Tempo and Swing are closely related and the methods of adjusting them
are very similar.
Tempo
Circuit Tracks will operate at any tempo in the range 40 to 240 BPM; the
default is 120.
The tempo can bet set by the internal tempo clock, or by an external MIDI
clock source.
External MIDI clock can be applied either via the USB port or the MIDI
In port.
To display and adjust the BPM of the internal tempo clock, press Tempo/Swing button
to open Tempo View.
Short-press switches the grid to Tempo View, or
long-press to check the BPM momentarily.
Macro control 1 is used to adjust the tempo
External clock
If a valid external clock is applied, it will automatically be selected
as the clock source, and the grid will display “SYN” in
red if Macro 1 is turned.
Adjusting Macro 1 will not alter the internal tempo when an external clock
is in use.
The internal tempo clock only allows integer BPM's (no fractional tempo
values). However, Circuit Tracks will synchronize to any external clock
rates - including fraction values - in the range 30 to 300 BPM
If the external clock is removed, Circuit Tracks will stop playing. “SYN” remains
displayed until Play is pressed.
Tap Tempo
If you want to match Circuit Tracks' tempo to an existing piece of music
and you don't know its BPN, you can use Tap Tempo.
Hold down Shift and tap the Tempo/Swing button
in time with the track you're listening to.
You need at least three taps for Circuit Tracks to change its tempo setting
to your manual input, and it will then calculate the BPM by averaging the
last five taps.
You can use Tap Tempo at any time, but if you're in Tempo View, you'll
see the BPM display update itself to the tap temp.
Swing
By default, all steps in a pattern are equally spaced in time (i.e. 120
BPM, a 16-step pattern will repeat every 2 seconds, making the steps one-eighth
of a second part.) Altering the Swing parameter from its default value
of 50 (range is 20 to 80) alters the timing of even-numbered steps.
A lower swing value shortens the time between an even step and the previous
odd step, a higher Swing value has the opposite effect.
Swing is adjusted with macro 2, while in Temp View; it's
LED illuminates orange
Note that when adjusting tempo and swing alternately, you may notice a
short delay before the knob adjustment takes effect. This is to allow you
to check the current Tempo and Swing values without altering them.
Swing can be used to add an extra “groove” to your pattern.
Note: it is the even steps that are “swung”
Click Track
The metronome can be activated or deactivated by holding Shift and
pressing Clear.
Clear will light bright green when Click is enabled and
dim red when it is not.
When enabled, you will hear a metronome tick at every quarter note on
all audio outputs whenever the sequencer is playing.
The metronome is a global setting, therefore Click will remain on or off
regardless of Pack or Project changes. The setting, however, is not saved
when Circuit Tracks is powered off.
To adjust the volume of the Click, press Tempo/Swing and
use Macro 5 (above the Clear/Click button)
The level setting is saved when the device is powered off using the power
button.
Analogue Sync Out
The analogue sync out allows you to synchronize external equipment to
Circuit Tracks with the rear panel Sync Out connector. This
provides a sync pulse at a rate proportional to the tempo clock (BPM)
The rate can be changed in setup view. The default rate is two pulses
per quarter note.
