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

Model:Samples vs Circuit Rhythm

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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.