Clavioline

Fig.1 Oscillator and keyboard
Fig.2 Vibrato effect
Fig.3 Filter assembly

The clavioline is an electronic analog synthesizer. It was invented by French engineer Constant Martin in 1947 in Versailles.[1][2]

The instrument consists of a keyboard and a separate amplifier and speaker unit. The keyboard usually covered three octaves,[3] and had a number of switches to alter the tone of the sound produced, add vibrato (a defining feature of the instrument),[1] and provide other effects. The Clavioline used a vacuum tube oscillator to produce a buzzy waveform, almost a square wave, which could then be altered using high-pass and low-pass filtering, as well as the vibrato. The amplifier also aided in creating the instrument's signature tones, by deliberately providing a large amount of distortion.[1]

Several models of the Clavioline were produced by different companies. Among the more important were the Standard, Reverb, and Concert models by Selmer in France[3] and Gibson in the United States[4] in the 1950s. The six-octave model employing octave transposition was developed by Harald Bode[5] and manufactured under license by Jörgensen Electronic in Germany.[6] In England, the Jennings Organ Company's first successful product was the Univox, an early self-powered electronic keyboard inspired by the Selmer Clavioline.[7] In Japan, Ace Tone's first prototype, the Canary S-2 (1962), was based on the Clavioline.[8]

  1. ^ a b c Reid, Gordon (March 2007). "The Story of the Clavioline". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  2. ^ Brend 2005, p. 34.
  3. ^ a b "Electronic keyboard, 'Clavioline', metal / plastic, Henri Selmer & Co Ltd, London, England, 1950-1965". Powerhouse Museum. 26 January 2024. Registration Number: 2004/116/1.
  4. ^ Nelson, Philip I. "Gibson Clavioline Keyboard Instrument (1953)". Phil's Old Radios (antiqueradio.org).
  5. ^ Bode (6 octave) Clavioline (photograph). Clavioline.com. 2002. Archived from the original on 2006-08-21.
  6. ^ Windler, Christian Oliver. "Jörgensen Electronic Clavioline". TableHooters, warranty void (weltenschule.de).
  7. ^ "Vox Electronic Organs". Music Soul (reinout.nl).
  8. ^ All About Electronic & Electric Musical Instruments (in Japanese). Seibundō ShinkōSha. 1966. p. 32, 34. ASIN B000JAAXH6, 電子楽器と電気楽器のすべて.