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504 Chapter 27 EVD6
The early models—Clavinet I with built-in amp, Clavinet II with tonal filters, Clavinet “L”
with its bizarre triangular shape, all led to the Clavinet model “C”. This, in turn, was
refined into the D6—a portable, amplifiable keyboard. The D6 used a hammer striking
a string against a metal surface to produce its tone. It had a fully dynamic keyboard—
as the striker is directly underneath the key, meaning the harder you hit, the louder and
more vibrant the tone.
Mention the Clavinet today and most people will automatically think of Stevie
Wonder’s “Superstition”—a recording that owes as much to the D6 as it does to the
artist that wrote and performed it. The D6 was later superseded by the “E7” and the
“Clavinet/Pianet Duo”. These were basically the same as the D6, but more roadworthy,
quieter and better protected against proximity hums than previous models.
How the D6 Clavinet Works
Each D6 keyboard key forms a single arm lever. When a key is depressed, a plunger
underneath touches the string and presses it onto an anvil. The string impinges on the
anvil with a strength according to key velocity. This affects the dynamics of the
sounding string.
These mechanical vibrations are converted into electrical frequencies through
magnetic pick-ups which are amplified and reproduced through the loudspeaker.
As the key is released, contact between plunger and anvil is immediately broken,
leaving the wool-wound part of the string free, so that the string vibration is
immediately muted.
Double-Triggered Notes
When experimenting with the EVD6, or auditioning some of the included Settings, you
may encounter sounds which seem to be triggered on both the note on and the note
off.
This is actually a feature, which emulates the original D6. The real D6 has the “problem”
of the strings sticking to the hammers if they are worn out, producing a second trigger
when the key is released. You can adjust the intensity of this key-off click, with the
Intensity slider in the Click section (see the “Click Parameters” on page 494). Move the
slider to the left, and the second key off trigger will no longer be audible!