Novation Circuit

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$202.17 to $329.99 Price Tier: Budget

4.5 (80)

2 Critic Reviews

16 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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9 community setups

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Novation Circuit Review - Pros & Cons

24 wishlisted

196 saved

Page last updated Jul 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated July 6, 2026.

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4.5 (4)

$329.99

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5.0 (44)

$202.17 11 available Used

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4.0 (12)

$329.99

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4.5 (4)

$279.95

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Average Price: $315

Budget/Beginner

$399

$900+

Price Tier

In the Production & Groove category, Novation Circuit is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Novation Circuit". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Introducing the Novation Circuit, an all-in-one groove box that sparks creativity and delivers immediate musical gratification. This standalone music creation device is designed for hands-on control, equipped with pads and knobs that bring your music to life in real-time.

The Novation Circuit is your portable music studio, with its compact design, battery power, and built-in speakers. It's perfect for music production on the go, and equally at home in your studio setup, where it can sync to your computer and other session hardware.

Inspired by the Nova heritage, the Circuit comes with pre-loaded synthesizer sounds and drum samples, but also allows you to import your own sounds for a completely personalized experience. You can layer the parts, adjust the effects, and build compositions from scratch.

The Circuit is more than just a groove box, it's your tool for an immersive, hands-on music-making experience. With its easy-to-use interface, you can create intricate sequences of patterns, tie notes together for drone notes and ambient pads, and even take your music off the grid with its micro-nudge feature.

Key Features:

2-part Nova-heritage analogue-modelled +wavetable synthesizer
4-part drum machine
4x8 grid of RGB, velocity-sensitive sequencer pads
MiniNova spec oscillator types
64 production-ready patches
Step sequence or build live
Tweak using 8 synth macro encoders with RGB LEDs
Record and play back your tweaks
Combine up to 128 steps of synth and drum patterns
Add delay and reverb effects
32 slots for saving sessions
Create your own synth patches using Circuit Editor
Add your own samples with Sample Import
Compact and battery powered with built-in DSP-enhanced speaker
Works with computer and hardware via USB and MIDI for full DAW connectivity

Product specs

Brand	Novation
Model	Circuit Groovebox
Finish	Black
Year	2015 - 2021
Made In	United States
Categories	Grooveboxes
Analog / Digital	Digital
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output, USB MIDI
Number of Pads	32 Pads

FAQs

Is the Novation Circuit Groovebox suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Novation Circuit Groovebox is designed for both studio production and live performances, offering real-time control over sounds and sequences. Its portable size and built-in rechargeable battery make it ideal for on-the-go music creation.
Can the Novation Circuit Groovebox be used without a computer?: Yes, the Novation Circuit Groovebox is a standalone device, meaning it can be used independently without a computer. It has built-in synths and drum machines, allowing you to create music directly on the device.
How does the Novation Circuit Groovebox handle MIDI connectivity?: The Novation Circuit Groovebox offers robust MIDI connectivity with MIDI Input, MIDI Output, and USB MIDI, allowing seamless integration with other MIDI-compatible devices and DAWs.
What type of sounds can I create with the Novation Circuit Groovebox?: The Novation Circuit Groovebox features a versatile sound engine with two synths and a four-part drum machine, enabling the creation of a wide range of electronic music styles, from ambient to techno.
Are the pads on the Novation Circuit Groovebox velocity-sensitive?: Yes, the Novation Circuit Groovebox features 32 velocity-sensitive pads, providing expressive control over your music production and performance dynamics.

Equipboard's Expert Review

Equipboard tested this

Impressive Versatility and Quality

We were immediately struck by the Circuit's solid build, typical of Novation's reputation for reliability. The knobs felt smooth, and the overall construction gave us confidence it would hold up well under regular use.

The controls are where this product truly shines. The layout is intuitive, making it easy for us to dive right in without a steep learning curve. The ability to import and save samples added a tremendous amount of flexibility to our workflow. We also appreciated the portable design, especially the option to run on batteries, making it a great companion for both studio and live performance. The sequencer is impressively fast and user-friendly, which made our jamming sessions both productive and fun.

Sonically, it delivered as expected from a Novation product. The synth sounds were generally good, though we did find some presets to be just "fine." The drum sounds, while minimal, were effective and served their purpose well in our compositions. The synths were easy to modify, and the built-in FX were lush and inspiring.

This device offers excellent value for money, especially considering its versatility and continuous firmware updates that keep adding valuable features. It’s ideal for musicians looking for a portable, flexible, and reliable tool for both performance and production. However, if you prefer a more screen-oriented interface for navigation, this might not be the perfect fit for you.

Rated 5

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Reviews

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PROS

Intuitive sequencer enhances musical creativity
Allows loading of personal mono samples for customization
Offers deep sound design with two oscillators, filters, LFOs, and more
Highly customizable with programmable sounds and eight macros per patch
Portable and can run on batteries, great for making music anywhere
Versatile connectivity, can sequence external MIDI synthesizers
Regular firmware updates add new features and improve functionality
Sample flip feature for dynamic performances
Polyphonic sequencer with 8 bar loops for complex compositions
Visual workflow with no screen needed, great for live performance

CONS

Noticeable digital whine in output audio
Internal synth sounds may not appeal to everyone
Limited project space for complex songs without external devices
Synth editor required for in-depth sound editing, can be cumbersome
Cloud-based saving requires internet, limiting offline work
Some find the sound quality lacking over time
No screen may complicate navigation for some users
Requires familiarity with Novation ecosystem for best experience

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Novation Circuit.

Features and functionality

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Circuit Tracks lacks free pattern chaining, a feature present in the original, which some users find restrictive despite its scene functionality.
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Circuit Rhythm's lack of a proper looper function is noted, despite having components that could support such a feature, which limits its looping potential.
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The Circuit Rhythm's short sample time, capped at 2.5 minutes, is seen as a significant limitation for a sample-based device recently released.
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Circuit Rhythm's chromatic sample playing is highlighted as enjoyable, but its monophonic nature and absence of stereo sampling reduce its versatility.
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Probability settings on Circuit Tracks are considered a major improvement by users who value advanced sequencing capabilities.
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Circuit Tracks offers 8 patterns per track for expanded sequencing compared to simpler loopers, enhancing songwriting capabilities.
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The Circuit Tracks' integrated battery and thinner design significantly enhance portability, making outdoor and mobile use more convenient compared to the original Circuit.
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The device excels in intuitive interface and portability, appealing to guitarists seeking a computer-free electronic music experience.
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Use cases and applications

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The Circuit Rhythm syncs reliably with external gear, offering more stable tempo synchronization compared to the 404 Mk II, which struggles with clock stability.
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Circuit Tracks is highlighted for its suitability in live performance with features like sidechaining, reverb, delay, and scale management aiding in quick music sketching.
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Circuit Tracks is praised as a central hub for sequencing up to 4 external synths while maintaining 4 drum tracks, ideal for computer-free setups.
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User experience

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Users appreciate Circuit Rhythm for direct sampling capabilities and solid build quality, making it a reliable standalone device without needing a computer.
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Some users prefer the original Circuit's pads, finding them preferable despite the newer version's enhancements.
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Comparisons

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Owners note the Circuit Rhythm lacks polyphony and advanced sample chopping compared to the 404 Mk II and Digitakt, limiting its depth for complex sampling tasks.
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The Circuit Tracks is noted for improved MIDI features and dedicated inputs over the original Circuit, making it a preferred choice despite the OG's lower price.
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Setup and maintenance

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A workaround for the Circuit's battery issue involves using a 5 GBP generic USB cable with a vault converter, allowing power bank use for mobility.
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Mods and upgrades

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It's suggested to pair Circuit Tracks with a MIDI splitter and an 8-12 channel mixer for enhanced control over multiple synths in a DAW-free environment.
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Software and compatibility

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Users mention the possibility of using the Circuit as a MIDI controller to manage Ableton, despite not offering full launchpad functionalities.
Source

Critic Reviews

Novation Circuit

soundonsound.com

Novation's Circuit is a compact, fun-packed groovebox that excels in immediacy and portability, making it an appealing choice for musicians on the go. Its robust build, battery operation, and built-in speaker promote creativity anywhere. With intuitive real-time sequencing and versatile synth engines, it offers a compelling blend of playability and sound design. However, limitations like the lack of an audition feature for sounds and no way to back up sessions cloud its otherwise seamless workflow. Despite these drawbacks, it stands out as a dynamic musical sketchpad and a competent standalone sequencer, making it a worthy investment for electronic music enthusiasts.

positive

Full Review

Novation Circuit review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Circuit is a joy to use with its intuitive interface and high-quality sounds, making it a standout groovebox. Its robust sequencer and fun, flexible workflow encourage creativity. However, the device's sound design depth is somewhat limited, and the lack of individual channel export options may frustrate some users. Despite these minor drawbacks, Novation Circuit is highly recommended for its inspiring features and affordability.

positive

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 16 Reviews and 80 Ratings

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amelia_crowe

193

over 8 years ago

It does so much.

I love this little thing. I can run around with it or maybe sit in the garage with the door open on a rainy day and just chill and work on it. But then when I plug it into my computer I get all of it's functionality as well.

Roles:

Singer Keyboardist Composer

Genres:

Electronic Dubstep Neurofunk