The output is definitely a bit low, I suspect it is a firmware feature to preserve headroom and prevent clipping.

Doing so involved repurposing one of the synth tracks though, so being able to do this while still having separate control over the internal synths is a great touch. With Circuit Tracks, we’ve taken the best of Circuit and amped things up with an assortment of new features to take your music production to new heights. Both of these issues were rectified with the roll-out of Novation’s browser-based Components app, which includes a full editor for the synth and sample libraries. The rubber encoders each have their own corresponding LED that changes in brightness to display parameter values. Two MIDI sequencer tracks let you control and program your external equipment from drum machines to effects units.

Having two synths, a drum machine, a powerful sequencer that can work with two additional external devices (also I haven’t mentioned that the sequencer has cool “probability” and “mutate” functions), a mixer, and FX all in one battery-powered unit is compelling, for a couple of big reasons. The Tracks builds on the impressive legacy of the original Circuit by providing a variety of new features: a built-in battery, two mono inputs, improved build quality, extra MIDI sequencing tracks, and an updated layout. My main issue is that I also use a launchkey mini with tracks, and although I can play and record key presses, I can’t input them directly in the sequencer slot. It is built with an extremely light plastic chassis, but is still very sturdy and has no problems with bending or wobbling. Yes it has limitations in having only 2 synth tracks but what I have found with grooveboxes over the years is it’s good not to have so many tracks from one machine.

NAMM 2024: Trivium’s Alex Bent announces signature Axis bass drum pedal, “I’m super-stoked to have my own pedal with Axis. Also tucked around the back is a micro SD card slot, greatly expanding the portable independence compared to the original. Yes, there are products that will do each of these individual things for cheaper, and in some cases better, but as a rounded and versatile package this is unrivalled. I am pretty sure there is not technical reason to prevent Novation from doubling the number of patterns.The Circuit Tracks, like its predecessor, is based around its dual Nova synthesizer engines that come with a distinct digital sound. Someone with minimal synthesis or music theory knowledge could learn how to throw a groove together fairly easily.

An upshot of these additional MIDI and Drum tracks is that in the Pattern launch view you now see eight columns of four clips, instead of four columns of eight. Likewise, if you get a musical thought, you can have it out of your head and saved for developing later immediately with this. While there are parameter names printed on the surface (Filter Envelope, Osc Mod, etc), which the factory patches tend to follow, you can in fact control any four parameters you like from each knob, with individual settings for range and depth.If you’re interested on the good things, a quick Google query will give you tons of reviews going over the features in detail. It has a new moniker instead of a number iteration to differentiate it from the upcoming Circuit Rhythm, which looks to be more of a drum machine/sampling workstation. The original Circuit didn’t have one, so you always needed to step sequence something at the start of a Project before you could record in real‑time. But it’s not for them: It’s for curious musical beginners, hobbyists and renegades wanting to dabble in electronic music without diving all-in with a computer.

Another new trick is Mutate, which destructively alters the currently selected pattern in subtle ways.

The synths themselves are pretty decent, and although they’re not particularly memorable you can get some interesting sounds out of it.