Circuit Rhythm

$500 novationmusic.com

Regular readers will know our fondness for Novation Circuit. The British brand’s fun, intuitive little groovebox packs a shocking amount of potential into its diminutive frame, with the inclusion of two polysynths, a four-track sample sequencer and – as of the recent Circuit Tracks update – multiple channels of external sequencing. Now Novation is further expanding the range with Circuit Rhythm, a new counterpart that ditches the original’s multi-functional ethos in favor of a focus purely on sampled grooves.

Hardware-wise, aside from a lighter colored top panel and some slight variations in how controls are labelled, there’s very little to distinguish Tracks and Rhythm. This latest instrument is housed in the exact same chassis as its sibling, which is once again thin and fairly lightweight without feeling flimsy. The interface layout is also identical – keeping the 8x4 bank of pads that handle sequencing, flanked by navigational and transport buttons, with a bank of eight macro parameter rotaries along the top. An identical internal battery sits inside, offering around four hours of battery life. Even the rear