HOW TO BUILD A SYNTHESIZER SETUP with Circuit Tracks + Korg Minilogue & Volca NuBass

Today we are building a hardware / dawless synthesizer setup with the Circuit Tracks from Novation as the main sequencer. If you enjoy my videos support them at / bobeats
GEAR SHOWCASED (affiliate links)
Novation Circuit Tracks // 4 track Sequencer & Synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/512775?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/0kgRJ
US: bit.ly/circuittracksPC
UK: tidd.ly/4078BD4
Volca NuBass
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/465942?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/155XZd
US: bit.ly/nubassPC
UK: tidd.ly/43rhJW9
Original Minilogue
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/379052?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/2PbZM
US: bit.ly/3muL01i
UK: tidd.ly/3KvhIrw
Midi thru box - Kenton Thru-5
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/220156?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/LvenY
US: bit.ly/3zRPyC1
UK: tidd.ly/407Opkl
Bluebox Mixer
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504944?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/b4ELm
US: bit.ly/PS-1010
UK: tidd.ly/3KU8FSr
CONTENT
00:00 intro
01:55 don't complicate things
02:40 what do you need?
04:10 connecting things
09:25 Circuit Tracks midi setup
10:25 Making music
12:49 Different sequencer types
17:34 Midi Thru/Splitter
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Twitter: / bobeatsmusic
Facebook: / bobeatsmusic
MY STUFF
Presets & samples: store.bobeats.tv
Merch: merch.bobeats.tv
Music: bobeatsmusic.bandcamp.com
COMMUNITY
Discord: community.bobeats.tv
FB group: / simplysynthesizer
GEAR I USE (affiliate)
redir.love/zqWJRuDG
BUSINESS INQUIRY
bonurmimusic ( at ) gmail.com
#synthesizer #dawless #novationcircuit

[@BoBeats]

GEAR SHOWCASED (affiliate links) Novation Circuit Tracks // 4 track Sequencer & Synth EU: thmn.to/thoprod/512775?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/0kgRJ US: bit.ly/circuittracksPC UK: tidd.ly/4078BD4 Volca NuBass EU: thmn.to/thoprod/465942?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/155XZd US: bit.ly/nubassPC UK: tidd.ly/43rhJW9 Original Minilogue EU: thmn.to/thoprod/379052?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/2PbZM US: bit.ly/3muL01i UK: tidd.ly/3KvhIrw Midi thru box - Kenton Thru-5 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/220156?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/LvenY US: bit.ly/3zRPyC1 UK: tidd.ly/407Opkl Bluebox Mixer EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504944?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/b4ELm US: bit.ly/PS-1010 UK: tidd.ly/3KU8FSr

[@mallechilie]

Try the squarp pyramid! It's an awesome little machine that can sequence your whole studio at once! (Yes I'm a big fan) I don't believe you've ever done a video on it (which makes sense seeing you mostly like grooveboxes better ;) It's something between an mpc and a digitakt: 64 tracks, but purely sequencing. Great to sequence live to from any synth while playing, and you can choose if you want to snap a track to a grid or use other effects such as randomness, midi delays and so on.

[@Feanarth]

Something that incorporates sync between DIN Midi and USB Midi would be interesting. In extension maybe the Sync 3.5mm Jacks on some devices and what the tricky moments here could be.

[@sodiumsovereign]

Your MIDI thru box link is broken :(

[@DJ_TideWave]

Arturia MicroFreak. I really love mine and the recent patch. Great video btw. I also think less is more sometimes. I like to have a great selection of synths so I can hook up the synths I want to use depending on the genre I want to make.

[@Sweenah94]

A video about the mc707 as the central hub would be interesting. Great sequencer and plenty of effects. I can't get the midi cc controls on my tb-3 or micromonsta 2 to work though.

[@JamesTorrey]

Thank you! I'm almost into my 40's and I'm just realizing I need a synth in my life. This video was very helpful!

[@szysl4k]

I really appreciate that you showed how to connect everything from scratch and described each use for the hardware, something missing in most synth tutorials. Super helpful. Thank you!

[@enigmasounds]

I so wish you had done this 4 years ago, it summaries in a few minutes what took me ages to learn by trial and error! great job.

[@carythesnail]

THANK YOU!! It's taken me so long just to learn what you explain in 20min. Nobody wants to teach the nitty gritty of what cables to use, how they connect, what's a brain, and how they are all related. Thank you Bo!

[@durmdave3673]

“I don’t actually know the English word for it. “ Dude, you speak better English than 90% of Americans.

[@BoBeats]

Aww thanks!!!

[@Johnatomy]

Factual.

[@zakkziegler111]

Lmao, too true. You literally speak better English than our last president.

[@SlavicSon]

Most educated foreigners do speak better English than Americans.

[@karlmay5306]

Yeah, dude's comfortable giving technical tutorials in his second language, something I'm not comfortable doing in my first.

[@Sammy-B]

The last five minutes of this are super helpful. Trying to figure out the differences between all this kit can be pretty mind-blowing when you are starting out. Well done.

[@nixx5952]

Thank you for your videos. I love how you make videos accessible for non-professionals. Much love from Scotland.

[@trevorbrown8737]

Great video as usual! Thank you for taking time to make it!

[@1paracelsus]

It's as if you are answering my unspoken questions thereby enabling me to move forward in my quest. Thank you soooo much Bo great vid - brill that you included the Deluge 🙏🙏🙏

[@PabloEspinozaPablolein]

This is the video I was looking for! Thank you so much, I'm starting on dawless jams and this is the best video I've found.

[@RamRevivo]

I LOST MY MIND ALREADY TRYING TO FIND A VIDEO LIKE THIS THANK YOU BO BEATSSSS ❤️

[@mattcero1]

This guy and Gabe Miller are my go to guys for this stuff!

[@drbop6951]

Finding the right sequencer for you is a personal quest and lots of kit flipping. Lol.

[@samsungtelevision695]

The music you put together on here is sick man. I love the compositions

[@ralphmoeller5505]

I loved this video, gave me so many ideas for my Circuit Tracks! Thanks!

[@andybeta1971]

Great stuff... lovely and simple. I managed to get my little setup working just how I wanted thanks to this!👍

[@MikeErickson]

Such a great video - I just picked up the Circuit Tracks and am having a blast with it. Thanks for breaking this stuff down for us noobs. Cheers!

[@nlamste3]

You make it seem so easy! I really like it 👌🏻 Thanks for your enthusiasm and positive vibe (or should I say groove)

[@SaEvSampleEverything]

So many cool devices! Nice video, thanks for sharing!

[@vertigev]

Omg the perfect video! Thanks Bo

[@seedbarrett6853]

Just what I've been looking for. Getting the Circuit Tracks in july/august

[@sunglint]

This video is one of the reasons I just bought a Circuit Tracks, and a Moog Werkstat, and a Cre8audio Nifty Bundle, and an Arturia Microfreak. I just got the Werkstat working with the Tracks, and should receive the Microfreak tomorrow. People like you and Gabe Miller really are inspiring, and the Tracks is great to fiddle with in bed to lay out an idea, then hook up to the externals to get some big sound. Thanks!

[@ianjojo]

Could you elaborate on how you’re connecting the Werkstatt to the Circuit Tracks? I’ve got a Werkstatt and thinking of picking up a used Circuit Tracks.

[@sunglint]

@@ianjojo The Cre8audio bundle is a modular kit, it has midi in and cv out, used that to the Werkstatt. For about $100 you can buy a midicv interface, or something like the microfreak which has midi in and cv out.

[@ianjojo]

Thanks@@sunglint! I miss my microfreak - gonna try to find a used one!

[@free2muse]

That was really beneficial. Thanks!

[@chrisdoe8192]

The right video at the right time. So glad I found this

[@renesensco]

Exactly what I needed

[@danielmarshallmusic6314]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I actually breathed a sign of relief when I found this video haha. Thanks!

[@Victor-lo6dg]

Thank you so much for the clear explanation! I was wondering which cables should I buy and you solved my problem thanks!

[@ROCKKIZZ]

THANKS! WAS LOOKING FOR THIS SETUP TUTORIAL!

[@dlinnoedlinnoe]

Great review! One thing I think could be mentioned as well (if it's for the beginners) is that you can connect a few devices without the midi splitter if they have midi thru (and many synths do have it) - so you can chain them one after another.

[@lukasp8219]

Thanks for making it more fun for me to setup my live stuff❤️🔥

[@ronaldnollet1461]

Awesome video cheers from Australia

[@Yoah777]

Love the gear connection explanation

[@oleksandr.veresiuk]

Great explanation for beginners, all is concise and clear

[@keithalva]

This video was so helpful! I couldn't figure out how to get my hardware set up to midi, this made me realize I needed a dedicated sequencer. Would love to see a video where you're using the Machine + as the brain for the set up!

[@WhiteWhiskerMusica]

Ive never had any synths or grooveboxes but i picked up my circuit tracks and volca bass last night, i was more than prepared to get it running because of watching this before hand. thanks!

[@BoBeats]

Happy to hear it!! Tag me on IG if you make some little jam or something :-)

[@learnerslikeus]

Super helpful. Thank you so much.

[@wildnotemusic]

"You can get a lot done with a main sequencer, and one, two, maybe three, four"... Maybe Five, six, seven, eight, nine... @2:20

[@BoBeats]

😂

[@spookypen]

Yeah I have GAS... Great Awesome Synths.

[@schizoinstereo]

Makes me wish I were half octopus! haha

[@colinoliver]

really sick track! nice job :)

[@fo76]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@ionianechoes]

This is another video about how you get into hardware synths.....But nobody is making the video I need is "how you get OUT of it".

[@paulbogan3400]

It's like the Hotel California. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave...

[@NullFX]

I'll let you know if I find a way

[@lilybeejones]

You buy an iPad lol

[@Oooo-bi7bi]

Electronic music anonymous or synths anonymous. The 12 keys.

[@Nicholas-zc1ro]

@@Oooo-bi7bi I tried those groups but just ended up at the back of the church making block rocking beat's!!!lol😁

[@mythicdex9204]

Cool stuff! Thank you!

[@ljay7891]

thank you for the good explanation, also understandable for beginners 👍🏻

[@benjyletouffu]

Thank you for this video, it helped me to realize how off my settup was and how to improve it!

[@OlavSFlaa]

Great video 👍

[@dazastafariinc8390]

Fantastic video that explained the basics perfectly. One omission I noticed that I discovered too late, is the use of a song mode to take a jam/groove to the track level by programming intros, outros, breakdowns etc. I found the ability to perform this task varied greatly. The elektron model:sample kinda achieves it and also does seamless transition from one bank of samples to the next, but I wouldn't say it has a definitive song mode. The toraiz squid has a limited song mode that allows up to 16 different combinations to be programmed and triggered, but it just falls short at the finish line. 64 would have been more useable. Plus it cant seamlessly transition from one project to the next, stopping a potential work around. The korg electribe dont have song mode but you can theoretically created several projects that progress and play them one after the other as the electribe does a seamless transition. Haven't tried the sonicware liven series which can do 4 tracks of sequencing so I dont know how they perform. Hands down, and I'm only a recent convert, the best sequencer for song mode I've used is the mpc one. Ticks all the boxes for creating a fully fledged track .

[@minimal.camera]

Nice video! The core of my compact/portable DAWless setup is the Model:Samples as sequencer brain and drum machine, and if I have room I'll bring along some Volcas (Bass + FM) and NTS-1. For a more sprawling home studio setup, I just got the Novation SL MK3 as companion sequencer to the Model:Samples, and the Minilogue XD is my flagship synth.

[@Salaundre]

Thanks for the vid. I’m pairing my Circuit Tracks with a Microfreak.

[@lightofall]

This is awesome

[@TechGently]

This is a great general instruction video for plugging in midi for the newbie, it should be stickered.

[@Ejalmusic]

Dude the track in 12 min of the video is sick 👌😍

[@macstar8317]

I've just bought a Keystep Pro, Minilogue XD and a Roland TR-8S. No idea how to use them yet so this video was really helpful. Thanks!

[@KbIPbIL0]

Wow finally it's all laid out and explained.

[@Val_Cla]

My dawless setup consists of A digitone paired with either a Mother 32 or a microfreak !I'm really enjoying working this way :) i think more things would give me either a headache, or too much choice hehe

[@KattKirsch]

Hey, Bo! I personally use a Polyend Tracker and I'm pretty darn pleased with my user experience. It's a really fun sequencer that's very fun to just relax with. I originally thought that I'd feel limited and use that limitation to fuel creativity, but I'm increasingly finding it to be a powerful sequencer engine for an all analog setup: 303, 808, Korg Minilogue XD, Toraiz AS-1 for bass. With Behringer reissues or other similar gear, it's a fun budget all hardware setup for the price of, say, a nice guitar. I'd love for you to mess with the Tracker more!

[@ActionPrime...300]

Very very very useful tutorial sir,,, lots of love from INDIA❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏

[@twoHRdrive]

Subscribed, for your helpful feedback on a previous video. Thank you so much!!!

[@logemann74]

great vid. Also that you cabled in in the vid.

[@jonyckn]

Love the Yellow digitakt 👌

[@MIXtofMusic]

Thx! This Video helped me a lot by buil3my first setup! Beats and greetz from Germany! 🤖🎧🎵🎶😎

[@DocBolus]

Keeping it simple is a really good tip. I think you also have to consider how portable you want your rig to be. When I look at gear I have half a mind on how easy it would be to get it to a gig and set up.

[@TheDarkVPlayer]

this video has enlightened me on the topic about daw-less setup. Found a nitty portable combo "Circuit Tracks" + "Modal CRAFTsynth v2.0" :D

[@sykromsmile6303]

Great video

[@DenSvarte]

Awesome!

[@peterknowles3198]

Am starting out in the world of synths and was a bit lost as to what sequencer I should be looking at. The Circuit Tracks looks a great place to start with my Mininova. Thanks for such an informative video Bo. Always good to be able to access your knowledge

[@scrundy3369]

I LOVE the mininova!

[@peterknowles3198]

@@scrundy3369 such a good piece of kit👍

[@VictorSteiner]

We had a corona jam yesterday with Eurorack. We had the (discontinued) Polyend Anywhere modules and myVolts ripcords to power 2 Mother-32s, a DFAM, a Subharmonicon and a Black Sequencer. We used a few connected stackcables for clock and two bluetooth speakers to hear each other. We had about 4 meters between us in a wonderful park with amazing weather.

[@VictorSteiner]

And a Korg NTS-1 and Erica Synth DSP modules for effects.

[@Yoah777]

That's awesome

[@davidjones9706]

I'd love to see a wavestate and polyend tracker setup!!

[@matthewtunnicliffe201]

That would be cool. My setup is based around the Polyend Tracker, and the Wavestate is on my possible next synth list. I find linking the Tracker with other synths to be really easy, and sampling is a joy. I don't think I've ever enjoyed sampling so much in my life before. It's a phenomenal piece of kit in my opinion and it suits my work flow perfectly.

[@Oooo-bi7bi]

Thanks for your channel. Pressed go and expecting delivery on Monday of a micro freak to use with circuit tracks. Hoping to one day mix my acoustic instruments with digital. After hearing the price drop in hardware, I have had a voice nagging me to get some. Fell in love with synthesis’s.

[@user-sx2iw2hq3l]

BO ALWAYS TELLS WITH SUCH INSPIRATION ABOUT THE Music Production , THAT IF I WERE Cooking, I'M READY TO QUIT COOKING FOOD, BUY A LOT OF SYNTHESIS AND GO CREATE AND CREATE AGAIN!

[@marklar97]

Great video! I have Arturia Mikrofreak and was thinking of buying circuit to have fun with dawless setup. But on other hand i need to upgrade my PC, it is still my main production platform.

[@jaspermolenaar1218]

Very nice video, thanks. Would be nice to do a video on what DAWless hardware to record with..

[@dresdenkors1340]

Thanks!

[@FoxyNirvana]

You are awesome! Perfecto! 😎✌️🙏💯

[@literarysocialnetwork2238]

Novation Launchpad Pro MkIII is an awesome 4 track, similar in work flow & layout to the Circuit Tracks. I use it with Nord Lead 4R, which is 4 part multitimbral = a perfect fitting hardware setup. In addition I use the Roland Sp-404MKII for sample playback and its latest software upgrade has a good sequencer.

[@cruepprich]

Good advice as always. I find my MPC One as a good "brain". Esp since I can have lots of effects for the various midi and audio channels.

[@Dangizzle]

I love how you learnt how to say digitakt correctly half way through recording a video

[@BoBeats]

the swedish pronounciation is the right one ;)

[@izzyscreamin]

Great video and information. Big Jack and little jack is what I would call them too and I speak English natively and only English. Your English is excellent!

[@BoBeats]

Thank you!!

[@purportedly]

@BoBeats Thanks for the informative video! An aspect I would like to hear more about is the speaker/headphone part - what would be the bare minimum, without just wasting one's money by buying junk?

Oh lord thank you

[@anstef1485]

Hello Bo, this is a very nice setup. The Bluebox, even if it is the top of the cool stuff, is extremely expensive compared to a regular Yamaha 6 track mixer and a Zoom recorder. The circuit tracks is revealed to me as the missing link between the electronic instruments! Time to get one!

[@blackjid]

Thank for the video!, Super inspiring as always! I like the setup you showed, it's small and practical.. What do you think about this setup I already have? Minilogue XD, Roland MC 101, Arturia Keysteps 37, I'm on the process of figure it out how to hook them up together..

[@pfuisi]

Ok 😂. Mal klein anfangen, mehr wirds eh automatisch. Danke fürs liebevolle Zeigen

[@infn8loopmusic]

The circuit tracks is such and underrated groovebox. I team mine up with a Roland JDXI (or other synths) and it's absolutely amazing how much ground that can be covered with it. The fact that you can run another two channels of audio into the circuit and mix with it and add FX makes it a total DAW replacer when you add any type of recorder. I use a zoom handy recorder and it's absolutely all I need. I love that you can pan with it and can record automated panning. I didn't even realize that the inputs were balanced though, I thought they were mono! I can't wait to try sending some stereo inputs in because that means I can use Two external synths now

[@TheRealPhilHoward]

Trying to connect my Microfreak to my Circuit and maybe some other stuff. Do you use a TRS cable into and out of the tracks? The manual says the Tracks is unbalanced mono which I assumed was TS and then The Microfreak and the Zoom H6 are balanced stereo and my head is spinning now trying to figure out how to go stereo to mono and keep both inputs on the Tracks. From watching videos it looks like everyone just goes TRS regardless and it seems to work. I then figured I would go 2 TRS out to a Y TS to transport on my Zoom H6. Thoughts? Am I overthinking the connections? Just go with the TRS? Do you combine your channels from the Circuit into the Zoom or do you record each channel separately?

[@ivanbatucada]

nice!

[@Sick1982]

Nice! Currently having a though time deciding .. thinking about the Digitakt + Microfreak .. I'm guessing that should do the trick?!

[@xcomadrejax]

great vid man! i hope youre getting rich from this, you desserve it lol! ONE QUESTION THOUGH, i got a novation circuit rythm, does it work the same with an arturia microfreak? should i conect the output of the microfreak to the sample in input ofthe circuit rythm to have 1 main source of audio? thanks in advance!

[@GiuseppeColaneri7]

I’m starting to build something similiar using an op-z as The brain for a Volka Key, a Po Arcade and a Keystep (as a midi controller). Hope it works, it’s my first setup (I was an op-z only user).

[@GrayContrast]

Hey, thanks for your videos, really helpful! I was wondering if there is a way to make the midi thru of the circuit into another in? Cause my 'in' is taken by the 505looper cause it needs the clock, but i also wanna be able to play notes into the circuit via keyboard..

[@BoBeats]

Not that I know of an usually its not possible to turn an output into an input

[@beloyaraistov8007]

Goooodnesssss nice nice nice

[@onlywk]

Really thanks for your time and your commitment for us, i have one question, I'm really fascinated by korg volca sample and I think I'm gonna buy it, do you recommend it for set up like this (dawless music production)? And if the answer is yes, in your opinion what could I support it? Thanks again for your help 😄

[@RobinFinck]

Hi Bo, thank you very much for this video. I'm a beginner so it helps me a lot. I have a question about the hardware setup and the recording. For example, when you reord in live something on your bluebox and you want to play it again, you don't have any way to remember with chords you played or functions you used, right ?

[@BrianTakita]

Thank you for the video! Would the Circuit Tracks also be a nice compliment to a Microkorg XL? What are your thoughts on the Kaossilator?

[@drewmckinlay4224]

Hi! Thanks for the really easy to understand vid! Quick question. Would circuit tracks work with my mini nova? I’m looking for a groove box which would work well with the mini nova. Looks like a good option as a starting point but would love your opinion? Cheers drew

[@jorgerezg3686]

Great Tutorial!!! i have not a mixer could i conect to an audio interface that is amplified? and other question is there any hardware alterntive to coencted in replace volca nubass? Thanks a lot!! Excellent channel!! Cheers from Argentina

[@futurebjard]

This video is super helpful! Is it possible to still play the actual instrument rather than playing it through the groove box? I just haven’t seen it at the time of writing this. Thanks!!

[@vznquest]

that was great Bo thx a lot. Tracks is on the way and i've already started jamming with my Minilogue and TD-3 on my Maschine mk3. stoked!

[@niaralosusa]

Thank you for the great information! I am very new to synthesizers and sequencers so, I beg your pardon for my ignorance on the topic as I learn more about it. Perhaps I missed it in the video, but I am interested in making electronic music that has a Verse/Chorus/Verse or even Verse/Chorus/Break/Verse structure. Is there equipment out there that can help to do that? Can the equipment shown in this video do this? Thanks!

[@SplotchTheCatThing]

Does look like a fun direction to go in a fully electronic hardware setup. Coming at it as an electronic enthusiast who's a keyboardist and also a guitarist and vocalist I wonder if there's a way to incorporate some ability to record audio from real instruments into a setup like this that doesn't just turn it into a massive headache.

[@GregDixson]

The circuit tracks as the brain sequencer and a couple of inexpensive synths looks to be a decent bang for buck starter/intermediate setup 👍🏻 how about the mc101? Does it have midi sequencer output tracks? Noticed it doesnt have a Thru though