Stimming reviews Nonlinear Labs C15
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- For our latest gear review Martin Stimming takes a look at the brainchild of Native Instruments founder Stephan Schmitt, the Nonlinear Labs C15.
The C15 is a polyphonic instrument based on digital sound synthesis and provides users with boundless sonic possibilities. The instrument was initially designed for real time performance by trained musicians and therefore Nonlinear Labs decided to craft the synth without Midi when it came out. This was often criticised, the company has since taken this on board and now offer the synth with Midi capability. For those who own one already, no worries it can be retrofitted.
Stimming has been a proud owner of the C15 for quite some time now and has used it in many of his productions. We thought it’d be a good time to cover this one, now with the midi implementation it’s opened up the machine to a wider audience and is a truly intriguing synth capable of producing a broad spectrum of sounds from organic and acoustic to experimental and electronic. Take a look to find out what Stimming has to say about this 4k digital synthesizer and subscribe to our channel for more upcoming reviews.
#stimming #review #nonlinearlabs #synthesizer
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About Stimming
Hamburg-based producer, Stimming has become renowned over the years for bringing a truly original sound to electronic music. Mixing hand-made textures, field recordings and the latest gear in his compositions, he has earned his stripes as a dance-floor veteran. His music continues to explore interesting and progressive territories with his trademark sense of texture, emotion and discovery.
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„Ludwig" album release: June 18
There’s a lot he doesn’t mention about the customer-friendly approach of Nonlinear Labs. Pay it off over 5 years in really any way you want, with no interest. Return it whenever and you don’t owe anymore, so it’s basically a rental. You get a free, hours-long training with Stephan Schmitt over Zoom (or whatever). Another thing many have failed to really get into is that while there are no dedicated LFOs, there’s a lot one can do with FM that acts as an LFO. For me, as a keyboardist, MIDI is useful mostly as an output, so that if I’m playing the C15 and want to layer it with another synth, I can, or if I want to output MIDI to use it later with a different synth, I can. I doubt I will be feeding much MIDI back into if, TBH.
There is much more to say but it is a personal review at the end and not a sales video.
yes, there is a lot which I didnt mention, also in the engine itself but hey, I tried to focus on the basics and its already quite a bit. forgive me ;)
@@MStimming 3 months later... I didn't mean to imply that you should have mentioned all of those details, and apologize for not wording it better. As a fan of the C15, I wanted to point out the customer service side of things for those who balk at the price.
Great review! I’ve had a C15 going on two years now and it doesn’t disappoint. Nonlinear Labs is a stellar, customer-focused company.
A lot of the plucked & piano sounds immediately remind me of Oneohtrix Point Never stuff. Like nostalgic & futuristic at the very same time. Thanks for the great review!
“Nostalgic & futuristic” at the same time = wonderfully apt description!
30 minutes too long? Never! Always go full nerd.
I love the tactile approach to this instrument; it feels like the bridge between using a controller and ‘true’ musical expression. Very cool.
Watching reviews of gear I'll never ever buy and own. But it's so entertaining and informative to listen to Stimming
Thank you for the great review. I played it on the Namm 2024 and loved it. Actually I came back every day to see if I would like it again.
You are so delightful to watch! Vielen dank.
Great review! 👏👏 Would love a follow up “presets only” video where you play more of your sounds
0:21 is why i love Stimming. A truely wholesome moment❤
just wow.. insane machine..
I especially like the beautifully distorted sound.
Nice! I'd like to see his thoughts on the Nord Drum for the Modern Classic series, seems like him soundwise
Wow, had no idea about MIDIs 128*128 step velocity, cool!
Just ordered a C15 two hours before watching this video! That box you’re using to connect the USB, is that a Nonlinear Labs device? Definitely need it. Also... USB hardware devices can sequence this?!? I have a Squarp Hermod with USB.
yes, its a nll device, will be around 100 bucks. everyone who wants to connect two usb midi hosts will need one of those as there's no other on the market with this functionality but c15 users get it first ;)
Lovely machine. Great review!
stimming ist gott of cuteness, the synth ist killer!
I love that you laughed like a naughty witch at 21:19. I don't want to buy a C15 (not right for my musical je ne sais quoi), but I watched straight through for the intelligence and clear delight.
This will get some tough competition from the Expressive E Osmose at half the price. But this seems to have an even broader spectrum than the Eaganmatrix. I like the philosophy of stimulating to play by hand, like Linnstrument, Roli and Haken do too. Electronic instruments seem to easy to play when you can program everything in a sequencer. More virtuose performance artists please!
Yeah I'm curious about the Osmose as well! I don't know anything internal so I just guess: making this concept right is an incredible (endless?) fine-tune job which might be the reason why they're late.
@@MStimming The sound engine is the same as the Haken continuum and the continuumini, but Expressive E added some editing and tweaking to their synth that Haken defers to a computer and of course they developed their own unique droolworthy keybed. Covid-19 emerged in a critical phase in development, slowing everything down and on top of that there is the world wide semiconductor shortage. Supposedly the first batches will start shipping mid june. They had monthly updates until march.
While my programming skills are much better than my piano skills, I really like the organic interaction of the Osmose and this instrument. Moreover, the synthesizer engine of the C15 is immensely fascinating.
@@MStimming Now that it's out, an Expressive E Osmose review?
It Finally Has MIDI Ports In The Chassis ??? oh gosh i want one now..
I Could Understand The Controller And Engine Resolution, ( worth the extra work of audio tracking rehearsal, in some cases )
But why Couldn't I Play A Digitally Sampled Piano On The Same Board ???
It Is a very nice key-bed, so why not give it master board capability?.....so glad to hear that was done.
I’ve always loved the sounds I’ve heard from this synth but it wasn’t for me as I’m not a player. I think the Osmose has stolen its thunder now - it does so much more and is about half the price (albeit only 49 keys).
Polyphonic gestures (e.g. aftertouch or vibrato) - probably makes it even more organic. Can't wait for it to finally ship! :)
Yes, I'm very curious as well!
Lots of the Osmose's Demo Sounds were plucked, asian style physical modelling kind of sounds too... I somehow regret a little bit not backing it up. But a hydrasynth is here to still my lust for poly AT...
this thing sounds so sick
What is the Reaktor patch called. Is It Spark or another ensemble in the user library.
i do believe it was kontour - same or very similar, of course the experience will be different but the engine may be the same or very very close....we all know that the interface is at least half the experience and inspiration of a synth
i freaking love this guy hahaha
For an instrument so performance-oriented as the C15, I really wish they would have included a polyphonic aftertouch keyboard ... And support for MPE (or even better midi 2.0 with MPE). Also, this instruments demands to be the master keyboard in a studio, and while pedals "could" do the job, for subtle control of Volume / Expression for e.g. a string (sample) library, just two sliders to the left of the keyboard would make a big difference. (left hand being able to control both easiliy)
I was wondering : on the website they mention "other synth engines", have you had a chance to try out new synth engines (and what do they do ?) ?
Thank you for acknowledging that “slave” is outdated music technology jargon that needs replacing. 🙏🏾
I'm listening to the sounds & I'm getting hints of of FM, PPG & Synclavier!
Clearly much more powerful, but those synths as a pseudo-starting point.
Was hast denn du für Schuhe?
Yeah, great review! Sounds first, talk later. I hate these reviews where you get to hear the first sound after 15 minuten of talk, and you’ll even get a raw oscillator to start with.
@21:20 that laugh is asking for a diminished chord 😅😅 🧙🏻♀️
I'm happy with my C15 lite.The Kontour.😅
@Stimming: How does Bitwig handle the NRPN Midi CC's? (which I guess are used for recording/automating macro movements via MIDI)
Or do you use a special controller script?
I think its always writing two parameters which is a bit confusing, yes.
War wieder sehr stimmig ;-)
What plug-in would be most similar to this synth engine?
trying to find more info about the midi update, anything available online?
Soon I guess. We were a bit early
nonlinear-labs.de/blog/stimming-c15/stimming-c15.html
I'm no synthologist, but isn't a sine wave modulating another sine wave exactly what FM is?
I like how you explain things - and how you are surprised Linux is more efficient on embedded systems ;)
thank you - well, twice the efficiency is surprising, isnt it? didnt know windows embedded is that bad... ;)
STIMMIIIIIIIIING!!!
What do you mean exact about the damage NI has done?
Preset culture
@@musictalk-tech this machine is an answer to NI's preset culture, so they made a hardware version of their preset culture soft synths. wait, what
@@musictalk-tech lol exactly. As if the DX7 was a tool for sound designers and knob tweakers. The same person who's hating against presets, trying to convince you of buying a 4000 euro keyboard by showing off its presets?
It's up to you what you do with it ;-)
Nothing bad about presets. What he means are all these expansions which you can buy on top of Maschine for example not presets which comes with a synth and which are often a good starting point for own sound creations.
Not trying to cause trouble but the first preset sounds like a Korg M1, lol. but I'll keep listening!
a drum machine would midi [ROCK]
ciekawy instrument, gravitas
but.. but... you said the Octatrack was next :( anyways i'll take whatever he reviews and watch it.
Coming next. It's a 10 year old machine so a week doesn't matter ;-)
its a cool soft synth but even the old K2000s work with MPE
What? Do they? Or do you mean polyaftertouch?
He means the Kurzweil is multitimbral and each timbre can be the same, and then you can address each timbre via its own MIDI channel.
21:19
5 ads after 14 minutes, seriously!?
Yes the amount of ads here was ridiculous
“They changed the kernel from embedded windows to Linux and somehow Linux is much more efficient… Crazy! ”.. Hahahahahaha
19:54 somehow they fuuuucking use windows
Whyyy...? Linux is so much easier
And lightweight
I only use linux on my notebooks
4000$ for a windows computer synthesizer
This is a joke
Well there is a cheaper option
Buy a raspberry pi or other mini computers
Use debian system(linux) and use fucking zynsubbfx or surge stand alone
Config the system
Midi map it
Finish
Where is my 4000euro
dude your reviews are the most organic and relaxed out there
I love it, when Stimming goes insane for a split second
Great review, as always with Stimming! And, by the way, I’m so grateful to own a C15 ❤️
THAT mad scientist laugh at 21:18 !! haha gotta love Stimming
Best damn gear reviewer in the world.
It’s like an SY77 on steroids!❤️Thank you Mr Stimming!
Da guckt man die ganze Zeit brav die “Beats on a Budget”-Videos und bekommt ein schlechtes Gewissen, ob der ganzen Kohle, die man bisher ausgegeben hat… UND DANN wird man beiläufig mit nem 4.000 Euro Synth angefixt, der auch noch eine “rent to own”-Finanzierung bietet… Danke, Martin!
😂
Another brilliant review from Herr Stimming!
The synthesizer runs a special version of Reaktor. Many of the sounds remind me of the NI Spark synthesizer, which is a Reaktor-based synth by Stephan Schmitt. It was originally a Kore library product and my personal favorite of all the Kore products, specifically due to its organic playability. The C15’s engine seems much more advanced but has a similar thing going with oscillators modifying each other and feedback. I get the idea of the C15. It sounds amazing but I am just not sure that it is for me.
The actual predecessor was some Reaktor patch which also was the base for NI Kontour.
This thing sounds a bit like AAS synths from a decade ago. I'm struggling to see the sonic newness at all.
Wait?! They got Midi? Ha, it's worth to critisize on the internet.
Omnisphere in a box. Good idea.
Stimming-guarantee review. Thanks! ”Now with MIDI!”. Laugh.
Where are the new sound engines they promised?
Nice review ! Didn’t know that very special machine, and I like to ear it ! By the way, Linux is the system of many, many big servers, that needs to never crash. It is because it’s more efficient...
As always Stimming is such a pleasure to follow, he makes me travel with the sounds and all the things he says. TOO MANY ADs ruin and destroy this pleasure... I'm sorry to say this, but...
..🤔but Bitwig runs on Windows...?🧐
can he record these midi velocity resolutions steps in Bitwig..?
Yes, Stimming. That was really dangerous statement @23:10
hearing your voice alone makes me smile :)
Fantastic piece of gear, great news about the MIDI-upgrade and very good review (going to click SUB after typing this comment)!
In fact, in 2018 at Superbooth Herr Schmitt gave me a personal demo and explanation (also about 30' - really, a nice guy!) of (t)his instrument.
It sounds like nothing else (analog/hybrid/digital of all sorts - it IS unique) but in 2018 it lacked MIDI.
With this upgrade the C15 is inducing an accute case of GAS ;-)
I feel the Quantum Mk2 solves any shortcoming this synth has
Great video, as always. Would love to see Stimming review the Access Virus as part of the “modern classics” series!
This guy is fantastic at explaining and painting a picture about this product.
Hitech Rhodes.
A must have, no need to invest in analog or fm synth nowdays but this hmmm
Realy interesting machine I didn't know, thank you for this video.
This synth can sound.
Like a kinda DX7 of the 3rd millenium (plucked sounds, xylos, marimbas, percussiv sounds...).
Interesting look as well, Native bought all the old stock of grey push buttons previously made for the Ensoniqs EPS & SQ80. So nostalgic. 😃
2 majors flaws, in my opinion:
The price, obviously.
And why not a polyphonic aftertouch? (at this price...). When your aim is to emphasis about expressivity polyphonic aftertouh is a major tool.
Awesome !
Must dig out my CZ101
Pretty sure notes can only have a velocity 0...127. There is no back door. There is a mechanism for some CCs to be 0...16383, as well as RPN/NRPN and pitch bend.
I think it's called lsb and uses a second controller in addition. Yes, it works!
@@MStimming Do you have any more information on this? Because honestly there is no 16- bit (MSB+LSB) option for note velocity in MIDI. There are certain CC parameters which can be arranged by convention to be 16-bit, and pitch bend is 16 bit. But not note velocity.
@@seanluke3052 www.midi.org/specifications-old/item/table-3-control-change-messages-data-bytes-2 CC 88: High Resolution Velocity Prefix
22:58 Hahaha
Ever since I saw him doing the studio interview.. I've been wanting to see a review on this piece of gear.. Stimming if you ever read the comments... I love your music.. been playing it in clubs and after parties especially.. you are a man after my own heart.. i love your old school berlin minimal sensibilities for the drums and the way you pick out all the good chords and progressions is perfect. Ive watched many of your review videos 2 and 3 times at least.. I really feel like i learn something. I love your dance music. but I'd love to hear your beautiful riffings in the way of some of the experimental piano players we've had in the last decade .. stimming in concert!!!!! .. would love to see you do a band project.. also.. i would love a review of everything you have in that studio! I saw someone on another video said he would watch you review a bag of chips.. I agree!
You have a real ear for melody!!!!!!
Thank you Sir, yes I read comments :)
Whaouh ✌🎶
About bloody time!!! (on the MIDI)
There doesn't seem any official word on that yet, but I saw a few references to MIDI in the binaries in the latest firmware.
No matter how nice the keybed is, Fatar deserve some flack for leaving the industry without a keybed with polyphonic-aftertouch for so many years. So does polyphonic-aftertouch or MPE work from an external keybed, like the Hydrasynth? This wasn't even on the table with no MIDI.. ¬_¬
No, it doesn't work yet. Seems to be very difficult to built tho.... Apart from the keybed - you can switch on midi in the synths general options since two months or so
I like the ironic reference to software development language about giving your review version names. (I’m an Aussie working in northern California tech, arrived here in ‘89 not intending to stay, I actually had a “round the world” ticket to go to Berlin, then back home, with just a stop in San Francisco (and London), because I had heard back then in Australia that the women and the parties in Berlin were amazing in ‘89. Someone unexpectedly offered me a job here, and I got a bit stuck, still haven’t made it to Germany, but I will get there.)
You need to try the reverb in the KORG OpSix!
Stimming's reviews are just as great as his music!
@21:18 I need to sample that chuckle looooooooooooool
@1:32 yooooo this right here my type of ASMR
@Stimming, please could you tell us if the midi-in is multitimbral? Can you sequence multiple midi parts? That would be amazing 🤩
yes, you can sequence the split mode seperately - all the new functions are accessible via midi, either seperate channels or classic split.
@@MartinStimming Thank you so much my friend! By the way, I do LOVE your live set for Cercle. That's totally amazing!
Synclavier II look a like
One question: If midi velocity has a feature where you can add 127 levels to the existing 127, doesn't that mean you have 254 levels?
If I remember it right those detachable front panels is a solution for added future features.
the 128 levels (0-127) are because of 7 bits (2^7). If you have 7 more bits it's like each level now has 128 'sub-levels'. In other words: you add 127 levels to each original level. Or just calculate 2^(7+7) = 2^14 levels in total.
He amazingly adapts his playing to the sounds he hears. He doesn't impose his own way of playing on sounds, but really let's the sounds shine. That's a true musician's skill, not easy.
Thanks for the compliment, I guess it's the only way to shine as my playing is so bad in itself ;)
You are an inspiration. Looking forward to Ludwig!
21:19
Feels like it’s trying perhaps to be a modern day Synclavier
Or a Hi-Tech Rhodes 😉
Come the new C15 with a real midi?In/out/thru
No, it's usb 'only'
What are those green and white jack cables that he uses?
these might be chroma cables....
Oyaide
@@MStimming thanks... expensive
€4000 hahaha
You can rent (to own or give back anytime) for 80,-€/month but yeah, it's an expensive beast
schon lustig wenn man guckt ob Stimming die Factory Presets benutzt die man vor Jahren für NLL programmiert hat :D
Gut gemacht, das! :)
@stimming_official war mir eine Ehre
NEW ALBUM HYPE TRAIN GET ON BOARD
I wish they would make a more affordable version
You can rent it as well! :)