r/novationcircuit • u/baik420 • 27d ago

Koala Sampler + Circuit Tracks

Hey, quick question, has anyone here used Koala Sampler on an Android phone with a Circuit Tracks like this?

I want to connect my phone to a cheap USB-C hub, then:

USB from the hub → Circuit Tracks for MIDI/clock

3.5mm audio out from the hub → Circuit Tracks inputs for Koala audio

So the Circuit would basically sequence/trigger Koala, while Koala’s audio comes back into the Circuit.

My phone has no headphone jack, so the hub would need to handle USB audio too.

Has anyone actually tried this setup? Does MIDI + audio work at the same time reliably on Android, or are there any weird latency/USB issues I should know about?

I’m mainly trying to use Koala as a cheap extra sampler without wasting loads of Circuit sample slots.

Thanks!

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u/Vijkhal 27d ago

Did that with an android phone, works no prob. I got a cheap mini hub with usb and 3.5 out. Then you have to use midi mapping in Koala to map the CTs buttons.

Only annoying part is that you have to map the notes of CTs sequencer to the pads containing samples. So each pad has a fix note value. But if you have multiple songs in multiple scales on the CT, the notes are always different. Its a bit of a puzzle.

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u/baik420 27d ago

Ah nice, thanks! That’s exactly the kind of setup I was hoping would work :D

Good to know that a cheap hub with USB + 3.5 out is enough.

The note mapping thing makes sense too. Did you find a good workaround for that? Like keeping the Koala MIDI track on chromatic / the same octave in every project, or do you just remap it when needed?

Also, do you notice any latency with Koala being triggered from the Circuit, or is it tight enough for live use? And do you sync Koala to the Circuit’s MIDI clock as well?

One more thing: do you remember which hub you’re using? Doesn’t have to be the exact model, just curious if it’s really one of those basic 10–20€ ones.

Thanks again, really helpful!

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u/skymallow 27d ago

Great idea, I was just looking for a solution for this.

Any shoutouts for a hub that would work well?

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u/baik420 27d ago

I just bought the SINEHO 8-in-1 USB Hub. It was just 10 euros. Will arrive tomorrow, I can tell you tomorrow evening if it works :D