Klavis Developer Talk And New Modules (Tweakers Plus 1U, Compair) | Superbooth 24
TLDRIn this Superbooth 24 interview, Eric from Clavis discusses the Belgian modular synthesizer community and his company's unique approach to hybrid design. Clavis focuses on creating innovative modules with long-term value, such as the Granity filter and the Twin Waves oscillator, which offer niche solutions to musicians. Eric also shares insights into the development process, emphasizing the importance of customer feedback and the challenges of the growing modular market.
Takeaways
- 😀 Eric from Clavis is a developer from Belgium with a background in music and electronics-related businesses.
- 🌍 Clavis is based in Belgium, a country known for having a strong community in the Eurorack market, with the highest density of manufacturers per capita.
- 💡 Eric's philosophy for Clavis is to create unique, hybrid modules that combine digital control with analog sound generation.
- 🔍 Clavis focuses on niche products that offer something different from the traditional Eurorack modules, aiming for long-term value rather than short-term trends.
- 🎛️ Twin Waves is Clavis' best-selling product, a dual oscillator with many sound generation possibilities, and it's available in both standard and 1U sizes.
- 🛠️ The development of Clavis modules, like the innovative Granity filter, can take several years to perfect, reflecting the company's commitment to quality.
- 📈 Clavis is expanding its product range with new modules, including a 1U version of the Tweakers and a dual comparator voltage comparator.
- 🔄 The Eurorack market is growing and becoming more diverse, with new brands and modules constantly emerging.
- 🔧 Clavis values feedback from users and the community, which influences the development and refinement of their modules.
- 🏭 All Clavis products are manufactured in Europe, emphasizing quality and local production.
- 🔑 The name 'Clavis' was chosen for its unique availability online and its connection to the concept of a keyboard in Latin languages.
Q & A
What is the main business focus of Clavis?
-Clavis' main business is in the US, followed by Germany, and they are known for their innovative Eurorack modules.
How does Eric describe the Belgian community in the music and electronics industry?
-Eric describes the Belgian community as strong, with a high concentration of manufacturers per capita, making it a hotspot for music and electronics.
What is the background of Eric before founding Clavis?
-Eric has a diverse background, having worked in music shops, recording studios, and electronics companies, including the distribution and manufacturing of semiconductors.
What inspired Eric to start Clavis?
-Eric was inspired to start Clavis after seeing the evolution of the Eurorack market and identifying a niche for hybrid designs that combine digital control with analog sound.
What is the philosophy behind Clavis' product design?
-Clavis focuses on creating products that are unique and different, offering something new and innovative in the market, without necessarily following traditional synthesizer designs.
What is special about Clavis' Twin Waves module?
-The Twin Waves module is unique as it is a dual oscillator LF4 with many different sound generation possibilities, all within a compact 8 HP size.
How does Clavis approach the development of new modules?
-Clavis develops new modules by considering long-term value and usefulness, aiming to create designs that will be relevant and valuable over time, rather than just following trends.
What is the current state of the Eurorack market according to Eric?
-Eric sees the Eurorack market as vast and growing, with a wide offering and new brands emerging frequently, making it challenging even for shops and media to keep up.
What is Clavis' approach to customer feedback?
-Clavis values customer feedback and uses it to refine and improve their products, as seen with the development of the Twin Waves Mac 2 version and other modules.
What is the Granity module, and how does it differ from traditional filters?
-The Granity module is a granular filter, a concept that does not exist in traditional filter designs. It manipulates bits of sound slices, reassembling them according to mathematical rules without digitizing the sound itself.
What are some of the upcoming modules from Clavis?
-Clavis has a few upcoming modules, including a 1U version of the Tweakers and a new dual comparator voltage comparator module, which offers versatile functionality for various musical applications.
Outlines
🌍 Introduction to Clavis and the Belgian Music Tech Community
The video script introduces Eric from Clavis, a Belgian developer with a background in both music and electronics. Eric discusses the strong community of music technology manufacturers in Belgium, which is notable for having the highest number of manufacturers per inhabitant in Europe. The conversation highlights the company's focus on hybrid designs that combine analog circuits with digital control, emphasizing the unique approach of Clavis in the market.
🛠️ Clavis' Philosophy and the Evolution of Eurorack Modules
This paragraph delves into the philosophy behind Clavis' product development, emphasizing the importance of creating unique and niche products within the Eurorack community. Eric talks about the iterative design process, taking customer feedback into account, and the challenges of standing out in a crowded market. The discussion also touches on the growth of the Eurorack market and the shift towards more specialized modules as users look to expand their systems.
🔍 Trends in Eurorack and the Development Process
The conversation shifts to the broader trends in the Eurorack market, with a focus on the increasing integration of digital technology. Eric discusses the benefits of digital processing in module design and the enduring appeal of analog components. He also shares insights into the development timeline of innovative modules like the Granity filter, which took several years to refine, and the importance of long-term value in design.
📦 New Clavis Modules and Adapting to Market Demands
Eric introduces new Clavis modules, including a one-unit version of the Tweakers and a versatile dual comparator voltage comparator. He discusses the process of adapting to market demands, such as the shift to black faceplates for the module range, and the challenges of manufacturing in Europe. The paragraph also touches on the decision-making process for new product development and the importance of community feedback.
🏭 The Future of Clavis and Commitment to European Manufacturing
In the final paragraph, Eric outlines the future direction of Clavis, ruling out the possibility of creating a full-sized synthesizer due to the complexity and resource requirements. Instead, he highlights the company's focus on continuing to innovate within the Eurorack space and the commitment to manufacturing all products within Europe. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the origin of the Clavis name and a call to support the Belgian music tech community.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Klaavis Developer
💡Superbooth 24
💡Tweakers Plus 1U
💡Compair
💡Hybrid Design
💡Granity
💡Twin Waves
💡UR Market
💡Modular Synthesizer
💡Innovation
Highlights
Klaavis Developer Talk and New Modules at Superbooth 24.
Eric from Klavis discusses the company's Belgian roots and its strong presence in the US and Germany.
Belgium's strong community in the music industry, with the highest manufacturer per inhabitant ratio for Europe.
Eric's background in music and electronics businesses, leading to the establishment of Klavis.
The philosophy of Klavis to create unique, niche products in the modular synthesizer market.
The importance of hybrid design in Klavis products, combining digital control with analog sound paths.
Klavis's approach to product development, focusing on long-term value and utility.
The evolution of the modular synthesizer market, with a growing number of developers worldwide.
The challenge of standing out in a crowded market with unique and innovative designs.
The development process of Klavis's innovative Granit module, taking several years to refine.
Feedback from users and the community plays a crucial role in Klavis's product evolution.
Klavis's commitment to manufacturing within Europe, emphasizing quality and local production.
Introduction of new Klavis modules, including the Tweakers Plus 1U and a dual comparator voltage comparator.
The Tweakers Plus 1U's compact size and its significance in the modular synthesizer community.
The versatility of the new dual comparator module, offering various configurations for creative sound design.
Klavis's future plans focusing on expanding their modular synthesizer range rather than creating larger instruments.
The story behind the name 'Klavis', derived from Latin and French words for keyboard.
Supporting the Belgian music community by choosing Klavis modules for their innovative designs.