Superbooth 2017: NonLinearLabs C15, A Special Synth For Human Players

Imagine a keyboard-based hardware instrument  released without an internal sequencer, arpeggiator, MIDI or any way to program patterns for non-real-time playback. It seems like a concept far from all current music instrument trends. But NonLinearLabs C15 isn't just another synth or keyboard. It's here to cater to the performing musician, the live and studio keyboard player. It's here to make playing a pleasure.

Just listen to the beginning of this video for the performance side of things. Then we interview Stefan, the creator of C15, to find out what it is about this instrument that makes it so extraordinary. And it really is all that.

Web:http://www.nonlinearlabs.de/product/c15.html

NonLinear Labs C15.

Features At A Glance

Phase 22 Synthesis Engine

• 2 Oscillators (sine wave, phase modulation, frequency randomization)
• 2 Shapers (sine curve, adjustable foldback and asymmetry)
• Ring Modulator
• Comb Filter (tunable, with allpass and lowpass)
• State Variable Filter (multi-mode, 2-4 poles, FM)
• Feedback Mixer (4 input signals, shaper for the sum)
• Feedback bus with 4 destinations
• Output Mixer (stereo, 4 input signals, shaper for the sum)
• 5 Stereo Effects: Cabinet (amp simulation), 8-pole Gap/Band Filter, Phaser/Flanger/Chorus, Echo, Reverb
• 3 ADBDSR Envelopes, adjustable attack curve
• Velocity sensitivities for envelope levels, attack times, and release times
• 4 Macro Controls, assignable to up to 86 target parameters
• 8 Hardware Sources, mappable to the 4 Macro Controls
• Number of parameters: 317
• Resolution of the parameters: typically 1000 steps (250 ... 15000 steps)
• Resolution of key velocity, ribbons, bender, aftertouch, pedals: 4000 steps
• 12-voice polyphony, variable Unison settings
• Scale parameters for micro-tuning the 12 steps of the octave

Play Interface

• 61-key (5 octave) Fatar keybed with semi-weighted long-arm keys
• Note-on and note-off velocity sensitivity
• Monophonic aftertouch
• Two 800 mm touch strips (ribbons), each with 33 LED dots
• Ribbon modes: absolute, relative, combinable with return-to-center
• Lever (magnetic force loaded) for pitchbending and similar applications
• Control panel with an OLED display (128 x 32 dots) and four buttons
• Output volume potentiometer (at the front)
• Headphone level potentiometer (at the front)

Parameter Editing

• 4 Selection panels, each with 24 buttons and LEDs
• Labeling by exchangeable magnetic overlays
• Edit panel with an OLED display (256 x 64 dots), an incremental encoder, and 18 buttons
• The ribbons are also assignable for parameter editing.
• User-definable Init preset and Default values
• Randomize function
• Graphical user interface on any WiFi-enabled device running a browser, unique zoom-and-pan navigation, enabled for touch

Preset System

• User-definable banks
• Unlimited number of presets per bank
• User-editable infos per preset
• Search function to find presets by name or tags in the infos
• Morphing transition between presets.

Undo System

• Unlimited undo for all user interactions, including sound editing steps
• Undo list with support for different editing branches (tree view)

Connectors

• Main audio outputs (L, R) (TRS, balanced by transformers)
• Headphone output at the front (TRS)
• 4 inputs for analog controls, such as pedals (TRS, flexible pin-assignment)
• USB host connector for data exchange and software updates

Dimensions

• Base unit only: 900 x 290 x 100 mm (width x depth x height)
• Including panel unit: 900 x 410 x 160 mm (width x depth x height)

The C15 is both beautiful to look at and to play.