The complete reference for Novation's standalone sample groovebox. Specs, workflow, cheat sheet, and everything you need to make beats.
The Circuit Rhythm is a standalone sample-based groovebox designed for beatmaking and live performance. It records samples directly via onboard audio inputs, then lets you slice, pitch, sequence, and perform them — all from a compact, battery-powered unit with no screen.
It uses the same chassis as the Circuit Tracks but replaces the synth engines with a pure 8-track sample architecture. Every track is identical: load a sample, shape it with 8 macro knobs, sequence it across 32 steps, and add effects.
The screenless, 32-pad RGB grid serves as your sample browser, step sequencer, velocity editor, mixer, and performance controller — depending on which view you're in. Eight endless encoders handle sound-shaping, and a master filter knob provides instant performance control.
It stands out as one of the few affordable hardware samplers that can sample, slice, resample, and play chromatically — all onboard, all standalone, running on a rechargeable battery for about 4 hours.
Each of the 8 encoders controls a fixed parameter per sample. Hold Shift while turning for fine control on Macros 1–3.
The complete button combo reference. Print this, bookmark it, tape it to your wall.
| Play | Play |
| Stop | Stop |
| Continue from last position | Shift + Play |
| Toggle record | Record |
| Toggle record quantise | Shift + Record |
| Enable click track | Shift + Clear |
| Sample browser | Sample |
| Note / Keyboard | Note |
| Velocity editor | Velocity |
| Gate length editor | Gate |
| Micro step editor | Shift + Gate |
| Pattern settings | Ptn Settings |
| Probability editor | Shift + Ptn Settings |
| FX sends (delay / reverb) | FX |
| Sidechain | Shift + FX |
| Mixer | Mixer |
| Grid FX (performance) | Shift + Mixer |
| Tempo | Tempo |
| Swing | Shift + Tempo |
| Projects | Projects |
| Sample record | Sample Rec |
| Drum pads | Shift + Sample Rec |
| Global settings | Shift + Save |
| Toggle step page (1-16 / 17-32) | Step Page |
| Open sample record view | Sample Rec |
| Select slot & start recording | Tap pad → Record |
| Stop recording | Record |
| Toggle threshold trigger | Pad 29 (Row 4) |
| Toggle 12dB attenuator | Pad 30 |
| Toggle resample (internal) | Pad 31 |
| Toggle input monitor | Pad 32 |
| Input gain | Macro 8 (in Rec view) |
| Select pattern | Tap pad in Patterns view |
| Chain patterns | Hold first pad → tap last pad |
| Instant pattern switch | Shift + pattern pad |
| Duplicate / copy pattern | Hold Duplicate → source → dest |
| Multi-paste | Keep holding Duplicate → tap more pads |
| Extend to 32 steps | Duplicate + Step Page |
| Clear pattern | Hold Clear → tap pattern |
| Mutate (destructive!) | Shift + Duplicate |
| Launch scene | Tap scene pad in Mixer view |
| Add / remove step | Tap step pad in Note view |
| Sample Flip (assign sample to step) | Record on + play sample pads |
| Copy step | Duplicate → source → dest |
| Clear step | Clear → tap step |
| Edit velocity | Velocity view → hold step → adjust |
| Edit gate | Gate view → hold step → adjust |
| Edit probability | Shift+Ptn Settings → hold step |
| Edit micro steps | Shift+Gate → hold step |
| Record automation per step | Record on → hold step → turn Macro |
| Quick save (overwrite) | Save ×2 |
| Save as (new slot) | Projects → Save → tap slot |
| Load project | Projects → tap lit pad |
| Instant project switch | Shift + project pad |
| Delete project | Projects → hold Clear → tap pad |
| Octave up / down | Shift + ▲ / ▼ |
Same chassis, different instruments. Here's how they stack up.
| Feature | Rhythm | Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Pure sampler | Synth + sampler hybrid |
| Tracks | 8 sample | 2 synth + 2 MIDI + 4 drum |
| Onboard sampling | ✓ Mic, line, resample | ✗ Load via Components only |
| Sample slicing | ✓ 4/8/16 + manual | ✗ |
| Chromatic playback | ✓ ±3 octaves | ✗ |
| Grid FX | ✓ 16 slots | ✗ |
| Beat Match | ✓ (FW 2.0) | ✗ |
| Built-in synths | ✗ | ✓ 2 Nova engines |
| Polyphony | Mono per track | Poly on synth tracks |
| MIDI tracks | ✗ | ✓ 2 dedicated |
| Scale mode | ✗ | ✓ |
| Playback modes | One Shot, Gate, Loop, Reverse | One Shot only |
| Sample time | ~228 sec | ~196 sec |
| Battery / MIDI / Sync | Identical | |
| Price | ~$400–480 | ~$400 |
Choose Rhythm if you want to sample, slice, resample, and build beats from audio. Choose Tracks if you want built-in synths, polyphony, and external MIDI sequencing. Get both — they pair perfectly over MIDI sync.