C15 Digital Keyboard Synthesizer

Nonlinear Labs C15

The Nonlinear Labs C15 is a 61-key digital keyboard with a vast timbral range and deep expressive potential, seamlessly blending the nuanced feel of acoustic instruments with the flexibility of synthesized sound. There are no sequencers, arpeggiators, or LFOs—rather, the emphasis is put upon playing the instrument over automation, giving performers the ability to affect sounds on the fly via its premium keybed and integrated controllers. The keybed is a semi-weighted 61-key Fatar keybed with responsive aftertouch that melts under the fingers, beckoning for another touch in every moment spent away from its luxuriously refined enclosure. With this quality tactile interface as your primary control, a large collection of buttons with an OLED screen and one encoder allow for deep sound design possibilities that stretch between organic realism and otherworldly effects. The panel overlays are magnetic and can be swapped out to create new labeling for the buttons, ensuring a lifetime of sonic discovery behind a stable and practice-worthy keyboard.

The Phase 22 sound generation section starts with two humble sine wave oscillators. Using a combination of frequency modulation, phase modulation, wave shaping, subtractive synthesis, an exciter/resonator, and feedback, these humble sine waves unfold into a diverse range of sounds that go from icy digital glass to warmly acoustic comforts. The filters come in two varieties, with both comb and state variable options. The comb filter has a tunable delay, second order all pass filter, low pass filter in the feedback path, and control of the decay time of the impulse response. The state variable filter has two independent two-pole filters with spreadable cutoff frequencies. It can crossfade between serial and parallel filter configurations, as well as blend 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. The oscillators can modulate the delay, which has a similar result as phase modulation.There is both an output mixer and a feedback mixer for controlling the feedback bus. While navigating these diverse options for sound design may seem formidable, they offer a lifetime of sounds to explore, and with the immense collection of presets onboard, the C15 is sure to reveal its secrets without getting in the way of your studio or performance workflow.

There are three envelopes available as modulation sources. They are ADBDSR envelopes, which translates to Attack Decay1 Breakpoint Decay2 Sustain Release. Envelopes 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 ribbon controllers with thirty-three LEDs and pitchbender that can be assigned as modulation sources, putting the C15's rich sound design potential close at hand. Additionally, up to four foot switches can be attached for another level of modulation. All of these modulation sources can be routed to four macro controls as well, which can be assigned to up to 86 parameters to allow for both fine tuning and drastic transformations alike during performance.

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. Alongside the C15 MIDI Bridge, this performance-focused instrument can be just as seamlessly integrated into DAW workflows, providing even more avenues for musical expression. Now available without an included flight case, this premium instrument can be more accessible to a wider range of performers. A true testament to the musical potential of human-centered instrument design, the C15 from Nonlinear Labs is an uncompromisingly creative centerpiece for any dedicated keyboardist.

C15 Features

• 61-key digital keyboard synthesizer
• 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 assignable 800mm ribbon controllers