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Novation Circuit Rhythm Standalone Groove Sampler for Beat Making

BH #NOCIRCRHYTHM • MFR #CIRCUIT-RHYTHM
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Novation Circuit Rhythm Standalone Groove Sampler for Beat Making
Key Features
  • For Electronic and Dance Music Producers
  • 8 Flexible Sample Tracks
  • 8 Endless Encoders with RGB Indicators
  • Master Filter and Master Volume Pots
Electronic and dance music producers looking for a powerful, all-in-one groove sampler will be thrilled with the Novation Circuit Rhythm, a compact and portable sampler that builds upon the success of the Circuit Tracks and is designed to be used in the studio or on the go for professional producers and DJs.
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Novation Circuit Rhythm Overview

From Manufacturer

Electronic and dance music producers looking for a powerful, all-in-one groove sampler will be thrilled with the Novation Circuit Rhythm, a compact and portable sampler that builds upon the success of the Circuit Tracks and is designed to be used in the studio or on the go for professional producers and DJs.

The Circuit Rhythm offers eight flexible sample tracks with several sample capabilities including slice, chromatic, one-shot, gated, looped, and reverse. The machine provides a variety of sample controls including tune, start, length, slope, distortion, high-pass filter, low-pass filter and resonance. What's more, there is a sample choke function that allows you to assign samples to a group, where by any sample that is playing is automatically cutoff when a new sample in the group is triggered. Great for creating realistic hi-hats and other sounds.

Circuit Rhythm uses Components, a standalone software editor, which provides deep access to the instrument's sampling engine, sample organization, macro controls, and more. You can load up to 220 seconds of samples, plus thousands of patches and projects from the included SD card. Circuit Rhythm is USB class compliant and will work with any modern Mac or Windows computer.

A 4x8 grid of velocity-sensitive (RGB) sequencer pads are used to program the advanced, built-in 32-step sequencer, which offers real-time and step-input recording, as well as time and key lock to ensure all your sounds lock to tempo and blend harmonically. The 8 macro encoders allow you to record and playback multiple parameter tweaks in real time. Combine up to 256 steps of patterns to complete full songs. The onboard effects do not disappoint. There's delay, reverb, and side-chain Send FX for adding depth and motion to your tracks, while the Grid FX provide a variety of realtime effects you can trigger. Choose from vinyl simulation, beat repeat, phaser, gater, reverser, auto-filter, and digitizer.

The rear panel provides a panoply of connections including 5-pin DIN MIDI input, output, and thru connectors, as well as sync for connecting to analog equipment. Two 1/4" inputs allow you to sample audio directly into the Circuit Rhythm. You can also route audio live through the unit for mixing and further processing, while two 1/4" outputs connect to your playback system or studio monitors. A 3.5mm headphone output is also included. The Circuit Rhythm can be powered via USB or from the built-in rechargeable battery for true wireless operation anywhere. A USB-C cable and USB power supply are provided.

Sample and Resample
  • Record samples directly to the hardware, then slice, sculpt and resample your sounds effortlessly.
Slice, Reverse, Loop, Play Chromatically, and More
  • Playback samples however you choose, whether you’re chopping straight from vinyl, making basslines and melodies, or punching in drums.
Eight Sample Tracks
  • Make beats with eight sample tracks, each with their own 32-step patterns, chainable for up to 256 steps per track.
Seamless Beatmaking Workflow
  • Go from a sample to a complete beat with ease using the powerful and hands-on sequencer.
Go Off Grid
  • Capture your groove quantized or off grid into the sequencer, and keep your beats evolving with probability and pattern mutate.
FX on Everything
  • Douse samples in lush reverb and delay, make your mix pump with side chain, and add punch with the master compressor.
Comprehensive Connectivity
  • Connect to your studio with full-size five-pin MIDI in, out, and thru, and analog sync out. Sample to mono, or monitor through stereo out or with headphones.
Never Stop Creating
  • Insert a microSD card to save and access thousands of samples and projects.
Create Anywhere
  • The built-in rechargeable battery provides up to four hours of battery life, so you can make beats anywhere inspiration strikes.
Go Further with Components
  • Novation Components is the online companion that lets you delve into the synth engine, load samples, and back up projects.
Compatibility
  • Circuit Rhythm is class compliant, so it will work with any modern Mac or Windows computer.
UPC: 815301001300

Novation Circuit Rhythm Specs

Key Specs
Sound Generation
Sample-Based
Number of Pads
32x Velocity-Sensitive RGB Backlit Pad
Number of Sounds, Kits, or Samples
4096x Sample
Media/Memory Card Slot
Single Slot: microSD/microSDHC
Audio I/O
1/4" / 1/8" (3.5 mm) Headphone
MIDI I/O
1x DIN 5-Pin Input
1x DIN 5-Pin Output
1x DIN 5-Pin Thru
USB I/O
1x USB-C (Bus Power, Host Connection, Internal Battery Charging, MIDI)
General
Item Type
Sampling Workstation
Kit Components
Sound Generation
Sample-Based
Number of Pads
32x Velocity-Sensitive RGB Backlit Pad
Expression Controls
4x Knob
Transport Controls
Yes
Standalone Operation
Yes
Sounds
Display
No
Number of Sounds, Kits, or Samples
4096x Sample
Maximum Polyphony
8 Voice
Built-In Effects
Send FX: 16 x Delay, 8 x Reverb, 7 x Compression with Side-Chain
Grid FX: Vinyl Simulation, Beat Repeat, Reverse, Filter, Gater, Phaser, Digitizer
Built-In Speaker
No
Sequencing & Recording
Sequencer
Number of Steps: 32x Step
Number of Sequencer Patterns: 8x User
Pattern Length: 1/32 Note to 64 Bars
Pattern Chaining: Yes, Up to 256 Patterns
Note Resolution: 24 ppq
Time Divisions: 1/32
Input/Record Modes: Real-Time Loop Record, Real-Time Record, Step Record
Playback & Features: Forward/Reverse
Number of Recorder Tracks
8x Audio
Audio Recording Formats
WAV
MP3
Media/Memory Card Slot
Single Slot: microSD/microSDHC
Connectivity
Audio I/O
2x 1/4" Input
2x 1/4" Main Output
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Headphone Output
Trigger Device & Pedal Inputs
No
MIDI I/O
1x DIN 5-Pin Input
1x DIN 5-Pin Output
1x DIN 5-Pin Thru
CV/Gate I/O
No
Sync I/O
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm MTC Output
Network I/O
No
USB I/O
1x USB-C (Bus Power, Host Connection, Internal Battery Charging, MIDI)
Wireless
No
OS Compatibility
Windows / macOS
Power
Power Requirements
Built-In Rechargeable Battery, USB Bus Power
Physical
Color
Gray
Included Accessories
USB Cable
Dimensions
9.4 x 8.3 x 1.6" / 24 x 21 x 4 cm
Packaging Info
Package Weight
3.53 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
12.6 x 10.1 x 4.5"

Novation Circuit Rhythm Reviews

Novation Circuit Rhythm — 3 Years Later

By Kaden
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2025-12-23

I’ve had the Circuit Rhythm for about three years now, and I can honestly say it took me that long to fully master it. But once everything finally clicked, this little box became way more powerful than I expected. I even got to the point where I was making full drill beats on it — and they actually slapped. The workflow, the pads, the sequencing… once you understand how it all fits together, it becomes a super fun and inspiring groovebox. The only annoying part is loading samples. Getting everything organized, trimmed, and imported can take the excitement out of actually making the beat. It’s not a deal‑breaker, but it definitely slows down the creative flow sometimes. Overall, though, the Circuit Rhythm has grown with me. It’s simple on the surface, deep once you dig in, and still one of my favorite pieces of gear for quick ideas and full tracks.

Good Product

By Laurie
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-10-17

For the price I think this is a good value. I understandably don't like it more than my more expensive gear, but it's still enjoyable. For what I expected, I don't regret my purchase. It's great for on the go music creation. I use this to quickly come up with ideas and then easily finish up on the computer or on another sampler/workstation. I do think there is plenty of room for improvement via future firmware updates, and given Novation's track record I think they will continue to update it and make it better and better.

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