Teenage Engineering OP-XY, a supercharged OP-Z groovebox taken to the field

Teenage Engineering OP-XY is a new supercharged OP-Z style sequencer synth workstation with new features taken to the Field series 

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 this morning but now it’s official.

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. Also, the OLED screen has a black interface.

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. The OP-XY continues OP-Z this. 

TE says the unit is powered by a dual CPU system with 8GB storage and 512 MB RAM capable of ultrafast processing power and efficiency.

At its core is a new engine that boosts a performance sequencer with 16 tracks (8 instruments + 8 auxiliary) and nine patterns per track + 99 scenes surrounded by a Synthesizer and a multi-sampler, allowing you to pull samples from several zones simultaneously. 

It has 24 voices of polyphony, multiple unique synth engines (8 in total), and three unique samplers (drum multi-sampler…). As in the OP-1, the synth engines are minimal and offer only a few parameters. Live sampling is possible via the built-in microphone, the stereo audio input, or via USB-C. 

The sound engine also includes a multimode filter and a multi-effects section to refine your sounds, including reverb, delay, chorus, distortion, Lo-Fi, and phaser. Simple envelopes and LFOs are also onboard. 

 

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. A concept taken from the OP-Z. 

The heart is a 64-step sequencer that has a modular approach. It uses 14 unique step components for advanced step sequencing, including: pulse, multiply, hold, velocity, ramp up, ramp down, random, portamento, and more. 

Powerful is that you can assign one or all of them to a single step, allowing you to create super complex, evolving sequences. 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.

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. 

The new Teenage Engineering OP-XY also features a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can last up to 16 hours of continuous use. 

 

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?

Teenage Engineering OP-XY is available now for 2299.

More information here: Teenage Engineering 

Available at my partner

Thomann

Hardware Synthesizer News