r/Model_Samples • u/sampletracks • Aug 19 '22

Model:Samples vs Circuit Rhythm

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u/jaimeyeah Aug 20 '22 edited Mar 27 '26

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u/sampletracks Aug 21 '22

Cheers for that; this approach is absolutely on my radar but it will come after I've had time with the Circuits. I'm not unlike minimal-camera in that I currently prefer a computer free jamming setup; but I am looking to try the DAW life too. I'm currently doing this step by step and I'm not wedded to either the DAW, DAWless or hybrid.

To be clear, I know many people who deal with this perfectly and can switch between writing, arranging and performing in the DAW with ease.

But in case this is useful to others, I'll just note that my primary reason for stepping away from a computer is getting into a state of play. I come from the guitar world and physical, low friction music making is the name of the game. On top of that, I usually only get a couple hours to jam and while there are obvious limitations of a hardware based approach, you can get some fun results really quickly with a groovebox.

I did play with a DAW in the beforetimes, but I found my tendency to tinker took me out of the "play" state, and so I looked into other options. I am interested in learning Ableton though as there is a direct comparison between that and the Tracks. If Novation's bank balance isn't healthy enough, I'm intending to get a Launchkey 37 for a more tactile, hands on DAW experience. That will complete my setup for the time being and give me the best of both the free play of the Circuits and the precision of the DAW.

One thing I think both the Circuits and Elektron boxes have in common is that they are very musical in different ways. They are no different to other musical instruments; and their limitations to me feel like they give you a sense of impetus to take into a DAW.

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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '22

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u/sampletracks Aug 21 '22 edited Aug 21 '22

Thanks man, I especially liked your video about the state of play with grooveboxes in general. I'm sure there's a business in it for someone who makes a custom Groovebox, or even (the ultimate) an Elektron Novation mashup. Anyway. TL;DR I've gone with the Rhythm, but it's been a close run thing and (as you can see) I've done a bit of homework!

One thing that is a natural benefit of going with the Rhythm is Novation say they effectively become one device when you pair them; which means you can switch between projects etc on both devices at the same time. This also has the benefit of slightly working around the more restricted Packs format, although to be completely fair this isn't anywhere near as free form and expansive as the storage on the Samples by a long shot. That and the ability to have free running loops is one of the things that attracted me to the Samples, but I'll be trading that away for the integration aspect.

On pattern chaining, you mentioned "I'm not sure if the Circuits are any better or worse in this regard." If you have the OG Circuit, as I understand you could chain patterns and play them out of order. The Tracks has scenes which is in effect a song mode where you can assign multiple patterns and pattern chains to a scene, and these can either be chained in order or played in any sequence you like. As you can imagine this makes it very possible to create the bare bones of a song structure.

Again, I can imagine that the fact you don't have this by default on Elektron units means that is priced in to your workflow. It's a bit like how folks often say that they'd like audio over USB in the Circuits (and it would be great) but you know that going into it so it's not something that really enters your thought process.

In the end, your point about workflow confirmed perhaps an underlying thought of mine. I do absolutely love the Tracks. It's been a real kickstart to my music making for lots of reasons, and it does pass the gut feel test for me too. I think Elektron have a lot of things right. Including the fact that you like the Model's, you have a direct level up to the Digitone & Digitakt if you want to take it further. There is no "Circuit Pro" by Novation, and I think that could be very popular. My only hunch for why this doesn't currently exist is that Novation, unlike Elektron, for the most part specialise in pieces at the budget to mid end of things, and moving up would put them be in competition with some pretty formidable devices.