Teenage Engineering has announced that the OP-1 synthesizer is now ready for release:
The first stock of the OP-1 sold out instantly, but we will receive new shipments every week, so please check our site frequently. We do our best to speed up the production at our factory. Still, there will be limited supply the first weeks.
Good news is that new stock is expected already next week. Please fill in the “Notify Me” field in our store to get a notification when OP-1 is available again for order.
The OP-1 synthesizer is priced at $799.
Detailed specifications below.
If you’ve used the Teenage Engineering OP-1, let us know what you think of it!
Synthesizers
- Multiple Synthesizer Engines with exchangable Architecture.
- 8 dedicated instant sound select keys
Sound Engines
- Dr Wave – Raw 8-bit yupe sound engine
- FM – Easy to tweak FM synthesis engine
- Pulse – Square wave type engine
- String – Physical modeling with a twist
- Digital – Raw digital type of engine
- Phase – Phase distortion engine
- Cluster – Multiple Wave Cluster
- Feature additions of Engines will be available with software upgrades
Sample Engines
- Dedicated instant Synth Sampler with 6 seconds sampling time for each slot.
- Dedicated instant Drum Sampler with 12 seconds sampling time for each slot.With automated layout feature.
- Instant sampling with built-in Microphone or Line in
Envelopes
- Classic ADSR type of envelope
- Dynamic Envelope for Drum sounds.
- Future additions of Envelopes will be available with software upgrades
Effects
- Multiple Effects with exchangable Architecture.
- Delay – Classic delay type
- Phone – Hacked phone effect
- Punch – Adds punch to your sound
- Grid – Grid based echo
- Spring – Spring reverb type
- Future additions of Effects will be available with software upgrades
Tape Feature
- 4 individual tracks with instant Solo
- Instant variable Tape Speed
- 6 minutes recording time in Normal tape speed.
- Up to 24 minutes recording time in Low tape speed
- Loop function with movable region
- Tape tricks for Break Tape, Bits and Reverse.
- Memo 1 & 2 for instant memorizing Effects / EQ / Pan or Levels / Tape Speed
- Reverse Recording
- Classic Tape editing Features Lift / Split and Drop
- Lift tape recordings back into Sampler for endless sound design.
Motion Sensor
- 3 Axis Motion sensor (G-Force)
- Assignable to any synth, envelope, effect parameter or to pitch.
Built-in FM radio
- Sample direct from any radiostation
- Record direct to tape
Hardware Specifications
CPU
- 400 MHz Processor Core(800 MMACSS performance)
- 64 MB Low-Power SDRAM (12ns)
- 512 MB Nand Flash storage
- 24-bit 96kHz ADC/DAC
Battery
- Li-Ion 1800 mAh
- 16 hours active Battery Life
- 2 Years stand-by time
- Charge via USB port
I/O
- USB 2.0 high speed (OTG)
- 3.5 mm Line Input, Output
- Built-in microphone
- High output mini speaker 8 Ohm 1 Watt
- 3-axis accelerometer (G-force) sensor
- Worldwide FM band support (64-108 MHz)
Display
- Amoled display running in 60 fps
- 320 x 160 pixel resolution
- Color Depth: 16.7 M
- Contrast: 10000:1 (good for outdoor use!)
- Viewing Angle: 170°
- Life Time: 30,000 hrs
Mechanical
- Low profile keyboard module
- Scissor-switch ultra low profile design
- Expected lifespan of 10 million keystrokes per key
Encoders
- Industrial Grade Incremental Encoders
- Rotational life: Up to 1,000,000 revolutions
- Excellent indexing feel (remains consistent over life)
- Zinc diecast and fiber enforced high performance plastic
- Used in Avionics Operating temperature range: -40 to +85°C2.8
Body
- Advanced CNC:d one-piece Aluminum design.
- 2 X M6 Mounting holes for accessories.
- 2 X Cuts for strap accessory.
Color
- Light grey powder coated body and EDM textured keyboard
Dimensions
L 282 mm, H 102 mm, D 13.5 mm
Packaging
The OP-1 comes shipped in a reusable environmental friendly package made out of Paperfoam material.
Motion Sensor
- 3 Axis Motion sensor (G-Force)
- Assignable to any synth, envelope, effect parameter or to pitch.
* 400 MHz Processor Core(800 MMACSS performance)
* 64 MB Low-Power SDRAM (12ns)
* 512 MB Nand Flash storage
* 24-bit 96kHz ADC/DAC
best tech the 90s has to offer!!
i like the tape emulation from what i seen but seems a little high priced
Looks like a Casio VL1, costs as much as a laptop and a pile of great software. A toy for people with too much money. I don't see anything here that can't be done way better, way cheaper.
It does look cool in a retro way.
SOLD OUT IN 24 HOURS!
This is a boutique instrument from a startup, so I think it's priced pretty well. It seems like it's selling well, too. If you're comparing it to a laptop, I feel like you're missing the point; you could compare almost any sub-$1000 hardware to a laptop and software and come up with a -technical- advantage. The added value of any hardware is in the workflow, interface, expressiveness and sometimes portability. Hardware is always going to cost more, and always have built-in limitations. So why don't I hear a backlash every time Electro Harmonix is mentioned? Why don't people complain about functionality vs. cost of $400 VCOs that appear on this very site? Because people who understand hardware know that limitations are a framework for focus. If you want to compare, compare the OP-1 to a Roland SP-555 ($700), a Korg ESX1SD($500), MPCs($500-$900) and Radias-R($700). It seems to take features from all of them.
Every demo I've heard has just been squawks and squeeks. Really high priced if that's all it does.
only sampler ive ever heard that could record straight from radio stations . awesome feature.
I'd have to agree with what gonna live forever said.
This looks pretty interesting as a synth and you have to look at the price in the context that this is a boutique synth, not a Casio. And it's unique – there's not really much in the way of extremely portable synths to compare to.
They haven't done a good job of demoing this, though. I'd like to see some beat making and track making demos that show this off.
well said. People just want some thing to bitch about
dave proves his own point
I'm glad I looked into it. The OP-1 has officially knocked my socks off of my feet and onto another part of my body (which shall remain nameless).
Even the manual for this thing is dripping with style and packed with information. I can't remember the last product I saw with this much attention to detail; connect a audio cable or pair of headphones to the line-in jack in radio mode for use as an external antenna. Never worry about saving your work. An interactive sound path diagram that self-troubleshoots. The list goes on, with something awesome I didn't know on almost every page. And they really make use of that display. I feel like the OP-1 interface was designed by mad genius semiotics professors. The manual basically has no diagrams, because the screen contents at any given time ARE interactive diagrams- clever ones at that. If controlling colored elements of a line boxer to adjust the "Punch" low pass filter doesn't make you grin, I suggest you check your pulse.
And my condolences to your next of kin if you're not intrigued by the time you make it past the class-compliant removable storage drag-and-drop sample management, all of the cool things you can pull off with the gyroscope/FM band and LFO, flexible randomization, tombala sequencer(!), tape tricks and album mode to page 29 where you can actually see the detailed synth control interfaces.
I've seen horrible tech demos of amazingly capable hardware (see: almost anyone noodling around on their modular synth on youtube) and I've seen amazing tech demos of extremely limited instruments. I would never use a tech demo to make a purchasing decision; only high resolution images and PDFs for me. What is a tech demo other than an endorsement/review and an attempt to summarize every aspect of a product in minutes? It's a capable modeling synthesizer, folks. If you can't make art with one, don't buy it.
You can't buy cool and you can't buy skill; you can only buy tools, so do your own research and make your own decisions. Maybe this isn't the right fit for you. But if you're looking for an overpriced, useless atrocity of a product to make fun of, this isn't it… however, the Beat Thang comes out next month 🙂
yep, is it a toy or is it useful? mmmm, but it sure looks cool 😉
Del From http://technobleep.com
@gonna live forever
“Dripping with style” – well, if 1980’s car advertisements are your definition of style.
Sure, you could pick up a cheap laptop and Ableton Live for that kind of cash, but that’s not the point. The no mouse no software aspect of this instruments is extremely appealing. I think the process of making music is every bit as important as the capabilities of the instrument or gear you’re using.
your right squared
its spelled "you're", genius
High priced toys pretending to be main instruments.
Maybe you could use a blip here… or bleep there… nothing that can't be made on a free app.
Tiny and 10 years too late.
If there really are people buying these toys then have fun, that's about all you'll have with it.
Alessandro Cortini seems to have done alright with it. At least one of his songs from the Red album uses it, and here's also a clip of him jamming with it live with Richard Devine.
[youtube 6U59o1vO3GQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U59o1vO3GQ youtube]
Love the look of it and the demos I have seen I am impressed with what it can do. However, that’s quite a steep pricetag in today’s ipad multifunction device world. Will people see the benefit of having the hardware device over software? Not sure. I must admit if I wanted to make some music on the move I would probably by an app for my ipad. :-/ …but I think I would prefer this little thing! 🙂
The market will decide the fate of the OP-1.
Meanwhile, I've decided to wait and see if the OP-2 has wooden end cheeks.
The market, not bitching, will decide the fate of the OP-1.
Meanwhile, I've decided to wait and see if the OP-2 has wooden end cheeks.
Computers will Die! Hardware will reign supreme again. Unplug your mac and pc before it's too late. Join the revolution and let the OP-1 lead us.
Is it just me, or did anyone else notice that it doesn't support MIDI? Paying 800 bucks, in this day and age (and economy) for something that doesn't even have MIDI ports seems a bit dumb, IMO. And I have yet to hear anything from it besides little bleeps and bloops, the video posted above doesn't really sway my opinion either. I want to hear the device itself, not a bunch of bucchlas and other modulars backing it up.
And it should be black.
Or matte black.
you just arent cool enough to get it! hah! all you dinosaurs with your midi support and capable hardware are nothing but LOSERS!! music made purely with toys is the FUTURE!!
This looked like a dream.
Then I saw that it's internal 4 track recorded in cd quality. Um no.
No stereo input? Nup.
No MIDI. Whoops.
So, so close.
You messed up.
It’s unique and fun, mainly because you don’t have nearly endless possibilities like with a laptop, DAW and VAs. There’s a huge design element here, because that’s what Teenage Engineering seems to be all about. This synth comes from the same people that made a styrofoam snap-together turntable kit– why did they make it? because it sounded like a cool idea. They are so proud of their paper foam case the OP-1 comes in– almost as proud of the case’s low impact on the environment as of the OP-1 itself. Don’t let water touch the case or it’ll start to dissolve! And look, you can buy a little microphone arm thingy to mount the synth above your desk– only $629. So are you paying for form or function? Hmm…
It’s a great little synth; amazingly compact (!), and fun to use, though it’s not the Swiss Army Knife that some people seem to expect out of gear (or software) these days. I just hope they’ll work out some way to sync it with other gear. That is one glaring omission. My 303 wants to play.
Hopefully I can get this machine before they screw up and put midi ports and all the other unnecessary crap on there that the masses cry for in unison. I think most of you missed the philosophy behind this unit. I won't spoil it for you though. I'll let you think about it a little deeper than you probably think about most things. I personally wish it had less sampling time but what can you do? (Sorry about that…didn't meant to be so rude but it gets annoying sometimes to be the only one to "get it". Quite lonely, in fact. I don't mean that anything modern is bad or any of that nonsense either! But there is a high level argument to be made if one takes the time to make it. Namaste.)
MIDI MIDI MIDI MIDI WERE IS THE MIDI!!!!! my only gripe other wise i'd have one oh and the external sample storage why no sd card slot come boys! dont be apple and put out under developed TOYS for dumb down arses who buy what thier sold not what they want
Everytime I’ve gotten an email from them (3x)
I’ve gone to the site and it’s sold out within hrs.
Am I the only one making audio and importing it into Ableton or something ?
I couldn't give a toss if doesn't have midi I only like working with audio anyway. Synth sounds great better than korgs offerings to my ears.
Make some loops that yuou couldn't do in such a portable way (enviroment does effect creativity)
Do what you need and import into daw.
If your buying this to replace a daw then you are out of your deopth anyway you need to rethink your music, but this looks like a great performance and inspirstion maker…who can put a price ion that ?
Plus your paying for high end components…go read the spec if you wonder where your money is going.
This isn't an Acer and ableton live with a behringer controller is it duhhhh