Product Review - Teenage Engineering OP1
Article Preview :: Portable Synthesizer
Reviews : Keyboard
The toy‑like exterior of Teenage Engineering’s OP1 belies the versatile synth, sequencer, sampler and recorder hidden within. We retreat to our bedroom and put it though its paces...
Sometimes a product hits the market well in advance of the technology required to do it justice. Who can forget the first brick‑sized mobile phones, or Clive Sinclair’s ‘pedalo’ electric car? However, even the lowliest products deserve a revisit from time to time — for example, Casio’s VL‑Tone. This tiny synth, sequencer and calculator was best known for its role in Trio’s hit ‘Da Da Da’ and even though it was rather cheesy, the VL‑Tone had two points in its favour: it was small and it was cheap.
Fast forward 30 years and there’s a strange feeling of déjà vu surrounding the latest toy‑like, but definitely not Fisher Price, synth. Despite originating from Sweden rather than Japan, it’s difficult not to imagine Teenage Engineering’s OP1, with its mini keyboard and internal speaker, as today’s VL‑Tone. However, I’m sure its creators hope for a more substantial legacy, given that they’ve had three decades of technological advances to draw on. The OP1 has eight different synthesizer engines, a choice of three sequencers, drums, effects and a four‑track, tape-style recorder function. With a motion sensor, sampler, basic mastering capabilities and even an FM radio, you probably won’t miss the calculator — unless you’re a busking accountant!
Teenage Kicks
Alongside the power switch a USB 2 port and 3.5mm audio in and out sockets make up all of the OP1’s connections.
Even though I’d seen its pictures on the Teenage Engineering web site, they didn’t prepare me for the physical reality of the OP1. This miniature workstation is shipped in a recycled Paperfoam box, ideal to keep it safe as it travels around with you. Inside the box you’ll find the OP1, two elastic bands (to keep the box together), a transparent overlay and a USB cable. There’s no sign of a manual, though; for this you need to pay a visit to the Teenage Engineering web site.
For a few seconds, I wasn’t quite sure what to think, until I started to handle what proved to be a surprisingly weighty slice of cold aluminium. Any lingering suspicions that this was a toy quickly faded because, despite being just 28 by 10cm, this slender metal object is a thing of beauty. Underneath is a plastic, braille‑marked panel that helpfully points to the power switch, mini-USB 2 port and stereo I/O on mini‑jacks.
Power is supplied by a Li‑Ion battery that proudly boasts 16 hours of active life. Charged via USB, this impressive battery also claims two years of stand‑by time. The main controls are four encoders and, along with the volume knob, these boost the height to approximately 2cm, while four rubber feet do their best to keep that smooth, grey underbelly scratch‑free.
Teenage Engineering describe themselves as “young minds working with technology” and anyone doubting their credentials should immediately flick the power switch and marvel at the OLED display. This 320 x 160-pixel screen is fantastic; it’s pin‑sharp, intelligently laid out and uses colour and animation meaningfully. On each page, colour is the natural link between on‑screen objects and encoders — simple and highly effective.
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€799 including VAT.Teenage Engineering +46 8 641 98 53.
€799.Teenage Engineering +46 8 641 98 53.
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Tue 22 May 2012
Sound On Sound : Est. 1985