Nonlinear Labs C25: A New Hardware Synth From the Inventor of Reaktor!
The C25 will support third-party sound engines and effects.
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How do you follow up the C15, one of the top synthesizers in the world? By opening it up to third-party developers for sound synthesis and effects engines. This is the new Nonlinear Labs C25.
Nonlinear Labs C25
If you don’t know the name Stephan Schmitt, you really should. The founder of Native Instruments and developer of Reaktor has been running Nonlinear Labs since 2011, and his C15 synthesizer is considered one of the best in the world. Now comes word that Nonlinear is hard at work on C25, the follow-up to the C15 – and it looks surprisingly normal.
I’m not criticizing. It’s just that C15 has a very distinctive design, with its button-laden control panel and wooden housing. The new C25, on the other hand, is more streamlined, with a focus on gigging and portability. What’s inside, however, isn’t all that different, but it will offer some differences.
Nonlinear Labs C25: Sharing Is Caring
First of all, these photos are just computer renderings. The C25 isn’t expected to be released until early 2027. The company will provide frequent updates on its development on its website going forward, but for now, here’s what we know.
The C25 will run the digital Phase 22 Synthesis Engine, with phase-modulation/FM, waveshaping, physical modeling, and subtractive synthesis; unique feedback signal routing; and two groups of five audio effects. It will be able to support 48 voices at a 48kHz sample rate or 24 voices at 96kHz, with a dual mode capable of splits and layers, and a recorder for capturing hours of lossless audio.
Nonlinear is also promising that C25 will support synthesis and effect engines from third-party developers, much like Reaktor does.
Nonlinear Labs C25: Physical Controls
As with the C15, the new C25 is aimed at players. As such, it will include a number of performance-focused features, including a Fatar TP/8S keybed, whose keys can become polyphonic modulation sources, “offering control by the vertical position of the key, its velocity or the aftertouch pressure,” according to Nonlinear.
Additional performance controls include the Bender from the C15, a new Lever, and two Ribbons with LED position indicators. It also offers four pedal and four CV inputs.
Another big change from the C15 is the seven-inch TFT touch screen. Although it will support touch, the synth also has hardware buttons for every function, with a replaceable button overlay allowing the user interface to be configured for different synth or effect engines.
Additional connectivity includes USB host and device, MIDI in and out, and a high-end audio interface with stereo ins and outs.
Nonlinear Labs C25: Pricing and Availability
As mentioned before, Nonlinear Labs is hoping to have the C25 ready to go in early 2027. There’s no word on price. While it will undoubtedly have a premium price tag thanks to its use of high-quality parts, it should probably be less than the C15.
The company will be showing the new synthesizer at Superbooth. Hopefully we’ll have more information soon.
More Information
- Nonlinear Labs C25 product page
- More about Nonlinear Labs
- More about synthesizers
- Buy synthesizers at Thomann*
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