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{{Infobox company
'''Clavia Digital Musical Instruments''' (Clavia DMI AB) is a [[Sweden|Swedish]] manufacturer of [[virtual analog synthesizer]]s, virtual [[electromechanical]] pianos and [[stage piano]]s, founded in [[Stockholm|Stockholm, Sweden]] in 1983 by [[Hans Nordelius]] and [[Mikael Carlsson]].
|name = Clavia DMI AB
|logo = <br />[[File:Clavia DMI AB logo.jpg|200px]]
|type = Private
|industry = [[Synthesizer]]s
|founder = Hans Nordelius and Mikael Carlsson
|foundation = [[Stockholm]], Sweden<br />({{Start date|1983}})
|homepage = {{URL|http://www.clavia.se/|clavia.se}}
}}


'''Clavia Digital Musical Instruments''' (Clavia DMI AB) is a [[Sweden|Swedish]] manufacturer of [[virtual analog synthesizer]]s, virtual [[electromechanical]] pianos and [[stage piano]]s, founded in [[Stockholm|Stockholm, Sweden]] in 1983 by Hans Nordelius and Mikael Carlsson.
<div style="float:right;">
[[Image:Clavia Nord Lead 3 knobs.jpg|thumb|center|205px|Nord Lead 3]]
</div><div style="float:right;">
[[Image:Nord Modular G2 modwheel.jpg|thumb|center|204px|Pitch stick & wheel <span style="font-size:90%;">(Nord Modular G2)</span>]]
</div>
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[File:NL2leftperspectivelarge.jpg|right|thumb|170px|Clavia's [[Nord Lead 2]] ([[1997]])]] -->


==The Company==
==Company history==
[[File:Clavia ddrum 1 promo.jpg|thumb|238px|The original ddrum kit and rack from 1985]]
<div style="clear:right;float:right;margin:0 0 -3.3ex 0;">
[[File:Nordlead.jpg|thumb|239px|The original Nord Lead, released in 1995]]
{{multiple image |align=right |direction=horizontal
|image1=Clavia ddrum4 SE.jpg |width1=152 |caption1=ddrum4 SE
|image2=Nord Modular.jpg |width2=164 |caption2=Nord Modular
}}</div><div style="clear:right;float:right;margin:0 0 -2.3ex 0;">
{{multiple image |align=right |direction=vertical |width=320
|image1=Clavia Nord Lead 2x.jpg |caption1=Nord Lead 2x
|image2=Nord Electro2 61keys.jpg |caption2=Nord Electro2
}}</div>


In 1983, Hans Nordelius and Mikael Carlsson began to work in the [[basement]] of a home located in the southern [[suburbs]] of [[Stockholm]], creating the world's first dedicated digital drum for the commercial market. The product these two individuals designed was later entitled, '[[Digital Percussion Plate 1]]'.
In 1983, Hans Nordelius and Mikael Carlsson began to work in the [[basement]] of a home located in the southern [[suburbs]] of [[Stockholm]], creating the world's first dedicated digital drum for the commercial market, called the 'Digital Percussion Plate 1'.<ref name="history">
{{cite web
| url=http://www.emulatorarchive.com/DrumMachines/Edrum/edrum.html
| title=A brief company history
| publisher=Clavia
| accessdate=2012-03-09}}
</ref> In 1994 an improved version that could play four sounds from an EPROM was released under the '[[ddrum]]' name with the now signature red coloring. The same year a drum system was released, where you had several sound modules in a rack, each with its own EPROM. The pads used to trigger the sounds where unusual for the time, since they used real drum heads, where other electronic drum kits of the time used rubber pads. This together with a separate separate trigger for the snare drums rim made for a more realistic playing experience.<ref name="ddrum_product_info">
{{Citation
| url=http://www.box.com/shared/fmp8eqhbitrff79zsls0
| title=Clavia ddrum product info
| publisher=Clavia
| accessdate=2010-03-09}}
</ref> The ddrum brand and products were in 2005 sold to their US distributor Armadillo who continues to manufacture drum products under the name.<ref name="discontinued">
{{cite web
| title = Nord Discontinued Products - Overview
| url = http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Products&clpm=Discontinued_Products
| publisher = Clavia DMI AB
| location = Stockholm
| accessdate = 2012-03-09
}}</ref>


In 1995, Clavia released the [[Nord Lead]]. Called "a magic piece of electronics" by [[Sound on Sound]]<ref name="soslead">
Post the introduction of their first invention, the Clavia team developed several more arguably groundbreaking digital percussion systems under the [[ddrum]] name. In 1995, Clavia released their first synthesizer known as the [[Clavia Nord Lead]]. From the utter success of the Clavia Nord Lead, Clavia later released several more Nord Lead virtual analog synthesizers which all included [[Music sequencer|sequencer]] versions entitled the [[Nord Rack]] x; the [[Nord Lead 2]], [[Nord Lead 2x]] and [[Nord Lead 3]] are all versions of the [[Nord Lead]]. Soon after the design of the [[Clavia Nord Lead]], Clavia then later released the [[Nord Modular]]; a software-based, modular synthesizer.
{{Cite news
| author = David Crombie
| year = 1995
| title = Clavia Nord (second opinion)
| url = http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/may95/clavianordlead.html
| magazine = Sound On Sound
| issue = May 1995
| quote = Apart from these minor quibbles, this is a magic piece of electronics, a synthesizer of pure genius.
}}</ref> it popularized the [[virtual analog]] type of synthesis. In 1997 the Nord Lead 2 was released, with many improvements, including increasing polyphony from 4 to 16 notes.<ref name="soslead2">
{{Cite news
| author = Paul Nagle
| year = 1997
| title = Clavia Nord Lead 2
| url = http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/sep97/clavianordlead2.html
| magazine = Sound On Sound
| issue = September 1997
}}</ref> The Nord Lead 3 was released in 2001, with a reworked sound engine, better D/A converters and polyphonic aftertouch. It's most striking aspect of the Nord Lead 3 was that all the sound editing knobs had been replaced with infinite rotary knobs, where the value of the parameter was indicated by a [[LED]] 'collar' around the knob.<ref name="soslead3">
{{Cite news
| author = Simon Trask
| year = 2001
| title = Clavia Nord Lead 3
| url = http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul01/articles/nordlead3.asp
| magazine = Sound On Sound
| issue = July 2001
}}</ref> The rotary knobs, LED collars and keyboard with aftertouch made the Nord Lead 3 an "absolute delight"<ref name="soslead2x">
{{Cite news
| author = Paul Nagle
| year = 2002
| title = Clavia Nord Lead 2x
| url = http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan04/articles/clavianordlead2x.htm
| magazine = Sound On Sound
| issue = January 2004
}}</ref> but because of it's higher price, the Nord Lead 3 remained in demand. But because some of the parts were getting harder to source, Clavia released an updated version of the Nord Lead 2, called the Nord Lead 2x, with faster processors, better D/A converters and an upgraded polyphony to 20 voices.<ref name="soslead2x"/> The Nord Lead 3 was discontinued in 2007, but the Nord Lead 2x remains in production.<ref name="discontinued"/>


In 1997 Clavia released the [[Nord Modular]], a virtual analog [[modular synthesizer]].<ref name="discontinued"/> Called a "landmark in synthesis"<ref name="sosmodular">
The next line of instruments were designed to emulate the classical [[electromechanical]] keyboards like [[Hammond organ]], [[electric piano]] and [[Hohner]] [[Clavinet]]. First released was [[Nord Electro]], then [[Nord Electro 2]] and later [[Clavia Nord Stage|Nord Stage]], where the main difference is that the Electros have an organ inspired keyboard while the Stage have weighted piano-like keyboards. They come in a few different models each from 61 to 88 keys. Later on the Nord Stage was upgraded to Nord Stage EX. Clavia also released a new version of the Electro, called Nord Electro 3.
{{Cite news
| author = Paul Nagle
| year = 1998
| title = Clavia Nord Modular Virtual Analogue Modular Synthesizer, Part 1
| url = http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr98/articles/nord_modular.html
| magazine = Sound On Sound
| issue = April 1998
}}</ref> it allowed you to essentially build your own virtual analog synthesizer. It too was later upgraded with the 2004 release of the Nord Modular G2, that gave it the same endless rotary knobs as the Nord Lead 3 and a larger keyboard with aftertouch.<ref name="sosmodularg2">
{{Cite news
| author = Paul Nagle
| year = 2004
| title = Clavia Nord Modular G2
| url = http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul04/articles/nord.htm
| magazine = Sound On Sound
| issue = July 2004
}}</ref>


In 2007 Clavia released Nord C1. It is a doublemanual [[Organ (music)|organ]], which emulates [[Hammond organ|Hammond]], [[Farfisa]] and [[Vox (musical equipment)|VOX]] organs. The latest release by Clavia is the [[Nord Wave]] (October 2007). It is the next keyboard in the [[Nord Lead]] series.
In 2001 the [[Nord Electro]] was released. It was designed to emulate the classical [[electromechanical]] keyboards like [[Hammond organ]], [[electric piano]] and [[Hohner]] [[Clavinet]]. The pianos are [[Sampling (music)|samples]] but the organs are modeled using a "digital simulation".<ref name="claviaelectro3">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Products&clpm=Nord_Electro_3&clnem=Information
| title = Nord Electro 3 - Information
| publisher = Clavia
}}</ref> Clavias current models here are the Electro 3, emulating a [[Hammond B3]], a [[Farfisa]] and a [[Vox (musical equipment)#Organs|Vox organ]] and containing samples of a [[Rhodes piano|Rhodes Stage 73]], a [[Wurlitzer electric piano]], a [[Hohner]] [[Clavinet]] and an acoustic grand piano;<ref name="claviaelectro3"/> the [[Nord Piano|Nord Piano 2]] containing the piano section from the Nord Electro 3 with an 88 key hammer action keyboard;<ref name="claviapiano">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Products&clpm=Nord_Piano_2
| title = Nord Piano 2 - Information
| publisher = Clavia
}}</ref> the [[Nord C Series|Nord C2]] Organ, a dual manual instrument containing the organ section from the Nord Electro 3 as well as an emulation of a baroque pipe organ;<ref name="claviac2">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Products&clpm=Nord_C2_Organ
| title = Nord C2 Organ - Information
| publisher = Clavia
}}</ref> and the [[Nord Stage|Nord Stage 2]] which takes the organ and pianos from the Nord Electro and adds a virtual analog synthesizer.<ref name="claviastage2">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Products&clpm=Nord_Stage_2
| title = Nord Stage 2 - Information
| publisher = Clavia
}}</ref>


In October 2007 Clavia released the [[Nord Wave]], which adds sample-player functionality to the virtual analog engine of the Nord Lead series<ref name="claviawave">
Presently, Clavia is a Swedish company consisting of twenty employees; all manufacturing five general product lines. Some of the earlier Clavia products are now discontinued (e.g. Nord Lead, Nord Lead 2, ddrum), although directly replaced by newer and improved designs like the [[Nord Modular G2]] and the [[Nord Wave]].
{{cite web
| url = http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Products&clpm=Nord_Wave
| title = Nord Wave - Information
| publisher = Clavia
}}</ref> and in March 2012 Clavia released the [[Nord Drum]], a virtual analog drum synthesizer.<ref name="claviadrum">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Products&clpm=Nord_Drum
| title = Nord Drum - Information
| publisher = Clavia
}}</ref>


==Products==
==Company Departments==
{{multiple image |align=right |direction=vertical |width=320
===R&D Department===
|image1=Clavia Nord Lead 2x.jpg |caption1=Nord Lead 2x
This department consists of a hardware concept designer and five programmers.
}}


*[[Nord Lead|Nord Lead 2X]] - Virtual analog synthesizer
===Marketing, Sales & Support===
*[[Nord Lead|Nord Rack 2X]] - Virtual analog MIDI module
Three people work with the marketing, sales and support group at Clavia. Two of these individuals are purchasers and one is a financial controller.
*[[Nord Electro|Nord Electro 3]] - Virtual [[electromechanical]] keyboard instrument
*[[Nord Piano|Nord Piano 2]] - Stage piano
*[[Nord Stage|Nord Stage 2]] - Stage keyboard
*[[Nord C Series|Nord C2]] - Dual Manual Virtual Combo Organ
*[[Nord C Series|Nord Pedal Keys 27]] - MIDI organ pedalboard
*[[Nord Wave]] - Performance Synthesizer
*[[Nord Drum]] - Virtual analog drum synthesizer


== Discontinued products ==
==Products==
Discontinued products list:<ref name="discontinued"/>
{{multiple image |align=right |direction=vertical |width=160
{{multiple image |align=right |direction=horizontal
|image1=Clavia Nord Rack 2x.png |caption1=Nord Rack 2x
|image1=Clavia ddrum4 SE.jpg |width1=152 |caption1=ddrum4 SE
|image2=Nord Stage played (closeup).jpg |caption2=Nord Stage 88
|image2=Nord Modular.jpg |width2=164 |caption2=Nord Modular
}}
{{multiple image |align=right | width=320 |direction=vertical
|image1=Nord Modular G2.jpg |caption1=Nord Modular G2
|image2=Nord Electro2 61keys.jpg |caption2=Nord Electro2
}}
}}


*[[Ddrum]] series by Clavia - sold in 2005<ref name="discontinued"/>
*[[Clavia Nord Lead 2X]] - Virtual analog synthesizer
*[[Clavia Nord Rack 2x]] - Virtual analog MIDI module
*[[Nord Piano]] - Stage piano
*[[Nord C Series|Nord C1]] - Dual Manual Virtual Combo Organ
*[[Clavia Nord Electro 3]] - Virtual [[electromechanical]] keyboard instrument
*[[Nord Electro]] - Virtual [[electromechanical]] keyboard instrument
*[[Clavia Nord Piano]] - Stage piano
*[[Clavia Nord Stage 2]] - Stage keyboard
*[[Nord Electro|Nord Electro Rack]] - Virtual electromechanical MIDI module
*[[Clavia Nord C2]] - Dual Manual Virtual Combo Organ
*[[Nord Electro|Nord Electro 2]] - Virtual electromechanical keyboard instrument
*[[Clavia Nord Pedal Keys 27]] - MIDI organ pedalboard
*[[Nord Electro|Nord Electro Rack 2]] - Virtual electromechanical MIDI module
*[[Clavia Nord Wave]] - Performance Synthesizer
*[[Nord Lead]] (1995) - Virtual analog synthesizer
*[[Nord Lead|Nord Lead 2]] (1997) - Virtual analog synthesizer
*[[Nord Lead|Nord Lead 3]] - Virtual analog synthesizer
*[[Nord Lead|Nord Rack]] - Virtual analog MIDI module
*[[Nord Lead|Nord Rack 2]] - Virtual analog MIDI module
*[[Nord Lead|Nord Rack 3]] - Virtual analog MIDI module
*[[Nord Stage]] - Stage keyboard
*[[Nord Stage|Nord Stage EX]] - Stage keyboard
*[[Nord Modular]] - Software-based semi-modular synthesizer
*[[Nord Modular|Nord Modular G2]] - Software-based semi-modular synthesizer
*[[Nord Modular|Nord Modular G2x]] - Software-based semi-modular synthesizer
*[[Nord Modular|Nord Micro Modular]] - Software-based semi-modular synthesizer


<gallery widths="140" heights="105">
==Discontinued Products==
File:Nord Modular G2 modwheel.jpg |Pitch stick & wheel <br/><span style="font-size:90%;">(Nord Modular G2)</span>
<div style="clear:right;float:right;margin:0 0 -3.3ex 0;">
File:Clavia Nord Lead 3 knobs.jpg |Nord Lead 3
{{multiple image |align=right |direction=vertical |width=160
|image1=Clavia Nord Rack (blur).png |caption1=Nord Rack
File:Nord Modular Rack&G2 Engine.png|Nord Modular Rack & G2 Engine
File:Nord Stage played (closeup).jpg|Nord Stage 88
|image2=Nord Modular Rack&G2 Engine.png |caption2=Nord Modular Rack & G2 Engine
</gallery>
<!-- |image3=Nord Modular G2 (lowres).jpg |caption3=Nord Modular G2 -->
<!-- |image4=Nord Micro Modular.jpg |caption4=Nord Micro Modular -->
}}</div><div style="clear:right;float:right;margin:0 0 -2.3ex 0;">
[[Image:Nord Modular G2.jpg|thumb|230px|Nord Modular G2]]</div>


==References==
*[[Clavia Nord C1]] - Dual Manual Virtual Combo Organ
{{reflist}}
*[[Clavia Nord Electro]] - Virtual [[electromechanical]] keyboard instrument
*[[Clavia Nord Electro Rack]] - Virtual [[electromechanical]] MIDI module
*[[Clavia Nord Electro 2]] - Virtual [[electromechanical]] keyboard instrument
*[[Clavia Nord Electro Rack 2]] - Virtual [[electromechanical]] MIDI module
*[[Clavia Ddrum4]] - Electronic Drums
*[[Clavia Nord Lead]] (1995) - Virtual analog synthesizer
*[[Clavia Nord Lead 2]] (1997) - Virtual analog synthesizer
*[[Clavia Nord Lead 3]] - Virtual analog synthesizer
*[[Clavia Nord Rack]] - Virtual analog MIDI module
*[[Clavia Nord Rack 2]] - Virtual analog MIDI module
*[[Clavia Nord Rack 3]] - Virtual analog MIDI module
*[[Clavia Nord Stage]] - Stage keyboard
*[[Clavia Nord Stage EX]] - Stage keyboard
*[[Clavia Nord Modular]] - Software-based semi-modular synthesizer
*[[Clavia Nord Modular G2]] - Software-based semi-modular synthesizer
*[[Clavia Nord Modular G2x]] - Software-based semi-modular synthesizer
*[[Clavia Nord Micro Modular]] - Software-based semi-modular synthesizer


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 13:06, 14 March 2012

Clavia DMI AB
Company typePrivate
IndustrySynthesizers
FoundedStockholm, Sweden
(1983 (1983))
FounderHans Nordelius and Mikael Carlsson
Websiteclavia.se

Clavia Digital Musical Instruments (Clavia DMI AB) is a Swedish manufacturer of virtual analog synthesizers, virtual electromechanical pianos and stage pianos, founded in Stockholm, Sweden in 1983 by Hans Nordelius and Mikael Carlsson.

Company history

File:Clavia ddrum 1 promo.jpg
The original ddrum kit and rack from 1985
File:Nordlead.jpg
The original Nord Lead, released in 1995

In 1983, Hans Nordelius and Mikael Carlsson began to work in the basement of a home located in the southern suburbs of Stockholm, creating the world's first dedicated digital drum for the commercial market, called the 'Digital Percussion Plate 1'.[1] In 1994 an improved version that could play four sounds from an EPROM was released under the 'ddrum' name with the now signature red coloring. The same year a drum system was released, where you had several sound modules in a rack, each with its own EPROM. The pads used to trigger the sounds where unusual for the time, since they used real drum heads, where other electronic drum kits of the time used rubber pads. This together with a separate separate trigger for the snare drums rim made for a more realistic playing experience.[2] The ddrum brand and products were in 2005 sold to their US distributor Armadillo who continues to manufacture drum products under the name.[3]

In 1995, Clavia released the Nord Lead. Called "a magic piece of electronics" by Sound on Sound[4] it popularized the virtual analog type of synthesis. In 1997 the Nord Lead 2 was released, with many improvements, including increasing polyphony from 4 to 16 notes.[5] The Nord Lead 3 was released in 2001, with a reworked sound engine, better D/A converters and polyphonic aftertouch. It's most striking aspect of the Nord Lead 3 was that all the sound editing knobs had been replaced with infinite rotary knobs, where the value of the parameter was indicated by a LED 'collar' around the knob.[6] The rotary knobs, LED collars and keyboard with aftertouch made the Nord Lead 3 an "absolute delight"[7] but because of it's higher price, the Nord Lead 3 remained in demand. But because some of the parts were getting harder to source, Clavia released an updated version of the Nord Lead 2, called the Nord Lead 2x, with faster processors, better D/A converters and an upgraded polyphony to 20 voices.[7] The Nord Lead 3 was discontinued in 2007, but the Nord Lead 2x remains in production.[3]

In 1997 Clavia released the Nord Modular, a virtual analog modular synthesizer.[3] Called a "landmark in synthesis"[8] it allowed you to essentially build your own virtual analog synthesizer. It too was later upgraded with the 2004 release of the Nord Modular G2, that gave it the same endless rotary knobs as the Nord Lead 3 and a larger keyboard with aftertouch.[9]

In 2001 the Nord Electro was released. It was designed to emulate the classical electromechanical keyboards like Hammond organ, electric piano and Hohner Clavinet. The pianos are samples but the organs are modeled using a "digital simulation".[10] Clavias current models here are the Electro 3, emulating a Hammond B3, a Farfisa and a Vox organ and containing samples of a Rhodes Stage 73, a Wurlitzer electric piano, a Hohner Clavinet and an acoustic grand piano;[10] the Nord Piano 2 containing the piano section from the Nord Electro 3 with an 88 key hammer action keyboard;[11] the Nord C2 Organ, a dual manual instrument containing the organ section from the Nord Electro 3 as well as an emulation of a baroque pipe organ;[12] and the Nord Stage 2 which takes the organ and pianos from the Nord Electro and adds a virtual analog synthesizer.[13]

In October 2007 Clavia released the Nord Wave, which adds sample-player functionality to the virtual analog engine of the Nord Lead series[14] and in March 2012 Clavia released the Nord Drum, a virtual analog drum synthesizer.[15]

Products

Nord Lead 2x

Discontinued products

Discontinued products list:[3]

ddrum4 SE
Nord Modular
Nord Modular G2
Nord Electro2
  • Pitch stick & wheel (Nord Modular G2)
    Pitch stick & wheel
    (Nord Modular G2)
  • Nord Lead 3
    Nord Lead 3
  • Nord Modular Rack & G2 Engine
    Nord Modular Rack & G2 Engine
  • Nord Stage 88
    Nord Stage 88

References

  1. ^ "A brief company history". Clavia. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
  2. ^ Clavia ddrum product info, Clavia, retrieved 2010-03-09
  3. ^ a b c d e "Nord Discontinued Products - Overview". Stockholm: Clavia DMI AB. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
  4. ^ David Crombie (1995). "Clavia Nord (second opinion)". Sound On Sound. No. May 1995. Apart from these minor quibbles, this is a magic piece of electronics, a synthesizer of pure genius.
  5. ^ Paul Nagle (1997). "Clavia Nord Lead 2". Sound On Sound. No. September 1997.
  6. ^ Simon Trask (2001). "Clavia Nord Lead 3". Sound On Sound. No. July 2001.
  7. ^ a b Paul Nagle (2002). "Clavia Nord Lead 2x". Sound On Sound. No. January 2004.
  8. ^ Paul Nagle (1998). "Clavia Nord Modular Virtual Analogue Modular Synthesizer, Part 1". Sound On Sound. No. April 1998.
  9. ^ Paul Nagle (2004). "Clavia Nord Modular G2". Sound On Sound. No. July 2004.
  10. ^ a b "Nord Electro 3 - Information". Clavia.
  11. ^ "Nord Piano 2 - Information". Clavia.
  12. ^ "Nord C2 Organ - Information". Clavia.
  13. ^ "Nord Stage 2 - Information". Clavia.
  14. ^ "Nord Wave - Information". Clavia.
  15. ^ "Nord Drum - Information". Clavia.
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