OP-1 was a big purchase for me. It is without a doubt an excellent tool for playing out ideas and finding inspiration. I think this is due to the fact that the OP-1, unlike a DAW, has pretty set limitations. Limitations breed creativity. Instead of spending all day designing a sound in ableton, you boot up OP-1, tweak a couple of knobs, and play. Excellent tool. Worth the price these days? Up to the individual
I absolutely love my OP 1, I have never experienced music creation in that way and I have yet to duplicate it anywhere else. And for me, making music, is a lot about my experience and my feelings toward it. Great video! Great perspective and content
you all prolly dont care at all but does someone know a tool to get back into an instagram account? I was dumb forgot the account password. I would love any tips you can offer me.
@Elias Flynn I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and im trying it out now. Seems to take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.
I'm still really glad I got my OP-1 secondhand pre-price gouging. It's a really unique, clever, weird device. Because of the affordable alternatives and the OP-1's price, I have trouble recommending it, but it's still super valuable to people who like it for its uniqueness.
This exactly! I recently saw you’re video on “the death of the op-1” and I think you made some excellent observations. “the op-1 is dead and we killed it”, that really got to me lol. Happy to see you here again! Happy holiday beatmaking my friend!
Agreed. It's not going to be the answer for someone looking to get into music, or someone on a budget. I would never have bought one (I have gear by Akai and Roland, mostly), but a buddy of mine scored 2 OP-1s secondhand, one for $600 and one for $650! He let me have the $650 one (charged me what he paid), as he is very generous, and I'm so glad I got one. You may not find one that low, but nowadays the second-hand market for these is pretty friendly, pricewise. $900 seems standard lately.
The price point currently is unreasonable i think and i felt like an idiot when i opened the dumb cardboard packaging meant to literally be held together with rubber bands. But regardless, if it was its original 700$ price point i would still highly recommend it bc its really fun. But i think beginners are better off getting an 80$ midi
2022 … after 7 years selling my first one I bought again the OP-1. This time for my pleasure only. This is the best adult toy for electronic musician. I hate using computer so my Synstrom deluge is a the heart of my dawless home studio and it is a must to control everything . But the op-1 is the ultimate self contain portable synth . And this tape recorder…. so much fun in your life. It is like my stratocaster fender… you grab it and you enjoy it. Don’t try more than have pleasure… this is life .
Wish I could like this more than once. Says so many things I could never put into words. Even at $1300, I would “have” to buy one if anything ever happened to mine.
I avoided the OP-1 for years, until 2014 when I found one for $500. After using it almost daily since then I say it's my go to synth for idea sketching and even getting some songs out of it. Yes, I do have other synths that really sound great, and I use them too, but I use the OP-1 the most because of the convenience and fun.
That’s exactly it for me. It is my ultimate “writer’s block” breaker. Sure, there are better sounding or more powerful machines, but this thing just has that “x” factor in spades. Thanks for sharing my friend! Hope to see you around!
As someone new who is trying to dabble in music, this was an extremely informative and helpful video. As someone who is a very impulsive buyer, i wanted that OP-1 for the capabilities/aesthetic. After watching this video, I am going to take a step back and explore the other options you provided which seem like a much better option for the time being. Btw, The editing and production quality of this video is fantastic!
ProjectNick _ thank you so much🙏🏼 I really appreciate it! If I was just starting out I would definitely be looking at the current MPCs or deluge. Or if you want a dinamite setup for about the same price as the Op-1, MPC ONE + Digitakt 👌🏻 you could make all the music in the world with that. Hope to hear from you again, happy music making my friend!
Short answer yes, long answer yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees. I have a ton of other stuff and find myself coming back to the OP-1 and OP-Z. I love to sample into these machines and play with samples. My iPad might be my number 1 machine to sample from these days. I have yet to find something that engages me as much as those two. I'm glad more and more companies are making alternatives to them, but they are very hard to beat portable music making machines.
I use a Maschine Mk3 and I do not regret it. One of the best bang for your buck pieces of equipment since it comes with Komplete select, a bunch of Virtual Instruments, a little Over 20,000 sounds.
Have been using an OP-1 for the past few years. It's a jack of all trades, master of none. So the amount that I use it has steadily decreased as I get better devices for each of its functions. However, there are two things it still does better... two things which aren't easily replaced: - The monkey drum sequencer. Fill it with a variety of simple patterns, and the 2-finger mode can be used as a performance instrument to create interesting rhythms and fills in real time without any timing slop. - In general, as a portable sketch pad. The OP-1's greatest strength is how it lets people do quick rough drafts of songs without having to be in a studio. It may not be great for finishing songs, but it's fantastic for getting started and writing down ideas quickly. Mostly though, I find its limitations are too limiting. So I've been very tempted to sell it and get something which fits my workflow better.
I paid $765 for mine, new, on sale, many years ago. At that price, it's easily worth it. The build quality is beyond good, and the design is the best I've seen in a music product--it's deliberately designed for happy accidents, but it all makes sense. At $1299, it's a harder decision. If you have experience with synthesis, and don't intend to use it as your only device, it might work for you. Midlife is right about the MPC One being really versatile at its price. One alternative one might consider is a Digitakt; it's easier to use than you might think, it samples, has good synth capabilities, and eight tracks to use for sequencing, and another eight for midi. It's the only other box that breaks writer's block like an OP-1 (at least for me). The OP-1 rules over everything in its portability. It's the easiest thing to take with you, and make something fully realized, without being concerned about power.
feintcircles hi! It’s an amazing device and much deeper than what initially meets the eye! It’s workflow is a bit different and might take some time to get used to, but stick to it, really read up on manuals and tutorials so you get to know it’s many many hidden functions, and most importantly, have a hell of a fun time! Keep us posted!!
My advice is pay attention to the meter lights on the right and play with the volume levels. Sometimes the OP-1 can clip and if you don’t realize it can sound bad and you think it’s just the machine. The input recording level volume and the master out volume in the mixer section are most important. The mixer is better left in my opinion at 80 to 90 until you are doing a final mix. The volume knob can be anywhere and the machine will still be clipping internally. Usually I like it at 60% but that is personal and depends on headphones and if you are sending it to an amp or mixer for a live sound. The gain levels are something that you may not consider much as you are learning the machine but they are very important for getting a good result.
Extremely well written, loved that you gave us a little history lesson as well! I'm pretty bummed out that it nearly took a 2x price hike, and with that amount of money I could buy a specced-out laptop... I just wish I could try one out and experience it for myself.
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. As for the OP 1, it is a harder sell with the new price and competition, but it really is extremely special. That said, definitely try it out before if you can, you’ll either love it or hate it, there is no in between with this little guy lol. Let me know if you ever get one! Cheers bro!
Dude this is the best op 1 review. You hit all the spots. You described exactly how I feel about about synths also, I wish I had the op 1 but it’s too expensive. Great channel 👍
I appreciate your give and take on this video! I love my OP-1 to death and it's absolutely amazing for what it is. It's portable, fun and just a total joy to use. I rarely go out on a relaxing day on the town without it. Day on the beach, sitting down at a coffee shop, it's accessibility is unmatched. I also love my MPC Live II too. Music making lovers will probably end up with both and that's awesome. Yeah, the OP-1 expensive, but it's well worth it if you know you want it. I also still make loads of music with my DAW and that is OKAY too!
Xalyx I couldn’t have said it better myself my friend! I’m in the same mindset right now, just enjoying making music with all these wonderful machines! Thank you for watching!
@@MidlifeSynthesist Also awesome content and quality man! Just wanted to say keep it up and you'll be huge in no time I'm sure! You got a new sub today haha.
Ah man, just makes me want one! I had the worst luck with mine... I went through two within 5 weeks due to them being faulty so settled on the OP-Z... I say settled, I actually love it...
@@MidlifeSynthesist yeah man! Not cool for something soooo pricey... I get it though and actually agree with its cost somewhat it was a bit hard to swallow... However, the OP-Z is a beast. It’s basically a really power sequencer with endless features and creativity. The OP1 is better for sound design, that’s the way I categorise them anyway.
Great video - well produced, looks nice, etc. I barely know anything about making music, but I do love my OP-1 for the simple fact that it's easy to play with and experiment. I think the points you made about the 'fun' nature of making music with the OP-1 are the right things to focus on.
This is basically a discussion about intellectual property. What you pay for is not the hardware, obviously, even though it's clear that a lot of thought went into the layout of those buttons. What you pay for is the liberty to play around in a climate of unhinged, silly creativity and get as detailed about it as you want. What makes people use the word "toy" is in truth a whole philosophy of music making. How do you put a price tag on that? I also found the price more than hefty. But I consider it an investment in my musical development, almost like booking some lessons.
I honestly can't justify the MPC seeing that I have a laptop with a full DAW with infinite possibilities as it is. The OP-1 being so tiny and portable just makes it an obvious buy for me. (I also travel a LOT so that's why I'm considering it, if it were up to me I'd just buy a bunch of analog synths...)
This is my sole synth/sampler/sequencer/drum machine/4 track I was totally content to pay more in order to avoid chasing after 'All The Things!' It's saved me the cost of a spare room to keep all that crap in and saves me from cable entropy!
te needs to make a full sequel to the op-1. the z is more of a groovebox than a synth imo, and there’s a reason why people started going crazy for the op-1 when it got discontinued even with the z already out. i’d love to see more synth engines, some of the op-z’s features and maybe a slight redesign for $800-$1000.
Yeah, the problem we TE is that they’re really teenagers in their approach to making products.. they do whatever they feel like doing.. if they feel like working on a OP-2 is boring then they probably won’t do it.. they’re really more of a design brand then a synth brand, that happened to make synthesizers.. it’s both frustrating and refreshing cause an updated OP-1 would have rocked the synth world really. But they don’t care about that
I agree on the workflow and hardware limitations. It's like when you write do you use a pencil so you can erase or do you use a pen because it feels and looks better. :)
I have an RC 505, an Arturia MicroFreak and a Maschine MK3. My portable setup will consist of the RC-505, Arturia MF (semi-analogue) mini-synth and the OP-1 (if i manage to buy it!!). The OP-1 alternatives sound great, except there is no cow!
Thank you so much bro! It was a sentimental one for me because I’ve had so much love and hate for this little box (mostly love though, lol). Thanks for the motivation! Hope to see you around again🤟🏻
I haven’t used an OP-1 yet, but I have an MPC One and the MC-101. I gotta say, the MC-101 is pretty epic. Short learning curve, very powerful, probably about as portable as the OP-1. Much cheaper.
I found the look and design of the OP-1 extremely appealing, and when i had it in my hand even more, but the price was a bummer. Ended up getting a Digitakt and Digitone for it and dont regret it.
I don't have one myself but I knew that I wanted one because of what it do. In my opinion it's really both, a sound making machine and a toy at the same time
I don't always make music outside of VR...but when I do...I prefer Dos OPs. Really, it's a revolutionary device that has and will inform interface design for many years to come. The approach and eccentricities are part of its charm, and there's nothing like going out into nature with a field recorder and writing an EP on this thing in a weekend. Priceless is the word!
@@KyleScott I mainly use soundstage, which is similar to modular and reason. I've combined it with midi out to control various generative visual systems and technically you could ofc use it to control other softwares like Ableton as well
What an annoying, claustrophobic way to do music, especially with the lack of varifocal and limited FOV. Not that I haven't a few times, but.... blegh!
My friend prefers the op-z because it he doesn't have space in his bag, he doesn't want a bigger bag and he is always on the go. Those are basically nitpicks at this point, but he said to me one time: "you should just watch reviews of the gear, test hands on if you can and pick what suits you better" I honestly think this is the perfect quote here "pick what suits you better". You should always test new things when you have the opportunity to see if it's better for you, but never feel pressured to buy something new and never judge people for what they use or recommend. If it works, it works.
I had one for a while but I struggled with the tape recorder, which took away the fun and made me sell it. It is fun to explore the different modules, because they are visualized playfully, but I always felt the modules were pretty limited. I saw it as a device to record some ideas, but not as a serious device. I think the Novation Circuit is a great alternative for people looking for something compact, fun and with a great work flow and it's a lot cheaper.
Hi! I had a similar experience with the OP-1 at first, friggin hated the tape recorder and ended up selling it. I don’t know why, but about a year later I started really missing it (especially the portability) and bought it again! This time around I finally “clicked” with the tape dynamic and now I can’t put it down! Weird right? I tried the circuit recently for a while but I didn’t quite gel with it, ended up selling it... now it makes me wonder if I would get along with a deluge, who knows🤷🏻♂️ I guess the important thing is to keep trying till you find something that speaks to you personally, and that just makes you want to pick it up and make music, right? Wish you all the best, and keep making those beats! See you around!
There should be a synth rental business like blockbusters… But yeah, the OP 1 is one of those things that you don’t really know if it’s for you unless you try one out for a bit. At least for me, it’s one of my most favorite pieces of music making tech! Cheers!
This is a product that I've had long interest in, but I've never had the money to buy it. I think it would be a great beginner's synth, except for the price...
Your closing remark is ace! Great review. Btw, Sketch sequencer is cool once you realize you can use it to create microtonal, polyphonic stuff and that there is a helper note grid u can turn off and on. It can also act a visually programmed pitch LFO that u can play melodically with the keyboard.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and share great info! I’ll definitely give the sketch sequencer another try😅 hope to see you around my friend, all the best!
The Last time that I watched this video was about 5 months ago, every time that something new and shiny tempts me to sell or to swap my op-1, I come back to this video just to remind myself that this beautiful instrument (because it is an instrument, as you said much like a Stratocaster or a great cello) is really timeless and priceless, how can I forget the amount of joy and fun that this thing has brought to my music making...thank you for this great video again 😂😊✌
One reason I would love an OP-1 is I can link it to my Positive Grid Spark guitar amp with the Aux cable, and use it as a drum machine/synth/sequencer and play the guitar on top of it. The portability is super appealing in that regard. Also it just looks so fun to play around with.
I think part of what made me decide to start looking for a used OP-1 is in some ways it's got one of the least synth like work flows I've ever came across which I find very appealing as some one coming from a more traditional instruments. Much in the same way my trombone is limited I find an appeal in the OP-1 feeling stripped down to many other similar products. But as I've been diving back into the world of synths the last couple of months I've came to realize many of the things I look for in a piece of gear seems to be things that many in the synth world don't like.
Like I want one..... like REALLY want one. BUT I can do the same with a computer plus a couple midi devices (Keyboard and controller) plus fairly inexpensive software. Although caveat I ill agree.... simplicity / limitations does help with procrastination that can happen with a fully fledged DAW. Either way, I love the video. Appreciate the upload ❤ I still want one 😅😂
John, Paul, Ringo and George didn’t have midi sync or undo either, but somehow their timing was impeccable, and their performance, flawless.. I like devices that force you to up your game. ,
You’re right but music was their full time gig and they were the biggest band in the world so they had bottomless amounts of time and money to practice and fully develop great musical ideas. I have a few hours tops during my evenings and would like a device that helps me bring some small interesting idea to life lol
I'd like to get one but I won't pay more than about 500 bucks for it. I have a MacBook pro, Arturia Microfreak and an ipad Pro. And a whole metal suitcase full of Pocket Operators.
I traded my OP-1 for a Deluge and I'm still not sure if it was the right choice. I think the Deluge nails sampling, sequencing, and live playing way better than the OP-1, but the Isometric keyboard can be annoying. I am looking at getting MPC Live 2 to try it out. Never used an MPC product before, but I like using Abelton and this seems to be the closest thing to a DAW I can get to. Do you have any issues with MPC? Crashes? Weird Quirks I should know about?
definitely the former. When they came out they were around 650 Euros. I was so cross about the price rise, particularly as i had one on pre order for about 6 months and eventually just gave up. TE got greedy.
Thank you so much bro! It’s been a rough couple of months but I’m finally ready to get back to our video conversations! Hopefully this weekend I’ll have something for you, best wishes to you and your loved ones!
I was really fucking let down when i was finally able to find a place I could finance one (for $1299 of course) . For the first month i was in awe of it just because I wanted one for sooo long. But it wore of pretty quick. I just found myself reaching for it less and less when I wanted to do something. Honestly it got kinda annoying to use. I couldn't justify it in my set-up if that makes any sense. A lot of it's functions are redundant when you have an mpc live, Ableton and other analog synths. And a lot of what makes it a "classic" I find gimmicky. It's like sp404's were the shit until everyone and their grandmothers beats and shit started sounding the same. It seems to me that people are just parroting other's when calling it a "classic" and all this crap. No it's just GAS in your brain trying to convince you it's a classic and justifying paying $1300 for something that you will use in a song once. I'm not knocking people who love it. I'm just warning others who maybe thinking about spending a lot of money on an op-1 to pump the breaks and think before you lay down all that money "Do I really need this?" and "Would my money be better spent on something I really need or maybe better saved?". Not trying to be a downer. It's just my opinion.
I agree with much of your sentiments. I came to the OP-1 as an 'analog' musician however, with a blank slate. I don't have any other gear so every aspect of it's functionality serves me well. I like that with such tiny all in one unit I don't have to dedicate a corner of my home to a pile of gear and cables and that I only have to this one bit of kit to get my head around, albeit a quirky one. OP-1's the right horse for my course :-) but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to someone with a heap of gear already.
@@-Pol- Well I imagine it serve pretty good being the only thing you use. Probably could create a lot of unique music too. It was pretty cool when I got mine and at first I couldn't believe I finally had one.
@@jimmyhoffa2530 - I get ya. In a weird way I was happy to pay more in order to avoid getting 'ALL The Things!' Mind you I did 'only' pay half the current price for mine; got it second hand. Not sure I'd fork out for a new one.
Hey man, i like your channel and just subscribed. I think you stole the name (Midlife Synthesist) that I hadn't thought of yet :) I see that you're just kind of getting started. I hope you succeed and wish you the best. When you get enough content you should consider putting your videos into playlists. If I could could put in a request, I would ask for some workflow videos. A lot of youtubers post reviews and talk about the features of gear, but not enough showing their actual process when composing or sampling. Keep up the good work!
Hi bro! Thank you so much for taking the time to give me some kind words! I will definitely make some playlists when I have more videos, that’s great advice👍🏼 As to workflow videos, I’d be more than happy to make videos like that. For now, this is the closest thing I have, hope you enjoy it, I would love to hear your feedback on it. Stay safe! ruclips.net/video/Fj7IZ3yG8lE/видео.html
I enjoy using my OP-1. I think it’s real sweet spot these days is as a portable stand-alone device to use to work on ideas. It’s the perfect airplane music box for those times when you’re away from any other gear and want to work on ideas. With that in mind, it is pricey these days and if I had to do it over again I probably wouldn’t make this an early pick of gear that I bought.
it was a great way to get started in music production for me. after 2 years tho, I worked primarily in Ableton and sold it. Now when I travel I just take a Yamaha Reface CP with me for making music.
"no one should pay this much for a OP-1" translation: "no one should be making this much cash off the OP-1 other than us. let's jack up the price ourselves and make mad bucks"
The OP1 is very close to what I want but it's seriously way too expensive for a device that really hasn't had any major updates in just about a decade. If they came out with a new version, or other device, that was everything the OP1 is but added touch sensitive keys and 16 tracks (8 midi and 8 audio) then we would be getting much better. Make sure to have decent audio/midi inputs and I'd be more than happy to drop $1500 on it. I have the OP-Z now so I'm very familiar with TE's amazing build/engineering so give me a device that's everything I want and I may even be happy to pay $2K.
I like the way you speak and present things. I made the plunge and got one, because ive been lusting after it for so many years and there's this comfort that comes from my gear being new. Anyway, wish me luck. I'm sure I'll enjoy it. I'm actually very excited.
** gets to the 4 minute mark** me: He's not going to fucking demonstrate it is he!!; he's actually not going to fucking demonstrate it!!; We wanted to HEAR how relevant the sounds can still be!
Great video and as always really nice production value. I own most of the alternatives you mentioned and was always curious about the OP1. I think you've cemented it wouldn't be a good fit for me, but I can certainly understand its appeal.
Thank you so much for the feedback! I totally get that the OP-1 isn’t for everyone. Actually, I had an OP-1 in the beginning of my synth fever and I didn’t click with it and ended up selling it. Much later I missed it so much that I bought it again, and I this time around, loved it. Obviously, somewhere along down the road I must have changed because now I carry it with me everyday. So I guess it’s a synth that has to come at you at just the right time lol. I’m really curious about the deluge, do you have any experience with it?
@@MidlifeSynthesist No thats one of the few I've never tried. I have Force, MPC-X, MC707, Octatrack mk2, Analog Rythm mk2 (sort of a groove box) and Circuit. Plenty of other synths but thats it as far as grove boxes go. I think Octatrack may still be my favourite, although the upcoming update for Force has some pretty tasty performance controls that may finally get that box up to its potential. As for OP-1, I think the lack of midi integration is what seals it for me. I totally understand you point about just using it as its own instrument, but most of my workflow is based around sequencing, mostly using external sequencers like Squid, Pyramid, Seq and NDLR to take on sequencing duties. If a piece of gear wouldn't fit into that workflow I don't think I'd gel with it. That said, I can still see plenty of appeal with it, just wouldn't be a good fit for me.
Dave Kavanagh 100% agree! I see you are a man of culture as well🤣! How about that mpc-x + Octatrack pairing? Everyone always talks about which one is better, but I really think they were made for each other, what a killer combo! Happy beatmaking bro!
I think whatever words you use to describe the OP-1, good or bad, somehow it's all true at the same time, which says more about how people perceive things differently than the OP-1 itself. Every single music-making device can both be a toy - overpriced or not - or a music production powerhouse, all depending on how you use it. While I enjoyed the OP-1 when I had it, the intuitive user interface, the size, the feel, it also didn't quite suit my way of working at the time. I think I would have enjoyed it more now, but it also wouldn't be worth the asking price for me anymore. The £550 I once paid for it seemed just right though. Now there are other things I'd prioritise if I had £800 to spend (which is a price I just saw, but it may be Black Friday week deal as I don't think it's usually that cheap...). Like with many other devices I don't own, that I can't afford or can't justify to budget for right now, I love that there is such a thing in the world, though, something that inspires people to be creative and thus adding to the great and wonderful tapestry of human culture. Hmmm... I am making myself want one again now as I am writing this. Perhaps I'll save up for a new one some day...
I literally just bought one and it's still in the box. The sticker shock has me thinking I shouldn't even open it, then I read these comments and wonder.
I had buyers remorse for a minute. 3 years later the more I understand about it the more it absolutely blows my mind. Sampled hip hop. Banging electronic jams. Acoustic demos with doubled vocals and synth/ drum machine backing all with the built in mic. Full mix system and bounce to vinyl if you feel like, let alone pop the .aifs out and pop into your daw to build on it. This thing is not a gimmick its a literal portable studio Slice that sticker brother, open the box.
@@KelpYT thanks to people like you, I did open the box and I'm getting to know my OP 1. It's a new eco system but, I agree it's worth the effort. Thanks for the encouragement!
thanks for the video, convinced me to stay with my MPC Live 2.... would be great to get your view on elektron vs MPC regarding the unleashing your creative power
This is a nice overview, and well-done. Given a long background in hardware synthesis, I find the whole DAW-less Holy Grail notion pointless. Every interface pushes one in different directions, so I would never want an OP-1 or any other single device as my sole option. One interface is a major overlap and weakness of BOTH DAW and One Hardware Device To Rule Them All approaches. Production critique: you mixed your backing music way too high, and it competes with your voice to a maddening degree. I had a hard time watching this video as a result. Also: pace. Quick cut edits and the overall speed feels hurried. I have seen a couple of other videos you've done, and the pace was slower. Take your time, as your thoughts and insights are worth a few more minutes of mine. 🙂
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback Mike! I really appreciate you taking the time to make this commentary, it helps me grow as a video maker and hopefully result in better videos along the way. Thank you for watching and hope to see you around again, cheers my friend!
At first sight the OP-1 does look appealing but as I see more about it I get it less and less. I didn't realize till watching this video that it's conectivity was practically non existent. For me that is a bit of a deal killer, half the fun of making music without a DAW is chaining different kit together and getting it to play nicely. If you want to do everything in one box then why not stick with a DAW, even if it is an APP of some kind. I can understand the workflow thing and how it can shape your sound but I still can't believe that any workflow is worth that much. I mean this thing costs more than my entire first studio setup and that was back in 1994/95 and included my first ever PC.
Exactly! I think the Op-1 made way more sense when it was cheaper and didn’t have as much competition. The price is a shame though, because it really is special, but just like you said, with that kind of money you can make a pretty decent dawless setup. Honestly, if I was just starting out now, I’d definitly go for the deluge instead. I still love mine though and consider myself very lucky to have one😅 Thanks for commenting bro! Peace!
yeah good review. i categorised the op1 as a toy, few years later after seeing @red means recording I dived in. its a truly unique and good sounding box. dont look at specs only but buy gear that works intuietieve. i skipped the mpc one, blackbox, deluge... too complex, chose a toraiz sp16 instead. not that I sm not technical, cause I am. building my own gear etc. but when you make music your device should be simpel enought do you can focus on music instead.
I absolutely love mine, but...the keybed is not up to the build quality of the rest of it. I baby the thing, and since I got the first 1 have had to return it 3 times to not get a Lemmon keybed. (My dealer has not even blinked so obviously they know it is not a user mishandling issue). A better way to fix them would be welcome...the weakest link on an otherwise amazing and musically inspiring piece of gear. Fantastic composition tool. Great point about the Telecaster...now there is my ultimate bombproof musical weapon of choice😂
Thanks bro! Actually, I’m now making a video about op-1 vs the digitakt sampling and audio mangling😅, so your question couldn’t have come at a better time. Honestly, deciding between both if them is hard because I really like both of them. If your looking for a selfcontained all in one musical idea generator, the op-1 is your guy. However, the digitakt is a powerhouse in its own right, and is an amazing live performer and happy accident creator. Also, I can’t say enough about the elektron sequencer. There just isn’t anything like it. Now, put them both together and you’ve got a stew going🤟🏻🤟🏻
I wish I got one when the price was lower. Been loving my digitakt but I feel id have a good work flow on this. I’m a coffee shop type of producer to start tracks
OP-1 was a big purchase for me. It is without a doubt an excellent tool for playing out ideas and finding inspiration. I think this is due to the fact that the OP-1, unlike a DAW, has pretty set limitations. Limitations breed creativity. Instead of spending all day designing a sound in ableton, you boot up OP-1, tweak a couple of knobs, and play. Excellent tool. Worth the price these days? Up to the individual
💯
I absolutely love my OP 1, I have never experienced music creation in that way and I have yet to duplicate it anywhere else. And for me, making music, is a lot about my experience and my feelings toward it. Great video! Great perspective and content
MPC!!!
you all prolly dont care at all but does someone know a tool to get back into an instagram account?
I was dumb forgot the account password. I would love any tips you can offer me.
@Samuel Emilio Instablaster :)
@Elias Flynn I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and im trying it out now.
Seems to take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.
@Elias Flynn it worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy!
Thanks so much, you really help me out!
What a great and honest review! I bought a 2nd hand OP1 2 years ago, and I simply love it.
I'm still really glad I got my OP-1 secondhand pre-price gouging. It's a really unique, clever, weird device. Because of the affordable alternatives and the OP-1's price, I have trouble recommending it, but it's still super valuable to people who like it for its uniqueness.
This exactly! I recently saw you’re video on “the death of the op-1” and I think you made some excellent observations. “the op-1 is dead and we killed it”, that really got to me lol. Happy to see you here again! Happy holiday beatmaking my friend!
Agreed. It's not going to be the answer for someone looking to get into music, or someone on a budget. I would never have bought one (I have gear by Akai and Roland, mostly), but a buddy of mine scored 2 OP-1s secondhand, one for $600 and one for $650! He let me have the $650 one (charged me what he paid), as he is very generous, and I'm so glad I got one. You may not find one that low, but nowadays the second-hand market for these is pretty friendly, pricewise. $900 seems standard lately.
Something that isn’t said enough about the OP-1 is how playful it is and encourages exploration
It is a high price point but it is just SO MUCH fun. it's addicting to fiddle with. I love my OP1
Totally agree with you. It’s almost like a pet at this point, I couldn’t think of letting it go. Thanks for watching and commenting! See you around!
The price point currently is unreasonable i think and i felt like an idiot when i opened the dumb cardboard packaging meant to literally be held together with rubber bands. But regardless, if it was its original 700$ price point i would still highly recommend it bc its really fun. But i think beginners are better off getting an 80$ midi
2022 … after 7 years selling my first one I bought again the OP-1. This time for my pleasure only. This is the best adult toy for electronic musician. I hate using computer so my Synstrom deluge is a the heart of my dawless home studio and it is a must to control everything . But the op-1 is the ultimate
self contain portable synth . And this tape recorder…. so much fun in your life. It is like my stratocaster fender… you grab it and you enjoy it.
Don’t try more than have pleasure… this is life .
Wish I could like this more than once. Says so many things I could never put into words. Even at $1300, I would “have” to buy one if anything ever happened to mine.
I avoided the OP-1 for years, until 2014 when I found one for $500. After using it almost daily since then I say it's my go to synth for idea sketching and even getting some songs out of it. Yes, I do have other synths that really sound great, and I use them too, but I use the OP-1 the most because of the convenience and fun.
That’s exactly it for me. It is my ultimate “writer’s block” breaker. Sure, there are better sounding or more powerful machines, but this thing just has that “x” factor in spades. Thanks for sharing my friend! Hope to see you around!
As someone new who is trying to dabble in music, this was an extremely informative and helpful video. As someone who is a very impulsive buyer, i wanted that OP-1 for the capabilities/aesthetic. After watching this video, I am going to take a step back and explore the other options you provided which seem like a much better option for the time being. Btw, The editing and production quality of this video is fantastic!
ProjectNick _ thank you so much🙏🏼 I really appreciate it! If I was just starting out I would definitely be looking at the current MPCs or deluge. Or if you want a dinamite setup for about the same price as the Op-1, MPC ONE + Digitakt 👌🏻 you could make all the music in the world with that. Hope to hear from you again, happy music making my friend!
Short answer yes, long answer yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees. I have a ton of other stuff and find myself coming back to the OP-1 and OP-Z. I love to sample into these machines and play with samples. My iPad might be my number 1 machine to sample from these days. I have yet to find something that engages me as much as those two. I'm glad more and more companies are making alternatives to them, but they are very hard to beat portable music making machines.
You just gave me the exact information that I was looking for without surfing between thousands of videos. Thank you so much ❤️
I use a Maschine Mk3 and I do not regret it. One of the best bang for your buck pieces of equipment since it comes with Komplete select, a bunch of Virtual Instruments, a little Over 20,000 sounds.
Have been using an OP-1 for the past few years. It's a jack of all trades, master of none. So the amount that I use it has steadily decreased as I get better devices for each of its functions. However, there are two things it still does better... two things which aren't easily replaced:
- The monkey drum sequencer. Fill it with a variety of simple patterns, and the 2-finger mode can be used as a performance instrument to create interesting rhythms and fills in real time without any timing slop.
- In general, as a portable sketch pad. The OP-1's greatest strength is how it lets people do quick rough drafts of songs without having to be in a studio. It may not be great for finishing songs, but it's fantastic for getting started and writing down ideas quickly.
Mostly though, I find its limitations are too limiting. So I've been very tempted to sell it and get something which fits my workflow better.
I paid $765 for mine, new, on sale, many years ago. At that price, it's easily worth it. The build quality is beyond good, and the design is the best I've seen in a music product--it's deliberately designed for happy accidents, but it all makes sense. At $1299, it's a harder decision. If you have experience with synthesis, and don't intend to use it as your only device, it might work for you. Midlife is right about the MPC One being really versatile at its price. One alternative one might consider is a Digitakt; it's easier to use than you might think, it samples, has good synth capabilities, and eight tracks to use for sequencing, and another eight for midi. It's the only other box that breaks writer's block like an OP-1 (at least for me). The OP-1 rules over everything in its portability. It's the easiest thing to take with you, and make something fully realized, without being concerned about power.
I could not have said it better myself! Hope to see you around!
Mine just arrived in mail today. I saved up for a long time for this device, and I can't wait to dive in.
feintcircles hi! It’s an amazing device and much deeper than what initially meets the eye! It’s workflow is a bit different and might take some time to get used to, but stick to it, really read up on manuals and tutorials so you get to know it’s many many hidden functions, and most importantly, have a hell of a fun time! Keep us posted!!
My advice is pay attention to the meter lights on the right and play with the volume levels. Sometimes the OP-1 can clip and if you don’t realize it can sound bad and you think it’s just the machine. The input recording level volume and the master out volume in the mixer section are most important. The mixer is better left in my opinion at 80 to 90 until you are doing a final mix. The volume knob can be anywhere and the machine will still be clipping internally. Usually I like it at 60% but that is personal and depends on headphones and if you are sending it to an amp or mixer for a live sound. The gain levels are something that you may not consider much as you are learning the machine but they are very important for getting a good result.
@@johnruschulte2593 That is GREAT advice ! Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. 👍 👍
Just found your channel. This was surprisingly wholesome for a tech review video. Nice one!
ZaGa thank you so much! 🤗
Extremely well written, loved that you gave us a little history lesson as well! I'm pretty bummed out that it nearly took a 2x price hike, and with that amount of money I could buy a specced-out laptop... I just wish I could try one out and experience it for myself.
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. As for the OP 1, it is a harder sell with the new price and competition, but it really is extremely special. That said, definitely try it out before if you can, you’ll either love it or hate it, there is no in between with this little guy lol. Let me know if you ever get one! Cheers bro!
You forgot the one most important aspects of the device…. It’s total portability. You can make music anywhere.
Dude this is the best op 1 review. You hit all the spots. You described exactly how I feel about about synths also, I wish I had the op 1 but it’s too expensive. Great channel 👍
I appreciate your give and take on this video! I love my OP-1 to death and it's absolutely amazing for what it is. It's portable, fun and just a total joy to use. I rarely go out on a relaxing day on the town without it. Day on the beach, sitting down at a coffee shop, it's accessibility is unmatched. I also love my MPC Live II too. Music making lovers will probably end up with both and that's awesome. Yeah, the OP-1 expensive, but it's well worth it if you know you want it. I also still make loads of music with my DAW and that is OKAY too!
Xalyx I couldn’t have said it better myself my friend! I’m in the same mindset right now, just enjoying making music with all these wonderful machines! Thank you for watching!
@@MidlifeSynthesist Also awesome content and quality man! Just wanted to say keep it up and you'll be huge in no time I'm sure! You got a new sub today haha.
That battery is definite +1! I have had mine for 6-7 months now, havent charged it since then.
Lol, it’s freakishly long lasting isn’t it? Thanks for sharing my friend, hope to see you around!
It’s totally worth it.
Ah man, just makes me want one! I had the worst luck with mine... I went through two within 5 weeks due to them being faulty so settled on the OP-Z... I say settled, I actually love it...
Hi bro! What a bummer about the op 1! I’d love to get to know the op.z more, it’s always intrigued me. Happy music making, see you around!
@@MidlifeSynthesist yeah man! Not cool for something soooo pricey... I get it though and actually agree with its cost somewhat it was a bit hard to swallow... However, the OP-Z is a beast. It’s basically a really power sequencer with endless features and creativity. The OP1 is better for sound design, that’s the way I categorise them anyway.
Great video - well produced, looks nice, etc. I barely know anything about making music, but I do love my OP-1 for the simple fact that it's easy to play with and experiment. I think the points you made about the 'fun' nature of making music with the OP-1 are the right things to focus on.
This is basically a discussion about intellectual property. What you pay for is not the hardware, obviously, even though it's clear that a lot of thought went into the layout of those buttons. What you pay for is the liberty to play around in a climate of unhinged, silly creativity and get as detailed about it as you want. What makes people use the word "toy" is in truth a whole philosophy of music making. How do you put a price tag on that? I also found the price more than hefty. But I consider it an investment in my musical development, almost like booking some lessons.
Johannes Labusch my man👏🏼👏🏼 this. This exactly👍🏼
I honestly can't justify the MPC seeing that I have a laptop with a full DAW with infinite possibilities as it is. The OP-1 being so tiny and portable just makes it an obvious buy for me. (I also travel a LOT so that's why I'm considering it, if it were up to me I'd just buy a bunch of analog synths...)
This is my sole synth/sampler/sequencer/drum machine/4 track
I was totally content to pay more in order to avoid chasing after 'All The Things!'
It's saved me the cost of a spare room to keep all that crap in and saves me from cable entropy!
te needs to make a full sequel to the op-1. the z is more of a groovebox than a synth imo, and there’s a reason why people started going crazy for the op-1 when it got discontinued even with the z already out. i’d love to see more synth engines, some of the op-z’s features and maybe a slight redesign for $800-$1000.
Yeah, the problem we TE is that they’re really teenagers in their approach to making products.. they do whatever they feel like doing.. if they feel like working on a OP-2 is boring then they probably won’t do it.. they’re really more of a design brand then a synth brand, that happened to make synthesizers.. it’s both frustrating and refreshing cause an updated OP-1 would have rocked the synth world really. But they don’t care about that
Once you fall in love with this thing divorce is so damn impossible... I know as I got rid of one and 6 months later ended up buying a replacement.
op-1 would be the last thing I sell from the entire studio - both mpcs would go first
Amen to that!
I agree on the workflow and hardware limitations. It's like when you write do you use a pencil so you can erase or do you use a pen because it feels and looks better. :)
This exactly! Thanks for stopping by brother, happy new year!
I use a computer and nice font
Got mine for 900 with the Lego attachments, antenna and case. As a portable music maker, it hits all my buttons. Def worth the cost.
The best way now is akai mpc one 700$+- and simple to use don't need any soft the most important is u can make full project from zero till full song
I have an RC 505, an Arturia MicroFreak and a Maschine MK3.
My portable setup will consist of the RC-505, Arturia MF (semi-analogue) mini-synth and the OP-1 (if i manage to buy it!!).
The OP-1 alternatives sound great, except there is no cow!
I haven't seen your videos before, but this is by far best video about OP1, especially its pricing and history! Keep it up brother!
Thank you so much bro! It was a sentimental one for me because I’ve had so much love and hate for this little box (mostly love though, lol). Thanks for the motivation! Hope to see you around again🤟🏻
Mc101 is kind of a happy in between a mpc and op-1. Also not cheap but not as expensive
I haven’t used an OP-1 yet, but I have an MPC One and the MC-101. I gotta say, the MC-101 is pretty epic. Short learning curve, very powerful, probably about as portable as the OP-1. Much cheaper.
I found the look and design of the OP-1 extremely appealing, and when i had it in my hand even more, but the price was a bummer. Ended up getting a Digitakt and Digitone for it and dont regret it.
I don't have one myself but I knew that I wanted one because of what it do. In my opinion it's really both, a sound making machine and a toy at the same time
I don't always make music outside of VR...but when I do...I prefer Dos OPs. Really, it's a revolutionary device that has and will inform interface design for many years to come. The approach and eccentricities are part of its charm, and there's nothing like going out into nature with a field recorder and writing an EP on this thing in a weekend. Priceless is the word!
@@KyleScott I mainly use soundstage, which is similar to modular and reason. I've combined it with midi out to control various generative visual systems and technically you could ofc use it to control other softwares like Ableton as well
MPC!!!
What an annoying, claustrophobic way to do music, especially with the lack of varifocal and limited FOV. Not that I haven't a few times, but.... blegh!
@@andreperkowski2082 it's a different workflow, for sure. Just like the OP-1 there's a lot of limitation, but with limitation comes creativity imo
Brilliant analysis. I dig your style.
My friend prefers the op-z because it he doesn't have space in his bag, he doesn't want a bigger bag and he is always on the go. Those are basically nitpicks at this point, but he said to me one time: "you should just watch reviews of the gear, test hands on if you can and pick what suits you better"
I honestly think this is the perfect quote here "pick what suits you better". You should always test new things when you have the opportunity to see if it's better for you, but never feel pressured to buy something new and never judge people for what they use or recommend. If it works, it works.
I had one for a while but I struggled with the tape recorder, which took away the fun and made me sell it.
It is fun to explore the different modules, because they are visualized playfully, but I always felt the modules were pretty limited.
I saw it as a device to record some ideas, but not as a serious device.
I think the Novation Circuit is a great alternative for people looking for something compact, fun and with a great work flow and it's a lot cheaper.
Hi! I had a similar experience with the OP-1 at first, friggin hated the tape recorder and ended up selling it. I don’t know why, but about a year later I started really missing it (especially the portability) and bought it again! This time around I finally “clicked” with the tape dynamic and now I can’t put it down! Weird right? I tried the circuit recently for a while but I didn’t quite gel with it, ended up selling it... now it makes me wonder if I would get along with a deluge, who knows🤷🏻♂️ I guess the important thing is to keep trying till you find something that speaks to you personally, and that just makes you want to pick it up and make music, right? Wish you all the best, and keep making those beats! See you around!
I just wish there was a way I could try one before buying
There should be a synth rental business like blockbusters… But yeah, the OP 1 is one of those things that you don’t really know if it’s for you unless you try one out for a bit. At least for me, it’s one of my most favorite pieces of music making tech! Cheers!
You can order one on amazon and send it back if you don’t like it. I did it before.
@@cawashka Oh nice, I'll consider that thank you
Still thinking of buying one in 2022... i have logic and an MPC, but something about the OP-1 draws me in.
This is a product that I've had long interest in, but I've never had the money to buy it. I think it would be a great beginner's synth, except for the price...
Same here its a hard sell when it looks like a toy. Dont get me wrong i like toy instruments but i also like to be able to pay my mortgage too
Your closing remark is ace! Great review. Btw, Sketch sequencer is cool once you realize you can use it to create microtonal, polyphonic stuff and that there is a helper note grid u can turn off and on. It can also act a visually programmed pitch LFO that u can play melodically with the keyboard.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and share great info! I’ll definitely give the sketch sequencer another try😅 hope to see you around my friend, all the best!
MPC Live 2 is another level of fun. Well built, portable, intuitive and has broader applications. Also for less money!
For real? Have you owned both?
The Last time that I watched this video was about 5 months ago, every time that something new and shiny tempts me to sell or to swap my op-1, I come back to this video just to remind myself that this beautiful instrument (because it is an instrument, as you said much like a Stratocaster or a great cello) is really timeless and priceless, how can I forget the amount of joy and fun that this thing has brought to my music making...thank you for this great video again 😂😊✌
One reason I would love an OP-1 is I can link it to my Positive Grid Spark guitar amp with the Aux cable, and use it as a drum machine/synth/sequencer and play the guitar on top of it. The portability is super appealing in that regard. Also it just looks so fun to play around with.
It comes with a FM radio too ! Not bad for $1299
Too late! Luckily it wasn't overpriced when i bought mine :D
Holy shit you’re so lucky
You forgot the OLED screen upgrade..... and yes. It’s well worth it.
I think part of what made me decide to start looking for a used OP-1 is in some ways it's got one of the least synth like work flows I've ever came across which I find very appealing as some one coming from a more traditional instruments. Much in the same way my trombone is limited I find an appeal in the OP-1 feeling stripped down to many other similar products. But as I've been diving back into the world of synths the last couple of months I've came to realize many of the things I look for in a piece of gear seems to be things that many in the synth world don't like.
Like I want one..... like REALLY want one. BUT I can do the same with a computer plus a couple midi devices (Keyboard and controller) plus fairly inexpensive software. Although caveat I ill agree.... simplicity / limitations does help with procrastination that can happen with a fully fledged DAW.
Either way, I love the video. Appreciate the upload ❤
I still want one 😅😂
John, Paul, Ringo and George didn’t have midi sync or undo either, but somehow their timing was impeccable, and their performance, flawless.. I like devices that force you to up your game. ,
You’re right but music was their full time gig and they were the biggest band in the world so they had bottomless amounts of time and money to practice and fully develop great musical ideas. I have a few hours tops during my evenings and would like a device that helps me bring some small interesting idea to life lol
I'd like to get one but I won't pay more than about 500 bucks for it. I have a MacBook pro, Arturia Microfreak and an ipad Pro. And a whole metal suitcase full of Pocket Operators.
I traded my OP-1 for a Deluge and I'm still not sure if it was the right choice. I think the Deluge nails sampling, sequencing, and live playing way better than the OP-1, but the Isometric keyboard can be annoying. I am looking at getting MPC Live 2 to try it out. Never used an MPC product before, but I like using Abelton and this seems to be the closest thing to a DAW I can get to. Do you have any issues with MPC? Crashes? Weird Quirks I should know about?
Thank you.
I'll stick with my MPC Live, thanks. At least it gets regular updates and new functionality.
definitely the former. When they came out they were around 650 Euros. I was so cross about the price rise, particularly as i had one on pre order for about 6 months and eventually just gave up. TE got greedy.
Great video mate and very well said. Will not let my OP-1 go :)
Thanks bro! Absolutely, the OP-1 is a modern classic in my humble opinion!
@@MidlifeSynthesist agreed!
Miss your videos. Hope you are doing well. Best wishes to you and your fam.
Thank you so much bro! It’s been a rough couple of months but I’m finally ready to get back to our video conversations! Hopefully this weekend I’ll have something for you, best wishes to you and your loved ones!
I was really fucking let down when i was finally able to find a place I could finance one (for $1299 of course) . For the first month i was in awe of it just because I wanted one for sooo long. But it wore of pretty quick. I just found myself reaching for it less and less when I wanted to do something. Honestly it got kinda annoying to use. I couldn't justify it in my set-up if that makes any sense. A lot of it's functions are redundant when you have an mpc live, Ableton and other analog synths. And a lot of what makes it a "classic" I find gimmicky. It's like sp404's were the shit until everyone and their grandmothers beats and shit started sounding the same. It seems to me that people are just parroting other's when calling it a "classic" and all this crap. No it's just GAS in your brain trying to convince you it's a classic and justifying paying $1300 for something that you will use in a song once. I'm not knocking people who love it. I'm just warning others who maybe thinking about spending a lot of money on an op-1 to pump the breaks and think before you lay down all that money "Do I really need this?" and "Would my money be better spent on something I really need or maybe better saved?". Not trying to be a downer. It's just my opinion.
I agree with much of your sentiments. I came to the OP-1 as an 'analog' musician however, with a blank slate. I don't have any other gear so every aspect of it's functionality serves me well. I like that with such tiny all in one unit I don't have to dedicate a corner of my home to a pile of gear and cables and that I only have to this one bit of kit to get my head around, albeit a quirky one. OP-1's the right horse for my course :-) but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to someone with a heap of gear already.
@@-Pol- Well I imagine it serve pretty good being the only thing you use. Probably could create a lot of unique music too. It was pretty cool when I got mine and at first I couldn't believe I finally had one.
@@jimmyhoffa2530 - I get ya.
In a weird way I was happy to pay more in order to avoid getting 'ALL The Things!'
Mind you I did 'only' pay half the current price for mine; got it second hand. Not sure I'd fork out for a new one.
If I had the op-1 I would use it as a sound mod
I have a Hydrasynth and an MPC One for about the same price. The OP-1 is a mess compared to those two combined. (In my opinion.)
Awesome video!
Thank you bro!
This review was so good I actually listened to it ALL the way through!
Hey man, i like your channel and just subscribed. I think you stole the name (Midlife Synthesist) that I hadn't thought of yet :) I see that you're just kind of getting started. I hope you succeed and wish you the best. When you get enough content you should consider putting your videos into playlists. If I could could put in a request, I would ask for some workflow videos. A lot of youtubers post reviews and talk about the features of gear, but not enough showing their actual process when composing or sampling. Keep up the good work!
Hi bro! Thank you so much for taking the time to give me some kind words! I will definitely make some playlists when I have more videos, that’s great advice👍🏼 As to workflow videos, I’d be more than happy to make videos like that. For now, this is the closest thing I have, hope you enjoy it, I would love to hear your feedback on it. Stay safe! ruclips.net/video/Fj7IZ3yG8lE/видео.html
I enjoy using my OP-1. I think it’s real sweet spot these days is as a portable stand-alone device to use to work on ideas. It’s the perfect airplane music box for those times when you’re away from any other gear and want to work on ideas.
With that in mind, it is pricey these days and if I had to do it over again I probably wouldn’t make this an early pick of gear that I bought.
I couldn’t agree more with the sentiment! Cheers and thanks for dropping me a line✌🏻!
Great review!
it was a great way to get started in music production for me. after 2 years tho, I worked primarily in Ableton and sold it. Now when I travel I just take a Yamaha Reface CP with me for making music.
"no one should pay this much for a OP-1"
translation:
"no one should be making this much cash off the OP-1 other than us. let's jack up the price ourselves and make mad bucks"
This video was amazing
Fx and in/out limitations made it useless for my workflow but wish i still had one sitting around.
@TheMidlifeSynthesist do you think you'll do a video on the OP-1 Field? :D
Excellent video.
The OP1 is very close to what I want but it's seriously way too expensive for a device that really hasn't had any major updates in just about a decade. If they came out with a new version, or other device, that was everything the OP1 is but added touch sensitive keys and 16 tracks (8 midi and 8 audio) then we would be getting much better.
Make sure to have decent audio/midi inputs and I'd be more than happy to drop $1500 on it. I have the OP-Z now so I'm very familiar with TE's amazing build/engineering so give me a device that's everything I want and I may even be happy to pay $2K.
I like the way you speak and present things. I made the plunge and got one, because ive been lusting after it for so many years and there's this comfort that comes from my gear being new. Anyway, wish me luck. I'm sure I'll enjoy it. I'm actually very excited.
Stick with it bro! At first it can be frustrating, but I can honestly say it’s so worth it! Enjoy and make some dope beats!
AAAAND, it's STILL not touch sensitive. Unbelieveable...
I dont think its ever gonna be tbh
** gets to the 4 minute mark** me: He's not going to fucking demonstrate it is he!!; he's actually not going to fucking demonstrate it!!;
We wanted to HEAR how relevant the sounds can still be!
Great video and as always really nice production value. I own most of the alternatives you mentioned and was always curious about the OP1. I think you've cemented it wouldn't be a good fit for me, but I can certainly understand its appeal.
Thank you so much for the feedback! I totally get that the OP-1 isn’t for everyone. Actually, I had an OP-1 in the beginning of my synth fever and I didn’t click with it and ended up selling it. Much later I missed it so much that I bought it again, and I this time around, loved it. Obviously, somewhere along down the road I must have changed because now I carry it with me everyday. So I guess it’s a synth that has to come at you at just the right time lol. I’m really curious about the deluge, do you have any experience with it?
@@MidlifeSynthesist No thats one of the few I've never tried. I have Force, MPC-X, MC707, Octatrack mk2, Analog Rythm mk2 (sort of a groove box) and Circuit. Plenty of other synths but thats it as far as grove boxes go. I think Octatrack may still be my favourite, although the upcoming update for Force has some pretty tasty performance controls that may finally get that box up to its potential. As for OP-1, I think the lack of midi integration is what seals it for me. I totally understand you point about just using it as its own instrument, but most of my workflow is based around sequencing, mostly using external sequencers like Squid, Pyramid, Seq and NDLR to take on sequencing duties. If a piece of gear wouldn't fit into that workflow I don't think I'd gel with it. That said, I can still see plenty of appeal with it, just wouldn't be a good fit for me.
Dave Kavanagh 100% agree! I see you are a man of culture as well🤣! How about that mpc-x + Octatrack pairing? Everyone always talks about which one is better, but I really think they were made for each other, what a killer combo! Happy beatmaking bro!
@@MidlifeSynthesist Cheers good sir, and yourself too. Definitely right about MPC-X and Octatrack, amazing pair!
Hello! What happened you your excellent reaction video for the OP-1 Field?
Great video. Great quality.
Thank you!
I think whatever words you use to describe the OP-1, good or bad, somehow it's all true at the same time, which says more about how people perceive things differently than the OP-1 itself. Every single music-making device can both be a toy - overpriced or not - or a music production powerhouse, all depending on how you use it.
While I enjoyed the OP-1 when I had it, the intuitive user interface, the size, the feel, it also didn't quite suit my way of working at the time. I think I would have enjoyed it more now, but it also wouldn't be worth the asking price for me anymore. The £550 I once paid for it seemed just right though. Now there are other things I'd prioritise if I had £800 to spend (which is a price I just saw, but it may be Black Friday week deal as I don't think it's usually that cheap...).
Like with many other devices I don't own, that I can't afford or can't justify to budget for right now, I love that there is such a thing in the world, though, something that inspires people to be creative and thus adding to the great and wonderful tapestry of human culture.
Hmmm... I am making myself want one again now as I am writing this. Perhaps I'll save up for a new one some day...
I literally just bought one and it's still in the box. The sticker shock has me thinking I shouldn't even open it, then I read these comments and wonder.
I had buyers remorse for a minute. 3 years later the more I understand about it the more it absolutely blows my mind. Sampled hip hop. Banging electronic jams. Acoustic demos with doubled vocals and synth/ drum machine backing all with the built in mic. Full mix system and bounce to vinyl if you feel like, let alone pop the .aifs out and pop into your daw to build on it. This thing is not a gimmick its a literal portable studio
Slice that sticker brother, open the box.
@@KelpYT thanks to people like you, I did open the box and I'm getting to know my OP 1. It's a new eco system but, I agree it's worth the effort. Thanks for the encouragement!
thanks for the video, convinced me to stay with my MPC Live 2.... would be great to get your view on elektron vs MPC regarding the unleashing your creative power
Hi! Thanks for watching! I have something along those lines in the works (octatrack vs mpc x), so stay tuned! Cheers!
@@MidlifeSynthesist cool, looking forward
This is a nice overview, and well-done. Given a long background in hardware synthesis, I find the whole DAW-less Holy Grail notion pointless. Every interface pushes one in different directions, so I would never want an OP-1 or any other single device as my sole option. One interface is a major overlap and weakness of BOTH DAW and One Hardware Device To Rule Them All approaches.
Production critique: you mixed your backing music way too high, and it competes with your voice to a maddening degree. I had a hard time watching this video as a result.
Also: pace. Quick cut edits and the overall speed feels hurried. I have seen a couple of other videos you've done, and the pace was slower. Take your time, as your thoughts and insights are worth a few more minutes of mine. 🙂
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback Mike! I really appreciate you taking the time to make this commentary, it helps me grow as a video maker and hopefully result in better videos along the way. Thank you for watching and hope to see you around again, cheers my friend!
Great video
Thank you for watching!!
The price at $799, is just ridiculous, reminds me of the Casio VT-tone.
Once I got my Akai Force I wondered what I was ever thinking when I considered spending over £1000 on an OP1.
At first sight the OP-1 does look appealing but as I see more about it I get it less and less. I didn't realize till watching this video that it's conectivity was practically non existent. For me that is a bit of a deal killer, half the fun of making music without a DAW is chaining different kit together and getting it to play nicely. If you want to do everything in one box then why not stick with a DAW, even if it is an APP of some kind. I can understand the workflow thing and how it can shape your sound but I still can't believe that any workflow is worth that much. I mean this thing costs more than my entire first studio setup and that was back in 1994/95 and included my first ever PC.
Exactly! I think the Op-1 made way more sense when it was cheaper and didn’t have as much competition. The price is a shame though, because it really is special, but just like you said, with that kind of money you can make a pretty decent dawless setup. Honestly, if I was just starting out now, I’d definitly go for the deluge instead. I still love mine though and consider myself very lucky to have one😅 Thanks for commenting bro! Peace!
yeah good review. i categorised the op1 as a toy, few years later after seeing @red means recording I dived in.
its a truly unique and good sounding box. dont look at specs only but buy gear that works intuietieve. i skipped the mpc one, blackbox, deluge... too complex, chose a toraiz sp16 instead. not that I sm not technical, cause I am. building my own gear etc. but when you make music your device should be simpel enought do you can focus on music instead.
I absolutely love mine, but...the keybed is not up to the build quality of the rest of it. I baby the thing, and since I got the first 1 have had to return it 3 times to not get a Lemmon keybed. (My dealer has not even blinked so obviously they know it is not a user mishandling issue). A better way to fix them would be welcome...the weakest link on an otherwise amazing and musically inspiring piece of gear. Fantastic composition tool. Great point about the Telecaster...now there is my ultimate bombproof musical weapon of choice😂
Telecaster is the way! A man of culture I see✌🏻
I couldn't be more agree 😊
Amazing content! How does Digitakt stack up against OP-1 in your opinion? Your DT vs OT video got me into it.
Thanks bro! Actually, I’m now making a video about op-1 vs the digitakt sampling and audio mangling😅, so your question couldn’t have come at a better time. Honestly, deciding between both if them is hard because I really like both of them. If your looking for a selfcontained all in one musical idea generator, the op-1 is your guy. However, the digitakt is a powerhouse in its own right, and is an amazing live performer and happy accident creator. Also, I can’t say enough about the elektron sequencer. There just isn’t anything like it. Now, put them both together and you’ve got a stew going🤟🏻🤟🏻
Can't wait to see that! Thank you for the answer, I guess I'm leaning more towards digitakt.
I wish I got one when the price was lower. Been loving my digitakt but I feel id have a good work flow on this. I’m a coffee shop type of producer to start tracks
The price of the maschine + doesn’t seem so bad In comparison does it lol
🤣🤣 ok you got me lol
Really enjoyed the review!
It’s like CrossFit - I don’t do CrossFit
Golden, I loved the video!
🤣 thank you! I’m really happy you enjoyed it! See you around my friend!
i'd love to see you do a review on the p0-33 and he line up of pocket samplers
Hi! Thanks for watching. I would love making that video, maybe Teenage Engineering will send some my way sometime hopefully. See you around, cheers!
Maybe a good OP-1 preset multi sample pack will satiate my hunger for an OP-1... for now...