Clavia DMI Pressrelease
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bengt Lilja
Int +46 8 643 34 80
Stockholm, Sweden 23/9-1997

Clavia, the company that introduced the first commercial "virtual analog synthesizer " two years ago unveils another revolutionary product based on the same innovative technology that brought The Nord Lead to the forefront of the keyboard market. The new synthesizer - Nord Modular takes synth programming and sound development several steps further.

AN ANECDOTE ABOUT PATCH SYNTHESIZERS: Remember old analog modular patch synthesizers when you would make up one patch after hours of tedious patching? When you created a sound to your taste, ooh it sounded so good, but you needed to totally rearrange your patch cords and knob settings to create new sounds. The process would have to start all over again and that great mono sound might never be heard again (unless you took the time to draw a comprehensive diagram of your settings and patches). To sample a patch is not the solution. Sampling is static and cannot reproduce random nuances.

The Virtual Modular concept: The Nord Modular is a polyphonic synthesizer where you create your synthesizer , from scratch, on a computer screen. The Patch is then played in a 19" rack-mountable hardware module. On the screen the user is able to make up Patches using "virtual cables" that he connects between the various modules (Oscillator, VCF,VCA.LFO's, Filters ,all of the classical synth building blocks you might expect). The modules are 100 % software and new modules will be added by Clavia as time goes by. The Nord Modular is 4-part multi-timbral and offers a minimum of 4 voices to 16 voices depending on Patch complexity.

Four Modular synthesizers in one.
On the computer screen the user can toggle between 4 separate Patches (synthesizers). These 4 Patches can be played simultaneously and assigned to 4 independent outputs.

Nord Modular expansion card.
An expansion card is available that doubles the capacity of the Nord Modular polyphony to a minimum 8 and a maximum of 32 voices.

REAL TIME EDITING: The Nord Modular can also be used without the editing software as a stand-alone rack synthesizer. You can carry it with you to the gig! Mounted onto the panel are several knobs and buttons that can be assigned to different parameters. As with the Nord lead, all editing parameters can be assigned to and controlled through MIDI.

INPUTS AND OUTPUTS: The audio output from each part is fully assignable to the 4 OUTPUTS. In the old days there were signal inputs to the modular systems. The Nord modular offers TWO ANALOG INPUTS assignable to each of the four parts. Put in the signal and patch it!

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION: The Nord Modular system is built around HARDWARE, a 19" rack module, and a PC SOFTWARE package). Editing options feature all of the classical synth building blocks you might expect. They are all available within the software editor where the user can build up his patches by first assembling the desired modules on the monitor screen and then drawing virtual cables to make the proper connections.

All Patches can be stored into the Nord Modular or onto the computer.

As time goes by new synth building blocks will be developed, by Clavia, for the Nord Modular.

Clavia Digital Musical Instruments AB is a leading manufacturer of professional digital drums and synthesizers. Users of their products include great musicians and bands such as Pure, Jean-Michel Jarre, Peter Gabriel, Yes, Nine inch nails, Jonathan Moffet, Jim Keltner, Kenny Aronoff, Joe Franco, Megadeth, ZZ Top, Huey Lewis and the News, Man-O-War, Pantera, Sepultura, Roxette, dr Alban, Ace of Base, Iron Maiden, UB 40, Soul II Soul, Janet Jackson, Inner Circle, Nitzer Ebb and many many more.