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Clavia Micro Modular
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Clavia Micro Modular
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Published on 10/30/02 at 03:12
Here is the little brother of the Nord Modular. In this small box you will find:
1 volume knob
3 assignable knobs
Display a &#39;patch number, etc.)
Three navigation buttons (Shift, in, in December)
2 mono inputs
2 mono outputs
1 headphone
1 MIDI in / out for controlling MIDI Classic
1 MIDI in / out for dialogue with the editor.
A power connector (external transformer)

Remember the basic principle of the series of Modular: to have a modular synth as in the days of analog modular monsters, with the advantages (scalability, power) without the drawbacks (stability, storage, etc.)

For this, a Modular has built-in DSP (1 for the Micro, 4 for the Modular) that will be loads of calculations in real time.
To program the device, it has a graphical interface Mac / PC which will interact with the machine via a MIDI port DEDICATED. not about to use the same port that sends messages of notes!
This creates its patches on the screen by selecting modules from more than one hundred (oscillators, filters, effects, etc.) and linking them by cables virtual.
In addition, each parameter of each module is assigned to a controller on the Modular and / or traditional MIDI controller, and controllers are available morphing (simultaneous action on several parameters in different ranges of values)
Once a patch created, it can be saved on the machine and / or on the computer (you can save hundreds of patches in memory in the Micro Modular), and you can disconnect the Modular, and go play elsewhere.

The maximum polyphony is directly dependent on the complexity of the patch (if your patch is 10% of the capacity of the DSP, you can get 10-note polyphony, etc.. Beyond 50%, you are limited to a single note polyphony)
The craft is the coup monotimbral in the classical sense (1 = 1 DSP patch load)

Treatments are performed in-house bits/96kHz 24, the input converter operating in 16 bits/48kHz and output in 18bits/96Khz

The OS of the machine is updated very easily with the free version available on the website of Clavia, using the MIDI connection dedicated to the editor (each corresponding new OS has a new editor)

All in a very sturdy metal case, with a workmanship that commands respect ...

UTILIZATION

It&#39;s be clear: if you not have some basic understanding of the synthesis, you will not make a sound out of the machine.
If you have some knowledge and if you like the sound design, then you will enjoy!
The editor PC / Mac is very easy to use and configure. Once the dialogue established with the modular, you start with a blank or existing patch, you select your modules by drag / drop, and you connect with a few clicks! The standard Windows keyboard shortcuts work, you can open a patch, copy / n colleru module group in another, etc ... It is as simple to define the MIDI controllers that will manage your settings and edit controllers morphing (4). It is important to note that a parameter is bound to a MIDI controller, it is in the receive and transmit any message received by the controller of Modular updates the parameter and any updating of the parameter causes the emission of the message controller. We can thus use the bench as Modular Controller.
The editor has inteliggents simple tools, such as a keyboard (no need to drive the MIDI synth while editing, you can try a few notes quietly), sounds a browser (on the PC / Mac and the bank of synths), a display utility assignments controllers, etc.
If you do not see anything or get lost in your patch, be aware that each module can be renamed, the cables can be hidden, and the color chosen based on their role (and there are cables that carry an audio signal cables vehicualnt control signals or triggers, etc.).
In short, everything is designed to simplify your life and focus on your sound creation!

The manual is more than enough, it is very complete! Each module is accurately described, after parameter settings and usage examples are given!

SOUNDS

What can I say, this type of gear is so special ...
With all modules, we can address the synthe subtractive, additive, FM, physical modeling, and even wavetable synthesis or granular! Nothing prevents you want to even mix these types of synthesis!
The audio inputs can be used directly, in real time, and the input signal can be retired, is ideal for DJs!

So that difficult to talk about sound .. All we can say is the sound "in general" the modular is clear, precise, ultra dynamic ....

Otherwise, there is limited only by your imagination and the computing power of the machine!

The modules presented are divided into several groups
0) between outputs (MIDI, audio, detection of notes, etc.)
1) oscillators (all waveforms of subtractive synthesizers, banks sinus for additive synthesis, formant oscillators for drums)
2) LFO (various forms, clocks, random generation)
3) filters (static dynamqiues has adjustable slope or not, analog emulation, a vocoder - bands)
4) envelopes (ADSR, AR, crossovers, etc.)
5) mixers (n entries, switch, faders, multiplexers, faders)
6) sequencers (notes, events)
7) controllers (portamento, constants, mixers, etc.)
8) logic (slogiques is, comparators)
9) audio (phaser, chorus, delay, distortion, overdrive, wrapper, etc.)
What you suggests the power of the machine! Not only found all the modules of a conventional analog modular synth, but digital has added several modules unpublished, such as sequencers, sound modules, etc!
You can create a "piece" complete with rhythm, bass, etc. in a single patch!

OVERALL OPINION

I have this wonderful toy for 2 years and I keep discovering new things ...
If you add all features that a highly active mailing list allows you to chat with pundits of the synthesis, the Clavia site is full of workshops made by these same pundits, supporting examples, allowing you to dominate topics sharp enough, and that there was currently tens of thousands of patches available on the Internet, you finally only one regret: why I do not have enough money to buy the big brother, allowing greater polyphony (especially)!?

A few small regrets in bulk:
1) the limited polyphony quickly (but for the sound-design and effects, this is enough)
2) External power supply connector a bit fragile
3) the need to have at least two MIDI ports to make it work if you want to edit a sound and control via sequencer simultaneously