NONLINEAR LABS C15 Manuel utilisateur

User Manual

C15 Studio Package - Addendum

NONLINEAR LABS GmbH

Helmholtzstraße 2-9 E

10587 Berlin

Germany

www.nonlinear-labs.de

info@nonlinear-labs.de

C15 Studio Package – Addendum

Vers. 19 (2021-12-09)

Authors: Stephan Schmitt, Matthias Seeber, David Johannes Meyer

Studio Package Addendum

Contents

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2. The MIDI Implementation of the C15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3. Connecting the C15 to a USB Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

4. Connecting the C15 via 5-pole DIN Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

5. Connecting the C15 to a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

6. MIDI Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

6.1 MIDI Settings: Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

6.2 MIDI Settings: Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

6.3 MIDI Settings: Routings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

7. Practical Studio Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

8. The Digital Audio Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

1. Introduction

In the development of the C15 we first focused on human control and playability. We designed

a self-contained instrument “for those who love to play keys”.

The implementation of a MIDI interface is now widening up the spectrum of applications for

the C15 - especially in the studio environment.

The second extension that is included in this soware release is an internal digital recorder. It

automatically stores the audio output signal of the last hours. Selected segments of the audio

can be downloaded in a lossless digital format. It also allows to restore the synth engine’s

state at any point in time within the recorded audio.

2. The MIDI Implementation of the C15

Since the Studio Package update the C15 can receive and send MIDI messages. Received

MIDI messages can control the C15 and aect the sound, similar to playing the instrument

itself. When playing on the C15, MIDI messages can be sent, reflecting the performance.

Note that received MIDI messages will never be sent, so there is no “MIDI Thru” or loopback

functionality.

Receive and Send options include a Channel (Omni, 1 ... 16) specifier, filtering events accord-

ingly. When a Split Sound is loaded, a secondary (Split) Channel can be used in order to

separate both Parts from each other.

As classical MIDI operates on 7 bit resolution (128 steps), there is a loss in accuracy (the C15

operates on much higher precision). Nevertheless, precision can be maintained by enabling

“High Res.” options. When enabled, the resolution increases to 14 bit (16384 steps). Values are

then encoded as a pair of MSB (coarse) and LSB (fine) components, eectively doubling the

amount of messages. This is still compatible with the classical resolution, as the LSB compo-

nent is optional when receiving MIDI messages.

The C15 can send and receive MIDI messages for the following events:

Note On and Note O

When enabled, the C15 will produce sounds when receiving MIDI Note messages. Likewise,

the C15 will send MIDI Note messages when playing on the internal keybed, if enabled. Note

On and O velocities are supported and can optionally operate on high resolution, using

an additional MIDI CC (Control Change) message on Control Number 88, encoding the LSB

component.

When a Split Sound is loaded, Notes can be received and sent on both Parts, using the sec-

ondary (Split) Channel setting.

Studio Package Addendum

6 7

The eight Hardware Sources

Physical control elements of the C15 like a pedal or the bender are called Hardware Sources.

They can be flexibly mapped to the Macro Controls, each of which can modulate up to 90

assignable parameters.

In the C15’s user interface the Hardware Sources are represented by eight sliders. Their posi-

tions can be sent and received via MIDI in the following way:

• Pedal 1/2/3/4 can be assigned to MIDI CCs 01...31 for the MSB while CC 33...63 can work as

LSB for 14 bit resolution. CC 64...69 can be assigned in a 2-state switching mode.

• Ribbon 1/2 can be assigned to MIDI CC 01...31 for the MSB while CC 33...63 can work as LSB

for 14 bit resolution.

• The Bender can be assigned to MIDI Pitchbend or to MIDI CC 01...31 for the MSB while CC

33...63 can work as LSB for 14 bit resolution.

• Aertouch can be assigned to MIDI Channel Pressure or to MIDI CC 01...31 for the MSB while

CC 33...63 can work as LSB for 14 bit resolution, or to one half of the range of MIDI Pitchbend

(up or down).

ࠦNote that assignments are non-exclusive, so multiple Hardware Sources can be

bound to the same received MIDI message, as well as being merged into indistin-

guishable MIDI messages when sent. This may be useful in certain scenarios, so there

are no restrictions. However, it is up to the user to find a meaningful setting, apart

from the provided default setting, consisting of distinct assignments.

Preset Selection

One of the Preset Banks can be assigned to receive and send MIDI Program Changes. The

Program Change numbers are mapped to the first 128 presets of this Bank.

3. Connecting the C15 to a USB Device

The C15 has a Type A connector for USB, and its embedded computer system works as a “USB

host” for “USB devices” connected to this port. This means that you only need a standard USB

cable to set up a MIDI communication with an instrument, a hardware sequencer, or a MIDI

interface that has a USB Type B connector. You can connect the C15 to multiple USB MIDI

devices via a USB hub.

Important: The USB port of the C15 can only supply a limited current to bus-powered devices.

Devices that have a higher power consumption need to be run with their own power supply,

or through a powered hub.

4. Connecting the C15 via 5-pole DIN Connectors

To use the classical MIDI cables and 5-pin DIN Ins and Outs a MIDI interface can be connected

as an USB device directly to the USB port of the C15. The most convenient and cost eective

solution are cables with integrated USB-MIDI interface.

Studio Package Addendum

8 9

5. Connecting the C15 to a Computer

A computer running a DAW or similar is the center of many setups. It functions as a USB host

and can only be connected to USB devices. Since the C15 is also a USB host we provide the

“MIDI Bridge” that functions as a double-sided USB device with two Type B connectors. One of

the ports is connected to the C15 and the second to your computer.

Our adapter will appear as “NLL-MIDI-Bridge” in the list of USB MIDI devices. The two LEDs on

top of the box show the operation of the two USB Ports. If both are lit in green color the box is

working normal. If one of the LEDs ist not green, the connection to its side is interrupted. More

information about the operation of the MIDI Bridge can be found in the “MIDI-Bridge-User-

Manual.pdf”.

Besides its function for the C15 the MIDI bridge can also be used for the MIDI connection

between other USB hosts, like two computers.

6. MIDI Settings

In the Setup (both in the graphical UI and on the hardware) you find a new page for “MIDI

Settings”. It is divided into the sections “Channels”, “Assignments” and “Routings”. Further-

more, you find direct access to “Panic”, “Local Enable” and “Program Change Bank” at the very

top of the settings page.

Panic

When triggered, the C15’s Voice Allocation, Envelopes and Buer will be reset and an “All Notes

O” MIDI message will be send on the respective channel(s). As a result, all internal audio and

external gear will stop playing. A common method to face stuck MIDI notes, but it also can be

helpful, when you lost control of the sound, e.g. through a feedback loop.

Panic can also be triggered by pressing all four so buttons on the base unit at the same time.

Studio Package Addendum

10 11

Local Enable

When set to “O”, both the C15’s keyboard and the eight Hardware Sources are disconnected

from the synth engine but still can be used to send MIDI note and Control Change, Pitchbend

or Channel Pressure messages.

ࠤPlease note that changing this setting while a note is active resets the voice allo-

cation, the envelopes and the buer of the C15, so that the audio playback is inter-

rupted for a brief moment. In this case, a MIDI All Notes O message is also sent on

the respective channel(s).

Program Change Bank

Here you can assign the Preset Bank that is used for sending and receiving MIDI Program

Change messages. By selecting “None”, no MIDI Program Change messages will be received or

sent. Please see the next subchapter “Choosing a Bank for MIDI Program Change” for choosing

a Preset Bank directly from the preset view.

ࠤPlease note, that every time you change the Program Change Bank, a corresponding

MIDI message is sent.

Choosing a Bank for MIDI Program Change:

To make use of MIDI Program Change messages one of the C15’s preset banks has to be

assigned as the source and target of Program Changes. A received Program Change would

select the preset with the referring number in this bank and the selection of a new preset

in the bank will send a MIDI Program Change with its number. Selecting a preset that has a

higher number than 128 will not send a Program Change.

The “Direct Load” switch decides if the C15 only sends a MIDI Program Change when you

select a preset, or if the preset is also loaded into the sound engine. Therefore it has a similar

eect like a “Local O” for Program Changes.

The header of the MIDI-assigned bank is marked by a symbol that looks like a 5-pole MIDI

connector. The bank can be connected or disconnected in the following ways:

• In the graphical UI you find the entry “Connect Bank to MIDI PC” or “Disconnect Bank from

MIDI PC” in the context menu of the bank header.

• In the Preset Screen of the Hardware UI activate the “Bank” focus by pressing the So Button

1 (with a dual preset hold the button for a second). In the “Edit” menu you find the entry

“MIDI PC: On” or “MIDI PC: O”, that can be toggled by the “Enter” button.

By connecting a bank to MIDI PC the previously connected bank will be disconnected. Aer

disconnecting the currently connected bank, none of the banks will be connected. The cur-

rently assigned bank can also be found and changed in the “Program Change Bank” menu in

the MIDI Settings.

Studio Package Addendum

12 13

6.1 MIDI Settings: Channels

Channels

Here you can select the MIDI channel that is used to send and receive MIDI messages for both

Primary and Split Channel. The Split Channel is relevant only if a Split Sound is loaded. If you

select “Omni”, messages from all 16 MIDI channels will be applied. “None” will block all incom-

ing and/or outgoing MIDI messages. When “Split Channel” is set to “Common”, it will use the

same MIDI channel as the Primary Channel.

Settings for Split Channels apply to Split Sounds only. It controls the MIDI channel for MIDI

messages sent and/or received by Part II. If the Split Channel is not set to “Common”, the Split

Point(s) are not applied to the received MIDI notes and both Parts can be played over the full

MIDI note range.

ࠤPlease note that changing this setting while a note is active resets the voice allo-

cation, the envelopes and the buer of the C15, so that the audio playback is inter-

rupted for a brief moment. In this case, a MIDI All Notes O message is also sent on

the respective channel(s).

6.2 MIDI Settings: Assignments

These settings determine which types and numbers of MIDI messages are assigned to the

Hardware Sources. High Resolution options for Velocities and Hardware Sources as well as a

Bank selector for Program Changes are also provided. The Assignments apply to both MIDI

Send and MIDI Receive.

Studio Package Addendum

14 15

Pedal 1, 2, 3, 4

Each pedal can be assigned to a MIDI Control Change. The CC numbers 1 to 31 are available

for continuous operation in 7-bit and 14-bit (High-Res.) mode. In 14-bit mode a second CC

with a number between 33 and 63 is automatically assigned for the LSB.

In addition, the CC numbers 64 to 69 are available. They work as 2-state switches, as it is

typical for e.g. a MIDI sustain pedal. When the C15’s pedal position rises above 50 %, a MIDI

CC value of 127 is sent, when it falls below 50% a value of 0 is sent. A received MIDI CC value

smaller than 64 sets the pedal position to 0 %. Values of 64 or larger set the pedal position to

100 %.

By selecting “None” the pedal is disconnected from MIDI.

Ribbon 1, 2

Each ribbon can be assigned to a MIDI Control Change. The CC numbers 1 to 31 are available

in 7-bit and 14-bit (High-Res) mode. In 14-bit mode a second CC with a number between 33

and 63 is automatically assigned for the LSB.

By selecting “None” the ribbon is disconnected from MIDI.

Bender

In the typical application as a pitch bender the Bender can be assigned to MIDI Pitchbend.

This has 14 bits resolution by definition.

The Bender can also be assigned to a MIDI Control Change. The CC numbers 1 to 31 are avail-

able in 7-bit and 14-bit (High-Res) mode. In 14-bit mode a second CC with a number between

33 and 63 is automatically assigned for the LSB.

By selecting “None” the Bender is disconnected from MIDI.

Aertouch

The most common assignment would be MIDI Channel Pressure. This has only 7 bits of

resolution.

Aertouch can also be assigned to a MIDI Control Change. The CC numbers 1 to 31 are avail-

able in 7-bit and 14-bit (High-Res) mode. In 14-bit mode a second CC with a number between

33 and 63 is automatically assigned for the LSB.

Two additional options are available to assign Aertouch to one half of the MIDI Pitchbend.

“Pitchbend up” has a range from the center to the maximum while “Pitchbend down” goes

from the center to the minimum. These ranges have 13 bits of resolution.

By selecting “None” Aertouch is disconnected from MIDI.

High-Res. CCs (use LSB)

Control Changes can be transmitted with a resolution of 14 bit by using two CCs, one for

coarse (MSB) values and one for fine (LSB) values. The LSB message has to be sent before the

MSB message. The number of the CC for the LSB is derived from the number of the CC for the

MSB by adding 32.

To avoid conflicts with other applications of the LSB CCs, their use can be disabled (“O”). This

setting applies to all assigned MIDI Control Changes.

High-Res. Velocity (CC 88)

Note On and Note O velocities can be transmitted with a resolution of 14 bit by sending a CC

88 message before each Note On or Note O message. The value of the CC 88 represents the

LSB that is providing additional 7 bits of resolution.

To avoid conflicts with other applications of CC 88, its use as velocity LSB can be disabled

(“O”).

Classic MIDI High Resolution

Pedal 1 CC20 CC20 + CC52 (MSB + LSB)

Pedal 2 CC21 CC20 + CC53 (MSB + LSB)

Pedal 3 CC22 CC20 + CC54 (MSB + LSB)

Pedal 4 CC23 CC20 + CC55 (MSB + LSB)

Ribbon 1 CC24 CC20 + CC56 (MSB + LSB)

Ribbon 1 CC25 CC20 + CC57 (MSB + LSB)

Bender MIDI Pitchbend MIDI Pitchbend

Aertouch MIDI Channel Pressure CC26 + CC58 (MSB + LSB)

High-Res. Velocity (CC88) O On

High-Res. CCs (use LSBs) O On

Studio Package Addendum

16 17

6.3 MIDI Settings: Routings

These settings allow to set individual and specific MIDI routings. The matrix consists of five col-

umns: “Send Primary” (SP), “Receive Primary” (RP), “Send Split” (SS), “Receive Split” (RS) and

“Local” (L). The rows list “Notes”, “Program Change” and the eight Hardware Sources “Pedal

1-4”, “Bender”, “Aertouch” and “Ribbon 1-2”.

In the graphical UI, a check mark at the respective matrix position sets the entry to “On”,

removing the check mark sets it to “O”. On the hardware, a highlighted entry represents “On”,

a dark one “O”.

Also, the access to the matrix is dierent on the hardware. When you choose one of the rows

and press “Enter”, you reach a dedicated settings dialog for this row. In the center, the display

shows you the name of the respective component, e.g. “Notes”. Use so buttons 2 and 3 to

change between the rows. With so button 4, you can switch between the columns. The name

of the actual column is also displayed below the chosen row, e.g. “Send Primary”.

By turning the dial, you can set the entry to “On” or “O”. When holding the shi button while

turning the dial, you can set the whole row to “On” or “O”. The status is also displayed by the

check marks on the right side. By pressing so button 1, you get back to the matrix overview.

Send (Primary/Split)

When set to “O” the respective C15 component will not send MIDI messages on the respec-

tive channel.

Receive (Primary/Split)

When set to “O” the respective C15 component will not receive MIDI messages on the respec-

tive channel.

Local

When set to “O” the respective component is disconnected from the synth engine, but still

can be used to send MIDI note and Control Change, Pitchbend or Channel Pressure messages.

In this mode the base unit display is not showing the associated Macro Control, but the

MIDI-CC number assigned to the Ribbons instead.

Set all Routings to On/O

Below the Routings Matrix, you find the options to enable or disable all routings by pressing

“Set all Routings to On” or “Set all Routings to O” (respectively “All On”/”All O” in the WebUI).

ࠤPlease note that changing the routings setting while a note is active resets the voice

allocation and the envelopes of the C15, so that the audio playback is interrupted for

a brief moment. In this case, a MIDI All Notes O message is also sent on the respec-

tive channel(s).

Studio Package Addendum

18 19

7. Practical Studio Examples

With the C15’s MIDI features, it can be used as a master keyboard and production tool in the

center of your studio or live performance set. In the following we want to show you exemplary

scenarios, which will help you to understand the MIDI settings better and give you some orien-

tation and helpful tips when using the C15 as a production tool.

Scenario 1: Studio Setup

A Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is the heart of almost every modern music studio. There-

fore, this first scenario will focus on using your C15 with the benefits of a DAW, but also as a

controller for other instruments within the DAW. So, on the one hand, we will use the C15 as a

sound generator, and on the other hand, to control a Plug-In.

ࠤPlease note that this setup is not entirely applicable to a live situation as any change

to the MIDI settings while a note is active can lead to a reset of C15’s envelopes and

voice allocation and an “All Notes O” MIDI message. As a consequence internal and

external audio will stop for a brief moment.

First, we want to record a MIDI track, that triggers a C15 bass sound. This MIDI track receives

MIDI notes and CC values by the C15. As we send MIDI data to the DAW and back to the C15,

we can benefit from the MIDI processing features of the DAW (arpeggiator, chord generator,

etc.).For the bass track, we want to record MIDI-Notes and the ribbon’s CC values.

C15 DAW

BassTrack

PlugIn Track

MIDI FX

C15

Bass Track

MIDI Notes & Ribbon CCs 24 & 25

rec. track controls C15 (Local O)

DAW

For this purpose, we have to change some of the routing settings: turn on “Send” and

“Receive” for both Notes and Ribbon 1 & 2 for Primary Channel. As we don’t want MIDI Echo

issues to appear, we turn o Local for them. The direct connection between the keys, both

ribbons and the C15 is now interrupted and completely controlled via MIDI. MIDI-Monitoring of

your DAW should be activated. You can now record the track. The track “C15 Bass” of the DAW

now controls the C15 and the ribbon’s LEDs reflect the incoming CC values. You can now use

the keys and the remaining Hardware Sources to control a Plug-In in the DAW. In this example

we use Arturia’s Mini V3. Therefore, we want to turn o track 1’s MIDI monitoring and choose

track 2 for recording. The C15 keeps on playing, run by the recorded Bass track.

As the C15 is still hearable, we do have to make some adaptions to the Routings settings. We

want to turn o Local and Receive for all other Hardware Sources as they would interfere with

the playing bass sound otherwise. You can now turn on Local for the Ribbons again, as this

allows you a direct impact on the bass sound. Further, turn on “Send” for Pedals 1-4, Bender

as well as Aertouch and Notes, as we want to use these to control the Plug-In.

We can now control the Plug-In without chang-

ing the bass sound unintentionally.

DAW PlugIn Track

MIDI Notes & CC 20, 21, 22, 23,

Pitchbend, Channel Pressure

C15 DAW

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