OP-Z: WORTH IT? (June 2020)

OP-Z: WORTH IT? (June 2020)
Today, I'm making a video that I've wanted to make for a while, but didn't feel qualified enough to make. The OP-Z is definitely expensive for it's size, and some folks assume that it isn't worth its relatively steep asking price. That just isn't so, and in this video, I'll explain why I believe that the OP-Z is such a fantastic piece of gear!
GEAR IN THIS VIDEO
OP-Z: amzn.to/2V9K4ia
Zoom H5 (audio recorder): amzn.to/3elrzyN
Questions? Ask them below!
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[@callumalston5755]

To anyone who owns an opz and thinks the rumble is a gimmick.... trust me, get one, it’s super super immersive with headphones on

[@FreeBeat]

Good to know!

[@yanny2004]

Mine is arriving in two days, super excited!! Thanks for the video! ✨

[@FreeBeat]

I'm stoked for you!!! Have fun and thanks for watching!

[@omerfarukyildiz5388]

Just discovered this channel and it got me into pocket operators. I have no music background but am already jamming every day! The OPz looks like a great fit to my PO. Keep up the great work!

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much!!

[@gabrielcutti]

I got mine a month ago and I keep exploring all the great features it brings! it's an insane device.

[@FreeBeat]

It sure is! Just when I think I've got a handle on something I'll discover a new set of parameters I didn't know about or a new way to utilize a feature I'd forgotten. It just keeps on giving!

[@gianlucacali2635]

Totally agree. Sequencing on OP-Z is super-fast and satisfying. It needs (a little) practice and commitment, but it's very regarding. I use it completely screenless... except for sound sculpting and sample chopping. If I want to set LFO, i.e., I need a screen for destination, ratio etc. And sample chop without the companion app is very frustrating, for me... On the other hand, I think it's one of the most powerful sequencers out there, especially considering that's so portable! Great video, detailed and very clear, keep jammin'!

[@FreeBeat]

Thank you! Sampling and sound design are basically the only two things I use the screen for as well lol. I've been trying to get better with the LFO section, but I found it pretty difficult to dial things in perfectly without the value on screen. Thanks for watching!

[@creedpowell]

I am waiting for mine to arrive on Thursday. Thanks to content like yours and the artists you mentioned I am inspired.

[@FreeBeat]

I'm so excited for you! You're going to love it, feel free to ask any questions you may have :) thanks for the kind words!

[@riverssucic9410]

Great Video!!! Very Informative!!!

[@FreeBeat]

Thank you, glad you liked it!

[@lofimoshpit7470]

Honestly I sold my first one because I favored the op1 more. I just bought another one because it honestly get me out of my comfort zone and I make music I would never make without it. It really is an amazing little machine once you put in the time

[@FreeBeat]

It's definitely one of those devices where you have to put in the time to get anything out of it haha period but there's so much it can do, I learn something new almost every day. Thanks for watching!

[@soth1sol]

perfect timing, to reiterate why this'll be my next major hobby expense - thanks for this! (nod to prog)

[@FreeBeat]

Awesome, glad I could help haha. Thanks for watching!

[@ste5367]

100%. Love it 😀

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@nickpritchard7130]

interesting vid. I can see myself selling my Volca collection (6) and getting one of these. Yahoo !! Great vid..thanks

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@howardanderson3061]

If your looking for all in one sequencer, sampler, and a very powerful sequencer at that, it's small very very small....I think it's worth it. Anyway, that's enough from me...your doing a whole video on the subject.... Yes you nailed it, It's a miniature DAW.... perfect description....oh yeah punch in effects

[@FreeBeat]

How I end every video: "Oh yeah, punch in effects!!!" Hahaha appreciate you man!

[@howardanderson3061]

@@FreeBeat Lol yeah for sure!

[@Solidahmed]

Great presentation.

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much!

[@Solidahmed]

@@FreeBeat You are welcome. Thank you for uploading.

[@samprock]

LMAO! Never knew it has iPhone stand thingy :D Don't tell TE it indeed worths more!

[@FreeBeat]

Right? It was there the whole time and it took me so long to figure it out lol

[@MrMutable]

The way he says hey at the start of his videos, I expect him to say "hey paisanos!" every time. It always throws me off when I don't hear it.

[@FreeBeat]

😂😂😂

[@howardanderson3061]

Cuckoo has an amazing Macro tutorial....he covers so much

[@FreeBeat]

He's the best, most soothing voice ever.

[@DocBolus]

Looks good but do you need the i/o expansion pack to get it to play nicely with other gear?

[@FreeBeat]

It depends on what gear you're trying to get it to play with. The OP-Z can do MIDI over its USB type-c port, and it works with a Kingston nuclear hub so you can plug in several devices. I've personally used it with an Arturia Keystep and a Novation Launchcontrol XL with no problem. I'm not sure if I'm ever going to get the expansion modules to be honest

[@aaronsazon2835]

Hello, thanks so much for the video. I’ve got a noob question lol. It’s my understanding that strictly comparing the stock sounds of a similar device and the stock sounds on the op-Z, is not a good comparison because you can switch out all or most of the stock sounds on the op-Z. Is this correct?

[@FreeBeat]

Correct! You can load your own sounds into the OP-Z. I have a few videos here on the channel exploring using samples and how the OP-Z can further shape them as well. Thanks for watching!

[@emmanuellaborey6275]

I don't go for it from now 'cos I read so many issues about retriggering buttons, popping out wheels, and bad customer service... How much did you use it, and did you experienced problems with the device after a year?

[@FreeBeat]

I actually haven't had any issues. The wheels take some getting used to, they are held in magnetically so they can feel loose at times but they don't come out unless you drop it or hit it hard. They are also super easy to put back in if they do pop out. In the year I've had it I think that's only happened twice.

[@brunovalente2077]

"when I first got in the mail I was blown away..." for where my money went for!

[@FreeBeat]

No way haha. I've loved it since I first opened the mailbox!

[@JTMS]

DOes it still stutter when going from pattern to pattern or is that seamless now?

[@FreeBeat]

Nope! I just finished putting together an entire album of songs done completely on the OPZ and had no stutter issues whatsoever. Thanks for watching!

[@jayykeyy]

Aww man, now my KO-33 seems inadequate. Welp, one day I guess

[@FreeBeat]

Oh no way! The 33 is so freaking powerful, I'm sure you already know that though haha. In my opinion it's just two different to the OPZ to compare! I still use mine all the time :) thanks for watching!

[@TheCuri]

You did not have Problems with bending or dials popping out?

[@FreeBeat]

I've only had one actually pop all the way out, and it was when I dropped the OP-Z from a decent distance. They are magnetic so they are super easy to put back in. I don't think it's too much of a concern honestly

[@Sfacsouille]

Do you still feel like using your POs after getting this?

[@FreeBeat]

Oh yeah! Everyday!

[@ROEHRengines]

I kinda stopped using them, but now I'm getting sad because they're so much fun. Gonna buy a new pack of batteries tomorrow :D

[@djellicon4935]

It's worth double that imo. What else comes close for trully portable and top tier sequencing with sampling too. Nothing comes close. Come at it with a deluge? Could you walk down the street using a deluge? Hahhaa. No chance. OP-1 is awesome too but not trully portable compared to the Z. I keep thinking how I got on before it was around. The KO I suppose but that is no where near this. Good.

[@FreeBeat]

💯 agreed. I think a lot of people try to compare the OP-Z to their full home studios, which obviously doesn't work. The fact that you can slip the OP-Z into your bag with ease, charge it with the same cable that charges a lot of phones, and work on 10 separate songs on the go, with full sequencing and sampling is just mind-boggling. It shouldn't be possible to fit that much power into something so small! Thanks for watching!

[@noizekiller]

"Knobs" look pretty uncertain compared to those on op-1.

[@FreeBeat]

They're less knobs and more wheels. They're held in magnetically, it's a really hard to describe system, but it grows on you the more you use it!

[@inventanew]

Can't wait for more synth and drum engines, and unity api

[@FreeBeat]

And hopefully more effects!

[@sodiumlights]

It does many, many wonderful things very, very well. But is it worth the price? No. It`s build quality isn`t even as robust as a tv remote control. £300 max.

[@FreeBeat]

Fair enough! I can understand that for sure.

[@sodiumlights]

@@FreeBeat ta for the reply. I pointed that out due tobeing an op-z owner since release and there a no `negative` points to this product in any review, which i feel need to be addressed. Poppin` encoders, double-trigs, pathetically soft shallow feet which perish, ergonomically on paper it might be cool, but it really is just a plastic mess and not designed to last a long time. It`s a bittersweet love. I`d never want to be without one. But i`d never buy another.

[@foryou2728]

I think I’ve watched every tutorial and review on KZbin and I still can’t decide... you can get so much kit for $600, BUT there is no other portable groove box option like this...

[@FreeBeat]

That's honestly what it comes down to. The form factor is absolutely unbeatable and completely unique. I think it's worth $600 to me, but we're all different haha. Let me know if you have any questions!

[@foryou2728]

@@FreeBeat Have you found any iPad apps that scratch the same itch? Just looking for fun intuitive grooveboxing while out and I already have a circuit tracks for home plus a Minilogue xd coming in the mail. Hoping to find something I can use easily while out, kind of just for fun. Much easier to spend 20-50 on an app if it gets the job done and is fun!

[@FreeBeat]

@@foryou2728 I have a really hard time using apps for some reason. I just can't get inspired. If you've got a Circuit Tracks coming I'd probably hold off on the OP-Z for at least a while though!

[@WarrenPostma]

$600 in my pocket will stay there, until I have enough coins for a synth with a display and actual keys, or a drum machine with actual drum pads, or a sampler with a hard disk.