Nonlinear Labs C15

The Nonlinear Labs C15 is a 61-key digital keyboard intended to be played like an acoustic instrument, with a focus on expressive playing. There are no sequencers, arpeggiators, or LFOs—rather, the emphasis is put upon playing the instrument over automation, something not often seen on synthesizers of late. The keybed is a 61-key Fatar keybed with semi-weighted keys and aftertouch. The interface is comprised of a large collection of buttons with an OLED screen and one encoder. The panel overlays are magnetic and can be swapped out to create new labeling for the buttons.

The sound generation section is named Phase 22, and starts with two sine wave oscillators. It then uses a combination of frequency modulation, phase modulation, wave shaping, subtractive synthesis, an exciter/resonator, and feedback to create a diverse range of sounds that go from very cold and digital to warm and organic tones. The filters come in two varieties, comb and state variable. The comb filter has a tunable delay, second order all pass filter, low pass filter in feedback path, and control of the decay time of the impulse response. The oscillators can modulate the delay, which has a similar result as phase modulation. The state variable filter has two two-pole filters with spreadable cutoff frequencies. It can crossfader between serial and parallel filter configurations, as well as the ability to crossfade between low pass, band pass, and high pass filter modes. The oscillators can also modulate the cutoff frequencies. Effects include flanger, cabinet, gap filter, echo, and reverb. There are both an output mixer and a feedback mixer for controlling the feedback bus.

There are three envelopes available as modulation sources. They are ADBDSR envelopes, which translates to Attack Decay1 Breakpoint Decay2 Sustain Release. Envelope A and B can modulate the amplitude of the oscillator/shaper, oscillator’s phase modulation depths, or the input gain of the corresponding shaper. Envelope C offers bipolar breakpoint and sustain levels and can modulate the pitches and fluctuations of the oscillators, feedback signals, and the filters. There are two 800mm ribbons with 33 LEDs and pitchbender that can be assigned as modulation sources. Additionally, up to four foot switches can be attached for another level of modulation. The modulation sources can be routed to four macro controls as well, which can be assigned to up to 86 parameters to allow for fine or sweeping changes to be made easily.

The C15 has an unlimited number of undo stages, allowing you to easily recall that cool sound you had five minutes ago. Any Wi-Fi compatible device can be linked to the C15, allowing you to change parameters and save and recall presets easily. With the surge of automated parameters among synthesizers, it’s refreshing to see an instrument committed to user performance.

The C15 ships with a dedicated flight case, making it safe and easy to transport to gigs both near and far. And now with the release of the C15 MIDI Bridge, MIDI functionality is finally possible: making the C15 more powerful than ever before.

C15 Features

61-key digital keyboard
Phase 22 synthesis engine that utilizes FM, phase modulation, subtractive synthesis, resonator/exciter, and feedback
Comb filter
State variable filter
Base keyboard and panel can be separated
Unlimited undos
Three ADBDSR envelopes
Effects include reverb, delay, flanger, cabinet, and gap filter
Output mixer
Feedback mixer
Connect any WIFI enabled device
Four footswitch inputs
Two 800mm ribbons
Includes dedicated flight case