CHARCOT CIRCLES - anyone have one yet?

chysn · Post by **chysn** » Tue Nov 29, 2016 6:41 pm

Probably not really modifiable unless you're an electronics guru. I mean, it looks like a great sequencer. The ADC feature is a killer app, as far as I'm concerned. And you can always buy a µStep or S-180 to pick up the slack. But me, I've got a small system, so that one attribute took it out of the running.

jordanb · Post by **jordanb** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 1:30 pm

So is the breakout box out yet? Or currently just a mythical feature?

Bigsteak · Post by **Bigsteak** » Mon Dec 19, 2016 11:44 am

jordanb wrote:So is the breakout box out yet? Or currently just a mythical feature?

Seriously, at 300, with 4 channels, this thing is ticking a lot of boxes, but only if the breakout box is released. Would be super interested in trying this and just returning it if I don't vibe with it. It looks really cool too.

jordanb · Post by **jordanb** » Tue Feb 21, 2017 6:54 pm

Still waiting?

BillyB909 · Post by **BillyB909** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 6:36 am

They showed the breakout box again on their NAMM video, but no sign elsewhere.

rockphustar · Post by **rockphustar** » Wed Mar 01, 2017 10:14 pm

Truly one of the most complicated sequencers imaginable, but still fun. If eowave is still listening, here's another breakout box user in waiting. Also, put ratcheting on it! And a better manual. And I still don't know how to use the legato. Allow randomization per track. Also, somehow turn it into a better version of that buchla circle with the LED's. I have a degree in computer programming. I can help.

eowave_paris · Post by **eowave_paris** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 5:12 am

rockphustar wrote:Truly one of the most complicated sequencers imaginable, but still fun. If eowave is still listening, here's another breakout box user in waiting. Also, put ratcheting on it! And a better manual. And I still don't know how to use the legato. Allow randomization per track. Also, somehow turn it into a better version of that buchla circle with the LED's. I have a degree in computer programming. I can help.

We are listening! I believe Studio Electronics are manufacturing the breakout box now or at least imminently - it definitely adds another dimension to the Charcot. Agreed, the manual needs some work

BillyB909 · Post by **BillyB909** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 5:49 am

Woo-hoo- this is great news. Have reserved space for it!

rockphustar · Post by **rockphustar** » Tue Mar 07, 2017 3:37 am

We are listening! I believe Studio Electronics are manufacturing the breakout box now or at least imminently - it definitely adds another dimension to the Charcot. Agreed, the manual needs some work[/quote]

It could really use a video manual, honestly. From an expert. Because I know it's powerful, but haven't been able to remember everything at once. And I'm completely oblivious to the glide and legato controls in the global menu. They make no sense to me.

The breakout box I'm looking forward to (so I can stop using my 5 oscillators as lfo's

). If it were possible to turn the repeats into ratcheting I'd be a fan (ratcheting is a thing of beauty, wherever and whatever it came from).

Derp · Post by **Derp** » Tue May 16, 2017 2:46 pm

Any news on the Breakout box yet?

BillyB909 · Post by **BillyB909** » Tue May 16, 2017 3:03 pm

I'm waiting on this as well.

Bigsteak · Post by **Bigsteak** » Wed May 17, 2017 12:26 pm

Synth DLC. Great.

Tverse · Post by **Tverse** » Thu May 18, 2017 2:07 pm

Another vote on adding ratcheting, if possible!

WaveRider · Post by **WaveRider** » Thu May 18, 2017 7:39 pm

..a good demo would help

Parnelli · Post by **Parnelli** » Sun May 21, 2017 1:45 pm

Sure would! I purchased a CC recently and the learning curve is well, steep to say the least. Ok, it's rather like running face first into a cliff at full speed. I wish there was more tutorials out there on this, I feel the company sort of dropped the ball when it comes to really explaining how to wring out this sequencer!

I've watched enough vids to pick up that you have to use combinations of touch pads to navigate the menu, I get that, but which combinations? No where can I find anything on this. The quick start guide does give some rather vague indications of this, like naming sub functions of main buttons, which I am finding you have to push in unison with the sub function you wish to use. Sometimes.

Very frustrating, but I'm sticking with it because I like what the machine is capable of, I just wish I could make it do those things!

Oh, and I thought that it didn't work at all when I first hooked it up; none of the touch pads would work. Unfortunately I live in a high mountain desert where the humidity hangs about 12%, so I have to moisten my fingers every time I want to change what little I actually do know how to change; rather annoying!

Parnelli · Post by **Parnelli** » Sun May 21, 2017 1:49 pm

jordanb wrote:So is the breakout box out yet? Or currently just a mythical feature?

I've actually seen a photo of one on the web, but I've searched for one for sale and I cannot find anything on it other than promotional propaganda.

BillyB909 · Post by **BillyB909** » Sun May 21, 2017 3:49 pm

It does do a lot for the price - and will do even more should the breakout box materialise (its in the NAMM 16 and 17 videos from SE.

For example, it's got a decent amount of memory for patterns; it's got a spare
CV out for velocity which is like another row of CV; the touch pads mean you can, give or take - drop notes in and out live, and add/remove patterns live.

This is why I've hung on to mine. But the UI is difficult, results seem inconsistent sometimes; and there seems to be no way to copy a pattern. You can only save at a preset level; so if you have a preset of 8 patterns with a bit of variation, you have to redo that pattern 8 times. Unless I've missed something...

Parnelli · Post by **Parnelli** » Fri Jun 23, 2017 4:25 pm

Ok, so I finally got a morning to sit down and wring this thing out; seems all I really needed was some time to figure things out, and expense I could have been spared by a descent manual, but oh well.

My first problem was that I could not really get the unit to do anything; I thought it was broken upon arrival. I soon found though as I live in a desert my skin is too dry to reliably operate the touch pads, a little moisture works wonders.

My second problem was that I had no idea of the proper combinations of button pushes to get the desired result, like trying to get into Key mode to tune the notes. I found that I have to hold the shift, note, and key buttons at the same time. Then you touch the note you want to set and crank the encoder to reach the pitch.

I found that by holding shift and turning the encoder I could adjust the tempo of the pattern.

I found that once I got into Global settings I couldn't get out; I kept pushing buttons until I finally locked up the clock I think, had to turn it off and restart it. One step at a time I guess!

I'm much happier with it today than I was yesterday for sure! I was able to program some patterns and use the outputs to run an oscillator and the Game System as a drum sequencer. I worked out a simple song or two with drums, bass, and some droning background noises.

Still have a lot to learn though.

wingcommander · Post by **wingcommander** » Wed Sep 13, 2017 10:57 am

It’s been a couple of months since the last post and I was wondering if there are any new thoughts on this? Such a cool looking module. I keep looking at it and almost press the button, but so little feedback or info on the blighter.

BillyB909 · Post by **BillyB909** » Thu Sep 14, 2017 3:32 am

The last note I had from SE was that the breakout box project had been discontinued. And unfortunately I haven't had a chance yet to explain my disappointment with this.

The sequencer on its own has a lot of features for the money, but is hard to understand and could do with much better documentation.

wingcommander · Post by **wingcommander** » Thu Sep 14, 2017 5:22 am

That's a shame. It seems they might have lost interest in the thing.

Derp · Post by **Derp** » Mon Dec 11, 2017 2:46 pm

Just bought a Charcot Circles. It's not the easiest sequencer, but I'm hoping after a thorough reading of the manual, it gets easier. So is it official that the BBox expansion is off the table?

The Badger · Post by **The Badger** » Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:31 pm

Parnelli wrote:Ok, so I finally got a morning to sit down and wring this thing out; seems all I really needed was some time to figure things out, and expense I could have been spared by a descent manual, but oh well.

I found that by holding shift and turning the encoder I could adjust the tempo of the pattern.

Thank you for this wonderful little bit of insight! I bought a Charcot on ebay and was also wondering if I'd simply been had. It's the strangest of things and the documentation is simply awful. I've been trying to find a way of controllng the internal clock all evening and getting nowhere until I seached here. Thank you for doing what the manufacturer's manual couldn't manage and giving me that little gem!

Some things on the Charcot are simply awkward, others simply don't seem to work reliably (notably the Length control which seems very reluctant to consistently affect the note length) Maybe I'm doing something wrong - it's quite likely given the lack of any really decent instructions or videos.

The Breakout Box (still advertised on the website!) was part of the reason I picked is up so I'm dissapointed and just a little pissed off to find that they may have simply got bored, wandered off and forgotten to either develop it or remove the promise of it from the web site.

There are eight of a possible sixteen scales built in but I can't find any reference to what scales are supplied and I guess the inference that firmware would add more scales is not something that's likely to happen.

I'm frustrated because I really want to like this interesting and strange little sequencer but I had hoped it would be strange in a good and creative way. At the moment it feels much more strange in an annoying and irritating way.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll start to get somewhere with it but at the moment my opinion of Studio Electronics isn't high. If anyone on here can give me any advice about how to get something useful out of the Charcot and persuade me to like it as much as I want to I'd be very grateful. At the moment I do feel as if I'm just going around in circles!!

Derp · Post by **Derp** » Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:42 pm

The Badger wrote:
Parnelli wrote:Ok, so I finally got a morning to sit down and wring this thing out; seems all I really needed was some time to figure things out, and expense I could have been spared by a descent manual, but oh well.

I found that by holding shift and turning the encoder I could adjust the tempo of the pattern.
Thank you for this wonderful little bit of insight! I bought a Charcot on ebay and was also wondering if I'd simply been had. It's the strangest of things and the documentation is simply awful. I've been trying to find a way of controllng the internal clock all evening and getting nowhere until I seached here. Thank you for doing what the manufacturer's manual couldn't manage and giving me that little gem!

Some things on the Charcot are simply awkward, others simply don't seem to work reliably (notably the Length control which seems very reluctant to consistently affect the note length) Maybe I'm doing something wrong - it's quite likely given the lack of any really decent instructions or videos.

The Breakout Box (still advertised on the website!) was part of the reason I picked is up so I'm dissapointed and just a little pissed off to find that they may have simply got bored, wandered off and forgotten to either develop it or remove the promise of it from the web site.

There are eight of a possible sixteen scales built in but I can't find any reference to what scales are supplied and I guess the inference that firmware would add more scales is not something that's likely to happen.

I'm frustrated because I really want to like this interesting and strange little sequencer but I had hoped it would be strange in a good and creative way. At the moment it feels much more strange in an annoying and irritating way.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll start to get somewhere with it but at the moment my opinion of Studio Electronics isn't high. If anyone on here can give me any advice about how to get something useful out of the Charcot and persuade me to like it as much as I want to I'd be very grateful. At the moment I do feel as if I'm just going around in circles!!

In fairness, I think Charcot Circles was more of Eowave's doing than Studio Electronics. Support for the Pittsburgh-collaborated modules has been stellar on SE's end (and he even fixed a module for me for free in spite of the fact that I'm the one that fucked it up.) But yeah, in general I'm not impressed with Charcot. It's cryptic as hell, the organization of functions seems really weird (like shift-functions to do things that look like they'd be basic) and even though my part of Texas isn't that dry, I'm constantly having to lick my fingers to get the thing to cooperate. I've resigned the Charcot to being a random CV/Trigger device. It's a cool module in concept, but in execution, not so much. Still wouldn't mind the breakout box anyway just because then I'd have eight random CV/Gate generators in one.

The Badger · Post by **The Badger** » Wed Jan 10, 2018 6:46 pm

Thanks Derp - I guess collaborating isn't easy and maybe it's the collaborative side of thigs which has let Charcot down. A shame as it seems to have so much potential. I'll persevere and, as you've done, work out what it does well and use it for that. If I could just get the length settings to stick that would be a good start. At the moment they just seem to fall off the note.
Part of my frustration is the lack of documentation. How long does it take to make an instructive YouTube video or pdf?
Getting the tempo sorted is a start. I'll try to get to grips with the scales tomorrow and take it from there. If I discover anything useful and don't throw it out of the window I'll take an hour to knock up a YouTube video to try to share what I've discovered!
Cheers
Ian

MOD WIGGLER

MOD WIGGLER

CHARCOT CIRCLES - anyone have one yet?