Teenage Engineering OP-Z

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

mistercharlie

I do recommend trying one if you can. The only thing I don't like about it it the price. Even then, if it were sized like a Digitakt, but with unchanged functionality, I doubt the price would be as big of an issue.

brambos

This thread has tickled my interest in the OP-Z. All this talk of a new sequencing paradigm and effectively removing the reliance on screens from the equation has made me really curious

I've also been really impressed by the things people like Echoopera and Perplex On have been posting on Twitter.

rs2000

@mistercharlie said:
I do recommend trying one if you can. The only thing I don't like about it it the price. Even then, if it were sized like a Digitakt, but with unchanged functionality, I doubt the price would be as big of an issue.

Indeed, its appearance not unlike a $5 TV remote or a vintage pocket calculator certainly plays an important role in provoking split opinions.

mistercharlie

@brambos said:
This thread has tickled my interest in the OP-Z. All this talk of a new sequencing paradigm and effectively removing the reliance on screens from the equation has made me really curious

Do it!

rs2000

@brambos said:
This thread has tickled my interest in the OP-Z. All this talk of a new sequencing paradigm and effectively removing the reliance on screens from the equation has made me really curious

I've also been really impressed by the things people like Echoopera and Perplex On have been posting on Twitter.

Wouldn't Mozaic be the perfect platform for building such a creative sequencer?
And control its functions by MIDI CC? Or an old TV remote coupled with the electronics of a Bluetooth HID keyboard?

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

mistercharlie

@EyeOhEss said:

but it’s actually mostly the features and functionality that puts me off it.....

Have you used one?

If it was from a company that in any way prioritised supporting their customers then I’d perhaps be a little less enthusiastic about bad mouthing it.

Here we go again.

Jumpercollins

Definitely interested I've heard quite a varied amount of styles people have posted using this. The size is ideal if you travel a lot.

SpookyZoo

@mistercharlie said:
I find that most of the criticism of the OP-Z comes from folks who haven't used them. They usually focus on the lack of a screen, the little buttons, and the bloopy sounds.

It reminds me a little of when the iPhone first appeared, with no hardware keyboard. Or the iPad, which isn't for "real work."

Changing the sounds is easy, and the built-in ones are actually pretty great. And who really uses the presets of any piece of gear except to get started?

I find I love the little keys. Chords are easy. If you want more, hook up a midi keyboard! Keystep is awesome with the OP-Z.

As for the lack of a screen, I prefer to call it "screen-free." Not having to switch attention between screen and hardware is nice. When I use iPad as a screen I find it to be a distraction. You can't complain about "kids today" not putting enough time or effort into their music, and then also not being able to understand the OP-Z's screen-free interface immediately.

In use, the OP-Z interface is a marvel. It makes complete sense, and soon disappears. You really do have to try it before you criticize it.

But above all, it's about the sequencer, which is amazing. Don't knock the 16 steps until you try them with step components. These aren't "workarounds." They are a genuine new way to work with sequencers, and one that makes a lot of sense to someone like me, who plays guitar or another instrument that isn't based on a step grid.

And even for dedicated sequencer users it offers something new. It seems to me that much dance music (and music in general) takes an idea, and elaborates on it, before moving to a slightly different idea. That's exactly how the OP-Z sequencer works, only you can elaborate massively in a single pattern.

To often we see complaints about new ideas in gear, because they aren't exactly the same as the old gear. If you don't like new ideas, that's cool. You don't have to buy it. But why whine about it, and piss on everybody else's chips?

Great post.

I’ve mentioned a couple of times about it being ‘screen-free’ as a negative for me. But I guess this does make the user concentrate on what they’re hearing.

Minimal connectivity and limited polyphony are also a bit of an issue for me. The Squarp Pyramid has unlimited polyphony/tracks and awesome connectivity options. Which is why I went that direction.

I’m intrigued by the OP-Z. That’s why I’m still watching all the videos.

I want to understand it’s appeal. Probably need to get my hands on one in future.

Telstar5

@mistercharlie ;That was genius.Sold. And thanks for the key step tip.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

brambos

@rs2000 said:
Wouldn't Mozaic be the perfect platform for building such a creative sequencer?

Yeah.. that's why I'm intrigued; apparently their workflow is both really appealing and designed around an extremely minimalistic UI.

I was triggered by the post from @mistercharlie .. "new ideas" are exactly what gives me the warm fuzzies, and if those ideas contribute to 'getting technology out of the way' I'm already a fan.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

rs2000

@brambos said:

@rs2000 said:
Wouldn't Mozaic be the perfect platform for building such a creative sequencer?

Yeah.. that's why I'm intrigued; apparently their workflow is both really appealing and designed around an extremely minimalistic UI.

I was triggered by the post from @mistercharlie .. "new ideas" are exactly what gives me the warm fuzzies, and if those ideas contribute to 'getting technology out of the way' I'm already a fan.

I can already see the custom sequencer function symbols digital-printed on the 64 pads of my Launchpad Mini

mistercharlie

@EyeOhEss said:

Let’s just agree to disagree on all this

👍

espiegel123

For those that don't realize it:

"X sucks" communicates something very different from"I don't like x" or "x doesn't appeal to me" or "I don't get why x is so popular.

Even though "x sucks" is just your opinion, it strongly implies (whether you realize it or not) that it is an objective fact. It implies that it is more than just a personal preference. It implies that people that disagree are mistaken or deficient in their perception.

"The stuff I hear from OP-Z doesn't appeal to me" is simply radically different from saying that it is bad or unserious or lacking in quality.

Nothing is universally loved. just because we like or dislike something doesn't make it good or bad. We can express our opinions in such a way that doesn't imply disrespect or condescension of people that have a different view.

One can be both opinionated and respectful.

Jumpercollins

https://www.musictech.net/reviews/hardware-instruments/teenage-engineering-op-z/

JohnnyGoodyear

@espiegel123 said:
For those that don't realize it:

"X sucks" communicates something very different from"I don't like x" or "x doesn't appeal to me" or "I don't get why x is so popular.

Even though "x sucks" is just your opinion, it strongly implies (whether you realize it or not) that it is an objective fact. It implies that it is more than just a personal preference. It implies that people that disagree are mistaken or deficient in their perception.

"The stuff I hear from OP-Z doesn't appeal to me" is simply radically different from saying that it is bad or unserious or lacking in quality.

Nothing is universally loved. just because we like or dislike something doesn't make it good or bad. We can express our opinions in such a way that doesn't imply disrespect or condescension of people that have a different view.

One can be both opinionated and respectful.

Very good.

JohnnyGoodyear

@mistercharlie said:
I find that most of the criticism of the OP-Z comes from folks who haven't used them. They usually focus on the lack of a screen, the little buttons, and the bloopy sounds.

It reminds me a little of when the iPhone first appeared, with no hardware keyboard. Or the iPad, which isn't for "real work."

Changing the sounds is easy, and the built-in ones are actually pretty great. And who really uses the presets of any piece of gear except to get started?

I find I love the little keys. Chords are easy. If you want more, hook up a midi keyboard! Keystep is awesome with the OP-Z.

As for the lack of a screen, I prefer to call it "screen-free." Not having to switch attention between screen and hardware is nice. When I use iPad as a screen I find it to be a distraction. You can't complain about "kids today" not putting enough time or effort into their music, and then also not being able to understand the OP-Z's screen-free interface immediately.

In use, the OP-Z interface is a marvel. It makes complete sense, and soon disappears. You really do have to try it before you criticize it.

But above all, it's about the sequencer, which is amazing. Don't knock the 16 steps until you try them with step components. These aren't "workarounds." They are a genuine new way to work with sequencers, and one that makes a lot of sense to someone like me, who plays guitar or another instrument that isn't based on a step grid.

And even for dedicated sequencer users it offers something new. It seems to me that much dance music (and music in general) takes an idea, and elaborates on it, before moving to a slightly different idea. That's exactly how the OP-Z sequencer works, only you can elaborate massively in a single pattern.

To often we see complaints about new ideas in gear, because they aren't exactly the same as the old gear. If you don't like new ideas, that's cool. You don't have to buy it. But why whine about it, and piss on everybody else's chips?

Very, very good.

Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr

@EyeOhEss said:

@Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr said:

@EyeOhEss said:
Not to mention that TE don’t give a **** about customer support and build quality. They’re like the new behringer but with nicer clothes and party favours

No! Behringer's stuff is inexpensive as well as being cheap.

I don’t understand?

It’s English wordplay. Cheap has several meanings, including both inexpensive and poorly constructed (and also promiscuous).

pagefall

@mistercharlie said:

As for the lack of a screen, I prefer to call it "screen-free." Not having to switch attention between screen and hardware is nice. When I use iPad as a screen I find it to be a distraction. You can't complain about "kids today" not putting enough time or effort into their music, and then also not being able to understand the OP-Z's screen-free interface immediately.

In use, the OP-Z interface is a marvel. It makes complete sense, and soon disappears. You really do have to try it before you criticize it.

I'm kind of fascinated by this from a UI POV - they clearly have made it work given the number of people raving about it and making this kind of comment.

Do you find that you need to 'brush up' on your chops if you haven't touched it for a while? or does it stick with you?

The whole idea of "you have to put effort into to learn this instrument/device" also seems very odd sometimes. It's mad that music software and hardware people need to make things immediate despite the fact that all your long term users will explore and learn your software or hardware. This 'immediate' consumer culture we seem to have is really at odds with how we actually work with our stuff. Nothing to be done about it just amuses me I guess.

Telstar5

I read this... Oh yeah.... > @Jumpercollins said:

https://www.musictech.net/reviews/hardware-instruments/teenage-engineering-op-z/

Telstar5

@JohnnyGoodyear :”As for lack of a screen”.. Dude ... iPad/iPhone.. They integrate perfectly !

[Deleted User]

I want one of these:

[Deleted User]

And this:

mistercharlie

@pagefall said:

Do you find that you need to 'brush up' on your chops if you haven't touched it for a while? or does it stick with you?

The main UI is quick to learn, and sticks with you. What I need to brush up on is stuff like "which is the knob for LFO speed, and which is depth?" Actually, I can remember both of those, but you get the point!

I also prefer to use the app when I'm changing MIDI settings.

The UI has some lovely touches. If you hold the metronome button down, then the number keys flash to spell out the BPM. 1, then 2, then 0 for 120. You can use a dial to change the tempo, or just hold the metronome button and type it on the number keys.

mistercharlie

New firmware update. Now you can select audio inputs, and it works with headset splitters. Really solid update.

• fixed bug that would cause files to dissapear/get corrupted
• detect microphone signal from splitter adapters
• new input selection functionality (beta). read about it here.
• new audio interface monitor mode
• fix broken incoming program change handling
• add cc for changing/switching to next/prev pattern. read about it here.
• make microphone mode work when usb audio is active
• allow octave shifting on all tracks
• fix drone notes to work properly with legato

echoopera

Cool. Just keeps getting better and better

Current state:

mistercharlie

I really, really love mine. And now I love it even more.