to access your downloads.
Alternatively, if you have Google Chrome open when you connect Circuit Tracks, a pop-up will
appear that will take you straight to the Easy Start tool.
If you’re on Windows:
1. Click the Start button and type “This PC”, then press Enter.
2. In the “This PC” window, find the drive named TRACKS and double click it.
3. Inside the drive, click the link Click Here to Get Started.html.
4. You’ll be taken to the Easy Start Tool where we’ll get you set up.
Novation Components Overview
Visit Novation Components at components.novationmusic.com to unlock the full potential of
Circuit Tracks. Use Components software to delve into Circuit Tracks’ powerful synth engines,
upload your own samples to your unit, set up MIDI templates for your external gear, and back up
your projects.

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Getting Started with Circuit Tracks
If you’re brand new to Circuit, you can follow our Easy Start Guide to get up and running. To access
the Easy Start Guide, connect your Circuit to your Mac or PC, and click on the Tracks folder. Inside
you’ll find two files named Click Here to Get Started.url and Circuit Tracks - Getting Started.html.
Click on the .url file to be taken straight to the Easy Start Guide, or open the .html file to learn more
about it.
Having Trouble?
In case you’re having any trouble getting set up, don’t hesitate to contact our support team!
You can find more information and answers to FAQs in the Novation Help Centre at
support.novationmusic.com.
Power Requirements
Circuit Tracks can be powered in any of three ways:
• from a computer with a USB 3.0 port, via the USB-C connection
• from AC mains, using the supplied AC adaptor and the USB-C connection
• from the internal lithium-ion battery.
Powering from a computer
Circuit Tracks 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 or laptop itself is powered on).
Using the AC adaptor
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 different countries. Plug heads can be easily swapped if necessary by pressing the
spring-loaded semi-circular 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 Tracks ( 6on page 19).

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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.
Using the internal battery
Circuit Tracks will also operate from its internal Lithium-ion battery. The battery is non-removable and
non-replaceable. Circuit Tracks will operate for up to 4 hours, depending on battery state. When the
battery capacity drops below 15%, a Low Battery symbol will be displayed:
The battery will be charged while Circuit Tracks 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 Tracks is charging, the power button ( 8on page 19) will light 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.

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Hardware Overview
Glossary
Some of the terms used in this manual have a specific meaning as applied to Circuit Tracks. Here is a
list:
Te r m Button Definition
Expanded View Shift + Note
Doubles the area of performance pads for the Synths,
and allows you create patterns on all drum tracks
simultaneously, using the currently selected samples.
Fixed Shift + Velocity Allows the velocity response of the grid pads to be
disabled.
FX View FX Allows the user to add reverb and delay to individual
tracks.
Gate View Gate
The Gate value of a note is how many steps it sounds
for. Gate View allows the length of a step to be edited.
Individual gate values can be set for each note assigned
to a single step by using live record.
Grid pad One of the 32 pads making up the main performance
area.
Live Record Record
Lets you add synth notes in real time while a pattern
is playing. Also records any movements of the Macro
controls.
Macro Controls
Eight rotary controls whose function varies with the
currently selected View; primarily used to “tweak” the
synth and drum sounds.
Manual Note
Entry
Assignment of synth notes to specific step in a pattern.
With a step pad pressed, press the performance pad for
the note to be added. Can be done with the sequencer
either running or stopped.
Micro step Shift + Gate
The interval between consecutive Steps is further
subdivided into six micro steps; these may be used for
“off-beat” timing of synth notes and drum hits.

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Te r m Button Definition
Mutate Shift + Duplicate Randomises the Steps of a Pattern at which the assigned
synth notes or drum hits will play.
Note View Note The View that is used to enter synth notes, MIDI data
and drum hits.
Pack
A complete set of Projects, Patches and Samples. Up
to 32 Packs can be exported to a Micro SD card for
external storage.
Patch
Preset (with
Synth track
selected)
One of the 128 patches (four pages of 32) which can be
selected for each synth track.
Pattern
A repeating cycle of synth notes and/or drum hits of up
to 32 steps. Includes per-step data for velocity, gate,
probability and automation.
Pattern Chain A cyclic set of Patterns played continuously one after
the other.
Pattern memory Where a Pattern is stored; there are eight per track in
each Project.
Pattern Settings
View Pattern Settings
A View that lets you set Pattern start and end points,
Pattern rate relative to the BPM and Pattern play
direction.
Patterns View Patterns
This View displays the eight Pattern memories per
track (as two pages of four), and allows their selection
individually or as a Pattern Chain, deletion and
duplication.
Performance Pad The grid pads used to enter synth notes or drum hits.
Playback Cursor
In playback, the white pad which moves through the
pattern display, indicating which step is currently being
played. Changes to red in Record Mode.
Playback Mode Circuit Tracks’ operating mode with the sequencer
running; the Play button will be lit bright green.

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Te r m Button Definition
Probability
A parameter of each step in a Pattern which defines how
likely it is that the synth note, MIDI note data or drum
hit assigned to the step will be played.
Probability View Shift +
Pattern Settings
Lets you assign Probability values to each active step in
a track.
Project
A set of all necessary data for full playback of all tracks,
including Patterns, Sequences, automation data, etc. Up
to 64 Projects can be saved as a Pack in flash memory.
Record Mode
Circuit Tracks’ operating mode when synth notes can be
added to the Pattern, or when adjustments using the
Macro controls can be saved. The Record button will be
lit bright red.
Scale View Scales Allows the user to select one of 16 musical scales for the
synth and also to transpose the scales.
Project View Projects The View used to save and load Projects.
Sample
Preset (with
Drum track
selected)
One of the 64 samples (two pages of 32) which can be
selected for each drum track.
Scene
Hold Shift (while
Mixer View is
selected)
One of 16 memories to which multiple Patterns and
Pattern Chains can be assigned, so that a longer
sequence can be triggered by a single pad. Scenes can
be further chained to create a Sequence.
Secondary View
Shift + button,
or double-tap a
button
All views accessed via using Shift in combination with
another button are referred to as secondary views.
These views may also be accessed by pressing the
corresponding button repeatedly to toggle between the
secondary and primary views.
Sequence A set of chained Scenes.
Setup Page Shift +Save
Allows control of MIDI clock and Tx / Rx settings, MIDI
channel selection for each track and pad brightness
adjustment. Normal operation is suspended while Setup
Page is open.

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Te r m Button Definition
Side Chain Shift + FX A method of allowing the hits of a drum track to modify
the dynamics of Synth notes.
Step
Each Track in a Pattern is initially based on 16 or 32
Steps, though shorter Patterns of any length my be
defined in Pattern Settings View. See also Micro step.
Step buttons Collective name for the button group comprising the
Note, Velocity, Gate and Probability buttons.
Stop Mode Circuit Tracks’ operating mode when the sequencer is
not running.
Template Preset (with MIDI
track selected)
One of the eight templates which can be selected for
each MIDI track.
Track
One of the eight elements which may contribute to a
Project: Synths 1 and 2, MIDI 1 and 2. Drums 1 to 4.
When you press a Track button, you always go to Note
View for that track.
Velocity View Velocity Allows editing of the velocity of a step.
View One of various ways the 32 grid pads can be used to
display information and allow user interaction.
View Lock Shift + Patterns
A function that maintains the Step display of the
currently selected Pattern while letting you select a
different Pattern, or playing other Patterns in a Pattern
Chain.

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Top View
132-pad playing grid – a 4 x 8 matrix of pads; internally illuminated with RGB LEDs.
Depending on the view selected, the grid may be “split” into logical areas with different
functions.
2Master Filter – rotary control with a centre detent and RGB LED: controls filter frequency of
the entire mix, like on an analogue synth. It is always active.
3Macro controls 1to 8– eight multi-functional rotary encoders, with associated RGB LED. The
availability and function of these controls varies with Circuit Track’s various views: however,
the panel legends describe in general terms each encoder’s function as applied to the synth
tracks for the default Patches. The movement of Macro controls in performance may be
recorded and replayed.
4Master Volume – controls the overall level of Circuit Tracks’ audio outputs.
3
4
2
6 1
7
5
816 17 18 20
10
11
12
13
9
14
15 19

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Most of the remaining buttons select the 32-pad grid to display a specific View. Each View
provides information and control of a particular aspect of a particular track, pattern or sound
selection, timing adjustments, etc. Note also that several buttons have an additional ‘Shift’
function, indicated on (or above) the button by a legend in a smaller font.
Many buttons - including GRecord - have both a momentary (long press) and a latching (short
press) mode. A long press will temporarily display that button’s view, but only while the button is
held down. When released the view will revert to whatever it was before the button was pressed.
A short press on a button will switch the grid view to that programmed into the button. The
Record button is a special case as it does not invoke an alternative grid display, but its momentary
action allows rapid punch-in and punch-out of Record Mode.
5Track buttons: Synth 1 and 2/MIDI 1 and 2 /Drum 1 to 4– these eight buttons select
different grid Views. Their operation varies slightly depending on other user actions.
6Step buttons: Note,Velocity, Gate and Probability – these switch the grid to further Views,
and allow the parameters of each step of the pattern to be individually entered, deleted or
modified, for the currently selected track. Note that Probability is the Shift function of the
Pattern Settings button.
7Pattern Settings – switches the grid to a View that allows adjustment of pattern length,
playback rate and direction for the currently selected track.
8Step Page (1-16/17-32) – selects whether the Pattern for the currently selected track is
initially 16 or 32 steps in length. When a 32-step Pattern is selected, the colour of the button
legend changes when the sequence is running to indicate which “half” of the sequence the
grid is currently displaying. You can choose to have a 16- or 32-step Pattern on any track.
9Scales – opens Scales View: allows the selection of one of sixteen different music scales for
the synth keyboard, and also lets you transpose the synth keyboard to a higher or lower key.
10 Patterns – opens Patterns View: lets you store multiple patterns for each synth, MIDI and
drum track, and to join them together to make a pattern Chain.
11 Mixer – enables the Mixer View, where you can mute or adjust the level of each synth, drum
and audio input making up the sequence, and also to pan each track across the stereo image.
12 FX – opens the FX View; lets you add reverb and delay effects to each synth, drum and audio
input individually.
13 GRecord and HPlay – these two buttons start and stop the sequence (Play), and enter
Record mode (Record). In Play mode anything you play on the grid will be heard; in Record
mode, anything you play will be heard and also added to the sequence.
14 Preset – opens the Preset View for the currently selected track. Each synth track can use any
of 128 Patches, each MIDI track can use any of eight MIDI templates, and each drum track
can use any of 64 percussion samples. The synth and drum Presets are arranged in pages of 32.

18
15 Jand K- these two buttons have different actions (and colours) depending on the
currently selected View. In Note View they let you shift the pitch of the synth pads or the
MIDI tracks up by one to five octaves, or down by one to six octaves when entering notes:
the pitch range of each track is adjustable independently. In some other Views, they allow
the selection of a second page,
e.g., in Pattern View this lets you select from eight Patterns per track although only four are
displayed at a time.
16 Tempo and Swing – Tempo lets you set the BPM (tempo) of the sequence, using Macro
control 1; Swing alters the timing between steps to change the ‘feel’ of a pattern, using
Macro 2 for adjustment. In this mode, Macro 5 adjusts the level of Click track.
17 Clear – allows deletion of individual sequence steps, stored Macro control movements,
Patterns or Projects.
18 Duplicate – operates like a copy-and-paste function for patterns and individual steps.
19 Save and Projects – let you save your current Project and open a previously-saved one.
20 Shift – several of the buttons have a “second function”, which is accessed by holding down
the Shift button while pressing the button in question.

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Rear view
1Outputs - L/Mono and R– Circuit Tracks’ main audio outputs on two ¼” TS jack sockets.
Max. output level is +5.3 dBu (+/-1.5 dBu). With no plug in the R socket, the L/Mono socket
carries a mono mix of L and R channels.
2Sync – a 3.5 mm TRS jack socket supplying a clock signal of 5 V amplitude, at a rate
proportional to the tempo clock: the actual ratio can be set in Setup View. The default rate is
two pulses per quarter note.
3(Headphones) – connect a pair of stereo headphones here. The main outputs 1remain
active when a plug is inserted. The headphone amplifier can drive +5 dBu into a pair of 150
ohm stereo headphones.
4MIDI In, Out and Thru – standard set of three MIDI connectors on 5-pin DIN sockets. Allows
external equipment to be triggered by Circuit Tracks’ MIDI sequences, or external controllers
to play Circuit Tracks’ synths and alter synth and FX parameters. Note that the MIDI Thru
port may be configured in Advanced Setup View to act as a clone of the MIDI Out port; see
page 107 for details.
5Inputs 1 and 2– two external audio inputs: line level signals connected here can be mixed
with the internally-generated sounds, and can be individually treated by the FX section. They
can also be ducked by the drum tracks. The inputs are unbalanced on ¼” TS jack sockets.
6– USB-C port. This is also the DC power input to the unit for external powering and
battery charging. A Type C-to-Type A cable is supplied with the unit. Connect to computers
to interface with Novation Components. The port is MIDI class compliant; connect to other
devices supporting MIDI via USB to transmit and receive MIDI data. Also used for firmware
updates. NOTE – Circuit Tracks’ USB port does not carry audio.
7microSD – plug a compatible microSD card in here to save or import Packs of Projects.
8– “soft” on/off switch; to prevent inadvertent power up/down, a press of approx. one
second is needed to turn the unit on or off. The button has an integral LED which lights
green to indicate that the internal battery is charging.
9Kensington MiniSaver – secure your Circuit Tracks to a suitable structure if desired.
15
4
2
67
8
9
3

20
Basics
Powering the unit on
Connect the supplied AC adaptor to the USB port 6using the cable supplied and plug the
adaptor into the AC mains. This will ensure that the internal lithium battery becomes fully charged.
Connect the main outputs to a monitoring system (powered speakers or a separate amplifier and
passive monitors); alternatively plug in a pair of headphones if you prefer.
Long-press the POWER button 8, and the grid will show the boot-up display for approximately
five seconds:
After initial boot-up, the display will change colour from pale red to bright green sequentially from
top left to bottom right, indicating Pack loading.
After boot-up, the grid display will change to something like that shown below: