Novation Circuit: a solution to scales and chords

For today’s outside the box (OTB) producers, getting scales and chords can be a problem. The inspirational grid-based Circuit is a great electronic musical instrument based on two Novation MiniNova synth engines, four drum parts and a six-track, 16-step sequencer.

Circuit is extremely flexible in how the note pads in the playing grid can be configured to suit many musical genres in key or scale. There are two aspects to specifying how the note pads are laid out: the scale and the root note.

Up to 16 musical scales are available: these include those common in western musical styles such as major, natural minor, pentatonic and chromatic as well as more unusual scales (or modes) such as Dorian, Lydian and Mixolydian. Not all these scales contain eight notes, though the only one that has more than eight is Chromatic, with 12.

Furthermore, although the default keyboard is based on a note of C, it is possible to redefine the lowest sounding note to be any note of the chosen scale.

Both scale and root note are set using the Scales View, accessed by pressing the Scales button.

Notes and chords can be stored in the sequencer. Any synth part notes can be edited by pressing and holding a step on the bottom two rows while pressing notes from the top two rows.

Novation created three videos to show how easy it is to make a track using Circuit, even with no understanding of musical theory, due to its powerful Scales Mode.