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).