Learning op-z: how I actually make songs (+ comparison to op-1)

This video is for any frustrated owner of the teenage engineering op-z. In it, I describe how I use the op-z, what I think its main strengths are, and how to use these strengths to quickly compose a song.

Sorry for the glare off my scalp.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:40 Why I think you should try this workflow
1:10 Holding the op-z
3:05 What I use the op-z for
3:33 External gear note
4:01 Learning the op-z's "language"
4:30 Example: sketching a loop
9:08 What I could do from here
10:27 Why op-z covers are fun
11:00 The op-z's design vs. the op-1
13:50 Putting in the time to learn it

@teenageengineering @teenageengineeringeducation #teoperators

[bearfishpie]

I really appreciate you taking the time to put these videos together

[AlexanderShelestov]

There is a saying "Know your gear". And you definitely do :)

Thanks for sharing!

[NoPipeLeftBehind]

A great glimpse of your music making thought processes. Thank you!!!

[chienperdu]

Your pragmatic and systematic approach really adds something in that space! Thanks! 😊

[BrentODell]

I just picked up an OP-Z and so far I'm having fun with it. I still have a ways to go before the controls and functions come second-nature, but I'm sure I'll get there. Considering that it's selling for under $500 these days, brand new, I think it's an interesting value proposition. I had an MPC Live II, and that thing is a BEAST; obviously it is great for sampling, but it's also got solid instrument and effect plugins, and the I/O allows you to control an entire studio worth of hardware if you want(and have the budget for said hardware!). All that said, I have a day job, and wanted something that I could take to work, and the MPC is just WAY too big and heavy(and would look odd in the break room at the office). I sold it and bought an iPad, and iOS certainly has a TON of powerful tools, but adding the OP-Z gives me something even smaller/more portable, and combining them gives me all the options I could ever want.

[krachzentrum]

Very nice and refreshing view on the op-z! I also have mine for some years now and I find myself changing my view on it and how to use it for some time now. What I found out for me is actually how much "small- and flatsounding" sounds like the op-z ones can actually be an advantage in simplifying composing and also just the song itself. The OP-Z can help very much in not loosing focus with the production, eq's, etc. but always puts the focus to the very core of the songs elements. If you did it right, the sound can have this very on the point like simple but also very nice early electronic kinda aesthetic I think🌻.

Please keep doing these great videos!

[johnnygoodyear]

Good. And an extra pinch for the Zed-Talk :)

[RedHedDes]

Really enjoyed you talking about how to physically use the device more optimally. I've found myself holding it strangely on public transit, curious to try holding it vertically. Great video as always, both in content and originality! I felt the exact same way you did about the OP-1 and OP-Z, and agree 100% with your assessment + promotion of it. It's such an amazing little device.

[zmmayer]

Great video! I also appreciate the op-z as a sketch pad, and have also completed some projects I'm really happy with. I like that you considered ergonomics at the beginning.

[umZedaesquina]

I totally agree with you on the op1/opz...I got one a month or so ago after a year of having the opz, and man I'm struggling...I really wanted one and am trying to like it, but the lack of undo, the hard as crap multitrack time thing...I mean it's really annoying and I spend way too long trying to nail a take...just to at the last minute screw it up...meanwhile on the opz, I grab it, rough out some ideas (much better since your tutorials on step components and all the others btw) and I actually have fun...anyway thanks for all your videos!

[KarlSadler]

awesome! the ops is todays Omnichord. love your ergonomics and bigger picture thinking about songwriting

[ceverett]

Thank you. Looking forward to the journey.

[elambi]

I like your interesting take on this instrument, looking forward to watching more of your videos.

[felix]

Hey James! Thank you so much for you videos! I´m trying to enable the mic but I can´t find any instructions- could you help me out?
I really enjoy your Videos- they offer a lot of valuable information, sometimes it´s a bit hard to follow, but I guess that´s the OP-z with that many (also hidden) possibilitys.

[twot]

What key change octave when opz playing please ? Thank you

[robertsteinberger]

How to make a song? Dont, te are overpriced hipsters