Awesome Novation

Novation's official editor is Components (a Web MIDI app that runs in Chrome or Edge) — you build custom pad layouts, colours and CC mappings there and send them to the device. If you'd rather script modes as text or automate them, the open-source ncc compiler is a libre alternative that builds custom-mode SysEx without the web editor. Either way the device stores the mode onboard, so it works standalone afterwards.

The Launchkey is class-compliant, so basic MIDI works anywhere, but the deep features (faders, pads, transport, mixer control) need a control-surface script for your specific DAW. Ableton Live supports it natively; for FL Studio, Studio One, Bitwig and MainStage there are community scripts (see the Launchkey section of this list). Also check power: bus-powered over a hub usually works, but a few hosts need the script installed and the device set to the right mode first.

The supported route is Novation Components, which imports samples and manages packs/patches over USB. Community tools go further: circuitsamples builds the SysEx used to upload samples, and noc-webmidi / patch tools read and write Circuit patch data directly. Circuit Tracks and Circuit Rhythm use a slightly different patch format than the original Circuit — CircuitPatchConverter and ctpatch handle converting and editing those.

Yes. The Bass Station II exposes its parameters over SysEx, so you can edit, back up and randomise patches from software even though it has no screen. BS2-Web is a browser-based editor (Web MIDI), and there's a Max for Live device too; both build on the reverse-engineered BS2-SysEx format.

The original Circuit is a self-contained groovebox: two polyphonic synth tracks plus four drum/sample tracks. Circuit Tracks expands that into a more performance-focused unit with more tracks (including dedicated MIDI tracks for sequencing external gear) and sample tracks. Circuit Rhythm is the sampler-first sibling — six sample tracks with slicing, choke groups and per-sample editing, aimed at beat-making and finger-drumming rather than synth lines.