About the "Bad Gear Copyright Strike" theme in the comments, thanks for bringing it up but there is some misinformation. According to Florian himself on his Patreon, TE submitted a copyright claim on his Medieval video because he incorporated footage from the TE promotional video. Not because it was a bad review (it wasn't, only humorous) or because he played samples or music on the device. So although totally uncool, the claim was legitimate. I really dig the OP-Z but I have a lot of juicy stuff to say about the OP-1 but there is no danger of them coming after me with a "copyright strike". Thanks for your concern though ;)
using their video for a video for reviewing the product shouldn't need a copyright strike, anyway i understand that they dont want people to use their video but this is kinda weird.... dont like when company do something like that
Thanks for the clarification, I wasn't aware as I can't read the Patreon. The terms of service in the form portrayed in the video would have allowed for such measures, maybe that's where the misconception comes from.
there was a specific person that I called out due to them spreading misinformation and asking people to boycott TE. I don't care for TE products, but when someone purposely spreads false information regarding why a CR take down was issued, well I just ask for proof. This person had no proof but kept saying it was because Florian used the samples from the sampler,
I'm glad that guy took down his video. He made a bad call and in a rush to get it on the internet, he published a bunch of misinformation and made some pretty erroneous claims.
I got OP-1 for Europe trip and was so pissed with beauty of synth power and freaking tapes nonsense 😂 Should’ve just taken OP-Z as usual for past 6 years… and thanks Santa OP-XY came to life! 🎉
@@samprock since i like the Z so much, the XY is tempting, but I think I have a lot more mileage in the little Z and i'll use the $2000 saved for something else ;) congrats on yours though, slightly envious i will admit!
@@WoodyPianoShack XY is a grownup Z, but as I mentioned it’s everyone’s right to go thru endeavor personally. I’ll keep my Z as memorabilia item…. and will keep playing because it’s a TV remote size…. and will connect Z to XY on my next vacation as ultimate mobile studio :)
The workflow is so different between the 2 that people who gravitate towards loop based sequencers tend to not jive with the linear workflow of the OP-Z and vice versa. I'm sure he doesn't actually think it's outright garbage. I'm an OP-Z fanboy myself.
I absolutely love mine. I have its video capabilites integrated into my dawless setup even when I don't use the sequencer to drive sound. I bought the oplab and do recommend it for anyone who wants to use op-z with any degree of integration with a larger setup. Be VERY careful if/when you buy used because these tend to bend if the user isn't careful, and many have encoder issues (they pop out, which I've never experienced) which sellers might be hiding, so ask sellers outright about the encoders.
thanks for all the tips and feedback, you know, i don't think bendy units have anything to do with how careful owner is, they warp anyway, mine is slightly bent from new!
Owned the OP-1, sold it, bought an OP-Z, had to sell it, immediately missed it, bought the OP-1 field, sold it. Finally blought the OP-Z again and will keep it till it dies. By far my favorite music making device. Just super immediate, competent and sooo much fun.
Also, it might sound strange, but I highly recommend getting the rumble module. Gives the device some nice extra weight, and feeling the bass while making music is really a brilliant extra I don‘t wanna miss anymore.
Heck ya i got my opz a few years ago, love it a lot. Got the 3 modules and they're all worth it, rumble is surprisingly immersive while making beats! Gotta pair it with a separate midi controller, i got the Korg nano key mk2 for it, the kingston nucleum powered usb hub, and novation launch control xl to control the different track parameters. Got a projector to pair with its visualizer and planning to get dmx lights for it eventually
Glad you like it. I've had mine since they launched. Never had a single issue with it and it's always been my best, writer's-block buster. By the way, your track sounds like. I'm a big fan of that String-bass synth engine on there myself.
I'm jelly abt the sequencer aspects I have read abt. In the end, it's not the gear that makes music, it's the individual driving it so it doesn't matter what you own, just that you make music.
Nice review, Woody. I love the Z. I probably whip my phone out 50% of the time to check things like lfo destinations or delay parameters on a screen, but other than that, I use it as it is. Fastest workflow on any device I’ve owned. I keep it in a wooden box I found second hand to prevent bends etc. I sold my first one but missed it too much. Purely as a drum machine, it’s a beast. The sequencer is a joy to use.
fully agree on all points, nice to hear from another happy user. the bending is not the result of any force applied to the middle, just the material warping due to its composition, to the best of my understanding!
Great to see more praise for the op-z in the era of the new XY. Mine hasn’t bent but the encoders are trying to escape and some buttons have become unreliable after four years. Also lost all the content on it a couple of times while doing backups. The lack of screen feels more like a traditional instrument like a violin, you actually have to *listen* to it to tell what it’s doing. Also the rumble pack adds an amazing tactile quality to the kicks and strings. Was about to buy a replacement op-z when the op-xy was announced and went with that (even though I could have subscribed to a new annual op-z for a few years at the same price.) The buttons are more reliable, and the arranger is a game changer for me, as I couldn’t quite figure that out with pattern chaining on the op-z. But when it was time to take a trip I was reluctant to bring the XY, where I would easily throw the op-z in my bag any time.
congrats on the xy, totally agree with you on all points! will try and track down the rumble module and the line output / midi module. maybe pickup an xy in the future.
It’s really great! Somehow I kind of like the plastic feel and that it feels ok to bring it every where and not having to worry about it being scratched etc ☺️
Hey woody 👋 love the review and you're the first person in years to call it a telephone ❤ I travel to France regularly and from where I live it's five trains and 10 hours. I've been mulling over getting an op1 but the whole restrictions as a benefit pitch doesn't do it for me, especially at that price. So this looks to be a good fit for jotting down ideas and having fun on the go without breaking the bank.
I found a used one for $180 (with all the quality issues you mentioned and more: warping case, encoders falling out, power/volume knob cracked and falling out & some double triggers) but it came with the midi/cv module! I like it. Enjoy yours!
ugggh, yeah, just what i was saying. good deal though, i am on the lookout for the module, another drawback that i forgot to mention is that this is impossible to interface with other gear unless you fork out $150 for the module.
Every time I start thinking I might actually get a TE product, I end up realizing that I'd rather just use Koala. Even on my iPhone mini, Koala works so well.
@@RobertFisher1969The iPhone is able to do much more and sound much better than this. IMHO, this is a boutique product that no one really needs in 2025. 🙂
Koala Sampler is more like Roland Sp404 alternative. OP-Z is different thing, more rare/unique (both on worklow and sequencer aproach), I'm not sure what iOS app I might really compare it too except, MAYBE, Elastic Drums.
And I can't find anything that would replace OP-1 in one app either (and trying to imitate it using several looses the point imho - you might disagree but i think it depends on mindset and what's more comfortable for you). Though I always recommend people to have fun with Samplr and Humbletune's apps like Tardigrain, though.
@@rogerioamorim8057 considering you can have miRack there, hard to argue. But still, I believe different user have different needs AND preferences, and some may value details/approaches others dont consider important for them. In the end, I think everyone just needs to use what they want and be happy :) even if it means spending crazy money on some obscure yamaha FM synth from 1990s... or learning CSound or PureData and spending zero money alltogether.
I just bought one of these, as well, and it's hard to tell but I THINK mine is slightly bent, as well. I ordered a skin for the top panel which includes some labels to make it easier to see/remember what the buttons do, as well as a cheat-sheet for the underside with many of the button combinations.
my process was to write down all the shortcuts and params, i referred to my notes only a couple of times, but making notes helped me to quickly remember.
@@stevenbakos Just looked it up, and it's pretty crazy, for sure. That said, it doesn't change my opinion of the OP-Z, or(to be honest) Teenage Engineering(who I already thought were pretty much trolling us at this point with their pricing on most of their products). I'll just make sure anything I release has original samples.
You've done a great job with the OP-Z. Personally I find it difficult to deal with instruments without actual keybeds (I have an SP404 Mkii that I've yet to really use and a TR-8S but that's a different story). I've always thought the OP-1 would be cool if it cost around 600-700 max. I'd be very interested in your upcoming video.
you can hook up a usb midi controller direct to the op-z and play the sounds... op-z is a usb host. very nice feature, also i really like that it has a proper keyboard layout instead of 8 or 16 pad grid, so much easier to make melodic music.
Yes, OP-Z totally is! Small things can be pricey, remember last time you wandered in jewelry store 😂And yes, OP-1 is garbage, and OP-XY is just “there”. (Of course it a joy to personally experience thru the brill new tech, it’s a journey we deserve a right to go thru ❤)
1:18 Your hand! 😂 We can see your hand and you yourself for scale!!! (unless you are a dwarf in a hobbit house, a geant in a tailored room or something like that) 😉
I am not a fan of TE products, but that does not mean others wont be. I know there are specific magic tricks TE do with their sequencers that I have not seen on other sequencers, so that has to be said that the company is doing something right. Each to their own, but when people get butthurt over musical instruments, well welcome to 2025 folks.
@@WoodyPianoShack Four tracks is less of a problem than it seems on paper. As each track on the Move can be fitted with a 16-pad drum machine that allows each pad/sample to be played melodically. And these pads can also have individual effects. So you end up with a combination of anywhere between 4 synth midi channels and 64 melodic sampler channels at your disposal. And of course any take can be resampled to make room for new tracks. Not to mention that these small form factor grooveboxes are sketching devices at best. Which makes track count less critical. You're not going to finish full productions with them.
@@Drrolfski yeah i get that, but the limitation is when it comes to muting or manipulating tracks, when the entire kit is thrown onto a single track it is unflexible, on the OP-Z the drums are distributed over 4 tracks, so you can for example apply beat repeat FX to individual kick, or easily mute the hats track, for example! 4 drum tracks is much better than 1!
@@WoodyPianoShack The examples you provide you can do with the Move on a single drum track as well, as FX on individual pads can be automated. That's not to say that I don't prefer the capability of 8 tracks over 4 tracks. It's just that Ableton has done quite a genius job of not really missing these extra 4 tracks when you actually get to work with the Move. All thanks to its instantness and super-intuitive workflow.
@ there’s another guy that does synthesizer videos. You probably know of them. He has like gray hair real young looking has 1 million synthesizer. I’ll try to find it and copy it for you.
@@stevenbakos i did.and nothing peculiar about it. dig deeper and it appears that the copyright claim was actually for video footage taken from TE yt channel and not for Florian's original musical composition.
Def plan to watch this, Woody. Per the comments you diss the OP-1, which I love., and that's OK. I've never experienced the OP-Z, or other OP products. So maybe this OP-1 fan boy can do better. Thanks!
@@WoodyPianoShack Ahh... it takes awhile. Really grokking the Tape and getting it under muscle memory was the big turning point for me. OP1 sounds are good but not stellar. Overall, the workflow under your fingers becomes quick with enough practice. Also gotta' take a good look at the keyboard shortcuts, esp. the Shift ones.
Given TE's ridiculous policy on copywrite - I will never buy anything from this company... I hope they realize the mess they created for themselves in the community!
Great sequencer, not the most inspiring sounds. Very poor build quality (they bend, buttons double trigger). The new XY fixes that, but at 10 times the price.
@@WoodyPianoShackthe sounds are quite different but the sequencer is mostly the same. I had an OP Z in the past (it broke) and now have an OP XY. Although I really like the OP XY high quality sounds, they are more “serious” and I get nostalgic when hearing these funny plastic OP-Z sounds.
after researching, bad gear used audio/video footage taken from TE channel , that is the reason for the claim which is legitimate, although not cool. the opz might get a glowing review from me but the op1 is my least favorite and I have made vids about that too.
@@CaffeinatedTome no it shouldn't, copyright law differs in each and every country, fair use doesn't deem it fair use, not when TE can prove otherwise. If Florian issued a response and it was rejected, then there is your answer, but if he let it go, then he knows that it was just easier to do so. His account is in no way affected, he was issued a *warning* nothing more.
The Barbera Striesand effect will happen to TE very soon... I just realised Teenage Engineering rhymes with "Tom Evans"... and that Mastergroove pre-amp... he was another manufacturer that very recently came unstuck when he tried to put a copyright claim on another RUclips channel and it backfired spectacularly 😂
Woody, that's complete nonsense. The device has no display. The Synthstrom Deluge suffered from the same problem. The protest in the community was so big that the company brought a model with a display onto the market. A groovebox without a display is never worth the money IMO.
@@WoodyPianoShack No, I just don't believe that. Novation has the same problem with their Circuit Rhythm and Circuit Tracks. I don't know anyone who can operate a groovebox without a display without going nuts. Just take the naming of patterns. How do you want to create order and save something if you don't know what something is called? Totally crazy.
@Klaas-g3t take your point, but what works for you, may not for me. a personal workflow preference. it is refreshing not having to name stuff or read text on screen. just need to exercise your memory and fly by the seat of your pants!
someone else, perhaps you, already mentioned that, i find it hard to believe, plus it would not even be a strike, just a claim that has no effect on the video or channel. what is the source of this info?
@@WoodyPianoShack TEs licence does not allow fair-use, so technically you can't review their stuff playing single samples/sounds without violating their copyright. Apparently they use this to take down video reviews of their products that is not to their liking. Scotts Synth Stuff channel has a recent video on it
@ huh? It’s incredibly intuitive! Define what you mean by ‘messy’. I’ve never heard it called that before. As a generative sequencer, it’s very powerful.
@@e-conrecords4665 messy as in convoluted workflow. I have a Hapax that is easy to navigate and works perfectly as I need, the PE Play though, yeah just like Elektron, messy.
i myself have several devices that are more powerful (and more expensive) roland MC, MPC, Maschine but this is still a favorite for its fast workflow. I made 10 tracks in 5 hours... never happened before.
@@WoodyPianoShack If you ever get to play with a Hapax, that is otherworldly, and I have had my hand on a few diff expensive sequencers. Still have my Polyend SEQ which has yet to be cloned, sad that PE abandoned it. Had a Squarp Pyramid and that hurt the brain, I specifically got the PE Play and that was with regret, especially when they have dropped so drastically in $. It's all about the workflow, when you get that, nothing can stop you.
Personally, I feel they are nothing but a gimmick. I've never understood why they worth soooo much money? Buy a good iPad and take your pick of hundreds of great apps.
take your point, ipad much more powerful abd flexible of course. myself, i never enjoyed making music on glass, so i like the hands-on button interfaces of hardware.
Common Woody $400 bucks for a little calculator that bends out of shape for no good reason with sharp edges that makes this little box that is meant to be held, not comfortable to hold!?! Are they paying you for this video!?! But hey, to each their own opinions.
isn't it the creativity, inspiration and musical results that counts over everything else? if TE were paying me I would tell you and they would not be happy with their value for money... show me a better groovebox for 400 bucks... ;)
It looks like a toy, behaves like a toy, sounds like a toy, but if you play it, then TE (Teenage Engineering) will issue a copyright strike against you. This product should be totally avoided!!!
This was blown out of proportion after viewing certain aspects of the situation. It wasn't about sounds being used in a video to mock TE, it was about their content and promotional video being used to mock the product on release indirectly, funnily enough, without even talking about it or reviewing it. Yeah it sucks but this is somewhat less of an issue as if it were about the sounds being used which would mean every single youtuber would have to take down any TE related product in any video. If you look closely, BAD GEAR has other TE products in his vids that get slandered and none of them were taken down.
@@Javeton Even so, the T&C's are written in black and white and it's disgusting that if they (TE) chose to stop you from using a single sample which is not within a unique composition, they can strike you, and they have done just that. They don't deserve good musicians to use their products, sorry, I mean use their toys.
@@johnpearce9023 are you just making stuff up? Unfortunately for Florian, this exists in TnC, "You are not allowed to use our images, text, videos, or other materials for commercial purposes without obtaining written authorization from teenage engineering." Florian is a cool guy, but TE does state this and he did use without written consent, but if you have any TnC where they state you cannot use their samples, I am willing to read.
Even if a RUclipsr incorporates their product video footage in his own video that should be allowed under fair use. They are rightfully blamed and hopefully cancelled for their actions.
About the "Bad Gear Copyright Strike" theme in the comments, thanks for bringing it up but there is some misinformation.
According to Florian himself on his Patreon, TE submitted a copyright claim on his Medieval video because he incorporated footage from the TE promotional video.
Not because it was a bad review (it wasn't, only humorous) or because he played samples or music on the device. So although totally uncool, the claim was legitimate.
I really dig the OP-Z but I have a lot of juicy stuff to say about the OP-1 but there is no danger of them coming after me with a "copyright strike". Thanks for your concern though ;)
using their video for a video for reviewing the product shouldn't need a copyright strike, anyway i understand that they dont want people to use their video but this is kinda weird.... dont like when company do something like that
Thanks for the clarification, I wasn't aware as I can't read the Patreon. The terms of service in the form portrayed in the video would have allowed for such measures, maybe that's where the misconception comes from.
@@0xphk www.patreon.com/posts/te-just-gave-me-118363161
there was a specific person that I called out due to them spreading misinformation and asking people to boycott TE.
I don't care for TE products, but when someone purposely spreads false information regarding why a CR take down was issued, well I just ask for proof.
This person had no proof but kept saying it was because Florian used the samples from the sampler,
I'm glad that guy took down his video. He made a bad call and in a rush to get it on the internet, he published a bunch of misinformation and made some pretty erroneous claims.
First time I've ever heard someone call the OP1 garbage. I love your frankness.
I bought op 1 and opz at the same time. Couldn’t get rid of the op1 quick enough ..
I got OP-1 for Europe trip and was so pissed with beauty of synth power and freaking tapes nonsense 😂 Should’ve just taken OP-Z as usual for past 6 years… and thanks Santa OP-XY came to life! 🎉
@@samprock since i like the Z so much, the XY is tempting, but I think I have a lot more mileage in the little Z and i'll use the $2000 saved for something else ;) congrats on yours though, slightly envious i will admit!
@@WoodyPianoShack XY is a grownup Z, but as I mentioned it’s everyone’s right to go thru endeavor personally. I’ll keep my Z as memorabilia item…. and will keep playing because it’s a TV remote size…. and will connect Z to XY on my next vacation as ultimate mobile studio :)
The workflow is so different between the 2 that people who gravitate towards loop based sequencers tend to not jive with the linear workflow of the OP-Z and vice versa. I'm sure he doesn't actually think it's outright garbage. I'm an OP-Z fanboy myself.
I absolutely love mine. I have its video capabilites integrated into my dawless setup even when I don't use the sequencer to drive sound. I bought the oplab and do recommend it for anyone who wants to use op-z with any degree of integration with a larger setup. Be VERY careful if/when you buy used because these tend to bend if the user isn't careful, and many have encoder issues (they pop out, which I've never experienced) which sellers might be hiding, so ask sellers outright about the encoders.
thanks for all the tips and feedback, you know, i don't think bendy units have anything to do with how careful owner is, they warp anyway, mine is slightly bent from new!
Cool track, Woody! And I enjoyed 9:16 in particular. 😂
My problem with the OPZ, is I forget how it works every few weeks.
This is the main reason I wont touch display-less gear.
@@straighttalk2069 All it takes is stuffing a cheat sheet into the case, or just buy an overlay for it.
I’m really impressed with the sound quality You did a great job on those tracks.
thanks, yes, the sounds are fabulous and inspiring
Owned the OP-1, sold it, bought an OP-Z, had to sell it, immediately missed it, bought the OP-1 field, sold it. Finally blought the OP-Z again and will keep it till it dies. By far my favorite music making device. Just super immediate, competent and sooo much fun.
Also, it might sound strange, but I highly recommend getting the rumble module. Gives the device some nice extra weight, and feeling the bass while making music is really a brilliant extra I don‘t wanna miss anymore.
Heck ya i got my opz a few years ago, love it a lot. Got the 3 modules and they're all worth it, rumble is surprisingly immersive while making beats! Gotta pair it with a separate midi controller, i got the Korg nano key mk2 for it, the kingston nucleum powered usb hub, and novation launch control xl to control the different track parameters. Got a projector to pair with its visualizer and planning to get dmx lights for it eventually
Glad you like it. I've had mine since they launched. Never had a single issue with it and it's always been my best, writer's-block buster. By the way, your track sounds like. I'm a big fan of that String-bass synth engine on there myself.
didn't even realise it was the string engine, everything is just a bunch of engine numbers and preset numbers, lucky dip!
I'm jelly abt the sequencer aspects I have read abt.
In the end, it's not the gear that makes music, it's the individual driving it so it doesn't matter what you own, just that you make music.
Nice review, Woody. I love the Z. I probably whip my phone out 50% of the time to check things like lfo destinations or delay parameters on a screen, but other than that, I use it as it is. Fastest workflow on any device I’ve owned. I keep it in a wooden box I found second hand to prevent bends etc. I sold my first one but missed it too much. Purely as a drum machine, it’s a beast. The sequencer is a joy to use.
fully agree on all points, nice to hear from another happy user. the bending is not the result of any force applied to the middle, just the material warping due to its composition, to the best of my understanding!
Great to see more praise for the op-z in the era of the new XY. Mine hasn’t bent but the encoders are trying to escape and some buttons have become unreliable after four years. Also lost all the content on it a couple of times while doing backups. The lack of screen feels more like a traditional instrument like a violin, you actually have to *listen* to it to tell what it’s doing. Also the rumble pack adds an amazing tactile quality to the kicks and strings.
Was about to buy a replacement op-z when the op-xy was announced and went with that (even though I could have subscribed to a new annual op-z for a few years at the same price.) The buttons are more reliable, and the arranger is a game changer for me, as I couldn’t quite figure that out with pattern chaining on the op-z. But when it was time to take a trip I was reluctant to bring the XY, where I would easily throw the op-z in my bag any time.
congrats on the xy, totally agree with you on all points! will try and track down the rumble module and the line output / midi module. maybe pickup an xy in the future.
It’s my fave woody.. great jam at the end
It’s really great! Somehow I kind of like the plastic feel and that it feels ok to bring it every where and not having to worry about it being scratched etc ☺️
forgot to mention, but they apparently designed the plastic to feel like paper, and it really does, including the sharp edges!
@@WoodyPianoShack Never imagined we would see synths that can give you paper cuts, but here we are.
Make some rubber bumpers
@@ScottMoonSharon i am seriously considering using some sandpaper
Impressive bass-range for sure, thanks for your introduction Woody 🎊👍🎵
Hey woody 👋 love the review and you're the first person in years to call it a telephone ❤ I travel to France regularly and from where I live it's five trains and 10 hours. I've been mulling over getting an op1 but the whole restrictions as a benefit pitch doesn't do it for me, especially at that price. So this looks to be a good fit for jotting down ideas and having fun on the go without breaking the bank.
this is hundred times better for making music than op1 imho
That's cool song woody!
Another great video. Thanks 🎹👌
I found a used one for $180 (with all the quality issues you mentioned and more: warping case, encoders falling out, power/volume knob cracked and falling out & some double triggers) but it came with the midi/cv module! I like it. Enjoy yours!
ugggh, yeah, just what i was saying. good deal though, i am on the lookout for the module, another drawback that i forgot to mention is that this is impossible to interface with other gear unless you fork out $150 for the module.
I would still think that koala sampler or Logic Pro for iPad is a better option
Every time I start thinking I might actually get a TE product, I end up realizing that I'd rather just use Koala. Even on my iPhone mini, Koala works so well.
@@RobertFisher1969The iPhone is able to do much more and sound much better than this.
IMHO, this is a boutique product that no one really needs in 2025. 🙂
Koala Sampler is more like Roland Sp404 alternative. OP-Z is different thing, more rare/unique (both on worklow and sequencer aproach), I'm not sure what iOS app I might really compare it too except, MAYBE, Elastic Drums.
And I can't find anything that would replace OP-1 in one app either (and trying to imitate it using several looses the point imho - you might disagree but i think it depends on mindset and what's more comfortable for you). Though I always recommend people to have fun with Samplr and Humbletune's apps like Tardigrain, though.
@@rogerioamorim8057 considering you can have miRack there, hard to argue. But still, I believe different user have different needs AND preferences, and some may value details/approaches others dont consider important for them. In the end, I think everyone just needs to use what they want and be happy :) even if it means spending crazy money on some obscure yamaha FM synth from 1990s... or learning CSound or PureData and spending zero money alltogether.
I just bought one of these, as well, and it's hard to tell but I THINK mine is slightly bent, as well. I ordered a skin for the top panel which includes some labels to make it easier to see/remember what the buttons do, as well as a cheat-sheet for the underside with many of the button combinations.
my process was to write down all the shortcuts and params, i referred to my notes only a couple of times, but making notes helped me to quickly remember.
Does everyone who liked their TE units, still thinks the same after the TE Bad Gear copyright claim/terms of service incident?
evidence on that please?
@@WoodyPianoShackjust type Bad Gear copyright TE
@@stevenbakos Just looked it up, and it's pretty crazy, for sure. That said, it doesn't change my opinion of the OP-Z, or(to be honest) Teenage Engineering(who I already thought were pretty much trolling us at this point with their pricing on most of their products). I'll just make sure anything I release has original samples.
@@WoodyPianoShack If it's till up look at /r/te
after some research and fact-checking, please read my pinned comment on this video
We need to see you using it ☝️
you mean programming it? i have a performance vid doming soon
Have you tried the M8 ? Brilliant bit of kit. Or the woovebox? Again awesome synth.
never come across them in the flesh, sadly!
Sounds like good quality sounds 👍
The ipad app companion is great
You've done a great job with the OP-Z. Personally I find it difficult to deal with instruments without actual keybeds (I have an SP404 Mkii that I've yet to really use and a TR-8S but that's a different story). I've always thought the OP-1 would be cool if it cost around 600-700 max. I'd be very interested in your upcoming video.
you can hook up a usb midi controller direct to the op-z and play the sounds... op-z is a usb host. very nice feature, also i really like that it has a proper keyboard layout instead of 8 or 16 pad grid, so much easier to make melodic music.
Wow like learning to play a musical instrument.
did you use reaper for laying down your tracks ?
hi, no i laid down the tracks in opz, and recorded the performance with reaper.
sound cool indeed.
This is the guy that coming after for telling what happened with the copyrights please be careful go watch this ASAP
Scott's Synth Stuff
Scott's Synth Stuff
fake news!
Yes, OP-Z totally is! Small things can be pricey, remember last time you wandered in jewelry store 😂And yes, OP-1 is garbage, and OP-XY is just “there”. (Of course it a joy to personally experience thru the brill new tech, it’s a journey we deserve a right to go thru ❤)
Nice work Woody .Has anyone ever said you are a ringer for the late ,great actor Stephen Moore ?
nope, never even heard his name before! i am sure he must be a handsome fella ;)
Nice track.
Nice to see there's one gadget synth you really liked. Track came out great. Let's make an "official visualizer" from that part of the video. ;-)
not sure what you mean about the visualizer though, but from the smiley i guess some joke... :)
Very cool sequencer in style of Elektron Monomachine. But build quality stories are offputting for me(
yes, i does seem offputting, but mine find so far, apart from being a bit bent. will keep you posted if anything falls off.
1:32 They're called "remote" controls for a reason.
haha, good point!
Groovebox synths have come a long way since the korg electribes and Roland mc-505.
Or even the MC303, which was a game changer when it was released. Great little box.
Glad I am not the only one that loves the OP-Z but doesn’t really like the OP-1.
haha, yes we are a small minority it would seem, we need to stick together!
1:18 Your hand! 😂 We can see your hand and you yourself for scale!!!
(unless you are a dwarf in a hobbit house, a geant in a tailored room or something like that) 😉
yeah, true that!!! i really wanted the tv control because it looks amusingly just like the Z!
I am not a fan of TE products, but that does not mean others wont be.
I know there are specific magic tricks TE do with their sequencers that I have not seen on other sequencers, so that has to be said that the company is doing something right.
Each to their own, but when people get butthurt over musical instruments, well welcome to 2025 folks.
At that price point I rather prefer my far more intuitive Ableton Move that actually allows me to easily finish my tracks in a proper DAW.
good shout, i did consider that too, but 8 tracks vs 4...
@@WoodyPianoShack Four tracks is less of a problem than it seems on paper. As each track on the Move can be fitted with a 16-pad drum machine that allows each pad/sample to be played melodically. And these pads can also have individual effects. So you end up with a combination of anywhere between 4 synth midi channels and 64 melodic sampler channels at your disposal.
And of course any take can be resampled to make room for new tracks.
Not to mention that these small form factor grooveboxes are sketching devices at best. Which makes track count less critical. You're not going to finish full productions with them.
@@Drrolfski yeah i get that, but the limitation is when it comes to muting or manipulating tracks, when the entire kit is thrown onto a single track it is unflexible, on the OP-Z the drums are distributed over 4 tracks, so you can for example apply beat repeat FX to individual kick, or easily mute the hats track, for example! 4 drum tracks is much better than 1!
@@WoodyPianoShack The examples you provide you can do with the Move on a single drum track as well, as FX on individual pads can be automated. That's not to say that I don't prefer the capability of 8 tracks over 4 tracks. It's just that Ableton has done quite a genius job of not really missing these extra 4 tracks when you actually get to work with the Move. All thanks to its instantness and super-intuitive workflow.
@@Drrolfski i am a huge ableton fan, so definitely on my radar to try one out soon!
Det låter spännande. Waow
I heard they have some copyright legalities red tape stuff that they can come after you win if you use their instrument in anyway on the Internet
what ? seriously ?
@ there’s another guy that does synthesizer videos. You probably know of them. He has like gray hair real young looking has 1 million synthesizer. I’ll try to find it and copy it for you.
they cannot copyright claim anybody making original music, seems ridiculous
@@WoodyPianoShackread their legal statement Woody
@@stevenbakos i did.and nothing peculiar about it. dig deeper and it appears that the copyright claim was actually for video footage taken from TE yt channel and not for Florian's original musical composition.
Hip Hop Hat... Quite the hat trick.
Won’t be long before it bends. It would be a great buy if it wasn’t for the build quality.
as mentioned in the video, it was bent from new
Just so everyone knows, Scott has done the right thing and removed his video, which hopefully clears the air somewhat.
Def plan to watch this, Woody. Per the comments you diss the OP-1, which I love., and that's OK. I've never experienced the OP-Z, or other OP products. So maybe this OP-1 fan boy can do better. Thanks!
all good, most users seem to love the OP1 so I wonder if there is something wrong with me...? (don't answer) ;)
@@WoodyPianoShack Ahh... it takes awhile. Really grokking the Tape and getting it under muscle memory was the big turning point for me. OP1 sounds are good but not stellar. Overall, the workflow under your fingers becomes quick with enough practice. Also gotta' take a good look at the keyboard shortcuts, esp. the Shift ones.
It sounds like the its built quality (cheap and small).
It could have a place if it was cheaper, because that's basically a toy.
You are a Hip Hopper
After more than 10 years of op-z you found it and think someone doesn't know what it is? Would rather want to see some new gear from you. 😮
my previous 3 videos were on gear released in the last 6 months, so give me a break!
Given TE's ridiculous policy on copywrite - I will never buy anything from this company... I hope they realize the mess they created for themselves in the community!
fake news, the mess was created by misinformation spread by a youtube channel
I wish mine worked but as all the other ones it stopped.
too bad, i will tell the world if mine craps out
Great sequencer, not the most inspiring sounds. Very poor build quality (they bend, buttons double trigger). The new XY fixes that, but at 10 times the price.
yeah, i figured before splashing 2k, try the Z, it's 85% the same internals, seems like
@@WoodyPianoShackthe sounds are quite different but the sequencer is mostly the same. I had an OP Z in the past (it broke) and now have an OP XY. Although I really like the OP XY high quality sounds, they are more “serious” and I get nostalgic when hearing these funny plastic OP-Z sounds.
Interesting timing. I assume you won't get a copyright strike for this because you gave a super positive review. Unlike Bad Gear.
a copyright claim is not unusual, what is the source of this story?
@@WoodyPianoShackignore it. Literally ignore it lol.
after researching, bad gear used audio/video footage taken from TE channel , that is the reason for the claim which is legitimate, although not cool. the opz might get a glowing review from me but the op1 is my least favorite and I have made vids about that too.
A problem is it should be covered under fair use provisions of copyright law
@@CaffeinatedTome no it shouldn't, copyright law differs in each and every country, fair use doesn't deem it fair use, not when TE can prove otherwise.
If Florian issued a response and it was rejected, then there is your answer, but if he let it go, then he knows that it was just easier to do so.
His account is in no way affected, he was issued a *warning* nothing more.
Have you seen Scott’s synths Chanel he posted a video about the review copyright fiasco with them
will check that, thanks
I´m not Espen Kraft!
there is only one
The Barbera Striesand effect will happen to TE very soon...
I just realised Teenage Engineering rhymes with "Tom Evans"... and that Mastergroove pre-amp... he was another manufacturer that very recently came unstuck when he tried to put a copyright claim on another RUclips channel and it backfired spectacularly 😂
No it wont, you don't understand why the CR claim was issued, you cannot keep spreading misinformation just because it suits your negative narrative.
Woody, that's complete nonsense. The device has no display. The Synthstrom Deluge suffered from the same problem. The protest in the community was so big that the company brought a model with a display onto the market. A groovebox without a display is never worth the money IMO.
it is genius because it does not need a display, the leds show you everything you need to know.
@@WoodyPianoShack No, I just don't believe that. Novation has the same problem with their Circuit Rhythm and Circuit Tracks. I don't know anyone who can operate a groovebox without a display without going nuts. Just take the naming of patterns. How do you want to create order and save something if you don't know what something is called? Totally crazy.
@Klaas-g3t take your point, but what works for you, may not for me. a personal workflow preference. it is refreshing not having to name stuff or read text on screen. just need to exercise your memory and fly by the seat of your pants!
Watch out if you roast the OP-1, Bad Gear got a copyright strike for his video on the teenage engineering medieval.
someone else, perhaps you, already mentioned that, i find it hard to believe, plus it would not even be a strike, just a claim that has no effect on the video or channel. what is the source of this info?
@@WoodyPianoShack TEs licence does not allow fair-use, so technically you can't review their stuff playing single samples/sounds without violating their copyright. Apparently they use this to take down video reviews of their products that is not to their liking. Scotts Synth Stuff channel has a recent video on it
@@WoodyPianoShack Yeah, Scott's Synth Stuff is pretty emphatic about it. He quotes the terms of use and they look pretty draconian.
@@dominikkreutz1191 wtf... those company...
Not a fan! The Polyend Play kicks its butt by a LONG way.
PE Play is one of the messiest sequencers I have used in my life, that's why it sits there gathering dust.
@ huh? It’s incredibly intuitive! Define what you mean by ‘messy’. I’ve never heard it called that before. As a generative sequencer, it’s very powerful.
@@e-conrecords4665 messy as in convoluted workflow.
I have a Hapax that is easy to navigate and works perfectly as I need, the PE Play though, yeah just like Elektron, messy.
i myself have several devices that are more powerful (and more expensive) roland MC, MPC, Maschine but this is still a favorite for its fast workflow. I made 10 tracks in 5 hours... never happened before.
@@WoodyPianoShack If you ever get to play with a Hapax, that is otherworldly, and I have had my hand on a few diff expensive sequencers.
Still have my Polyend SEQ which has yet to be cloned, sad that PE abandoned it.
Had a Squarp Pyramid and that hurt the brain, I specifically got the PE Play and that was with regret, especially when they have dropped so drastically in $.
It's all about the workflow, when you get that, nothing can stop you.
No, just no. Why, Woody why. You’re way above this type of nonsense.
hi rob, what nonsense are you referring to? the instrument or my antics?
Personally, I feel they are nothing but a gimmick. I've never understood why they worth soooo much money? Buy a good iPad and take your pick of hundreds of great apps.
take your point, ipad much more powerful abd flexible of course. myself, i never enjoyed making music on glass, so i like the hands-on button interfaces of hardware.
@@WoodyPianoShack Agreed. I do like knobs more than glass. That being said, there are lots of cheap controllers out there. Cheers ;)
Common Woody $400 bucks for a little calculator that bends out of shape for no good reason with sharp edges that makes this little box that is meant to be held, not comfortable to hold!?! Are they paying you for this video!?! But hey, to each their own opinions.
isn't it the creativity, inspiration and musical results that counts over everything else? if TE were paying me I would tell you and they would not be happy with their value for money... show me a better groovebox for 400 bucks... ;)
@@WoodyPianoShack "show me a better groovebox for 400 bucks". The Korg Gadget for iPad/iPhone is quite remarkable.
@@WoodyPianoShack Sure Roland MC-101. I have been working with it for couple of years and you can do wonders with it. Cheers
Get iPad
careful, teenage engineering might copyright strike your videos for saying you don't like the op-1
why is everyone saying that, you can only get a copyright claim if someone owns the material in the video...?
It looks like a toy, behaves like a toy, sounds like a toy, but if you play it, then TE (Teenage Engineering) will issue a copyright strike against you. This product should be totally avoided!!!
This was blown out of proportion after viewing certain aspects of the situation. It wasn't about sounds being used in a video to mock TE, it was about their content and promotional video being used to mock the product on release indirectly, funnily enough, without even talking about it or reviewing it. Yeah it sucks but this is somewhat less of an issue as if it were about the sounds being used which would mean every single youtuber would have to take down any TE related product in any video. If you look closely, BAD GEAR has other TE products in his vids that get slandered and none of them were taken down.
@@Javeton Even so, the T&C's are written in black and white and it's disgusting that if they (TE) chose to stop you from using a single sample which is not within a unique composition, they can strike you, and they have done just that. They don't deserve good musicians to use their products, sorry, I mean use their toys.
@@johnpearce9023 are you just making stuff up? Unfortunately for Florian, this exists in TnC, "You are not allowed to use our images, text, videos, or other materials for commercial purposes without obtaining written authorization from teenage engineering."
Florian is a cool guy, but TE does state this and he did use without written consent, but if you have any TnC where they state you cannot use their samples, I am willing to read.
Device is great but your jams are so generic and boring.
thank you for the feedback, will try harder next time. ;)
I bet this review isn’t going to be copyright stricken by Teenage Engineering.
that story is fake news, check my pinned comment.
Even if a RUclipsr incorporates their product video footage in his own video that should be allowed under fair use. They are rightfully blamed and hopefully cancelled for their actions.
I agree it was a douchebag move, but owner of used material are perfectly entitled to submit a copyright claim .
I had one And I hated it.
No screen, wobbly encoders, weird workflow… yuk
No screen, no deal… 😂
the concept is "bring your own screen". works perfect.
Great video! always look forward to your vids. Watch out as TE is copyright striking people that just review their products. Read the EULA.
bring it on