OP-1 Tutorial: Making a Track

[@SpecialSaws]

Who ever complains about price has no idea what they are paying for here or is either sour or can’t find a way to afford it. This little gem is far worth the cash. Timeless piece of gear here !!

[@zebrazilla01]

5 years later I’m actually really happy I found this video

[@backclothbeats]

I'm not sure why so many people are talking smack about this thing. Its a tool, just like any other synth. Although i cannot afford one, i still think its a pretty dope way to express some ideas in a quick fashion - on the road, plane, car, wherever. Hopefully it will become more affordable in the future so people won't feel so left out. Thanks for the tutorial and a deeper insight to the world of OP-1.

[@DK-lu5wo]

Dude, you have single-handedly convinced me to hold onto my OP-1. I've been telling myself I was going to sell it but now I want to spend some quality time to learn it well. The OP-1 is one of the nicest toys to have on a long trans-Pacific flight. Thank you for taking the time to explain what you know for those of us who are allergic to manuals.

[@CaidicusProductions]

Today's my first day owning an OP-1. After playing around with it for a while, I became worried that I wouldn't be able to figure out how to actually record things in step with itself. This video basically instructed me on how to write any and every song that might come into my head. Fantastic! Thanks for this video!

[@ModularLanding]

Fantastic tutorial. I've had the OP-1 for a few months and have struggled to figure out how to use it. This has helped enormously!

[@BenQdamnit]

Great video. Thanks for the instruction, you are really clear. Totally helpful. I got one yesterday, and I do not miss the money! I'm not a rich guy; some things are clearly just worth it.

[@jeffcon0]

Great video. Thanks for this. You're one of the uploaders who've convinced me to take a plunge on the OP-1. To all of the naysayers: Some of us grew up in the age of actual knobs and buttons and although you can run out and buy any DAW for less there's not much out to rival the OP-1 as a portable piece of all-in-one hardware.

[@mizuko6132]

You’re incredible. I’m learning a lot about my op 1 your a really good teacher. Thank you

[@BAwesomeDesign]

I'm guessing many of the critics who dismiss the review as being "cookie cutter" or something really must not know much about music. I am a musician, and am flabbergasted I didn't know about this little device when it came out 5 years ago. This is perfect for getting ideas out and for just getting creative again. Got mine coming on Tuesday. Can't wait. This will be so much easier than flipping on my DAW and trying to figure out what all the plugins do and being overwhelmed with the sheer amount of stuff in Native Instruments Komplete, for example. The OP-1 seems to have a lot of interesting sound capabilities in it, and having a sampler on it really makes it a great deal.

[@mwmingram]

Extremely helpful. I couldn't figure out how you could skip back bars but then realised I needed Beat Match to be switched off to do that. Love the way you do the chords because as I now understand (after a few piano tutorials!) the only difference between Major/Minor/Diminshed/Augmented chords is that they have a set difference between the space between each component note on the keybooard - so it works really well to be able to transpose that relationship up and down the keyboard.

[@DeanSegovis]

Excellent demo video! Very clear, very professionally done. I'm sold!

[@deelux5519]

+Dean Segovis WHY?!

[@DeanSegovis]

Because it's a nice neat portable package that's well laid out and easy to use.

[@deelux5519]

+Dean Segovis Ya, so's my sister but she doesn't change a GRAD! (Well I paid $640 haha).....(For the OP-1...Not to have sex with my sister).............(I'd never actually PAY to do that)

[@engstrom1337]

+Dee Lux WTF

[@deelux5519]

yes.....it was....exactly

[@pierretirheden1002]

Brilliant video - gave a whole lot of answers about this amazing product. Thanks a lot for making and sharing this vid! Teenage Engineering blows my mind, awesome!!

[@THkaas]

They sure had some good interface designers.

[@themheavypeople]

It may well be an intuitive instrument, but your tutorial saved me a ton of headache time and thanks for that!

[@KimStennabbCaesar]

Totally possible! If you make a drum pattern using the technique showed in the beginning of the video and record it to track, there's nothing that stops you to make a new pattern in the pattern editor and just record it after the first recorded 4-bar loop. You basically record the patterns you want to tape, then it's just a matter of cutting and pasting, since it's possible to lift/drop a looped section of just one of the four tracks instead of all of them. Same goes for bass and synth parts. :)

[@officialpvt]

OP-1 looks so simple and so amazing. I'm trying to get my hands on one so badly. AWESOME and worth every penny.

[@bicza001]

dude ur amzing. best tutorial ive seen so far on the OP-1

[@seanr.8020]

I was struggling getting my loops to stay in time. Using shift arrow to set the end points was super helpful. TY!

[@phantasyhero4435]

I'm saving up for this! So I'm using this tutorial to study up for when I get it. Thanks!

[@KORVEOS]

Phantasyhero4 you get one now?

[@phantasyhero4435]

I've had money for a while but it keeps going out of stock. =/

[@parasoldat66]

@@phantasyhero4435 How bout now?

[@phantasyhero4435]

@@parasoldat66 still don't have it I can't find it anywhere

[@parasoldat66]

@@phantasyhero4435 I just bought a second hand op-1 today for 850 euros.

[@airatefac]

great vid thomas! especially the part of recording chords into a pattern!

[@Xenious]

Brilliant tutorial video. Cheers for taking the time to make it. I'd love to see more!

[@VIDKID666]

7 years later and still the biz

[@iosmusicman]

I know it's eight years late but I only just got an OP-1. Fab tutorial. Thanks

[@zaphyd]

Thank you so much for this video! The OP-1 is a joy to work with and a little workstation on it's own. Great fun(k) factor

[@TheRealSnubluck]

great video! Still learning this thing, but I love my op-1

[@Laotzsa]

Mine is on the way... great intro my friend 🙏

[@alexisland3927]

cool blanket I like the organization of the colors

[@osio1r]

This video made me change my mind from not wanting it to really wanting it :D

[@RabbiSteve]

Thanks so much for this (and your other tutorial vids). This was so valuable for me working with my OP-1.

[@op-1g.s]

I very very like your work flow and how you put stuff together. Very Detail.

[@CalvinWatkins]

Love the video.. It amazes me how some people is tripping over the price of the OP-1. The device justifies the cost and my take on it is if you want one bad enough, you'll shell out the cash... Again love the video..

[@RabbiSteve]

Calvin Watkins Totally agree. As I said in a comment replying to someone else, my favorite piece of electronic gear and among my favorite musical instruments including acoustic and electric.

[@JimAward]

Excellent video! Thanks for sharing.

[@BIG_PASTA]

Awesome tutorial, and what a nice seeming guy! Very informative/well constructed!

[@ProjectEvolWe]

Amazing innovative little box.

[@darwiniandude]

This is an old video now, but still full of invaluable tips. I didn't know shift loop would loop the highlighted recording for example. Great stuff :)

[@mascaria1]

Your video is very well put together good job I have been producing fore quite a while and own lots of analog gear Moog Dave smith roger Lynn exetra and the op-1 is a great piece and a fun piece I love it thanks fore your awesome video good Brotha...... Mascaria

[@ThefamousMrcroissant]

You're extremely musically gifted

[@juhohamalainen5744]

OP-1 Kenobi

[@Kaff231]

LOL Just what I was thinking...perfect!

[@Mandingo_Cule]

jajajajajajaja

[@vikzillllla7541]

Damn it, dad

[@Qazkazu1111]

👍✨

[@Lukree]

Really nice tutorial. Good tips and workflow advice! Just got my OP1 and hope to get something nice done. :)

[@djthomaswhite]

Chemical- a black limited edition one would be ace!!! Still the white vibe is very "I", as in iPod, and other Apple products, but further back than that it screams Casio VL-Tone.

[@AztecNinja89]

holy crap, i understood pretty much none of that, but this thing looks amazing....

[@leonfasc2776]

Alright i found out watching your video again, i had to set up the metronome green "Beat Match' thanks again :)

[@hiabex]

Thanks for a great and informative video. Excellent for new users, like myself.

[@djthomaswhite]

I can't wait to hear your multitrack productions with built in fx with those two analog synths. The mono tribe and Minibrute should totally help you make 6 minute dynamic productions like the OP. Not a toy, just looks cute but is MEAN through and through. Heavy and well built too

[@whatheshow]

Awesome tutorial! Thanks so much! -Joe

[@SpacePasteMusic]

OP-1, you're my only hope

[@tempjohn1111]

OMG. This is the 2012 version of the Casio VL-Tone I had back in 1983.

[@RabbiSteve]

tempjohn1111 Exactly. If that was made from unibody aluminum, included military-quality aircraft tech in the controllers, included a 4 track recording studio, a sampler, a bunch of cool delays, reverb, and other digital FX, an FM synth, much more varied synth engines, worked for 16 hours on one charge of a rechargeable battery, had a built in accelerometer for using gravity to control different parameters and adding expression, was firmware updatable, and included multiple sequencers including (now with the latest update) an arpeggiator, among other things.

[@MattWarb2]

Rabbi Steve but yeah basically the same lol

[@repker]

that is a rad blanket

[@djthomaswhite]

Thanks Jeffcon0, I am sitting here making beats with it while I read this. Such a fun machine! With NAMM right around the corner we may see some new features I hope.

[@TheBluehood23]

I like how you explain how you havent stop making music but stated doing things visually !!!!same apply to dj vs analog djing

[@schallhouse]

really enjoyed this review and will order mine. thanks

[@captainkremin1]

You are a great teacher!

[@asmootharchitect]

9:35 using endless sequencer as chord memory function, is a good idea

[@djthomaswhite]

Flamixin- that is one awesome smartphone with midi, knobs, stereo in/out, fm radio and keys you can push with more than 1 finger! Some people just prefer dedicated music peripherals like the OP, nothing more than that.

[@THEFLOORISYOURS]

Love the blanket !

[@alexnosek1066]

"house is the way to make your body move" - adorable.

[@TylerANDBABE]

lol

[@jakebutler1095]

He really should be the one to write a new manual for the device the way he explains it is so much better then the manual and there little videos. I hope he makes a video explaining how some of the effects works because i'm still trying to figure out those.

[@tristanhill8065]

With the resample freeing up tracks and making it possible to layer up samples with effects. My god, it's an mpc in your pocket!

[@bestrickie2]

Very good little machine. How do you manage to get your fingers round such small keys & buttons. I record bits & bobs at home with Sonar using home keyboards/syths such as a Juno G roland. How much is this little device as I wouldn't mind something to record music when I'm traveling. You seem to have a nack for this. Is it just a case of getting it out the box & using it with out having to studdy it too much as I'm one of those folk who like to get going right away. Cheers.

[@ryanstratton1925]

I was interested in this video since it says you create a song on the OP-1. I would not call that a song. That is just a loop. I am curious if you could actually lay out a fairly complex song with a many different parts and vocals and put it all together on something like this?

[@beatchef]

I don't think so, it's just for ideas and sketches you would then export into a daw

[@deelux5519]

+R Stratton Yeah this is a VERY pain by numbers electronic music no disrespect to the OP................but what is supposed to be impressive here?

[@morganlak4337]

I dont think this was supposed to be an impressive song, hes just explaining the basics of working with the op-1. I'd love to see you explain everything about the device while making a song on the fly and have the song be """"impressive""""

[@GB3770]

OP-1 looks great for long flights - on your track: the mini bline riff from 24.09 to 24.11 using the vocal sample sounded good...looped with some fx and repeated every other bar might add something...

[@modgrip805]

8:37 What's that knob do......?

[@DuckletShwag]

increase the lfo on that blanket my dood

[@collinsomniac]

what he said

[@MattWarb2]

It's sheet music :)

[@cupcakeispie]

🤣🤣🤣

[@TheHolographicMan]

Thanks so much for this! Helps an insane amount.

[@fvazquez64]

Nice... thanks for sharing!

[@jaysims9690]

very soulful

[@GoodVibeTunes]

I'd love to see that video of you DJing accompanied by the OP-1

[@DistantSkies]

Very informational. Thanks!

[@tricky1800]

Really helpful video. Thank you

[@SuaveCityGear]

Time for another one bro, we miss the OP1 vids

[@threalkrazyk8852]

I need to study tutorials and then get my lazy ass into work do some over time and save up for this it's a magic piece of kit

[@ChritsianBucic]

2021, pffff I watched your video only now, and I discovered how this product is a little gem, ;-) I am not sur to find one now, anyway, interesting demo!

[@bashaenraets9156]

That was extremely helpful. Thank you sir!

[@fmaylinch]

21:26 It would be very convenient to be able drop all 4 tracks (that were lifted with shift 12:38) into just one track, already mixed without having to do this sampler trick. It could be easily added by T.E. via firmware update, e.g. by pressing shift + drop.

[@72Z15SS]

NICE I need one of these...

[@stealingowls1228]

Though I currently cant afford this YET I am getting to my G roots with an Ipad, korg gadget and nanokey wireless keyboard,,Now I can write music anywhere ...its heaven.

[@liveausjank]

Great video , thank you 🙏 for you help

[@djthomaswhite]

Coen- Love Chord is available in some Cluster Engine presets I have posted on the Ohpeewon dot com forum. Thanks!

[@angledcoathanger]

Great stuff.

[@djthomaswhite]

Big word time eh? An awesome comment from a truly original user with a truly original youtube name... Mr. Sirkets LOL.

[@spdycar13]

Would love to see this updated to the new firmware.

[@SynthesizerBook]

fantastic.

[@GeoffreyUrch]

Nice Work

[@AresGoda]

Very good. Video sir thx for that

[@TheBluehood23]

awesome video, thank you

[@ganjaklaus80]

voll das super gerät. was kostet den so ein spaß und kann man da batterien rein tun, für den totalen outdoor adventure einsatz?

[@rexmundi1570]

Fun. I like its unique design and user-friendliness. It would be great if there was a cheaper basic version you could use as simply a four track recorder you can connect to a pc or synth, especially if you keep the LED screen with the tape-spools graphic, and buttons.

[@Pannekoek35]

VERY AWESOME!

[@djthomaswhite]

I added a link to the Live Performance OP-1 video with me using it to DJ in San Francisco. It's in the video notes above. Thanks!

[@johnnikitopoulos6261]

well explained! I cant wait for mine :)

[@Returbeats]

Great video!!!!

[@lachopakapura]

hi djthomas love your videos:) i am thinking of buying the op-1. i am very into the 80's sound(kate bush,peter gabriel and phil collins).is the op-1 suitable for making that style of music. is the op-1 just for house music? also....can you please give an example of a song with a chorus verse and a brig....different chords,i cant find any video showing it . thanking you in advance and have a nice day:)

[@hubspin]

brilliant! thank you!

[@_ekze]

I like that blanketty thing that thing is sitting on

[@mystigrixmusic]

Your voice is so soothing :D

[@danieldemayo6209]

man this is so damn cool i want one for no reason haha

[@gorkemgulan]

nice video- thanks! quick one, how do you do the patches?? thanks!

[@smashcreamsdjsproducer4868]

woooow fantastic tutorial...please, what set of drums you use in the song ?

[@maxmatteo2436]

nice video, thanks!

[@Swenglish]

Seems like a pretty fantastic groovebox. How is it with chopping up samples? And how much can be done with it without ever stopping the "tape"? Can it for example sample an external source while the tape is playing? (Does it even have a line input, or is it all radio and built in mic?)