Teenage Engineering OP-1 - Is it worth it in 2022? (one year review)

Last year, curiosity got the better of me, and I spent the cash I saved by not going on holiday or doing anything through lockdown on a Teenage Engineering OP1. I wanted something portable and powerful to make full tracks on. So, did it live up to the myth and hype, and would I buy it again in 2022? READ ON TO FIND OUT. (well, watch).
--
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[@StephenMcLeod]

*Well, is the OP-1 worth it?*

[@GongMaster]

I think Teenage Engineering products are all much too expensive. I would not support a price strategy like that. I rather buy a couple of other toys instead of getting an OP-1.

[@EaselCat]

I use it for the cwo :P

[@Skibbityboo0580]

No. I got sick of the damn knobs, and buttons, falling off.

[@omfgitsjordan]

There's a KZbinr building a clone of the OP-1 out of a Teensy 4.1 (and obviously PCB, buttons, knobs, etc.). I think he mentioned having a few hundred dollars in the project and that most of that was due to the circuit boards having a minimum order quantity of 5. At the scale Teenage Engineering can produce these things I'm inclined to think they really should be priced closer to 400-500 USD. For that reason alone I would say it's not really worth it. At the same time, I get a bit of gear envy when I see KZbin personas demo the OP-1 and I would love to tinker with one sometime. Just can't imagine paying 1000+ USD for one.

[@Two-Eyed_Boy]

Yes! Assuming you can purchase it on Marketplace from someone who has no idea what they are selling

[@NorthGameStudio]

I think when you have a room full of synths, yeah, it can be difficult to have a relationship with OP1. I only have OP1 and 3 pocket operators, so I have a really healthy, fun relationship lol. I think it really comes down to your existing studio setup and how it fits in that lifestyle.

[@StephenMcLeod]

I think you are probably right, yeah. If you just have one device, then it can be a great option.

[@squintygreeneyes]

what are u doing with 3 pocket operators?

[@NorthGameStudio]

@@squintygreeneyes po ko for beat samples, po robot for lead synth, arcade for fun single hits and effects.

[@RaddMann3]

I know I paid too much for my OP-1 but I always have a lot of fun when I use it. The length of tape can be a limitation if you can’t have your laptop around on a trip but I almost always have my laptop with me so by the time I fill up my tape I can alway dump it to my computer or if you are in a bind you can record to the record player and free up tape. It’s not my favorite synth but I love it. I’ll never sell it. It’s a classic, one of a kind synth.

[@StephenMcLeod]

I think that last line probably sums up how I feel. I have conflicting feelings about it, but will never sell it. It is undeniably a classic.

[@DavidDeLuge]

I kind of outgrew mine and so sold it, two years ago, for around the same price I paid for it in 2016, when I got the Deluge! I think the Dirtywave M8 is now a far more complelling option and half the price and that is why I have one on order 😀👍🏻

[@StephenMcLeod]

The M8 is a real beauty!

[@Kumodot]

I own my Op-1 since 2017. Still like to use it to sketch ideas. Specially now with more opening, and the possibility to move around more, I think what it gives you in invaluable for the package. It's expensive. VERY expensive, but unique at the same time. I can't sell mine.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Yeah, it's an enigma!!

[@dreamstaticsounds]

I actually tried one of these out via a service called Buy or Borrow Music here in the states. Essentially you pay $20 a month, pick a bunch of gear you'd like to check out and they ship one piece at a time to you. You can hang onto it for as long as you want or send it back to get the next item they have available on your list. Or you can buy it at a good used price. Anyway, I tried out the OP-1 for a few days and I really liked the drum synth and the tape speed slow down stop features etc. but ultimately it just felt too convoluted and I couldn't justify spending the money even at an okay used price. And yeah, the lack of undo was a huge frustration.

[@StephenMcLeod]

That sounds like a great idea for a service. Wish we had it here!

[@LabRatWarfare]

Really appreciate your "First year with _" videos. Great to hear your thoughts about this. It's one of those devices that certainly caught my eyes/ears early on but I could never pull the trigger over it's cost. It looks awesome, sounds killer, and I'm sure the workflow is fun... just way too over the top in price, so I feel ya and would probably be in the same boat with you had I made the purchase. I can't wait to see more in this series, especially on devices like the M8!! 🙌🐀

[@StephenMcLeod]

Yeah man, exactly. The M8 will be an interesting one for sure ha.

[@TL_454]

I had money to burn and was feeling the GAS, bought one when they were on sale for the anniversary and have probably spent a grand total of 5 hours playing with it… the biggest issue for me is the learning curve of how to approach making music on it. Every time I want to sit down and use it, I feel like I first have to figure out how to use it. I’m hoping I eventually get over that hurdle and can start enjoying it.

[@StephenMcLeod]

I think once you get over that hump you will enjoy it... though often I feel like the limitations can burden rather than enhance creativity. I still like it though!

[@bcspatch_]

I think you’re totally spot on about the money guilt factor. I was lucky enough to be bought one as a very nice gift from my gf and in general was and am very intrigued by the device but it’s been very hard not to have that pure creative excitement inevitably colored by the level of expectation surrounding it. Some would say that you can just get over that but it’s been hard for me. I also wasn’t thrilled by the overall digitally-ness of the sound when if first got it, but it’s since grown on me a lot, and I ended up buying a dedicated pair of pres that make it sound quite gorgeous

[@StephenMcLeod]

Quite right!

[@shifteleven]

Your take aligns a lot with mine. The price does mess with your head for sure - like you want to extract all the value out of it to validate the purchase; especially since it can do sooo much. I think that context messes with me when I’m working with the tape machine. I feel like I should just approach it by putting down some tracks, try out ideas and record them. But then I want to worry about mixing things, having backups of small ideas and bars - then it’s full of little slices of things because I want to be able to say I’ve made a full and perfect track on this device - see, it was a fantastic purchase for the dollar. I know, whenever I just try things out and not worry about things I make better stuff. But when there’s no undo button, you have to make little backups when you’re about to do something - and when you have one backup, then it turns into 4 backup segments. So yeah, an undo would be swell.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Right, exactly. The limitations can end up being more of a hinderance than a creative inspiration I feel.

[@darkeye79]

i first saw the op1 10 years ago in a synth mag that reviewed it, i immediately wanted one, fast forward to 2018 and i actually started to get in to synth music, i started with the po-rhythm and then the volca bass and began making 'tunes' then went on to buy four more volcas and 5 more pos along with the arturia keystep and beatstep and finally in August last year my wife finally bought me op1 for my 42nd for under £800 !!!!! And so, i think the fact that i've never used a daw (not in any real way, i've dabbled) means that the op1 has been a perfect device for me to make music on and compliments the setup i already had perfectly! This awesome device sits in front of me on my coffee table (decksaver on) and wherever i feel like it i can pick it up and have a play. Is it worth the money? hell no, but for what i paid it is. and i coveted this device for 10 stinking years without really knowing why i did.

[@StephenMcLeod]

That's a good price! And I think that what you've said is spot on. The fact it can sit on the side table and just be picked up and used whenever at home is one of its strengths.

[@CaidicusProductions]

I've owned my OP-1 since 2017. Can't bring myself to sell it, I feel like it's something I should hold onto. That said, I don't find myself using it anymore, I feel like I've used up all the sounds I can make with it, largely because of the synths you're talking about. Don't get me wrong, I made a TON of songs with those synths and it was excellent, but I've come to the point where I just can't get anything that is both different from what I've done before at the same time as still in the realm of pleasing sounding. The synth engines sound closer to a toy piano than an actual synth, making that aspect perhaps the weakest aspect of the OP-1, in my opinion. I'd love if they came out with a more powerful OP-2 (not the OP-Z) that took all the amazing ideas and functionality of the OP-1 and brought it up to modern times and capabilities. What the OP-1 can do is just phenomenal, but it is SUPER limited by its synth engines.

[@StephenMcLeod]

What you've expressed in terms of not being able to sell it but feeling limited is very similar to what I feel, though in my case I'm not sure it's the synth engines causing that. If they came up with a new OP-2 it would be killer indeed. I would be surprised if they did though at this stage.

[@CaidicusProductions]

@@StephenMcLeod I find it so weird that they're not going hard at making a new OP. Considering how successful and well known the OP-1 is, it seems like it'd be a sure bet. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if they were a bit gun-shy after the reception to the OP-Z. I don't think that device was the runaway success they thought it would be and I AM quite surprised that they even thought for a second that the OP-Z would have the same effect on consumers that the OP-1 has. The OP-1 is rather iconic in the music production scene, and that's of course largely because of what it can do (much of which and so much more that can be done on the OP-Z), but also what it looks like, how it feels, what it's made of, how it works. So much functionality was gained with the OP-Z (or so I've seen in KZbin videos, can't make myself actually buy one because... just... ew?) but so much of its style, charm, and premium construction was lost in the supposed upgrade. I really don't understand how they're unable to see that.

[@KRACHDUFE]

Well well well how the turntables.

[@boringnation]

When I first started getting into synths and music making in general it was the OP-1 that actually caught my eye and got me interested. I never bought it though due to the price but I did end up getting the OP-Z instead as sort of a compromise, or so I thought at the time. Turns out I actually made the right choice as the OP-Z’s workflow is much more suited to someone like me who just likes to jam and makes mistakes often. Plus, it really is quite portable and I haven’t had any issues taking it anywhere with me. I’ll pass on the OP-1, but if they ever come out with an OP-Z mkII I’d likely get it.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Have you seen the app you can get to record multitracks from the OP-Z? I just stumbled on it yesterday and it could make the OP-Z perfect!

[@boringnation]

@@StephenMcLeod Maybe you are talking about 'Underbridge' ? I've seen it before but haven't looked too much into it.Maybe that's what I'll do with my morning today :D. I ordered the new Line module and another Pocket Operator, so looking forward to putting it all to use and jamming with the OP-Z in the coming weeks.

[@Tconcept]

I can't think of anything as portable or accessible as the op1, sampler, Synth, sequencer, recorder... , internal battery and speaker. I also have a polyend tracker, no internal battery or speaker so you need a battery pack and headphones. . I love both.

[@StephenMcLeod]

The Dirtywave M8 has become my go-to portable device. Strongly considering selling the OP-1!

[@medenine4828]

Deja vu…feels like I’ve already seen this review before somehow. The new op1 bag/case thing is really solid and you don’t need the deck saver with it. Still a bit ambiguous about mine still, 4 tracks still feels like a limitation and don’t love all the sequencers, but do love some aspects of it. For me, it has found a place as part of my smaller ambient, experimental rig, to play pads and leads, to resample with Ciat Lombard stuff or the Norns. Perfect companion for those to add a melodic element.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Yeah. It's a fairly common thing now. Almost deathly boring, but goddamnit I had to get my tuppence in there! I feel you on the ambivalence. That's pretty much where I am at.

[@SystemIndex]

I totally agree that the op almost forces you to create music differently, which in turn gives different results. It taught me to be more patient with sound building and modulation which I appreciate. I think it’s a wonderful bit of kit and now they’re releasing things like the budget friendly K.O II, I’m excited. Can’t wait to get my hands on one. Great review

[@StephenMcLeod]

Thanks for watching! Did you end up getting the KO II?!

[@GreatistheWorld]

As someone who doesn’t want/is afraid to want a lot of gear and also got an OP-1 to satiate a longtime curiosity, it’s been perfect for me. It’s unusually fun & satisfying for just exploring sounds and getting lost in learning what different synth engines can do- I got it largely for the sampling capabilities but after four months haven’t even touched them much yet. So yeah, it lives up to the hype personally Also was laughing pretty hard during the portability segment, that rang true. I’m the kind of person who will save for something expensive if I’ll use it, but it’s also probably the most expensive non-wheeled thing I own, so I do get the jitters about taking it to a cafe or something like I expected to

[@StephenMcLeod]

Haha yeah I don't tend to bother too much usually with other devices, but with the OP-1 I am more precious about it...

[@robertgarvansnyder4665]

I’m a recent owner of the OP-1 Field, which I got a pretty fat discount on. I don’t think I would have paid full price. I agree with a lot of what you said: it mostly winds up being a sketch pad, on which I make music I would never come up with otherwise. It’s a joy to use, and I take it everywhere, though it’s rare that I really bust it out while traveling as much as I think I would. Your point about always thinking about what it cost is very observant, and it’s not something I’ve ever felt toward other gear that I’ve owned. At this point, I’m keeping it for the foreseeable future, and living with the frustrating bits. My biggest gripe is with the sequencers, which don’t offer enough variety in the patterns, unless you just record one bit to tape, change the sequence, and overdub. In particular, the fact that you can’t link sequencer play to tape play unless you are in record mode is such a hassle for me, but what am I going to do?

[@ShakyPr0ducti0n]

I guess it also comes down to how much kit you own. I wouldn’t mind betting that if you had a minimal setup, you would be getting much more use and enjoyment from it right now. If you are looking for op-1 video ideas, I’d really like to see you do a video of it working with the Norns shield. Showing a few scripts that work particularly well with the op-1 without the need of grids or any other cheaper versions.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Yeah, a good point. I think the limitations would still apply if you only had the OP-1, but as a standalone device there is little competition.

[@culmor30]

@@StephenMcLeod I'd consider M8, MPC, etc as competition even with their drastic differences. Counterpoint to the person you're replying to: my "kit" is literally only FL Studio + an OP-1, and I'm still struggling to retroactively justify the purchase. Maybe it'll be worth more in the future, but the battery will surely be shot by then right? Thinking about swapping for an M8, I realized I've been ignoring trackers to my detriment and essentially recreated the tracker workflow in FL over the years. I sit at a desk enough for my day job and I could at least lie in bed.

[@-Pol-]

As a folk musician/guitarist I'm conscious that it's easy to spend > £1000+ on a nice guitar or any other well made 'analogue' instrument. I'm of an age that I remember when an assemblage of gear with the same capabilities as the OP-1 would fill a room and cost 10's of 1000's of £'s - interestingly Jean Michelle Jarre has named it among his top 10 favourite synths! My OP-1's justification was that it covers a lot of bases without turning my music room into the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, plus it's just one device to learn. Mind you I did get mine second hand before the re-i$$ue so my wallet didn't take such a huge hit. I'd certainly hesitate to buy one at today's prices.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Yeah, thinking about it in terms of guitar prices is a good indicator, though to be fair even my most expensive guitars are cheaper than the OP-! What do you make of the OP-1 Field?!

[@-Pol-]

​@@StephenMcLeod At £2k it's about the same price as a mid range piano accordion 🪗 Whatever could Jimmy Shand have achieved with an OP-1 field? Makes you wonder eh?

[@ewenharrison]

But it is a "classic". It will sit in the synth hall of fame with the DX7, D50 and M1. People will still play it in 50 years etc. I wouldn't sell mine for that reason, even though I only use it every couple of weeks. My biggest hate is the spring reverb which sounds like a complete an utter bastard. Great video, thank you.

[@StephenMcLeod]

I think you're right! and 100% agree on the Spring reverb. I wish they had included something a bit better...

[@CaidicusProductions]

@@StephenMcLeod Oh man, the spring reverb sounds so utterly tinny and trashy, I can't even think of a good way to use it ironically.

[@nooooddy]

As a long-term owner, you absolutely nailed it! I love this little machine and I feel that it has enormous character but I agree with each of the criticisms you mentioned, especially the real-life lack of portability, high expectations and guilt. I spent a year using Camelcamelcamel to track the OP1 price and got it for around £700 from Amazon UK. I will never sell it I think, much like the Octatrack, this is a long term relationship that I need to continue to invest in ❤️

[@StephenMcLeod]

I've never heard of CamelCamelCamel. It seems dangerous to my wallet.

[@ltfringr]

My dad gave me his old one after he got the field, and so far I have trouble fitting it into my workflow, even though it's cool. I've never been able to write much of anything compared to my actual instruments and it can't produce anywhere near as well as my DAW. Not having any kind of velocity makes it hard to use as a real instrument, although I love the form factor. Hopefully I can find a place for it.

[@StephenMcLeod]

I must confess to never having used velocity a whole lot. I am a simple man. If I got one for free though, that is a bargain!

[@sodiumlights]

to answer the question, yes, but defiantly not for the current price. Did TE upgrade the terrible speaker when the jack up the price? Did they make the display visible under outdoor sunlight? Did they fix the dreadful I/o connector board problems? No. It's a genius instrument that is unbelievably enjoyable to use, and I absolutely love it. But it's far from flawless, and those elements could have been fixed for it's current version. It took me ages to find the perfect case for it. Leeda, a fishing gear company, made a tough zip case (kinda like the old minidisc ones) which after being gutted, has been ace. Excellent point about the Undo button. The lack of the undo is as your said; you lose the fckin' freewheelin' nature of the machine! A brilliant and spot on overview, as always. boogieonbrother!

[@StephenMcLeod]

Thanks a lot! I think you summed it all up in that first paragraph really. Could have saved myself a full video if I'd just said that! haha. That case sounds pretty sweet!

[@sodiumlights]

@@StephenMcLeod got the case from GoOutdoors:)

[@vangoghsseveredear]

Reading comments about how prohibitive the price is, how the price factors in to how people see it for themselves (ie. "I felt I had to sell it because I wasn't using it enough for what I had paid") ...and then TE drops the Field for 2 grand. After taxes, it comes to 3 grand Canadian. I enjoy my OP-1, but I got it used for 1000. Even then I feel I dont use it enough to make it justifiable. But 3 grand? Holy moly.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Right. It's pretty crazy. I guess they couldn't or wouldn't price it the same or near the OP-1, so decided to go up, but that just seems wild to me.

[@vangoghsseveredear]

@@StephenMcLeod they also marked OP-1 as out of stock, and then when it came back the price had increased. Likely to make it look like less of a leap for the Field. Makes you wonder about when they "discontinued" it. In hindsight, it seems like a clever way to jack up the price without burning good will. Seems they don't really care about the good will part anymore, though. TE makes unique stuff, but they're pricing themselves out of the market. A lot of this probably could have been a firmware update. Even as someone who *can* afford it, I'd have a very, very hard time justifying actually doing so

[@davidlynch4338]

It looks like a great instrument and many people seem to get a lot out of it. The form factor is also well thought out, obviously from a design company. The thing that stops/stopped me from being interested from the get-go is it never seemed very future proof. And what I sort of thought from the beginning has basically happened. That being, there is a lot of cool music being produced on it, but it has a particular sound that I can't un-hear... even if I can't quite describe it. It isn't a bad sound, but is a sound that might get or have gotten stale. An often made apples to oranges comparison is the OP1 vs the Organelle, mostly because of their portable form factors and purposefully quirky designs. The OP1 being better in many ways for stand alone music production, but the Organelle is open ended and actually a capable musical instrument that seems to grow and evolve day by day. It is also a few years old, but has changed quite a bit over the years. I recently got an Organelle M for using while I tour on my bicycle. The same issues apply as far as cases and other protection goes, but the connectivity and open ended software seems much more social as far as playing spontaneously with others. It also benefits from close proximity to a computer, but once it is set up with a few patches, it feels like having an acoustic instrument, at least in the case of the Organelle M. Do you have any experience with the Organelle? I can highly recommend it. I needed an instrument for long periods travelling by bicycle, that I could play spontaneously and with others so the OP1, Deluge and the Organelle M came to mind. I got the Deluge because it checked a few more boxes than the other 2 and I really love it as a dawless studio brain, for travelling as well. But playing it as an instrument isn't super fun. I decided to pick up the Organelle because my wife plays accordion and I want to include her in various the campground jams I often get into. I have to say it is one of the most fun I have had with a new instrument in a long time, even programming with PD and altering patches is entertaining for me. I mostly play string instruments and studied Indian Classical music on the Sitar and Esraj and I have to say the Organelle is right up there when thought of as an inspirational deep instrument. Surely there will be an "is it still worth it" phase after a travel with it for a while, but it was fairly inexpensive when compared to the OP1 or Deluge. We'll see.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Thanks David! I haven't used an Organelle, but I do love all the Critter & Guitari instruments I've tried, so I'd like to pick one up at some point. The wooden buttons in particular are so nice. I visited their studio in New York a few years back, and they are really nice folks too.

[@davidlynch4338]

@@StephenMcLeod Yeah, I like the wooden buttons a lot more than expected as well. I am pretty sure I can cobble some together in the future if I ever need to. This is my first instrument from Critter & Guitar and I regret that I waited so long to try them out. The Ukulele patch is a lot of fun for guitar players and it is very easy, if only a little time consuming to copy the patch and install your own samples. So you end up with cool polyphonic micro versions of your various favourite instruments. It takes no time to learn play that patch if you aren't a pro keyboard player. I still really like the OP1 form factor... maybe one day there will be a more open ended MKII. Thanks for the insight either way.

[@StephenMcLeod]

@@davidlynch4338 Yeah, the buttons are one of my favourite things about them. They feel so nice! I need to pick one up...

[@wiggesobk]

Great points! I totally agree with everything.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Thanks Wigges!

[@Hexxedtone]

Op 1 field is absolutely beast

[@StephenMcLeod]

There'll be no Fields in this house!!

[@Theemilz]

it was my first synthesizer and I must admit that I could have bet on something else at the time, but I agree with everything you said, it is versatile and allows you to experiment a lot and be fast in playing.

[@StephenMcLeod]

It is a pretty cool machine.

[@gaged314]

Appreciate your insights. I’m still on the fence due to the price, but it seems fun.

[@StephenMcLeod]

The price dominates all!

[@SonicVibe]

i think you gave this device a fair shake great info

[@StephenMcLeod]

Thanks for watching!

[@GeorgeL909]

For those that want something portable like the op-1 at a much lower price point, don't sleep on the mc-101. It got a bad rap when it first came out, but with firmware updates it's become a very impressive groovebox that makes for a very capable rompler, sample player, and poly sequencer. Scratched the itch for me, although I got it before the world economy was lit on fire, so it might be pricier now than back then...

[@StephenMcLeod]

Is that the Roland thing? It does look pretty cool.

[@saucehollywood]

I bought it a few weeks ago and i feel so guilty that i don't use it that much. sometimes i just wanna make stuff quick so i go to my MPC live and pop something out but i do take the op1 to work and travel so i can do stuff in my downtime. it's fun but does not replace the MPC

[@StephenMcLeod]

Yeah, the MPC is a brilliant bit of gear! What MPC are you using?

[@glynnpowell7864]

Op-1’s audition speed make it just as viable as any other gear. It should be treated like a tiny dx7 or digital synth with its own sonic characteristic. Eurorack is slow, and is more akin to being an electrician, though has its use as well

[@StephenMcLeod]

I wish I was smart enough to be an electrician!!

[@fraka6160]

I am at m'y second op1in 10 year. It is à fantastique instrument, very good for Electronic initiation for Kids and adultes, fantastic toy and fantastic profesional piece at the same time. Cost the prince of an iPhone and it Will be here in 10 years.

[@StephenMcLeod]

When you compare it to the iPhone that does change things a bit. Though to be fair the cost of the iPhone is why I use cheap crappy Androids!

[@awesomeduder]

A friend has had one for the best part of the last decade and done good work with it. Your problems with the cases and staining hit the nail on the head for why I will never own this device, though: for the $2400 it demands locally it should be the bombproof "throw it in the bag, go anywhere!" box its marketing mis-casts it as. Because at that point you're already paying $400 more than the MPC Live or Force that really will give you start to finish song productions without a computer, and $1300 more than the Tracker - no, you don't get the synths on that but you do get the fast workflow and sampling and MIDI sequencing etc.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Right - the MPC in particular is so much cheaper given what you get!

[@Two-Eyed_Boy]

I hope you'll do a sit-down with the OP-Z like this soon! I checked and you first reviewed it about 10 months ago. It's obvious that there's a real sense of guilt tied up between the price and functionality of the OP-1! I think on one of the jams you shared with it you even said you dusted it off due to that very reason 🤣 There's other gear that's almost at the same price point but seems to not have that guilt tied to it...I suspect it comes down to it being locked into the OP-1 workflow for better or worse...almost like a hip and pricey Mario Paint. Having said that I'd still love to have one myself!

[@StephenMcLeod]

Oh dang was it that long ago for the OP-Z? I guess I have to do a follow up on it as well soon eh? I don't feel the same hatred towards it as the OP-1, so that's a good start hah. I have a video on it coming up soon anyway thanks to a new app that's appeared, so maybe that'll be good timing. Hip Mario Paint. Probably not far from the truth... I'd love to see what you'd do with one!

[@rayderrich]

100 pounds per month in the past year... no thanks, I can buy a lot of synth power for that money in a more durable form factor... or software. But at least it is a device that people keep debating about which is very cool for content creation. Thanks for your talk, it was good.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Argh, when you put it like that.... D:

[@BDAILEY702]

currently winning a bid on the OP-1 and really considering buying it for $700 vs buying it from guitar center for $1399… the OP-1 is $2000 and from i’ve seen/heard… its not that big of a difference

[@StephenMcLeod]

I ended up selling mine in the end! 700 USD seems like a decent price nowadays as well.

[@BDAILEY702]

@@StephenMcLeod You did?!!! Hmm. Yeah i’ve been going back and forth about this. My original idea is to get a MPC 2500 (i already have a live 2) I just wanted to get a vintage machine as well. But then i came across the OG OP-1 for a good deal. Now i’m perplexed lol. especially hearing you say you sold yours.

[@zumomoli8013]

Sounds like you need a Deluge ;) undo button, no limit in sample or track length it's all there :)

[@StephenMcLeod]

I accept all donations!!

[@alexanderchaban]

True, but the sound the OP-1 produces, has way much more character. I love the deluge and its way of working. But it really disappoints in the sounds it produces and the very limited or underachieving fx on board. That's why I see the Deluge as this composition machine to drive (via midi) other synths which sound way much better. So in all fairness, you can't compare the OP-1 with a Deluge. Both excellent devices with a completely different vantage point.

[@CaidicusProductions]

@@alexanderchaban "True, but the sound the OP-1 produces, has way much more character." One could probably make the same argument in reverse. I've never owned a Deluge, though I do own an OP-1, and to be frank... I'm kind of tired of the sounds of the OP-1.

[@alexanderchaban]

@@CaidicusProductions Trust me, I own both devices and I still haven't unlocked Deluge's sonic sweet spots like I did with the OP-1 and OP-Z. I read you're a long-time OP-1 owner. Have you tried opening its sonic pallet by using fx pedals? I love connecting my OP-1 with Eventide's SPACE and Hologram's Microcosm.

[@edenhunter9904]

love that accent🤗

[@StephenMcLeod]

my greatest asset.

[@dystopia-0616]

Use the op1’s original packaging as a case

[@StephenMcLeod]

It's not quite as hard wearing as I would like. Doesn't fit with the Decksaver either, and takes even longer to open!

[@lab-by-the-sea]

Still ask the question myself, have still not build a working relation with mine ;-)

[@StephenMcLeod]

It's definitely tricky!

[@BoggoRoadies]

It's a pass from me. Looks like a fun piece of kit, but the cost/value ratio doesn't work. For that much money, it has to be central to my work flow or do something that nothing else can but I don't see either being the case. It certainly looks fun as heck though.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Wise words I think. If I could get most of my cash back for it at this point I would.

[@jeffryarchambeau5441]

And then you have to consider inflation since 2010. The pound is worth a third less, or even less than that. So 1200 now is the same as 800 then.

[@StephenMcLeod]

A true nightmare

[@whitesonar]

its back to full price btw

[@StephenMcLeod]

Aye?! On Thomann it was about 300 quid cheaper recently.

[@Pluto0N]

Everything is true

[@Pluto0N]

I was buy sp404mk2 and now selling op-1

[@StephenMcLeod]

Thank you!

[@cordycepstriffidus5149]

I watched this vid and I still have no idea what the OP-1 is, and I am honestly not interested in finding out. For twelve hundred quid i'm pretty sure I could buy something that would be way more fun. I've tried a lot of sequencers and they all suck in some way and the good advice is to develop your production style rather than invest in new kit to integrate into that. That said, it sounds interesting in some future retro way but I doubt I will ever really know. Now, back to matching transistors, Control D forever, bro.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Haha! That opening line is perfect. I appreciate you watching either way!!

[@cordycepstriffidus5149]

@@StephenMcLeod I subscribed and liked - and noticed you are a fan of Look Mum No Computer, so I think those couple clicks were well spent.

[@DanielLoveReel]

I think you really have to accept the fact that the OP-1 is and always has been for rich people. The cost problem you describe is real and valid. That's not something rich people think about.

[@StephenMcLeod]

It is the main thing that dominates any discussion about the OP-1, which is a shame.

[@shafeenmahmud8850]

Jesus, this video does the op1 such a disservice. I get that its a personal viewpoint "op1 money guilt" and "its so expensive, its so expensive" is such a huge part of this video, its barely even talking about the device itself. I'm really sorry you arent having a better time with it but if its getting so much in your way of using the device you can just say "its not for me" and call it a day man. I felt like i watched a video of a person saying so much just to say nothing.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Cost is a massive consideration for the majority of people, and I literally addressed the reasoning in the video.

[@reneeschke]

Are you happy with those glasses?

[@StephenMcLeod]

what a stupid question

[@reneeschke]

@@StephenMcLeod I was genuinely just wondering if you're bothered by them coming down so often. No offense meant.

[@StephenMcLeod]

@@reneeschke I get so many bs trolling comments it can be difficult to tell if people don't explain. Nah, it doesn't bother me. I've worn them for over a decade.

[@ushnicyuvnikof2748]

No

[@StephenMcLeod]

Yes

[@sayhiben8382]

I am conflicted over how much I enjoy your channel versus how much your "KZbin Face" thumbnails annoy me

[@StephenMcLeod]

Haha. I've got ye right where I want ye.

[@station2station544]

Chapter your timeline.

[@StephenMcLeod]

You do it!

[@jennoscura2381]

To me it still comes across as an overpriced hipster toy. It might be worth buying something like this if Behringer made one for $300.

[@user-iu3xx7xk4o]

hm. The iPhone looks better as a portable studio.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Possibly, though less connectivity (not even a headphone jack?!), and no keyboard/tactility in the same way. I could never really gel with using my phone for music, but I know lots of people that love it.

[@user-iu3xx7xk4o]

@@StephenMcLeod haha. Yes. iphone is the first device who has asio drivers for very low latency. It was available ... I think it starts with iphone 4? But then apple removed the jack plug in version 8. And now listen using bluetooth WITH A DELAY. What the fok haha. Ok iPhone, there have long been adapters and professional cards from Apogee. And you can spend the same money on it as on op-1. Yes, the iPhone has a billion problems fuck my eyes

[@ib2858]

Mon the behringer clone

[@StephenMcLeod]

Hah!

[@Rondoggy67]

Buy a used OP-1. Problem solved.

[@StephenMcLeod]

I actually talk specifically about that. Buying a used op1 means you don't get the warranty, and you have to shell out quite a bit of cash still, so doesn't feel worth the risk for a lot of folks.

[@newflanged_]

@@StephenMcLeod that’s something to consider. Do this give a lot of issues, and are they costly so that used is a risk?