Nonlinear Labs Teases New, ‘Highly Expressive’ C15 Synthesizer

Nonlinear_Labs_C15-front

Nonlinear Labs has shared some new teaser photos of their upcoming C15 (aka Emphase) synthesizer:

Nonlinear_Labs_C15-closeup

Nonlinear Labs C15 concepts:

  • Standalone systems. Self-contained synths, based on Linux systems & ARM processors. Optionally, software GUIs can be used by connecting external devices via Wi-Fi.
  • Full control. They have developed the TCD musical control protocol which they say overcomes many limitations of MIDI. TCD stands for “Time, Curve, Destination” and implements a high-resolution control over all aspects of a dynamic and expressive live musical performance.
  • Software-based digital sound synthesis. “Software-based” means that the durable instruments can evolve without falling into obsolescence.
  • Top-quality hardware
  • Open source
  • Local production. Prototyping and production is carried out as locally as possible.

Features:

  • 61-key Fatar keybed with semi-weighted long-arm keys; two-way (note-on and note-off) velocity sensitivity; global aftertouch
  • Two high-resolution touch strips (ribbons). They can be assigned to pitchbend, macro controls, or single parameters and offer both relative and absolute modes.
  • Indicator bar of LED dots in each ribbon
  • Spring-loaded lever (not in current version) for pitchbending and similar applications
  • Small control panel with an OLED display (128 x 32). In connection with the ribbons it can be used for:
    • preset selection
    • octave shift up/down, note shift, tuning
    • assigning ribbons, lever, and pedals
    • preferences: velocity curves, ribbon modes, etc.
    • selecting and editing parameters
    • headphone jack and level knob
    • master volume knob
    • audio outputs
    • four inputs for analog controls, such as pedals
    • USB connector for updates and service (not in current version)
  • The modular design is open for variable user interface concepts. The current configuration:
    • Four Selection Panels, each with 24 buttons with corresponding state-indicating LEDs. The software-defined functions of the buttons are indicated by interchangeable magnetic foils.
    • Edit Panel with 18 buttons, an incremental encoder, and a 256 x 64 OLED display
  • Functions:
    • Parameter editing:
    • selecting parameters
    • displaying labels and values of parameters
    • changing value
  • Presets:
    • browsing, selecting and recalling presets
    • storing the current edit buffer as new preset
    • overwriting, deleting, moving and sorting of presets
  • Morphing:
    • between two presets
    • between the current state and a preset
    • Unlimited Undo for all sound editing interactions

Here’s a video preview of the user interface:

Nonlinear Labs has also shared some information on the Empase sound engine, saying that it will build on work on they did for NI”s Kontour.

Official details and audio demos of the C15 are to come. See the company’s site for more info.

52 thoughts on “Nonlinear Labs Teases New, ‘Highly Expressive’ C15 Synthesizer”

    1. I think the hundreds of buttons and one knob approach is a pretty smart trade-off. You give up menu diving and have near instant access to all parameters. You can even use the ribbon on all params which is a nice touch.

      There might be ways to control multiple params with the touch device. There might be ways to use a knob box to control it as well.

    2. “One knob?”

      Look again, it also has two performance knobs on the front of the instrument, below the keyboard.

      There’s also a pitch lever.

  3. I’m not sure that anybody wants to spend a wad of cash on a new synth just to find themselves sitting in front of it using an iPad as the user interface..

    1. may as well use plugins and a midi controller if you have to do that. not being able to grab two different controls at the same time puts me straight off

      1. yeah, just release as a module brain maybe and optional keyboard? tons of controllers will bring better expression than this package. novation SL Mk2’s stick and XY pad and faders will trump a simple fatar anyday

  5. “Software-based means that the durable instruments can evolve without falling into obsolescence.”
    interesting, usually software based means exactly the opposite…

  7. I also thought it said highly EXPENSIVE. But reading more about it, it could be in the Modulus range.

    Also, ONE KNOB?!?!?!?!? Most people are used to the “moog layout” and most people expect knobs for things like cutoff, resonance, oscilator type… I think that this would be truly sexy if they alternated between groups of buttons, knobs, encoders, etc. So that way you can decide what to do with what. Maybe a group of knobs will be filter, maybe buttons for oscilators, maybe encoders for continously variable parameters. OR it could be great if you could just manually change a button for a knob.

  10. What’s the point of hardware control without the flipping control!?!?

    I get what they’re going for but I don’t see many people owning one. It certainly looks nice aesthetically but come on man, this generation wants knobs and faders, not 100 buttons with one freaking knob!!

  12. A lot of people will have a problem with the interface and I can understand if knobs are your background. I personally think the adaptability of the control panel will be a really nice thing. This video focused on the external factors, but I’m really interested to hear what hardware they use for the digital engine. It really needs to be a rocket under the hood for this to truly make sense.

    1. If my poly-61 taught me anything it’s that buttons mean STABBY STABBY ANGER STABBY especially as they buttons perform more poorly over time (yes the STABBY STABBY may have contributed) all a knob ever needs is a bit of graphite.

  15. This seems to be a terrible idea with even worse implementation. Ostensibly, you have replaced knobs per function (good) and menu diving (bad) with button search with a single knob (perplexing). on top of which, as the promotional video suggests, a deeply editable synthesizer will require an ancillary device such as an ipad to access the deeper engine.

    ? It would seem appropriate that such a “deep” and complex synth have dedicated controls and knobs for immediacy in editing and sound creation. This is critical as one knob will not allow you to see the interrelationship of multiple parameters being edited and how that visually may affect the sound.

    ? When this was initially introduced some three years ago, they used the word “uncompromising” in every other sentence. Yet the first notion I had when looking at the interface was…”compromising” functionality and usability.

    ? It is still amazing to me that synth makers in this price range would expect an iPad screen to be used as a complimentary piece…when they could have easily incorporated a screen into the device for as little as $110 to $150 per unit. This price would reflect the graphic controller chip as well as touch capability.

    ? Stephan is no novice, yet this is a very disappointing approach from the onset.

    1. the Hartmann Neuron approach might’ve been applicable here: 4 configurable joysticks to have your favourite params ready for modulation at any time. Even four faders or knobs, but 1 knob, yeah no

  17. It’s interesting to see all the criticism of not having one-knob-per-function, but if you think about it this has one-button-per-function, so no menu diving. It’s true you will have to press the use the knob, and you can’t use two at once, but that’s pretty much the only limitation. It’s still much better than any menu system or mouse and keyboard.

    I guess it’s not the perfect synth for knob twisters, but then you’re paying for a large, quality keyboard, so presumably you’re mostly going to be using your hands for that. It seems to me that this is perfect for one end of the synth market – keyboard players; with the other end – knob twisters – being well served by Eurorack. That seems like a good way to divide up the market and allow for more specialised instruments.

    1. Yes no menu diving, but you always needs 2 steps (a button then the knob) to tweak anything while one-knob-per-function requires only 1 step. This is a huge, incredibly huge difference in terms of efficiency if you’ve ever done complex synth programming.

      1. That is a great point Jimmie, my thoughts precisely. Moreover, it is a missed opportunity. To those that think this is somehow off the beaten path, hardly. It is the 80’s and 90’s revisited. Albeit I am certain it is improved, yet hardly a revolutionary thinking.

        We’ll do it right, 2017.

      2. Not to mention the distance between the knob and the button. If one is using only one hand, that can be a lot of distance to tweak a parameter.

        Would have been better suited to at least a know for each section

  19. There’s so much negativity here, it’s pathetic. I think it’s great that these people are making something new and different, and especially since it isn’t another re release of some retro vintage analog synth aimed at following a trend.

    I don’t know, perhaps the button matrix interface isn’t as bad some people imagine. The typical human can only manipulate two knobs at a time. This synth has a knob on the front panel, two just below the keyboard, and two touch strips (which I imagine will allow for much quicker and broader parameter sweeps), and most likely the ability to add an external control surface, if you wish. How many parameters are you normally adjusting at a single given moment?

  20. This is a real 90s-style facepalm interface. They could at least put a bank of 8 knobs that change depending on the button pressed.

  21. Refreshing to see someone taking such an offbeat approach. There can be no progress without experimentation and deviation from the “stick with what works” mindset.

  22. I think it’s a good idea. Although I personally prefer hardware synths, this could be a good controller for software-based sounds. The ribbons make sense as well. And the magnetic overlays, well, it’s cheaper than LCD displays. I think it’s a good idea.

  25. If this thing is over a grand I can’t imagine why really anyone would put up over that interface over a midi controller and VST. These days digital hardware synths really need to offer more in regards to hands on twekaking to compete with VSTs. Even the Pulse and Blofeld’s multiple knob based matrix editing would probabaly be faster and would have been a betteridea than this. Can you imagine how tedious programming a adsr envelope on this thing would be?

  26. This is an appallingly bad design. Maybe there are people out there who really think this way, but 100 buttons and one knob is the opposite philosophy that I want to work with in an instrument. This looks absolutely nightmarish.

  27. All of those saying this synth is not for them are absolutely right. It isn’t!

    This is something different, as the designers and developers intended. The EDM crowd and all the bi-dexterous knob twisters will be disappointed but it was made for somebody else. Who?

    Best to wait until it is released to say who might find its particular forms of expressiveness useful and hope its expressiveness is proportionate to its expensiveness.

  28. maybe the TCD engine is a slightly different approach and hence adjusting multiple knobs in the usual fashion is not required/desired.

    I prefer one knob one per function in general, but still hopeful to see how the interface works with the engine. Need to check out Kontour too.

  30. I just had the pleasure to test a prototype of Nonlinear Labs’ C15 for one week, so I take the liberty to resurrect this thread… in case anyone’s interested? 😉

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