Nonlinear Labs C15 Review: €4000 for a two sine-wave synth? How C15's elegant engine & controls work

Download high-quality audio of me playing the presets on Patreon here (plus check out my ever-expanding book too..):

Check prices (affiliate links help the channel):

More info from Nonlinear Labs (not an affiliate link):

Other gear in the video:
► Keystep 37 by Arturia
► Genki Wave ring
► Ribn app by Once Upon a Synth

Other places I hang out:

My music:

TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:50 Overview
2:55 Expression
5:25 Interface
8:25 Synth engine
9:00 Osc A & B
11:20 Shapers
12:40 FB mix, Ring Mod
12:20 SVF
15:30 Comb filter
19:15 Output mixer
19:55 Feedback mixer
21:35 Effects
23:40 Envelopes
25:25 Elevate
26:25 Macros
27:50 MIDI hacks
28:20 KeyStep Chords Arp Seq
29:45 Expression ring
30:25 MIDI LFO
31:35 OSC as LFO
31:55 Cool stuff
33:40 Pros, cons
38:00 60 P-sets

Submit review and video ideas here (sorry I don’t offer 1x1 sessions/setup/purchasing advice):


NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links to stores like Amazon, Sweetwater, Thomann and others. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[EarthnikNews]

I’ve said this to you before, but it amazes me time after time that you are able to pick up, use, demonstrate and explain such a large array of equipment. This one looks like a head scratcher for us who are subtractive jockeys. Your demo is simply great as always. You are one of the few reliable “go to” synth people out there in the world, and you are appreciated a great deal!

[elwhagen]

It's amazing how your reviews are always super in depth and makes it look like you've owned the synth for a decade. I guess the basics are always the same for each category of synth and filters etc but you seem to figure out each nook and cranny of every synth you get a hold of and you deliver it perfectly to us all the time!

[jazzjeffjazzjeff]

Man, I have had my C 15 for a few months, and have often been stumped in programming it. This video is a Godsend! Thanks for the amazing work Loopop. Your reviews always teach me so much! Thanks a million!

[v]

regardless of how this review turns out - thats a beautiful looking piece of kit.

[peadookie]

Man, can we just take a second to appreciate the looks of this thing? Looks beautiful, imo.

[audioartisan]

I've been waiting ages for an in-depth C15 review! Thank you for such a detailed look into this unique instrument. Loopop, you never disappoint.

[auberginemachine]

Fascinating demo. I was always struck by the cosmetic similarity to a Synclavier, so it was good that you pointed out that the design was deliberate. The sounds are rich and interesting, which I have noticed in every demo I have seen for this instrument. The price mirrors the functionality, from what I can glean, and someday I would love to spend a few hours discovering the powerful features it seems to have in abundance. Your videos are extremely informative. Thanks for showing the strengths of this particular marvel. It appears to be something truly new and innovative.

[BaseMosquito]

Great video.
I have spoken via video call with the guys from Nonlinear Labs (Steven Schmitt and Nils Kruger) just before the covid madness and I must tell you they did promised to deliver one of the best unique and interesting synths on the market. We've had an amazing discussion about their idea of what synth should be...Sounds amazing as you probably heard it on YouTube videos but the real magic starts when you get your hands on it and start making compositions that you have never ever made before. The sound possibilities are phenomenal.
Why is such a great instrument...? Well because is unique and different...and that is what you want from a musical instrument?!

[garaughty]

Pricey but beautiful... when I first saw this, the overall design reminded me of the Synclavier, absolutely gorgeous ! Awesome review as always Ziv !

[peejaru]

Great review!

Note that one aspect of this synth which was important to me in deciding to purchase was the fact that the entire software suite for the synth is open source. I think this is wonderful from a learning point of view - you can jump right in and see how they designed the filters for instance. But also, if there's a feature you're looking for (I'm looking at you, mod source LFO), you can actually compile and build your own version of the C15.

Hell you could build your own complete engine if you had the time and interest.

[neilloughran]

Sounds great and I can see how this is a "playing" oriented synth as opposed to a "sequence and tweak" type of synth. I hear a lot of similar sounds in Logic's Sculpture synth at times. It looks great and the expression is pretty good... just missing poly aftertouch!

[robstand]

Happy to see this video today. My C15 arrived in February but I haven’t been able to play it yet, as my new studio is under construction. I love that Stephan Schmitt (the designer) gives owners a four hour class on how to use the C15. Can’t wait to do mine.

[lee_at_sea]

Dennis Hamm tears it up on one of these in his work with Thundercat. Really amazing live.

[klontart]

Love the more experimental sounds. This synth really needs the new Fatar poly aftertouch key bed.

[wedream]

Incredible sound from just 2 sine waves! Great review. I can see from your extended exploration of presets at the end that you are having too much fun!

[dmares]

Been waiting for you to review this for over a year now!!! Great work🔥

[jjrusy]

killer synth. i really like the performance features, especially the 4 pedal ins and the 2 ribbons. it is great that you come up with these synths which i would never have even heard of.

[rbunpat]

That thing looks sick! I love the wood style.

[BecomingProductions]

Happy to say I have one and it's a beauty.

[MrDudleytheCat]

Loopop is the GOAT synth reviewer. Thanks for another epic review.