Novation Circuit Tracks + Roland MC-101 Beatmaking

I use the Novation Circuit Tracks and Roland MC-101 grooveboxes together to make jams from scratch (a Rezz type electro banger and a Kid Cudi type space trap beat).
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00:00 Intro
01:05 Tracks + MC-101 Setup
3:09 Beat One
11:42 Beat Two
17:08 Outro
Get my $5 sample pack: gumroad.com/l/gabeoneshots
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My current favorite music production gear:
Novation Circuit: www.zzounds.com/a--3972602/it...
Korg Electribe 2: www.zzounds.com/a--3972602/it...
Roland MC-101: www.zzounds.com/a--3972602/it...
Model:Cycles: www.zzounds.com/a--3972602/it...
Arturia MicroFreak: www.zzounds.com/a--3972602/it...
ATH M40 headphones: www.zzounds.com/a--3972602/it...
Edited by Coastland Creative: www.coastlandcreative.com
Note that some of the above links are affiliate links, which give me a commission (at NO extra cost to you!) if you use them to buy something.
Social media:
Twitter: Twitter.com/GabeMillerMusic
Website: GabeMillerMusic.com
Instagram: GabeMillerMusic
Soundcloud: Soundcloud.com/GabeMillerMusic1
Facebook: Facebook.com/GabeMillerMusic

[@ShankatsuForte]

you should make a whole album just featuring these two and call it "best friends" lol

[@KirkWinterrowd]

Sounds great and I really love that synth growl that you made with Serum.Now I need to get both of those pieces of hardware.

[@RaveKev]

BBF = Best Beats Forever BFF = Beft Fyntefifer Forever

[@peterburkhalter6344]

yeah or at least put a playlist together of your best trax

[@luca.tronico]

just started jamming with combo because of this video and WOW this is great

[@seanspartan2023]

Hooking these 2 together is really powerful!

[@SwiftDreamer]

This is awesome! These 2 work really well together

[@GameBrou]

I see you... They don’t compete anymore. Best groove boxes united! Such a joy!!

[@teabreakbeats]

You finally have side-chain for the MC-101 !!!

[@scottmartin5492]

Important thing to remember: if you’re using Gabe’s trick of returning the MC tracks to the Circuit as a stereo pair, you basically have to choose between side-chaining *both* or *neither* of the MC tracks, because the 2 Circuit MIDI *audio* tracks are now "L side" and "R side". (Ditto for effects, etc.)

[@zadude009]

Gabe your videos are so informative - thanks for always uploading such good content. I really love when you combine devices and jam and play away. Now that I have a few similar devices, I am learning how to make more music. Keep on making great vids.

[@planetice]

This was an awesome video! I like how the MC-101 and Circuit tracks really compliment each other! I hope you do more videos with this combination, also taking more advantage of the more traditional sounds in the Zen Core engine combined with the synths of the circuit.

[@tieum8198]

Whoooaaawww!!! Thank you so much for you commercial representation.i love your mindset!!!

[@RaddMann3]

I couldn't decide which one of these to take on vacation so I'm taking them both. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@dovepaige]

I really like the combination!

[@80iesDude45]

This is my alltime favorite Setup. The perfect Synthwave Couple ;-)

[@foundatlantis]

good stuff gabe! nice one!

[@kenfusion]

Wild groove .

[@purplesenpai6533]

crazy beats, bruh

[@vertigev]

Very cool!

[@garyturner5204]

You should explore the Synthstrom Deluge! It is an incredible machine - synth, sampler, sequencer and more!

[@wojciechd1613]

Cool vid. Cool ideas. More please.

[@TheCircusp]

pure combo

[@01kmacias]

what a combo

[@albedo0point39]

Personally I’ve never liked the sequencer in the 101... but you’re right, it makes an amazing voice.

[@MontanaProducciones]

This is so good. I learn so much from you! Thank you. I’ve started using an iPad Pro as a sound module for the Circuit Tracks. I’m curious if you tend to use 32step patterns or more 16step ones chained?

[@dictabeat]

Keep hitting me with those tutorials. I got the mc 101, the Mikrofreak too so those are awesome to see. Maybe do something with a Behringer rd8, TD3 or Crave?

[@Sadiquecat]

Shiiieeet that beat at 13s OMG. Got my head boping faster than ever ! ;D Hope to hear a full track ! And nice, the video is making the beat xD So sick I'm happy ! 9:12 Yeah I'm laughing and smiling, seriously Sincerely thank you for that video !

[@Nik.leonard]

Amazing video. I was thinking of something similar when I bought the MC-101 for complimenting my Electribe 2 but at the end I'm just using the MC-101.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Yeah the MC-101 is more than capable by itself

[@samprock]

Neat pairing! You kinda invented a VerseLab :) (which I wish would be in Curcuit body)

[@theFXNshow]

I have a 101. Been looking for something to boost my track count... You've just decided for me, thank you. Now I need to save some money and get permission from the wife. Great video, as always, Gabe

[@BubbaSatori]

It’s better to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission.

[@samprock]

@@BubbaSatori .... better not to ask for nothing :) but other domains may suffer lol

[@Elkesar1]

Check also electron model cycle! Also nice buddy for Roland :)

[@theFXNshow]

@@Elkesar1 really? They are a nice price, they work well together?

[@Elkesar1]

@@theFXNshow Yop nice pair of gear together! Cycle drums are top notch, also the FM melodic sound of it is magical :)

[@blkrbbt]

Dig it.

[@GrootsieTheDog]

Its a bit difficult to explain but the easiest way to understand the issue when using the Circuit with the 707 (or 101) in tandem with the auto channel is this: The knobs do not transmit on an auto channel track IF its an external synth (unless you have auto channel set to same channel as external but then you get double voiceing and you cant use more than one external either way) - ONLY the "control channel" set in UTILITIES will transmit the knobs . So you need to set that to the external synth you wish to control. That means: 1 - you can only have one external synth. And 2 - you need to use BOTH Circuit Tracks midi tracks - one for the auto channel to control al the MC707 tracks internal synth engines and one for the external synth. You could obviously use the SETUP in Circuit to switch midi channels (instead of using the auto channel function) but in a live situation that's a bit cumbersome.

[@moviecellar1639]

Hey Gabe. What brand and size SD card do you recommend for the circuit tracks?

[@johnrichardson3297]

Found the bass growl (serum) at start muddy but at auditioning at 1:45 decent.

[@atrue8875]

Niiiice! How do you make your own samples??? Through a DAW?

[@Starcruiser2284]

I just found you channel and am loving it, keep up the great work! Can you tell me if you use a sequencer such as the Circuit Tracks and are using the 101 as a sound module, can you simultaneously have two different sounds playing on the 101? Eg. Have your bass, drum and pad sequences playing on the internal synth on your Circuit, the an arp and lead on the 101? Edit: I might be slow, I'm pretty sure that's exactly what you're doing here 😄

[@turquoisetorrent7679]

Yeah u can. Its awesome

[@Mtsepana]

I trying to get an idea of how I can use the mc 101 'chord designer' to write in parts on the tracks 1 and 2 on the tracks

[@oddsurfboards]

could you trigger ghost drums off the 101 as well?

[@palitrokencerebro1327]

Is it possible to control de drum section from mc101 with a midi controller?

[@paddymush1]

whats your thoughts on the mc 707

[@MIXtofMusic]

👌

[@jvaranx]

I have an MC-101 and I've been waiting for more info about the Circuit Rhythm to see if I'd rather pair it up with the Tracks or the Rhythm.

[@djedie123]

What have you finally decide?

[@chaocrator]

super cool pair. i'm gong to buy these two to replace MC-707 in my live rig. (however, 707 is a keeper - these two are just more backpack-friendly)

[@paddymush1]

hey, im about to get a 707, hesitent now , do u reckon 101 is better, or is it just the mobility that appeals to u

[@oddsurfboards]

would you recommend going hungry to get the 101 over the two separate aira compact synths J-6 and S-1

[@lwpweb]

what about CircuitTracks and Roland TR6s?

[@cokecl]

Have you made an OG + Tracks jam?

[@abstractmodule4574]

Is it just the way it looks on video, or are the pads bigger on the tracks than on the OG Circuit?

[@jorgepech9949]

How about Circuit tracks + Verselab MV-1?

[@EmilioNorrmann]

Rythm is coming

[@SisterRose]

Is it worth pairing MC101 and Rhythm?

[@holzhauser3532]

would love to see that 2 monsters togehter with launchpad pro mk3...

[@Nik.leonard]

Mini tip: If you have patches in the MC-101 with a lot of hiss, check if that patch uses the Juno Chorus. For added realism, the Juno Chorus effect includes the characteristic noise of the real thing (but you can dial up/down it in the effect settings).

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Yeah I always turn off the hiss as the first thing I do. Although in this case, the hiss was from a bitcrusher/distortion on a Circuit patch.

[@luminousbrilliance1711]

Hey Good Morning Gabe Miller! Thank you for the video-It's good to see genuine joy! I just posted your Video to the PLAP Academy-My Tracks gets here this week around Thursday. Also, a professional suggestion for other fans: Contact Roland Discretely and see if we can get Gabe to get an early demo Model of the Roland MV-1. *Subtly asks Nerds to be Professional at all Times* :-)

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Glad you dig the video! And I appreciate it, but don't bother contacting Ronald about the MV-1... I finally got my hands on one this weekend. Video next week hopefully.

[@luminousbrilliance1711]

@@GabeMillerMusic Good to hear, Gabe- I appreciate your videos very muchly-have a good day at work. :-)

[@luminousbrilliance1711]

Also-Gabe-I just wanted to thank you for all the videos you have done and posted so far-you don't owe me or anybody any more or be stuck on viewer schedules or requests. I am curious about The MV-1, but nobody can buy those until May-so please don't think we are tapping toes or anything. You have a real day job-which all viewers can and should respect. No worries, Man-I just think If anybody could make that thing click-it would be you. Take your time1 Peace, bro!

[@JV-ye4je]

So for a complete newb looking to make beats for some of my own vocals would then novation circuit tracks be enough alone to do it, or is this combo needed. Thanks

[@ShaighJosephson]

Try just the Circuit Rhythm for voice sample beats...or even better, the MPC-one...

[@KirkWinterrowd]

Gabe, is the synth growl that you made with Serum included in your sample pack? I keep going back and listening your tune and am just really digging that patch. The whole song is great of course and I had it cranked up in my car on the way to work today.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Thanks! And yeah that sound and some variations of it are in the sample pack.

[@KirkWinterrowd]

@@GabeMillerMusic Awesome. I was planning on buying it anyway but it's great to know that sound is included. I'm really enjoying your videos as I am getting back into creating music after being out of it since the '90s when I composed music for video games. Everything is a lot different now so I am learning a lot as I go and appreciate your videos.

[@Thelittledroog]

I need you to give Zoom lessons 🤘🏻

[@feinschmecker]

Pretty new to all this stuff. How does one sequence more than 1-16/17-32 like he does at 4:47 ?

[@GabeMillerMusic]

I had multiple patterns chained together.

[@BecomingAPsych]

Maybe your problem with MIDI on the MC-101's drums on track 1 is caused by the MIDI channel to track allocation in the MC-101 utility menu. Perhaps the circuit's channel 1 is being directed to both track 1 AND track 2.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Yeah that makes sense. Tbh because I was able to get it working, I didn't bother investigating further.

[@JorgeMourato1]

yea

[@jaimejimenezferrer-sama6552]

is It ok do It + the old novation circuit and not the new one? same sounds right ?

[@GabeMillerMusic]

The sounds are the same, but the routing might be more difficult, since the original Circuit doesn't have the dedicated midi tracks, second midi output, or audio inputs. You can definitely get good results if you get creative with the parts you're playing and have something else to record the MC-101 into.

[@swankprecisionstudio4365]

Hi Gabe, i also use Circuit tracks with an MC-101, but in midi sync. I have a weird issue with that: i usualy set the Circuit as master and MC101 as slave, and whatever PPQN i select on the Circuit, i get lags and glitches during the first minutes i turn this setup on! It usualy goes ok after a bunch of start/stop actions, but it's a bit anoying and also a bit makes me feel unsecure when it comes to play on a live situation ! Have you noticed this issue yourself, and do you have a solution for it? Keep on the good work, love your chanel, cheers from France ! 🤘

[@swankprecisionstudio4365]

Oh and of course, i also tried to set the MC101 as master. And it only does this with this combo, when i sync any of them with my TD-3 or my JX-03 or TR-09, everything is fine.

[@TheOriginalEUrban]

3:23 Sounded like BOC: Godzilla

[@jordanWAH]

I was looking at the circuit tracks and the bass station 2. I think they would sound good together, but I was undecided between the bs2 and mininova. I don't really see anyone doing this though.

[@johnruschulte2593]

Circuit has Nova based synth engine so Bass Station might make more sense. Not sure if you can make patches on the Nova and move them to the Circuit if you can then that might make it a good choice too unless you like synth editing on a computer.

[@jordanWAH]

@@johnruschulte2593 just got them today, now looking at tips and whatnots. I guess I will find out! Bass station sounds so good yet so simple, and the digital synth has so much more sounds and can't help myself being attracted to a vocoder and vocal FX.

[@planetice]

@@jordanWAH I already have the MC-101 and the Bass station, and the Mininova is shipping this week lol

[@jordanWAH]

@@planetice well, hot Damn, you just need people to play them all at once. Lol

[@planetice]

@@jordanWAH That would be awesome! But in the meantime, I've also got an MPC Live to sequence them all!

[@moviecellar1639]

what daw do you use to record? GarageBand or Ableton?

[@GabeMillerMusic]

I do everything in Reaper

[@isaacanthonydj4124]

i send my TR8s and MC707 into my Octatrack, it's almost too much... with a few extra's but that's the core setup...

[@TheCuri]

Basically this setup could be money wise also almost a akai force....with almost Same possibilities

[@Syntox]

All that and you can fit it in a smallllll bag.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Yup. So much power for such small devices

[@pnutbuttajellee1394]

FWIW, and for mix sake, I would flip the the stereo L/R imaging from the bass to the leads/rhythm synths to pan to the sides. Pull the higher freqs out and put the bass in the middle and tone the high end down a bit because its a very gritty bass and will interfere with the high freqs in the leads. Panning them might help. Sweet sequence though.

[@trevorwiant8838]

If this is overpowered then my plan to supplement my MC-707 with a Circuit Tracks is downright dangerous. P.S. Your videos have helped me realize that I should stick with the 707 instead of selling it just because I've hit a bit of a wall with it. I appreciate that.

[@ontheroad579]

The 707 looks pretty good on paper. Anything in the 707 that feels limiting?

[@trevorwiant8838]

@@ontheroad579 I wouldn't say anything about it feels particularly limiting. In fact I'd say it's likely the the most capable groovebox I've personally ever used, and I've used several over the past few years. Why do you ask?

[@sinewaymusic]

@@trevorwiant8838 Probably because you wrote that you had hit a wall with it...

[@trevorwiant8838]

​@@sinewaymusic I can see why they would interpret my phrasing that way. I just meant that I had become a bit impatient with its more complex functions and wasn't feeling very musically inspired by it. I've opted to keep trying with it and so far so good.

[@fellpower]

Buy this both - and u dont need any other hardware ;)

[@LucidMusicIncRecordings]

Just get the 707!

[@emobruno5572]

Hi Gabe, I'd love to listen to a playlist of music you like :)

[@meddle333]

Great video! I think mostly thanks to you, I just got my Circuit yesterday! It's... possibly the most fun I've had with a new instrument. 😩 I got a question though... it keeps flashing like, a big red oval... thing. 😕 I couldn't find any reference to it in the manual. I figured you MUST know what its trying to tell me. It's similar to the sd card image, but it stretches all the way across the pads. 😓

[@GabeMillerMusic]

That's awesome to hear! That sounds like the battery symbol. I'd work with the Circuit plugged in for a while and see if it goes away. If so, then just periodically charge the device and you should be good to go.

[@meddle333]

@@GabeMillerMusic You know, I think you're absolutely right. I thought I had fully charged it but now that you mention it, it is definitely *acting* like a low battery message. It was so off putting that it kept flashing this bright red at me randomly lol. I'm a dumbass. Hahaha. But no seriously, thank you for the reply, and thank you SO much for the videos... they've been such a huge help!

[@meddle333]

I figured out the problem is mine isnt charging at all. I'm trying a few different cables and adaptors, but the power switch isnt lighting green. Also yesterday when I was trying to connect to componants, it took me forever to get the Circuit to show it was connected. I had to mess with the cable quite a bit. Hopefully I can get it sorted without too much trouble. 😓

[@cokecl]

@@meddle333 oh no that sucks

[@meddle333]

@@cokecl Yup. Bad luck. Sucks because, I'm not sure when it was officially released, but I had to wait about 3 weeks for AMS to get it in stock and send it to me. It's bizarre, because I found if its connected to the computer the Circuit will stay on, but almost immediately after I disconnect it itll flash the battery and shut off. 😭

[@peterburkhalter6344]

I tried to hate on Gabe. I was like this dude is too young and too clean cut to know anything but he proved me wrong. Homeboy is inciteful and can make the circuit pound like no other.

[@vacuum4364]

you didn't try hard enough! just jokes he is all-right just needs some ink and a baseball cap and gold chain then he will have street cred

[@thomaslearn1136]

@3:18 "sidechain HEAVILY" *clicks 3rd sidechain level pad* I think they should tone down the sidechain a bit personally. I'll never EVER use it full scale.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

I've noticed that it depends on the sample triggering the sidechain. I've cranked it higher for different samples without it sounding too extreme. But yeah it does hit pretty hard.

[@baconbigbeats]

….barely an inconvenience.

[@maverickpussycat3409]

lay off the heavy sidechain compression