Making Tracks with the Circuit Tracks |Tutorial & Jam | Thomann

This week’s special guest at Jason's home studio "The Sticks", is The Circuit Tracks! An updated version of the popular Groove box, from 2015. Watch Jason take you through the process of making a track with this fabulous, portable battery-powered box!
Gear used:
We use Triad-Orbit stands for our cameras, lights and mics: tho.mn/triad
Recorded and mixed with Universal Audio: tho.mn/uadx
Monitors optimised through Sonarworks: tho.mn/sonar
Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 intro
0:48 All about the Tracks
1:42 first Jam
1:55 Building a beat
4:05 Synth Parts
5:53 Effects
6:49 The Mixer
7:34 Samples
9:13 Chaining Patterns & Scenes
11:07 What's your opinion?
11:46 End Jam
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[@endolphin]

This is the most informative tutorial I’ve found. Thanks 🙏

[@DeKoepi]

After playing around with it a little and watching this overview again, I think it really helps getting a grip of better using the Circuit Tracks. That's what I came up with until now and shows me that I'm using it correctly. :) Already found that for Midi1/2 I need to configure my hardware to channels 3+4. Using external gear really makes change. Didn't record a jam session with an added NTS-1 or Minifreak yet, though. Thanks for the nice tutorial!

[@alifeinyellow]

This is the center of my entire set up. Even though my goal is crossing IDM and art rock the limits actually make creation easier for me. Before I was trying too hard with a hybrid set up. Too many sounds. Too much layering. Not nearly as fun of results or creation. This helps me keep it moving rather than being stuck nit picking little sounds for hours. It helps me appreciate the flaws.

[@johnm.5913]

Yes u can go all the way when u have limits

[@johnm.5913]

It's the wisdom some people find eventually I think

[@mrryan7475]

Is there a way of recording stuff from Ableton on to the device and then using those sounds in stand alone setup?

[@alifeinyellow]

@@mrryan7475 yes you can load your own samples. I don’t have this piece of kit anymore, but I still think it’s a brilliant groovebox. It seems to have lost some traction, but I highly suggest it.

[@Antonio_Ortiz]

By far the best video I've seen of demonstrating how intuitive the workflow can be for the Circuit Tracks. Earned a sub.

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Thank you! Then my work is truly done… I’m glad you found it helpful //Jason

[@michelescotti44]

I ordered it a couple of months ago, I think it's absolutely incredible the work that Novation made with it. The workflow it's immediate and it gives to you the possibility of an amazing creativity thanks to scale function, 128 presets per synths, 8 knob parameters and all the rest! I really enjoyed this video because, even if it doesn't go deeply on "how to do it" it shows perfectly the potentiality of this instrument and how much easy is to do. The only thing that I miss on it is the scale and mutate function demonstration, for all the rest congratulations! :)

[@grainyday]

Wooow - you have just presented mind blowing essence of the Circuit Tracks - it is amazing . I also love the outfit ! cheers !

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Hahaha Many thanks - I always make sure I'm well dressed ;) But really glad to hear you have enjoyed the feature - I'll be sad to return this! Best //Jason

[@robertjuh]

@@ThomannSynthesizers great video man, ordered tracks and micro freak like 2 months ago from thomann and holy hell they work so well together, love to program arpegiator in tracks and tweak it on the microfreak

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

@@robertjuh Thanks! Glad you found it useful.. I love my microfreak too - Do you feed the audio through the Circuit Tracks? Good way to add Reverb and Delay to the MF! Keep enjoying //Jason

[@robertjuh]

@@ThomannSynthesizers holy moly I had no clue that was possible! So I can control my micro freak with my tracks, and add effects to my microfresk at the same time?

[@robertjuh]

@@ThomannSynthesizers i think i found a video on youtube how to do it, looks doable, will give it a try this weekend

[@MIXtofMusic]

This groovebox is amazing. Can't stop to create.... 🎶👌

[@mrryan7475]

Is there a way of recording stuff from Ableton on to the device and then using those sounds in stand alone setup?

[@serioussam808]

@@mrryan7475 you can load samples using an sd card

[@dandegeest8264]

Awesome overview, succinct, not too in the weeds. Just the right amount of info of the major features to get going with the device then fill in the gaps on my own! Cheers!!

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Thank you! That's always my goal - our time is precious.. And yeah, happy to hear it's helping you on your own journey 🙏 //Jason

[@Sequencer_JY]

Wow super nice tutorial! Very well done and pleasant to listen to. Thanks!

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Happy to hear that you found it helpful! My pleasure //Jason

[@marceloalejandrovarela6131]

La mejor y mas simple explicacion de funcionamiento del Circuit Tracks. Gracias!!

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

I’m so happy to hear this! Enjoy yours, muchos gracias //Jason

[@guyclegg]

I love the circuit very much

[@JerrySouthwest]

Helpful vid thanks!

[@anakamhi7097]

The tracks is my favorite groovebox you did a great 101 tutorial. The more advanced stuff is easy too. Using gate and editing patterns and individual notes etc make this really mind blowing. I have a friend using his as a slave and sequencing 8 of his synths. The options are limitless:D

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

So glad to hear that - what an amazing little box - I still need to send it back. I've thoroughly enjoyed playing with it and will be releasing another Jam on my own channel very soon! It's good to hear you say that even the deeper stuff is straightforward! All the best //Jason

[@neonpop80]

8 synths at once??

[@mrryan7475]

Is there a way of recording stuff from Ableton on to the device and then using those sounds in stand alone setup?

[@Rafix-drummer]

👍Excellent explanation

[@SanplerVarondaro]

genio saludos desde tijuana

[@Niko-nt6lc]

I'm dying from waiting! I ordered a MIDI controller two weeks ago (arrival was supposed to be on 17th day) and I don't even know if it is even in my home country yet. I'm slowly becoming desperate lol. Hope to get it this week. Great video overall!

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the feature.. let's hope you receive your controller soon too! //Jason

[@Niko-nt6lc]

@@ThomannSynthesizers Haha! Just got it tonight! Keep it up with the channel Jason!

[@user-sx2iw2hq3l]

You are my favorite leading 🤓💪👈👍

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

?Hahaha, why thank you! //Jason

[@MrThan42]

Hi, thanks for the video. I recently purchased a circuit tracks, and wanted to change scenes trough MIDI. How can you set the tracks to be controlled by external MIDI input ? Thanks

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Really happy to hear that you enjoyed the feature! That's a great question too, sounds like you need the programmer's reference guide from the downloads section of Novation's website! Good luck! //Jason

[@mrryan7475]

Is there a way of recording stuff from Ableton on to the device and then using those sounds in stand alone setup?.

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

I guess you could put the stems on the SD card - I'd have a close look at the manual to be sure.. It's a beast to play with! //Jason

[@themarrowmusic]

Isn't the studio called "the Styx" like the river to the underworld? Or ist it like description says "sticks" which has no sense I could see here.

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

It was named by REEF Bassplayer Jack Bessant, who had popped over to do some recording. I'd just moved and set up the studio. He remarked, 'It's like being out in The Sticks' - Thus the studio was named! Hadn't thought of that association - but, wow that's cool too! //Jason

[@johnsmith-mp4ef]

My drum pattern samples sound horrible. Please dont tell me I have to download different samples for this. I wanted to play music out of the box but these drums dont sound anywhere close to that. All 4 patterns too

[@johnglennon6504]

You lost me on scenes . I cant see or find scenes on my circuit tracks . Any chance you could slow that section down and tell me what buttons to press please

[@jordanWAH]

I love what you're doing, but you're going soo fast! Luckily I have the ability to pause, lol. Just adding the first 2 drum sounds, if done one after the other like you did all the sequences would be kick drums. I've never seen anyone doing the same way. I had to do it a few times to just wrap my head around doing things differently, WHY it works this way AND what mistakes that can happen. Maybe just take time pointing out what's going on? Although I suppose I had to figure out all of that on my own. Just from following along, so if THAT'S what you had in mind?!? Cheers! Haha, I'm going to be checking out more of your stuff.

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Phew - Thank the lord for pause and 50% speed! Glad you're finding it instructive, I hope you are making excellent music! Thanks for your feedback too- I'll take it to my next tutorial! All the best //Jason

[@JohnNewtoneu]

And then they were out of stock for a month.

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

NOOOOOO!!!!!!! Wow - that's not cool - let's hope Novation get making them quick - I want one too! Fingers crossed for you //Jason

[@claycowartisamazing]

lmao what is he wearing?

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Thanks! It's called a suit and tie.. ;) //Jason - wearing a suit all day, everyday

[@egorchik121]

He looks fresh af Also thank you for a great breakdown Jason, receiving mine in a couple days :) happy holidays!