Yamaha Rips Off Teenage Engineering! (I Approve)

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[@tru4158]

I love how everyone is saying it looks too easy to use, as if we looking for dark souls level of difficulty in a groovebox....

[@koalemos1679]

Who looks at this and thinks "that looks easy to use". Honestly can we just get a groovebox meant for you know making music, instead of being aggressively hipster-y. Why is Yamaha selling toys when they used to make real synths?

[@BellXllebMusic]

Well, the Montage line is for that

[@koalemos1679]

@@BellXllebMusic too bad it's like $3k. There's no sense in that. There is no logical reason when korg is literally making their instruments with Raspberry Pi's that a groovebox/arranger should be $3,000. It probably costs them $200 to make, with labor.

[@dumafuji]

Haha truth. Groovebox is such a derogatory term now but who didn’t love turning on the electribe or mc303 and making some banging cheese right away.

[@koalemos1679]

@@dumafuji See, I have both of those machines and could go forever talking about them. But I'm tired of "banging cheese". When Elektron can make really nice sounding instruments at a relatively affordable price I don't understand why the BIG names can't do better. The SH4D might be the closest attempt but I haven't used it. Any other box stores 8-16 patterns, they have the most barebones synths you've ever seen, or they're made like a toy. Sonicware's grooveboxes would blow most others out of the water but their cases feel like cheap 3D printing.

[@Steril707]

Everybody ripped off Yamaha in one way or the other, since they are one of the oldest electronic music hardware instrument creators.

[@unduloid]

I'm shocked Behringer hasn't thought of this first.

[@ottsch]

Behringer really isn't good at software / UX.

[@Reggi_Sample]

@@ottschthis was true 20 years ago. Behringner has really rebranded itself.

[@unduloid]

@@ottsch Neither is TE, but that sure doesn't stop them.

[@peoplelikefrank]

@@unduloid😅

[@SteveCookeGB]

Only eight of the OP-Z's 16 tracks are for audio. The others control various performance parameters, including one for the lights show.

[@synaesmedia]

I think what's important is that big companies like Yamaha are at least taking note of what TE are doing, and aiming to play in that market. It probably isn't the groovebox I want, but then the OP-Z isn't either. But at least Yamaha are trying some new stuff. I'm hoping this means they are about to roll out some other new ideas too.

[@dumafuji]

What’s ironic to me is that TE “ripped off” Yamaha and Casio products creating the op line, at least. The sk and qy and su lines all did TE before TE.

[@Sandelec-gm2cl]

Roland do portable boutique series... Korg do portable Volca series.. Behringer also have his little synths. And Yamaha only big keyboard that remain in studio.

[@philxdev]

Yamaha has been playing in this market since the 90s... they made many of these little machines back then... still have the QY70 I bought used in the early 2000s. Still works. I guess with app connectivity and Bluetooth this thing should be easily expandable and upgradeable in terms of functionality sound and usability and with this growing "mobile" music creation market, Yamaha will most likely update this line-up sooner than later with slightly beefier machines all sharing the same app functionality... so I guess that support for these machines will be good for a long time and Yamaha´s quality and customer support is really good especially in comparison with TE.

[@Sandelec-gm2cl]

@@philxdev yes! In the 90's Yamaha did a lot of great Seq and synths in a box. The Yamaha DX200 it's still rilevant today😜

[@Frikoppie]

Err, TE is a bunch of bs. They don't have any products worth using, nevermind buying.

[@jopatlan]

Price is $399.99 plus tax if you pre order, which is a fantastic price for a piece of gear that is pretty complete before any firmware updates. A lot of the concepts are taken from Elektron while the form factor is teenage engineering. Plus it really allows the user to just use it in strictly stand alone form, but if you use an iPhone, iPad, or computer you can really do a deep dive in the functionality of the Seqtrak. It’s a piece of gear that you can mold to many different workflows quite easily. I mean not but 6 weeks ago people lost their minds about a piece of gear that was clearly incomplete and woefully limited, and now presented with what looks a winning piece of hardware people are skeptical.

[@Weaverbeats]

Not sure where people are seeing that preorder price at. on their website it says $599. I agree 399 is a really good deal, 599 isnt even that bad when you compare it to what else is out at that price point.

[@coreyostman]

Sweetwater has it at $399@@Weaverbeats

[@jopatlan]

@@Weaverbeats I pre-ordered my Seqtrak on zzsounds, but it’s listed at $399 on most sites selling it when I googled the price.

[@aemythjensen]

​@@Weaverbeats at Sweetwater. Just google "yamaha seq track 399", it's the first hit.

[@edwardnormal]

@@Weaverbeats Stores in the NL put their prices at €479. should be around the same in $

[@synthsamuraiproductions]

I think this blows the socks off TE. Price is $399 as well.

[@agentmith]

Where are people getting $399 from? The price is listed at $599 on Yamaha’s website.

[@RSKNPOL]

@@agentmithive ordered at Thomann for €399 today

[@SynthCatSpot]

Sweet well water has it for $399 still. Yamaha has two pages. Yamaha’s preorder ended

[@user82938]

@@agentmith Look on any 3rd party gear seller. Guitar Center for example.

[@ottsch]

Thomann lists the OP-Z for 489€, and the Seqtrak for 399€

[@user82938]

One plus for the Seqtrak is that all 11 tracks are on individual midi channels and have a decent amount of control available.

[@vjrei]

11 tracks are a lot. You can do a lot with 4 already.

[@xkidmidnightx]

It’s 399 everywhere. You should probably mention that.

[@buuuuuuuuuuuuuu]

still 200 too much

[@xkidmidnightx]

@@buuuuuuuuuuuuuu you’re poor.

[@buuuuuuuuuuuuuu]

@@xkidmidnightx nah im just not a fucking idiot

[@xkidmidnightx]

@@buuuuuuuuuuuuuu poor

[@rich8715]

Sound more like a worried TE fan. @@buuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[@OVTRA]

Well, it is Yamaha so hopefully the product, build and quality control is much better than Teenage Engineering products

[@ZetaCarinae]

Yeah they make some weird design decisions sometimes but their build quality is almost always good.

[@ThePrestoPrestissimo]

You forgot the price

[@unduloid]

Well, Yamaha makes some awesome tubas, so I feel confident in their abilities.

[@treschlet]

​@@unduloid Also some great internal combustion engines

[@wesp404]

Their products last forever. At least we don’t have to worry about quality control either Yamaha.

[@HOLODECK-MUSIC-PROJECT]

OP-Z IS 16 TRACK? - NOPE, 8!

[@SteveCookeGB]

That's right. Only eight of the OP-Z's 16 tracks are for audio. The others control various parameters and performance features, including the lights show.

[@sydilaxe]

@@SteveCookeGB You can use all 16 tracks to sequence external Midi devices.

[@mnemico1978]

🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️ 16!

[@SynthCatSpot]

A foot in the door to experiencing the OG Yamaha RS7000

[@all.day.day-dreamer]

The SEQTRACK is only $399 right now pre-order. I pre-ordered mine from Kraft Music a few days ago. Sales dept told me it ships mid FEB. I went with the all black one. They also told me that because of chip shortages, it will not restock until later this year sometime late spring early summer. I would absolutely jump on this for $399.

[@phatplates]

I jumped on it too but I got mine from guitar center. I'm wondering if getting it is redundant since I use an mpc live 2 with a keystep 37 and Korg sq64 sequencer. I suppose the portability will be the biggest plus.

[@nofi1836]

Love how it looks like a big cigarette

[@dave3987]

Lol

[@pumpernickelplace]

i like this. i'm fine with Teenage Engineering remaining more esoteric if other brands balance things out with offerings like this.

[@KTheBoi]

Ah yes, good old esoteric Teenage Engineering, good old esoteric 'influencer tier known design house that draws non-niche audiences into niches' Teenage Engineering

[@Positive_Tea]

This device is hilarious. TE becoming influencial in their dumb design proves we are all corn balls. Anyway, I want one.

[@MikeRenouf]

I'll wait for the Behringer ripoff of the Yamaha ripoff of the Teenage Engineering device.

[@djExquiz]

Which Teenage Engineering ripped off Yamaha and Akai (from 20 years ago) in the first place, the PO 133 Scene mode is straight from the SU 700, just does samplers didn't have transient chopping back in the day.

[@justin6point7]

WIll it sync with my DJX? It's name was "Phat Beatz" back in the 90's😂 I always liked Yamaha. You want a dirtbike and drums? Jet ski and synth gear? We got you covered. Good on them for making a remote groovebox for adults.

[@kettlecup]

It's $100 less than the OP-Z isn't it? I'm seeing $399 everywhere.

[@juanchotpee2]

I've always liked the yamaha products I've used. Build quality should be great, especially when compared to TE stuff.

[@xtra8dj]

Opz sounds better??? What kind of drugs you're using? Have you ever played Yamaha motif awm2 (or do you know to play keyboards at all?), than you know the quality of sounds that Yamaha does. .... Man, no more comments ....

[@Weaverbeats]

In the performances I showed, the op-z had a better song but like I said it doesn't mean anything.

[@TB-wvvvw]

To state the obvious, a >$3000 keyboard and its electronics have very little to do with this little $400 device, and even expensive keyboard instruments (which this is not by any stretch of the imagination) by the same maker can sound very different.

[@ThatGuyMike]

Yamaha was doing grooveboxes well before teenage engineering though......

[@tomblaze2]

With a midi keyboard- could be a portable trap beat monster 👿- maybe I’ve said too much

[@iwanttocomplain]

I have an OP-Z. It's 8 tracks only. 4 drum and 4 synth. The other 8 'tracks' are effects 1 and 2, lighting, video, tape, master (key), performance (effect triggers) and cc out. Not tracks. The volume fell off because I tried to glue it in with pva which hardened then pushed the plastic bit apart, breaking it, then a £15 replacement just got lost somewhere. I've kind of given in ordering things online as I have about a 50% success rate of ever getting the thing. The OP-Z double triggers every 20 or so button presses which is maddening at first but soldier on and redo the note you just deleted and it's usually not too bad. Kind of maddening though. Synth is limited on the OP-Z but the whole thing is really for sketching ideas in it's powerful but insanely confusing sequencer. I love the OP-Z and it's actually quite a bit smaller than the SeqTrak. Nowhere near as powerful though.

[@inthefade]

I think the Woovebox is still the winner for portable sampler/grooveboxes.

[@KiR_3d]

Elektron A4 still waits for it's Firmware Update :)) I guess that I'll die sooner than this will happen.

[@NurfHerderEclipse]

Here in Australia the pricing is different. The op-z is nearly 50% more than the seqtrack. We tend to pay more in general for music gear. I am guessing Yamaha have noticed they can undercut and capture market here.

[@ecstasyjones]

Ive used the OP-Z extensively for the past few years. I think where this wins is in build quality, sound design and sampling, although I dont see anything in the manual or the app about 85 effects? The OP-Z shines brighter in sequencing with generative elements like step components. Also the visual component goes way deeper on the OPZ, allowing you to create and program fully customized scenes in Unity. After a look through the app with this, it seems that its just a simple drag and drop of predesigned elements with no way to import your own. Maybe that will change in future updates.

[@TB-wvvvw]

Thank you for the useful comment. A video like this by you or someone like you who really knows the OP-Z would be very interesting, unlike this one by someone who doesn't know anything about either device.

[@fentanyljones6956]

Your flat, dry, business like delivery of perfect jabs at TE and marketing decisions is 12/10

[@ThomAdams]

Yamaha is not gonna be able to keep up with the demand on these...

[@dave3987]

Hell I complained to Yamaha in 2023 in a survey about them leaving their Yamaha loyalist without a groove box for years, I guess they listened

[@pizzazemle6262]

1:06 I died 🤣🤣🤣

[@enochroot9438]

maybe Teenage Engineering will take notes and release some products with buttons on controls that folk with normal size fingers can use rather than just catering to elven-fingered fairy folk with man buns and hipster round glasses

[@Pabloesc571]

Hey dude i have round glasses. Lmao At least i dont wear Red ties tho so that's good. 👍

[@tiffanyanthony]

I saw this yesterday and thought “Yamaha bought T.E. ?” 🤣🤣

[@cwehden]

Seqtrak has a full song mode at launch, the depth of the sound design and the fx is off the charts compared with OPZ

[@michaelmourek3879]

$399 - I ordered the Yamaha one - yes

[@DjDoggDad]

The added sound thing reminds me of the yamaha vocaloid keyboard I imported, it can hold more sounds, but you have to pay to load them in, on top of having to buy the few vocaloid options they have at like $30 per on top of them never adding more instrument options. It makes me think they are trying to do something similar with the seqtrak app, or at a minimum are trying to get user info by forcing an app.

[@KrillzK]

"Mom can we get some teenage engineering" "No we already got teenager engineering at home"

[@sodiumlights]

It's a big unit (34cm long!) so not one for the pocket. But the thing some should be concerned about before they buy is the weight, a dainty 500g.. It could feel like one huge cool looking empty box.

[@rangelcarlos53]

I lowkey wish Ableton created a mini push that could rival the OP-1! This have been my sex fantasy since Push 3 came out!

[@jimblesunown8944]

Maybe a screenless mini version, kinda like how NI has the machine micro? The ableton poke

[@StopWars420]

Launchpad mini with launchpad95 script is close.

[@Reggi_Sample]

Just get an MPC Studio.

[@JazMystic1]

Hoody and a beanie with plants in the room 🤣🤣

[@8eight104]

I'm very happy to be alive right now with all these tools available for me to use.

[@ryanhursh6322]

Visually I hate it. I hate the colors and hate the Yamaha dumb tag on it. Would prefer the branding to be more of the AN1X vibe, as big as the rear panel can handle. I am a huge Yamaha fan though and just sold my QY70 so this could be an interesting replacement. From what I can tell though, there is no sample slicing and that's a bit of a deal breaker... we'll see. Really I need to see this unit in other peoples hands because the Yamaha demos are gross sounding and I'm sure it's very capable.

[@davlippo7]

Yeah but Yamaha offers actual AWM2 instruments plus real FM editable synthesis. So for a rompler to be added to a stage piano it probably rules. Audio, MIDI & power all run over the USB-C.

[@BioSoftStudios]

I love the awm2 engine, i actually own a motif xf synthesizer myself, very powerful if it can be editable

[@ForecastGrim]

This looks like it will fit in the empty space on my Hydra Deluxe.

[@nikku1166]

hope they make an OP1, but better and cheaper.

[@indigosnow_]

The OPZ came out forever ago. Makes sense this is better.

[@prinzbach]

The seqtrak seems like a great machine. It's just a shame that they got inspired by TE design but not the UI (that is minimalist but ultra functional)... I don't hate on it... it looks like a great machine and I would have bought it day one 5 years ago. But the buttons placement on the sides kills it for me (like the play button is also the power button... weird).

[@Pabloesc571]

A screen wouldnt hurt either

[@andydepissant]

OPZ battery is a hallucination.

[@vudoppio2905]

What kills me about the op-z is that it’s very difficult to find a replacement battery. TE never responds to requests to buy a replacement

[@DNYLNY]

5:20 ironically the usb cable that came with my KO2 Ep133 didn’t work and I’m using another non TE cable with it now.

[@lokelosk]

To Yamaha's advantage, they are known for making great instruments already, with great quality. Even their cheaper guitars are better than the cheapest Fenders/Gibsons. The Seqtrek doesn't appeal to me, but I'm curious to see what else they might bring to the table in the future.

[@WilliamAshleyOnline]

If only they could timetravel and bring this back to 1987.

[@shayneoneill1506]

Yamaha will never be Teenage Engineering until they release a useless vinyl recording toy that even their biggest fans cant defend.

[@cleopoulin598]

seqtrak is 399 $USD it's $100 cheaper than opz. It's $599 CAD

[@marcoose777]

That desk seems a bargain at a mere $1599

[@deadwtxsky]

Bro. Yamaha makes some sick stuff. Be sure its loaded with cooler features.

[@edgeof60]

Best comparison so far, at least without having the Yamaha physically present. I personally love the OP-Z despite it's flimsiness and tinny-sounding synth engines. It's array of punch-in performance effects are worth a mention. But if the Yamaha offers better build and sound quality it's probably worth it.

[@edgeof60]

Another question- the OP-Z lets you work on 10 full projects simultaneously. Do we even know if the Yamaha has a similar capability?

[@skummelkatt]

I wonder if we will get a wooden choir for this? 😂

[@RockerBug17]

Looks like they're using 3.5mm for midi. THat's probably why they say you can only use the included cable.

[@RecMirage]

Something else to consider with both would be the midi capabilities when it comes to sequencing external gear or being sequenced from external gear. They both would benefit from playing along with other equipment.

[@Meepup]

Teenage engineering really is the apple of music products

[@nfm.1707]

The Seqtrak retails for 400€ in Germany, that's about $430 US... how is it $600 in the video?

[@AngstBro]

Do you guys know if this has independent track length for the different tracks?

[@SonicVibe]

MSRP price 599 actual price is 399$

[@stereodelay6601]

Yamaha ripping off TE was unexpected... Can't wait for the Yamaha Choir dolls!

[@MS-1]

Teenage Engineering are loafs. Yamaha has a way better rep (even their older samplers take ropey dooks on the OP1).

[@henninghoefer]

The picture 1:03 is misleading - the OP-Z is 21×5×1cm, while SEQTRAK is 34×10×4cm.

[@Dadhus1]

Yamaha did a Behringer 😂

[@julian-multiman]

😂 kind of no? Cause yes form factor and size, maybe some functions but still different enough? Anyway, yeah an issue that Behringer started and probably many other will follow…

[@jevogroni4829]

i think seqtrak looks good but i dont buy gear in that price range all the time you know, I'll wait for it used. it kind of strikes me as a portable digitakt in some ways, better features in some ways worse in others.

[@benluff6079]

love the grey-orange

[@KiR_3d]

And then here will come Uli... :))) I'm buying a pop corn already )

[@lextron-audio]

It’s nothing like Teenage Engineering. It’s the same shape, that’s it

[@valdir7426]

see this is the difference between taking inspiration from a product like Yamaha and ripping off a product like Behringer. apparently some people can't tell the difference.

[@Randuski]

i wish more companies would copy teenage engineering

[@nolanroberts2710]

That last 30 seconds was a struggle

[@XtianApi]

Deep dive this is not, but I appreciate you bringing it to my attention. It looks awesome. I don't know if I can learn something that actually has labels on the buttons

[@danbunge9787]

Maybe an Op-1 killer?

[@ghost_in_the_robot]

Seqtrak + SQ-64 and you're set... aesthetics are complimentary

[@char252]

This is off topic, but it looks like you have skin inflammation. I recommend you check out a dermatologist sometime soon. I also had this before and shrugged it off for a while, but it feels so much better when its gone.

[@Weaverbeats]

Yeah i've noticed that a bit lately also. Appreciate the tips man.

[@nalaeel219]

This seems super cool and I’ve preordered one already. Always hoping for a new updated AN1X tho

[@Barry101er]

The biggest TE design flaw is the cost.

[@donnydarko7624]

I'm wondering if the mini TRRS to 5 pin midi adapters are 2.5 mm rather than 3.5 mm, because I've only ever heard of one other machine that uses a 2.5 mm plug and there are only two options when it comes to the 3.5 mm TRRS to 5 pin midi adapter.s

[@Frikoppie]

What do you think about a bastard sort of fretless bass, guitar chapman stick sort of combo? What about a kalimba with higher (and lower) range? Why can't people figure that sort of stuff out? And I reiterate, I am a greasy man.

[@badinibeats5939]

i had an opz pretty much useless not even big enough to use as a doorstop

[@Scabadart]

1:18 that’s a cigarette

[@danwentz]

any time i see a video like this it makes me hug my polyend tracker

[@Ra_Sharpness_]

Im returning the ko2. It seems we were the test subjects. Why else would a company who sells a 1500 plywood desk then sell a sampler for 300 bucks. Test subjects

[@beaticulous]

Is TE going to move manufacturing to Taiwan like Moog?

[@D-One]

Not for me, i'd rather buy an MPC-One or something but apart from the form factor design being a bit too much of a copy it looks interesting for people into tiny standalones

[@markgordon7195]

Awesome review! Don't buy the Seqtrak unless you want to walk around for weeks with a stupid grin on your face, So not a cool hipster look.

[@Riktenstein]

Yamaha have done unusual products before like the Tenori on. Good luck to them with this, prised well.

[@iwanttocomplain]

I just remembered the QY-10 from 1990 which is essentially a portable workstation. With a 10 character screen. Bjork used a QY-70, apparently.

[@dave3987]

Yeah I remember the Yamaha qy700 sequencer has a 32 track sequencer more than the rs7000 and rm1x. Yamaha always tripping on their products though why???

[@Riktenstein]

@@iwanttocomplain had a QY100. It seriously eat the batteries though.

[@iwanttocomplain]

@@dave3987wtf do you mean by "trippin"? Not properly marketing?

[@joshuamorganmusic]

I bought an opz when it came out bc of its DMX capabilities and Unity compatabiliy. Literally nothing else does that. For a ‘music’ device the opz sucks balls. Mine is bent in the middle, the buttons double trig all over the place and the ‘knobs’ fall off and I had to tape them down not to mention the power button falls off too and I’ll prolly hafta glue it on to keep from loosing it. That being said…still, nothing can do the DMX/Unity thing so until then I’ll prolly just buy a second opz. Fml🙄

[@udriku4875]

Bought mine for 399€ (Thomann)

[@sturdyblock]

'Performance' by Mijk van Dijk. It certainly is.

[@Bigfamilyhomestead]

Agreed, also- The sound itself was more "forward / clear" less "smeared" compared to the TE.

[@sleepalaska]

😅

[@Pabloesc571]

@@Bigfamilyhomestead its not the device that made it sound like this.

[@pesto12601]

so much cheaper than TE... it's over TE!

[@the_glove]

Man I’m having such a hard time caring about the Yamaha . A groovebox without a screen? Like cmon

[@dave3987]

Yamaha may come out with a new groove box, Yamaha sent me a survey and I wrote in the comments section on how they abandoned the rs7000 and rm1x. Think they listened

[@bitegoatie]

Ripping people off is never something you should applaud. This is obvious, but we're trading in the realm of the obvious here.

[@codexstudios]

When you covered up the label, it looked like a Max for Live device.

[@unduloid]

That doesn't bode well.

[@bestkoreanjesus]

next yamaha steals VST when steinberg owns it... lol

[@RababaInc]

why don't they use rechargable batteries in these?! it'd be way easier to replace faulty batteries - not so easy or maybe even impossible to exchange a broken/old internal battery also: with 1 charge you can play 3-4 hours, then you have to charge it for 3-5 hours with rechargable batteries i could play until they are empty, immediately switch to new batteries while the old ones are charging gosh darn it