Bad Gear - Teenage Engineering OP-1 - Modern Vintage???

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Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Teenage Engineering OP-1. Is this iconic synthesizer, sampler, virtual tape recorder, effects unit and milestone of scandinavian design the definition of modern vintage? Is it the ultimate portable groovebox for on the go?

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:21 Overview Teenage Engineering OP-1
02:02 Synth section
02:54 Drum section
03:18 Tape section
04:20 Sequencers
05:17 FX section & LFOs
05:36 What else???
06:06 Pricing
06:23 Hate
06:50 Jam 1
07:40 Jam 2
08:39 Finale
09:14 Verdict

[AlexBallMusic]

I did some engineering as a teenager. Numerous custom levels for Duke Nukem 3D.

[dmosey]

This product was the answer to the question a lot of young non-musician types were asking themselves a year into making music on their computer, the question being: "does my music suck because I use a DAW? maybe it will get better if I have more limitations with a slightly more tactile interface?" Buying the OP-1 you get the answer, which is no, it doesn't.

[NineFourOneMedia]

I bought one, sold it, instantly regretted it then got another one. I often like to use it as a hipster prop while in line at Starbucks, or while just walking around the local Restoration Hardware store. People are impressed.

[ChrisSmout]

Come for bad gear, stay for awesome jams, constructive criticism and fair assessment. Not one for me or my wallet but glad it got the Audio Pilz treatment

[operatorcity]

I love that you included so many plants in the first jam, as is customary when showing off the op-1 and pocket operators.

[MoraFermi]

Every time I see OP-1 in action, I can't shake a feeling that 90% of the development time was spent on these cutsey animations, 30% on making them fit in the firmware, 20% on coming up with features and only 10% on making sure the whole thing was actually usable.

[timbrechopper]

Excellent video!

Pro-tip: Do not drop this thing. The input/output jacks break easily (*very* easily). The screws to replace the I/O board are apparently made out of pudding and will strip faster than GG Allin at a gig. Need the analog input for the FM tuner (and the nifty antenna accessory you get overcharged for).

With that out of the way, I love the OP-1. It's expensive but you can also get a whole lot from it if you put in the time. Not sure the (kinda high) learning curve is worth it if you already use a lot of other gear. But if you don't, you can get a whole lot from this device. Also, the firmware update adding audio to the USB is a very nice addition (makes for a sweet addition to an aggregate device).

[lairdkilbarchan]

When I came across the OP1 in a music shop I declared "This looks like a nice toy.." poke poke...squeak squelch.
Dude behind the counter: "It's NOT A TOY", I swear his bottom lip was trembling.
What I meant was...oh forget it...😁

[ELLWELLE]

Literally laugh out loud almost every time you get to the demo section because you are just so god damn good at making beats! Your “just figuring it out” phase is incredible

[sinewaymusic]

Your videos are as important to me as the Friday evening beer. Thanks for the laughs hidden as quick image flashes throughout your videos, I need to pause quite a bit but that's part of the fun. Cheers! 🍻

[FreeBeat]

This stupid little thing changed my life, and I simply cannot figure out why no one has released a competing product. The "committing sounds to tape" workflow just clicks for me, and nothing else can really replicate it, at least not in a single, portable piece of gear. That being said, it is certainly not for everyone, and with that price tag, if you don't find yourself using almost every feature it offers, it becomes not worth it pretty quickly. That ending track was pretty sweet, great video as always!

[fauno-holoperma]

YES I WAITED LONG FOR THIS... had this, loved it and hated it.. perfect Bad Gear material!! Thanks!!!

[skywatchernorth]

I'm waiting for the Behringer clone at those prices.

Good video as always Florian.

[edgeof]

Problem with the OP-1 is that even a critical demo still makes you want to get one. My resolve was finally broken just recently, picked up a used one at a somewhat reasonable price.
And yes, everything in this video is totally accurate. This is definitely a fun, beautiful, and yet frustrating device.

[callumalston]

It’s my favourite instrument… I know it’s got its limitations, I know it’s ludicrously expensive, but it’s the most important instrument that’s come into my life since I picked up a guitar at 12 years old…

[PatrikLundh]

Florian: "I literally don't know what I'm doing" - Makes track that I could listen to for the whole evening.

Thanks for a stunning video AGAIN! I'm still baffled how you manage to produce these videos in this short time. Awesome!

[arekhautaluoma]

I ran into a friend from ~jazz school~ when I was on the ferry...he had one of these and a microkorg on hand. we bought a 5-way mic splitter from the Best-Buy vending machine, and jammed. on the bus to Vancouver, we had all the headphone jacks filled with random bystanders...it was like a gosh dang commercial.

[SURCOlive]

Totally, completely, 100% share your opinion. Not at all for me and I sold it after less than 2 weeks. Thanks as always for the great videos!

[williambrown]

It's okay. Not worth the asking price, but an okay "synth" (That you got such decent jams out of it speaks volumes about your musical talent)

[username]

I bought the hype on these and picked up a used one a while back. I traded it less than a year later for an Access Virus TI keyboard. I do not regret that decision at all.