Clavia

Having analysed the complex process by which a cymbal makes its sound, it's time to synthesize our own...

Clavia have considerable experience and expertise when it comes to designing stage keyboards. Is this the best one yet?

What exactly is a modular synth? How slow is a slow release? How can I wire my 32:8:2 analogue desk to a 16-track recorder? How can I compensate for a lack of phase-reversal and EQ bypass controls on my mixer? Why do some bass notes have more 'punch' than others? Is there a problem with inputs on the Roland VS2480? Should I buy a DI box or a channel strip? Should EQ or compression be applied first? What is the advantage of recording with a higher resolution, as opposed to a higher sampling rate? Can I run V-Producer via OMS?

Now on its third version, the latest Nord Piano is the best one yet.

The Nord Drum 3P combines the brain and pads of previous models into a powerful percussive package.

I have a Nord Electro 4HP keyboard, which I’d like to run seamlessly through guitar pedals in real time and in stereo. The signal distorts quite badly at higher keyboard and pedal volumes. Can you suggest a device that would remedy this?

The follow-up to Clavia's Nord Lead 3 is not the Nord Lead 4 (well, not yet), but a beefed-up version of the Nord Lead 2! We find out why, and how it improves on the original.

The Nord Modular offered a classic blend of flexible software and well-designed hardware in 1998. But can the improved G2 keep up with the soft synths of 2004?

Combining several types of sound generation in one instrument, Clavia's Nord Stage harks back to the multi-keyboards of the 1970s. Is it a funky revivalist, or should it be considered a thing of the past?