OP-Z Review and First Impressions

Recently I bought an OP-Z, as the OP-1 didn't quite scratch my itch for a portable music making device. There's a lot to say about it, so here's my first impressions and honest thoughts on this tiny gadget from Teenage Engineering. The good, the bad, and the delightful.

and a whole pile of other stuff...

Get in touch for possible collabs/offers of large sums of money, etc: allmyfas at gmail

[XtianApi]

Smarties is an American family owned business since 1947.
We are very proud of them, and that they are still owned by the family.
:)

[josuearesav]

I love your honesty. I was cracking up when you mentioned portability and how expensive shit is. It's so true!

[aki_gong]

Pretty interesting looking device. Looks really well design and beautyfull sounding actually.

[silvialain]

Hello. Thanks 😊 I just ordered mine ( expecting to get it Friday) and wanted to make sure it is a good choice. That’s how I got here. At that price range there are so many great little devices, but I think it’s the only one that will be travelling with me the whole time. I understood everything you said although English is not my main language (I learned by watching tv and with social media and gaming stuff) so you’re doing a great job. Thank you

[nitespell]

Mate your OP1 portability rant was spot on word for word!

That's why I'm selling mine to grab a OPZ, love the OP1 but totally agree with what you said taking it out was a whole process.

[Mode-]

I was looking forward to this review. The rumble pack sounds really cool. I like how TE has some of that retro video game vibe in all of their gear. It speaks to me.

[GradyNickel]

You're exactly right about so-called portability. These days I judge the portability factor on how easy it is to take into another room of the house. This stuff is too expensive to risk.

[HanjoSynth]

OPZ has been my first and main music making device for about a year now. I think it takes time to wrap your head around it but the amount of features te packed is insane. When you manage get over the build a quality concerns, you see it as a truly amazing device.
Nice review! Love to hear other people's thoughts on the device.

[ebraltazar]

Subbed! Fun to watch. Love OP-Z and I want to connect it to a novation Launchcontrol XL I just ordered. I love the idea of changing envelope parameters and effects, filters and panning at the same time. There are templates to start with and tweak. Also YT video’s explaining the templates. I think the physical control of 8 faders for tracks and all those knobs for controlling parameters will make it a great studio tool. Anyway. Thanks for the video. Looking forward to the next.

[kabood]

my unit also came last week, and man I'm having fun, great honest review as always, thank you 😊👌😉✌

[nigelrogers]

Great video 👍🏾 I was thinking about getting one of these....I'm still up in the air. Thanks for sharing, superb channel 👏🏾

[darkeye]

Thanks again for your time buddy, keep going, keep building the channel you make good relatable content!
Any pocket operator videos?

[FuZZbaLLbee]

At least with the OP-Z you don’t have to worry about cracking the screen 😀

[Two-Eyed_Boy]

Congrats on 2k friends that are synths!!

[carlos_martinezzz]

TE recently updated the Photomatic track. You can upload your own videos or photos from your apple or android device and warp/sync them to play along your music 👍

[malcolmbliss]

I got mine used, as an open box model. Just like new. Especially after installing upgrades to OS, and wiping it back to being stock. Great li’l thingy, and right now TE is blowing out the extras to these…

[TL_]

Think the body is actually made out of some weird fiberglass/plastic combo. Definitely gives it an interesting texture and a nice feel, but I think that’s also what’s led to the warping issues. Did you experience that at all with yours? The one I bought and subsequently returned would rock from corner to corner since the body was slightly warped and the feet wouldn’t sit flat. Have also heard this causing issues with the buttons triggering.

[taylorst.]

For all the bad things i had to say about the OP-1 almost none of them apply to the op-z.
This thing has held up to heavy use it's not failed me since i bought it.
the rear cover is slightly warped but it's never really bothered me.
The work flow thing still holds true but it's really been a dream and i find the price is not completely unmerited.
I've had so much fun and recorded so many things from op-z. And the rumble pack as gimicky as seems once it's rumbling in your hands it feels alive! Considering the cost to manufacture I would complain about price considering the op-1 used to sell for roughly the same and the whole price gouge crap after that screen shortage i keep mentioning. LOL But you're right this thing is feature packed and i truly think this one is worth it. A joy to play and effortlessly portable. I'll say it again, bump this guy up i want to see the euro rack tour.

[audiblevideo]

I'm fascinated by the Scotts since I met a wee bonny lass years ago and her accent captivated me, so wee and zed away. (Subbed to you before this vid.)

I bought a Deluge instead of an OP-Z and I don't mind the increased size w a decksaver in my messenger bag.

[TimNikoltsios]

After a while, remembering the colour coded function becomes second nature, there is not that much remembering. I can leave it to one side and not touch it for a month and the moment I pick it up my fingers automatically know what to do!