Teenage Engineering OP-XY is a new supercharged OP-Z style sequencer synth workstation with new features taken to the Field series (LEAK).
For a few days now, Teenage Engineering has been teasing a new device on social media. There were also trademark entries and hints that it might be a successor to the OP-Z.
The instrument’s name will be OP-XY and will be presented this afternoon. However, it has already been leaked at Guitar Center. But GC does not reveal all the details.
Teenage Engineering OP-XY
The OP-XY is a new groovebox in the Field series and seamlessly follows the design of the OP-1 Field. It has the same aluminum design and clicky buttons but in black with various grey buttons.
Unlike the OP-1 Field, which is about tape-style recording, the new Teenage Engineering OP-XY is all about sequencing. As a reminder, the OP-Z mastered this feature perfectly and is still one of the best and most creative sequencers to date.
A dual CPU system powers the unit and is capable of ultrafast processing power and efficiency, says TE. At its core is a new engine that boosts a performance sequencer surrounded by a multi-engine Synthesizer and a multi-sampler, allowing you to simultaneously pull samples from several zones.
Besides this, punch-in effects are available for on-the-fly tweaks. You can even use the device’s gyroscope function to bring tracks in and out simply by moving it.
Compose Compositions Like Building Blocks
Teenage Engineering has created something special for the musical workflow in the OP-XY. With the OP-XY, you stack musical ideas and phrases like building blocks to construct full compositions.
According to the leak, it’s a modular approach that allows you to experiment freely, adding complexity through punch-in effects, and more. Plus, a unique “brain chord progression” function taps into your musical intuition, enabling you to craft chord sequences by simply letting your hands do the talking.
Connectivity
On the connection side, the new OP-XY offers a new multi-output port that lets you switch between four different outputs: Eurorack, synth, pedal, and headphone connectivity. There is also a stereo input for sampling, 3.5mm MIDI in, MIDI/sync, and a USB-C port.
First Impression
I had the OP-Z for a while. I liked the concept, and it was a lot of fun. However, the device didn’t inspire me because it had too many button combos and no display.
The new unit looks a trillion times better than the 3D-printed OP-Z with the legendary banana flex. Teenage Engineering has probably put the OP-Z concept on steroids in the OP-XY. It’s probably a super inspiring instrument, but why has the price also made a steroid jump?
According to Guitar Center, the Teenage Engineering OP-XY is available for $2299. Full details will follow today. Stay tuned!
Source: Guitar Center
I hope it has the same “excellent” build quality as their other cheap plastic toys, so the children playing with it, break the knobs and buttons after 2 hours. Call me crazy, but doesn’t the Sonicware ELZ-1 sound like a way better competitor, if you want this kind of form factor? Even if you just buy it to never open the box it came in, and instead play with the Digitone II on a beach in Spain, which you bought from the rest of the money, you gladly didn’t spend on this hipster gem? (Boy, am I looking forward to Synthtube, climaxing about this “game changer”, which “I’ve always dreamed about”). ELZ-1 souns like a nice package, though.
I have the ELZ_1 Play and I can confirm that it is an excellent piece of gear.
Very, very good in fact and surprisingly more versatile than I thought it would be.
I can’t compare it the any of the TE offerings because I’ve never tried them. Nor do I really care to.
Yeah sure
2299 euro !!!!!!!!!!
Hipster be ready for a brand new hype.
In the meantime I will be in my studio making music.
The price is just… lol.
I hope it will be easier to chnage the internal battery in OP-XY that it is in OP-1.
Disassembling an OP-1 is a nightmare for a user, like me.
$2299!!!!
Hahahahahaha.
The Emperor DEFINITELY has no clothes…
that side view doesn’t make sense. the raised buttons are angled to each other but I can see any buttons raised like that. fake?
not a fake it’s from Guitar Center 😉
So..zero f*s given between this and 64 MB memory K.O. II EP-113.. 😅 You gotta give it to TE, they party the way they wanna. They could really clean up in the awkward SP404mk2 / Digitakt price point. But instead aiming straight for the royal familys kids play room in Saudi Arabia.
I can get a new Octatrack and a dinner at a Michelin star restaurant and a stay in Four Seasons for that price. ridiculous.
That price is a middle finger to everyone that wanted an OP-Z with reliable hardware. I’m done with this company.
I’ll just keep my Yamaha seqtrak… thanks.