Novation · Updated August 2026
Circuit Rhythm: price, specs & release date
Circuit Rhythm, released 2021-07. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: novationmusic.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
Is the Circuit Rhythm a good buy?
At $399, the Circuit Rhythm is #8 cheapest of the 13 drum machines we track, where the median is $399. On the spec sheet, its pad count of 32 is the highest of the 12. By release date, it is among the newer of the 13 we date.
Specifications
| Price (US) | $399 US MSRP at launch (mid-2021), commonly listed as $399.99 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Novation |
| Released | 2021-07 |
| Sound engine | Sample-based standalone sampler and drum machine |
| Voice count | 8 |
| Sequencer steps | Up to 64 bars, 1/32-note to whole-note resolution, 24 PPQN (variable pattern length, not a fixed step grid) |
| Sample playback | Yes |
| Onboard effects | Grid FX (Vinyl Sim, Beat Repeat, Reverse, Filter, Gater, Phaser, Digitiser), plus Delay, Reverb, Side Chain and Master Compression |
| Output count | 3 |
| Midi support | Yes |
| Battery powered | Yes |
| Pad count | 32 |
Source: novationmusic.com (verified 2026-08-01) · corroborated by engadget.com. Novation's own product page confirms 8 sample tracks with 8-voice max polyphony, Slice/Chromatic/One-Shot/Gated/Looped/Reverse sample modes (WAV/MP3 import), the Grid FX + send FX list, 3 outputs (L/R pair + headphone), 3x MIDI DIN + USB-C MIDI, and a rechargeable Li-ion battery (~4 hours). Novation's own page lists only a EUR price (419.99€); Engadget's June 2021 launch coverage corroborates the $400 US price (shipped mid-July 2021, official announcement) and 32 RGB velocity-sensitive pads.
Is the Circuit Rhythm worth it vs cheaper drum machines?
Circuit Rhythm against its closest cheaper and pricier drum machines on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 13 ranked
| Product | Price | Sound engine | Voice count | Sequencer steps | Sample playback | Onboard effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Rhythm this | $399 | Sample-based standalone sampler and drum machine | 8 | Up to 64 bars, 1/32-note to whole-note resolution, 24 PPQN (variable pattern length, not a fixed step grid) | Yes | Grid FX (Vinyl Sim, Beat Repeat, Reverse, Filter, Gater, Phaser, Digitiser), plus Delay, Reverb, Side Chain and Master Compression |
| DrumBrute Impact | $299 | Fully analog synthesis, 10 fixed analog voices | 10 | 64 | No | Output distortion (bypassable), per-step/per-instrument 'Color' drive/snap/crack shaping, Swing, Pattern Looper and randomness generator |
| TR-6S Rhythm Performer | $399.99 | Circuit modeling of the TR-808/909/707/606/727 and CR-78, plus an FM synthesis engine and sample playback | 6 | 16 steps per variation, 8 (A-H) chainable variations per pattern | Yes | Compressor, EQ, reverb, delay, modulation and filter chains per track, plus Scatter live-remix fills |
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Circuit Rhythm cost?
The Circuit Rhythm has a US price of $399 (US MSRP at launch (mid-2021), commonly listed as $399.99), as of 2026-08-01.
How does the Circuit Rhythm compare on price?
At $399, the Circuit Rhythm is #8 cheapest of the 13 drum machines we track, where the median is $399.
When was the Circuit Rhythm released?
The Circuit Rhythm was released 2021-07.
What are the Circuit Rhythm's key specs?
Circuit Rhythm (Novation): sound engine Sample-based standalone sampler and drum machine, voice count 8, sequencer steps Up to 64 bars, 1/32-note to whole-note resolution, 24 PPQN (variable pattern length, not a fixed step grid), sample playback Yes, onboard effects Grid FX (Vinyl Sim, Beat Repeat, Reverse, Filter, Gater, Phaser, Digitiser), plus Delay, Reverb, Side Chain and Master Compression. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-08-01.
Price of record: $399 at novationmusic.com, 2026-08-01. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:
See Circuit Rhythm on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.Similar drum machines
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Compare with
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Step up
- TR-6S Rhythm Performer $399.99
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