At the 2017 NAMM Show, Teenage Engineering was previewing their upcoming OP-Z audio & video synthesizer.
Here’s a hands-on demo of the new Teenage Engineering OP-Z, from lead software engineer Jonas Åberg.
The OP-Z is a wireless 16 track multitimbral synthesizer, with fully sequenceable parameter locks, video synthesis and including ‘per step modifiers’. It also has tracks for video sequencing and even DMX light control.
Details on pricing and availability are still to be announced.
Preliminary Specifications:
sequencing – advanced multi-speed 16-track sequencer.
- step component composing
- endless sequencing steps
- track independent length
- track independent speed
- parameter locks
- step recording
- live recording
- midi, cv and trig track sequencing
- image and 3D graphics sequencing
- DMX light sequencing
instrument track – 16 individual and independent synthesis, sampler and control tracks.
- kick
- snare
- percussion
- sampler
- bass
- lead
- arpeggio
- chords
- FX slot 1
- FX slot 2
- tape
- mixer
- midi
- cv & trig
- light
- motion
patterns – 160 user programmable pattern
endless patterns chaining
effects – upgradeable modular effects architecture. included effects: delay, reverb, filters, tremolo etc.
step components – 14 multi-program step components for advanced step sequencing.
screen – when paired or connected to an ios device, the ios device will act as a screen for OP-Z.
ios app – OP-Z ios app will be free to download from app store.
compatibility – compatible with any ios device that is apple metal graphics specified.
dual domain synthesis – dual domain synthesis for extreme low latency performance.
hardware
- analog devices blackfin 70X DSP
- cirrus logic audio co-processor
- 1250 MMACS
- 48kHz 24-bit DAC
- 122 dB SNR
sensors – 6 axis motion sensor (g-force) assignable to any synthesizer parameter
wirelessb luetooth 5.0 LE
battery 2 years stand-by time
connectors
- usb type c
- 3.5 mm 4-pole jack
tactile input – 2 octaves of musical keys51 mechanical keys in total
pressure sensitive pitch bend
4 x multi purpose color coded high resolution encoders
volume knob / on switch pairing button
ui – 53 led indicators
this looks much more interesting to me than OP1
also they said it would be much cheaper…
im betting the OLED screen on the OP1 was the big money item in terms of making retail costs so high.. its pretty funky fresh, but its hard to source big multi-color OLEDs even today, and that came out years ago…
No velocity sensitive keys again?
Best video I’ve seen on it yet. Thanks @synthhead.
Thanks!
If you’ve used an OP-1, you would be as confused as all other owners of the OP-1. Interesting, yes, but thats not always a good thing.
They produced the most standalone, all-in-the-box, multiple synth engine, drum synth and sample playing, sampling, FX included and LFO tweakable box that was ever made.
Then this…..
I’m not sure if its for music or something else.
What if Moog put out the Voyager and their next product was a toaster oven with light and video sync capabilities?
Interesting.
Doesn’t really seem confusing… this seems like the ultimate sequencer in a small box. The OP-1’s sequencers aren’t exactly the best/inspiring so they decided to solve that issue with the OP-Z. Aside from all the other utilities that you’re probably confused about, the sequencers on it seem to have countless possibilities (from what I’ve gathered on their website).
It’s just an added bonus you can do visuals, lighting, etc. Teenage Engineering has always been about trying to find a new workflow. I don’t think it would be interesting or a good thing if they just made an “OP-2”, OP-1 has its own place in the gear world.
The iOS UI is a really cool feature but it’s a bummer there’s no hardware MIDI ports or at least an clock sync port ala POs. Thing seems to work well enough in standalone mode but it looks like in order to sync it with anything else you have to use a computer of some sort. Or maybe I’m just missing it?
I agree. Working with the Oplab & the OP-1 together was never that much fun for me. I always had problems with the USB being so noisy. I hope that the OP-Z will let the iOS device connect to a proper midi interface like the iConnectivity series. Still, a real MIDI interface, even with a breakout cable would be a boon on the OP-Z.
Hmm. Just noticed “3.5 mm 4-pole jack”. So perhaps that will do audio output and sync like the POs afterall?
I hope so too! Not sure how they are going to run the output from the DMX sequencer either. We’ll have to wait and see, I suppose.
where will the CV stuff come out? the line output?!
since 1st teasing until sep ´17 —> very long time!
luckily i sold my op-1 very long time ago. i got bored of the sounds very quickly … i´m not a preset fan! i don´t think the op-z will do a more interesting job and i´m missing the display … anyway, TE is doin interesting stuff, instead of the pocket controllers :p
USB-C means that an expansion dongle for midi/cv/etc is possible. They also could route such signals through the iPad and have it connected through iOS (hardware or software), so I wouldn’t rule it out yet. Could just require a software update.