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Chapter 16 Vintage Clav 449
D6 Clavinet mechanical details
Each D6 keyboard key forms a single arm lever. When a key is depressed, a plunger below
the key strikes the string and presses it onto an anvil. The string hits the anvil with a strength
determined by key velocity, thus aecting both the dynamics and harmonics of the sounding
string.
The mechanical vibrations of the action are captured by magnetic pickups and converted into
electrical signals, which are amplied and reproduced through speakers.
As the key is released, contact between the plunger/striker and the anvil is immediately broken,
leaving the wool-wound part of the string free. This immediately suppresses the string vibration.
When experimenting with Vintage Clav, or auditioning some of the included settings, you may
encounter sounds that seem to be triggered on both the note on and the note o.
This is actually a feature that emulates the original D6. The real D6 has the “problem” of strings
sticking to worn-out hammers, producing a second trigger when the key is released. You can
adjust the intensity of this key-o click using the Intensity slider. See Vintage Clav Excite and Click
parameters on page 443.