Novation Circuit Rhythm, User Manual

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is OFF; press any other pad in the row to enable one of the Side Chain Presets: Pad 1 becomes dim
and the selected Pad shows bright in the track colour.
Pads 1 to 8 on the top row let you select which track will be the Side Chain trigger source for the
chosen track (selected by pressing a Side Chain Preset for the track).
As with many of Circuit Rhythm’s other features, by far the best way of understanding Side Chain
processing is to experiment and listen. A good starting point is to set a track to play a long sample
so that it sounds continuously, and make another track play a few kick drum samples. As you
select different Side Chain Presets, you’ll hear the different ways in which the continuous sample is
“interrupted” by the drum. Also note that the effect will be more or less impactful depending on the
relative timings of the sample being ducked and its trigger source.
Side Chain ducking will continue even when the level of the source track is reduced to zero in the
Mixer View
. This is a feature which can be used quite creatively! However, if you mute the drum track
selected as the key in
Mixer View
, side chain triggering is disabled.
The Filter Knob
The entire audio output of Circuit Rhythm – the sum of the sounds from all eight tracks - is fed
through a traditional DJ-style filter section. The control for this is the large
Master Filter knob
2
.
The Filter knob is one of the key performance controls and can be used to radically change the overall
sound.
The Filter encompasses both low-pass and high-pass types. A high-pass filter removes low frequencies
(bass) from the output and a low-pass filter removes high frequencies (treble).
Circuit Rhythm’s Master Filter knob controls a low-pass filter when you turn it anticlockwise from the
centre position and a high-pass filter when you turn it clockwise from the centre position. Note that
the control has a detent in the centre – in this position, no filtering takes place and the LED below the
knob is dimly lit white.
As you turn the knob clockwise, you’ll hear the lower frequencies disappear leaving you with a much
thinner sound; in the opposite direction, the high frequencies disappear first, leaving you with a
muffled sound. The LED changes to pale blue when either filter type is active, with the brightness
increasing as the control is turned.