TEENAGE ENGINEERING OP-1

There are not many instruments in the world that Trent Reznor would say are "simply excellent." The OP-1 from Teenage Engineering is just such a tool. And no wonder. It hides so many features that it can be described as a complete production station without hesitation. Satisfied users such as Jean Michel Jarre, Beck and Elijah Wood could tell you...

The compact body, whose award-winning design refers to children's keys, hides a whole host of functions. First and foremost, it's a powerful synth with nine engines and filters that can be controlled via a series of colour-coded potentiometers. The modular architecture of the synth offers an endless variety of sound colours that will constantly surprise and inspire you.

Of course, there are two built-in samplers, one for keyboards and one for percussion, which automatically divides the recorded sound between the 24 keys. You can edit and customize samples in detail for specific projects, just like in your favorite DAW. To make sampling as easy as possible, the OP-1 offers a built-in microphone, line input and even has a built-in radio receiver. So you can borrow sounds directly from the radio airwaves.

You can also record everything you create directly into the built-in four-track "tape recorder". The tracks can of course be synchronized at the same tempo to create complex compositions and harmonies. You can change speed while recording, and if you want, you can record backwards in real time.

You can also finalize the entire project in the OP-1 with a four-channel mixer with equalizer, seven stereo effects and a compressor. There are also solo, mute or pan functions and a mastering section. Individual tracks can be scrolled and trimmed using the potentiometer, and all controls are very intuitive, natural and evoke an analogue workflow.

Creating beats using the built-in sequencer is also easy. Or rather, five separate sequencers. Thanks to their combination and advanced features like raffle (randomly playing notes at different intensities), your beats will never be machine-cold again. That is, unless you want to.

Of course, the OP-1 can be connected to a computer via USB and used as a powerful MIDI controller. You can also select storage mode and upload your own audio to the synth, or conversely use mixes and individual tracks from the OP-1 for further processing in your favorite software.

For untethered creators, the built-in battery and USB connector are also ideal - just like a mobile phone. If you don't, you don't need any cables to operate this synth. And it lasts an incredible sixteen hours of operation on a single charge. So you can record an entire album in peace during a transatlantic flight.

In short, you can spend hundreds of hours with this revolutionary synth without exhausting its potential. If you need to kick-start your creative process and don't want to do all your music on your computer using a mouse and keyboard, this technological marvel is perfect for you.