Novation Circuit vs Korg Electribe

immon · Post by **immon** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 6:58 am

This is definitely a rival to the E2:

http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2015/10/ ... irst-look/

The advantages for me appear to be;

Cheaper
Smoother pattern changing
More suited as a midi controller for daw
Fast step sequencer

Obviously it would also compliment the e2 as well

xr1st · Post by **xr1st** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 11:03 am

immon wrote:This is definitely a rival to the E2:

http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2015/10/ ... irst-look/

The advantages for me appear to be;

Cheaper
Smoother pattern changing
More suited as a midi controller for daw
Fast step sequencer

Obviously it would also compliment the e2 as well

Another simply groovebox... Nothing special IMHO...

SMK · Post by **SMK** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 11:28 am

Well the Novation Circuit (NC) will definitely appeal to those with a little less patience with the new Electribes. Actual competition/rival? Ahhh Nope!

I know people will speak highly of the Launch Pad format but if you have never used any of the other Launch Pads, be prepared to love your Electribe pads even more. We are told that the new system, Launch Pad Pro pads are different from the more clicky feel of the older versions. They are said to more like padKontrol, Quneo pads. If the NC is using that same new system then by all means Novation finally nailed it with performance pads. That being said...

The lights are prettier, you get 8 bars, I do like that you get 32 pads however the limited sound pallet and well, you only get 6 parts/tracks which are on limited division (2 synth parts 4 drum parts). I don't believe Novation sees the NC as competition to 16 tracks of "have it your way" of unlimited possibilities of sound (in particular if you get the ES2). The NC is really well made Launch Pad Pro "lite" with a good sequencer and some sounds thrown in.

The NC as it's marketing implies is designed for one thing "Start Something". This is a true music sketch pad to which you can easily transfer your music noodling idea to your DAW and build from there.

The only real thing that the NC has over the Electribe is a better marketing and design department. Because side by side, based on the specs and what we have seen on videos, it seems that anything you think you would want the NC for you can do on the the Electribe 2 and Electribe Sampler 2.

Final verdict, I can't wait to see one in person!

Ted3000 · Post by **Ted3000** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 12:48 pm

I think Novation have made something that has a better sequencer and performance tricks.

It also has 2 synth voices that are true 6-voice polyphonic, which might be very handy. And Nova-class synthesis has a bigger and more professional sound than electribe stuff. (Novation filter has a much higher ceiling for anti-aliasing, higher resolution control, etc.)

But those synth voices don't have full synthesis - knobs are macros, one will be a combo cutoff/res, etc. Knob duties change when you change patches - it's more like tweakable presets.

As limited as the e2's synthesis engine is, at least the filter knob is a filter knob - feels more instrument-like, less controller-like.

And I think you get more with the electribe - more parts, more sounds, more shaping options, more effects, metal versus plastic, etc.

Novation have made an appealing and interesting and affordable product. But for less than a hundred dollars more you can have a LOT more.

I hope Novation has a success, there's a world of grid-controller kids who would benefit from standalone gear.

I'm more interested in the electribe, and the sequel to the Circuit.

gizmoismogwai · Post by **gizmoismogwai** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 2:30 pm

I think the real appeal of the Circuit is the workflow. It's all about putting things together quickly with a limited set of tools. If your primary concern is writing music over production like mine is then it's kind of perfect. I think the only way you can really compare this with the electribe is based on the sounds. And even then it looks like a great sequencer so you can hook it to whatever awesome synth you've got anyway. Based on what I've seen this would make an excellent electribe companion so I've got my eye on it.

apapdop · Post by **apapdop** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 4:39 pm

I think i'd find it a little bewildering having to read so much information from the 8x8 pad matrix rather than an LCD display. Big plus for the batteries and a crappy speaker, wish the Electribes had one, it just makes it a little easier to noodle when you should be doing something else!!

What had me green with envy was the instant pattern change (assuming it's quantised). The iElectribe can do this and it's fantastic, wrenches out some amazing sounds when the motion sequences are different between the patterns.

I won't be selling my Electribes just yet, but if you can use the Circuit without having to worry about note stealing, CPU headroom and note decays cut short when changing patterns, then the limited part count doesn't look too much of an issue to me. Sigh...

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 5:02 pm

Pattern changes are quantized to either end of pattern, or the length of a pattern step, up to you. Here's the manual:

http://global.novationmusic.com/sites/d ... -ug-en.pdf

From the demos it didn't sound like note tails remain to me though, they sound choked.

NickZoll · Post by **NickZoll** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 5:25 pm

I looked through the manual and could not find any specific information concerning synth engine and drum samples description. This would be very interesting to know for me.

Kcearl · Post by **Kcearl** » Sat Oct 03, 2015 2:54 am

8 bars > electribe

I just cant get on with 4 bars and no song mode, no matter how much better it sounds, the electribe always seems to end up back on my shelf

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Sat Oct 03, 2015 6:15 am

More info on the synths and drum samples:

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/11374508-post386.html

The 8 bar thing is kind of misleading too. Technically it's one bar patterns and you can chain up to 8 of them.

SMK · Post by **SMK** » Sat Oct 03, 2015 7:25 am

Tarekith wrote:More info on the synths and drum samples:

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/11374508-post386.html

The 8 bar thing is kind of misleading too. Technically it's one bar patterns and you can chain up to 8 of them.

OHHHHHHHHH FAILED IT times 24!

Buska · Post by **Buska** » Mon Oct 05, 2015 7:22 am

Tarekith wrote:Pattern changes are quantized to either end of pattern, or the length of a pattern step, up to you. Here's the manual:

http://global.novationmusic.com/sites/d ... -ug-en.pdf

From the demos it didn't sound like note tails remain to me though, they sound choked.

You can change patterns unquantized as fast as you can hit the pads, just need to hold the shift button. Looks really fun.

And the chained 8 bars are stored in one pattern pad too, so it is 8bars.

It's all in the sonicstate video

blackholesun · Post by **blackholesun** » Mon Oct 05, 2015 8:07 am

I really feel like this is a step below the Electribe. Not as many parts, and by far not as versatile in sound/effect. It is priced accordingly. Could be an interesting little machine though.

Tom 62 · Post by **Tom 62** » Mon Oct 05, 2015 9:48 am

I think Circuit could be a great add-on for my E2S. Especially because of the two (true six voice polyphonic) synth parts and the fact that creating "new" sounds is done with eight macro knobs.

SMK · Post by **SMK** » Mon Oct 05, 2015 1:35 pm

I really wish there was a midi implementation guide. That would really help!

Korg Forums

Novation Circuit vs Korg Electribe

Novation Circuit vs Korg Electribe

Re: Novation Circuit vs Korg Electribe