Check out our OP-1 Experimental Album on iTunes.
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The portable synthesizer and controller.
– Did we mention Tape?
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NAMM 2010
8 months ago we revealed the OP-1 at the MusikMesse in Frankfurt, Germany. Now at NAMM we think it’s time to introduce the Tape feature.
Hall A, Booth: 6409OP-1, with built-in Tape.
Take a close look at the key to the left. It instantly let you record anything you do on the OP-1 to any track of the built-in Tape feature. Record your sound tweaks or beats in real-time. Change speed during recording, or record backwards.
Split, lift and join. Make a loop or record a section with Tape Step Recording. You have twelve minutes recording time in normal tape speed and 4 tracks to put your magic on.
Turn on Beat Matching to sync tape speed to the internal sequencer. When you change the tape speed the sequenced tempo follows but the pitch of the sound is constant. This is great for creating beats on multiple tracks with different pitch.
Join us in our mission to make the Tape a musical instrument in it’s own right!
Everything color coded.
Like everything else on the OP-1 the tape loop keys are color coded to match the loop graphic on the brilliant AMOLED display. For a super intuitive and fast work flow. Take a closer look at the active track. It’s blue. Turn the blue encoder to slide the take? Yes.
Introduction
OP-1. The portable wonder from Teenage Engineering.
All-in-one Wonder.
OP-1 is the all-in-one portable Synthesizer, Sampler and Controller. With additional features like the FM Radio and a G-Force sensor for pitch and bend effects. Beside a fresh and creative approach to sequencing with multiple choice of sequencers, you just have to love the OP-1’s built-in Tape feature.
Portable controller.
Connect it to your computer and control your DAW with the common play, stop, rec, forward and rewind. Use the 4 rotary encoders and 8 x 2 dedicated quick keys for fast selections. Just use them with your software synthesizers. All in a portable package that fits next to the laptop in your bag.
Drag and drop audio.
When plugged in to the mini USB port the OP-1 shows up as a mass storage device. Ready for you to drag and drop audio files between your computer and the OP-1. The 4 tape tracks are available as well as sampled waveforms for you to manipulate. No additional software or drivers required!
Main Features
User friendly Synthesizer.
With 8 different synthesizer engines, the OP-1 can create some really great and unique sounds. You have FM, physical modeled strings (with a twist), Cluster, DRW, Pulse and more. All engines are swappable, so you can have 8 FMs as your sound presets if you want. We have removed as much of the numeric input as we possibly could. All with a color coded and easily understandable interface. No hassle with saving. Everything is always where you left it, even if you turn the power off.
The 8 Synthesizer engines:
FM • String • DRW • Pulse • T10 • Cluster • PSE (Shown above is the Pulse Synthesizer engine.)
FM demoSound Architecture
Exchangable Architecture.
When you create a sound on the OP-1, you use the keys T1 - T4 to switch between the different sound pages. The example below shows the browser for effects, which is activated by the T3 key.
Super friendly Sampler.
We think sampling should be fun and super quick. So we made the sampler simple and inspiring. Use the built in microphone or line-in jack to sample sound or voice. The sampler automatically maps your recorded sample across the keys. If you need to tweak it later just press a key on the musical keyboard and fine tune the in and out points manually. You may also adjust the pitch and choose between different play modes.
Record a sample: Press any key on the musical keyboard and the OP-1 turns into stand-by mode waiting for a signal to trig recording. You set the trig level by turning the orange encoder in sampling mode. As soon as the trig level is reached the recording starts. End the recording at any time by releasing the pressed key.
Additional Tools
Mixer and Sequencers.
The end station for your sound is the mixer where you set track levels, pan and EQ. Or add a master effect to your recordings. The OP-1 will be shipped with several different types of sequencers. From step to... (More on this matter at the final release)
Envelopes.
The classic ADSR envelope is fine, but sometimes you need another way to model the volume of your sound.
With the OP-1’s swappable architecture this is no problem. There are several other envelopes for you to choose from. From ADS to ADD to ADHD.
Additional features
Built-in FM Radio.
Tune in a radio frequency, and use it as an unexpected tool for creating beats and sounds.
G-force Motion Sensor.
Combine that rice sound with a x/y/z motion or add rubber chicken legs for a vibratidn sound.
Controller.
Using the USB-port the OP-1 will act as the sleekest midi controller available. Very flexible, TBD!
The simple and open system architecture ->
Design and Harware
Designed to be used.
Timeless and functional design. Color coded for easy reading. Keyboard tested for millions of keystrokes. Super bright, high contrast AMOLED for clear display even in direct sunlight. Dimensions: 282 (W) x 102 (H) x 13.5 (D) mm
Engineered to last.
The durable painted aluminium body gives it a solid feel and also works as a protection for the internals.
Noteworthy: The OP-1 has no visible screws.
Techincal details
Design and Harware
OP-1 Technology Specs
- 400 MHz Processor Core (800 MMACS) performance
- 64 MB Low-Power SDRAM (12ns)
- 512 MB Nand Flash storage
- 24-bit 96kHz ADC/DAC
- USB 2.0 high speed (OTG)
- 3.5 mm Input, Output
- Built-in microphone
- High output mini speaker 8 Ohm 1 Watt
- 3-axis accelerometer (G-force) sensor
- Worldwide FM band support (64-108 MHz)
- Amoled display running in 60 fps
- 320 x 160 pixel resolution
- Color Depth: 16.7 M
- Contrast: 10000:1 (good for outdoor use!)
- Viewing Angle: 170°
- Life Time: 30,000 hrs
- 2500mAh li-ion Polymer Battery
Mechanical Specs:
- Low profile keyboard module
- Scissor-switch ultra low profile design
- Expected lifespan of 10 million keystrokes per key
- Industrial Grade Incremental Encoders
- Rotational life: Up to 1,000,000 revolutions
- Excellent indexing feel (remains consistent over life)
- Zinc diecast and fiber enforced high performance plastic
- Used in Avionics Operating temperature range: -40 to +85°C2.8
- Advanced Aluminum Unibody design.
Q&A
Q & A
Answers to some common questions about the OP-1:
Hi,
your website & products look really awesome and useful! I was wondering if the German subtitle on the OP-1 product page was meant as a joke. In case you are interested in a ìreal” German translation of “The portable wonder from Teenage Engineering, here you go: ”Das tragbare Wunder vom jugendlichen Ingenieurbüro.” or, seeing as Teenage Engineering is your brand-name: “Das tragbare Wunder von Teenage Engineering”
Florian
Yes, you are right Florian, now we have some great trtanslator friends that will help us with that.
Hi,
very nice and tight sound. Well, when do we know the price?
Naoya
The price will be set when it’s time for release.
I need to know the shipping date so I can start saving money.
Hasse S
We will ship when it's ready. We plan to start the beta testing pretty soon. After that we'll collect feedback and other statistical data so we can improve the machine before we do the official release.
How many channels of sounds can be running at once on the OP-1?
I want to do this:
6 channels of 4 operator FM
3 Channels square waves
1 Channel PCM samples
Like a Sega Mega Drive: [Info]
it would then sound like this (hopefully!):
1. / 2. / 3. / 4.
(I can send you higher quality mp3 demos if you want)
Hopefully the FM envelopes are like Yamaha ones, instead of typical subtractive ADSR ones.
If the OP-1 can achieve music like this, then I'd buy one just for that purpose.
Thanks!
Alex.
Yes!
Yeah, awesome.
I'm going to set aside an extra $1000 so i can get your OP-1 when it comes out. I'm sure it won't be more than $1000.
I also wondered, how could you make it connect to another OP-1? Could you connect them through the usb somehow? So you could have two people jam together.
Cool
Do good.
Alex.
Hi Alex, you're going to be fine with your dollars. The OP will have a great sync feature (wireless), nobody knows about this feature yet so keep it to yourself.
/Team TE
