Novation Circuit Rhythm 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.
2021 © 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
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
Using Sample Tracks ...............................................................................................................29
Sample View.................................................................................................................................29
Sample Flip .................................................................................................................................................................................31
Sample Modes............................................................................................................................................................................32
Keyboard and Slice Note Views................................................................................................................................................33
Using the Macros to sculpt samples.............................................................................................36
Non-quantised record ...............................................................................................................................................................37
Micro step edit ...........................................................................................................................................................................37
Velocity........................................................................................................................................................................................39
Probability...................................................................................................................................................................................41
Recording Knob Movements (Automation)..................................................................................43
Clear and Duplicate .....................................................................................................................44
Drum Pads View ...........................................................................................................................45
Patterns ..................................................................................................................................47
Patterns View................................................................................................................................47
Clearing Patterns..........................................................................................................................48
Duplicating Patterns.....................................................................................................................48
Step Page and 16/32-step Patterns .............................................................................................49
Chaining Patterns.........................................................................................................................50
Pattern Octave .............................................................................................................................53
View Lock .....................................................................................................................................54
Pattern Settings............................................................................................................................55
Start and End points ..................................................................................................................................................................55
Play order....................................................................................................................................................................................57
Pattern Sync rate ........................................................................................................................................................................57

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Mutate..........................................................................................................................................58
Scenes ..........................................................................................................................................59
Assigning Patterns to Scenes....................................................................................................................................................59
Chaining Scenes to create an arrangement.............................................................................................................................61
Queuing Scenes .........................................................................................................................................................................62
Clearing Scenes..........................................................................................................................................................................62
Duplicating Scenes ....................................................................................................................................................................62
Tempo and Swing.........................................................................................................................63
Tempo ..........................................................................................................................................63
External clock..............................................................................................................................................................................63
Tap Tempo ..................................................................................................................................................................................64
Swing............................................................................................................................................64
Click track.....................................................................................................................................65
Analogue Sync Out ......................................................................................................................65
Mixer ......................................................................................................................................66
FX Section...............................................................................................................................68
Reverb ..........................................................................................................................................69
Delay ............................................................................................................................................69
Master Compressor......................................................................................................................70
Side Chains .............................................................................................................................71
The Filter Knob.......................................................................................................................72
Grid FX ...................................................................................................................................73
Effect Latching..............................................................................................................................75
Using Grid FX with external audio ...............................................................................................75
MIDI control of Grid FX................................................................................................................75
Recording Samples (Sample Rec View)...................................................................................76
Recording.....................................................................................................................................77
Record settings.............................................................................................................................78
Sample Trimming .......................................................................................................................................................................79
Playback Modes ...........................................................................................................................80
Projects...................................................................................................................................81
Switching Projects ........................................................................................................................81
Clearing Projects ..........................................................................................................................81
Saving Projects to new slots.........................................................................................................82
Changing Project Colours .........................................................................................................................................................82
Packs.......................................................................................................................................83
Loading a Pack .............................................................................................................................84
Duplicating Packs.........................................................................................................................84
Using microSD Cards ...................................................................................................................85
Components ...........................................................................................................................87
About Components & Navigating to Circuit Rhythm...................................................................87

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Appendix ................................................................................................................................88
Firmware Updates ........................................................................................................................88
Setup View ...................................................................................................................................88
Brightness ...................................................................................................................................................................................89
MIDI Channels ............................................................................................................................................................................89
MIDI I/O ......................................................................................................................................................................................90
Clock settings .............................................................................................................................................................................91
Analogue clock rates .................................................................................................................................................................91
Sticky Shift...................................................................................................................................................................................91
Advanced Setup View ..................................................................................................................92
Easy Start Tool (Mass Storage Device) .....................................................................................................................................92
MIDI Thru configuration ............................................................................................................................................................92
Master Compressor....................................................................................................................................................................92
Save Lock .....................................................................................................................................93
Project loading problems.............................................................................................................93
MIDI parameters ..........................................................................................................................93
Bootloader Mode.........................................................................................................................94

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Introduction
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 of 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 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.

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Key Features
• Eight sample tracks
• Slice samples or play them chromatically
• Flexible playback options: Loop, Reverse, One Shot, Gated & Choke
• 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
• Sample recording via stereo input, or resample internal audio
• Instant performance control with Grid FX
• Drum Pad performance mode with beat repeat functionality
• Reverb, delay and side chain FX
• DJ-style master filter (Low pass/High pass)
• microSD support – save thousands of samples and projects across 32 packs.
• Built-in rechargeable battery with 4 hours of battery life
• Novation Components integration – send samples, edit Grid FX and backup projects
• Full size 5-pin MIDI In, Out and Thru
• Analogue sync out
• Stereo audio output (L/R pair)
• 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
beatmaking and those with more experience. If you’ve already been beatmaking 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:
Abbreviations, conventions, etc.
Where we refer to top panel controls or rear panel connectors, we’ve used a number thus: Xto
cross-reference the top panel diagram, and thus: Xto cross-reference 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 Rhythm itself.
We’ve used smaller Bold italics to name the various Views that the grid can display.
Tips
These include advice relevant to the topic being discussed that should simplify
setting up Circuit Rhythm 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
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 Rhythm 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 Rhythm as easy as possible, whether you’re a
brand new beatmaker or a seasoned producer. The Easy Start Journey will take you through the
basics of making your first beat with Circuit Rhythm, with videos covering the fundamentals of the
machine’s workflow.
To access the Easy Start Journey, first connect your Circuit Rhythm 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 RHYTHM.
2. Inside the folder, click the file Circuit Rhythm – Getting Started.
3. Inside the drive click the link Click Here to Get Started.html.
4. You’ll be taken to the Easy Start Journey where we’ll get you set up.
Alternatively, if you have Google Chrome open when you connect Circuit Rhythm, a pop-up will
appear that will take you straight to the Easy Start Journey.
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 RHYTHM 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 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.
IMPORTANT!
To ensure that your Circuit Rhythm has access to its full functionality, please update your
unit using Components.

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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 Rhythm 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 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.
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 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 Rhythm ( 6on page 19).
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.