I recently got into producing and/or performing electronic music. I started from scratch, threw away what I know about music, and I let my chosen genre(s), yeah, Progressive, Metal, Jazz, Fusion, Core, etc. take a back seat. I went full tilt towards lo-fi, trip-hop, trap-metal, and other related genres. I started to (and still) study Ableton Live and to create electronic music. I must say I’m in totally over my head, but I’m in too deep as well.

But one thing that helped me transition a bit easier was a device called the ‘OP-Z’ from Teenage Engineering.

WHAT THE HELL IS AN OP-Z, YOU SAY?

Well, from the teenage engineering site:

OP–Z is an advanced fully portable 16-track sequencer and synthesizer, with a range of both sample based and synthesis based sounds.

But more than that, it’s a great tool for WRITING AND FINISHING SONGS. With the availability of computers equipped with DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations), it’s refreshing to be able to write/perform songs with a tactile, small-form-factor instrument without bringing along a computer.

WHAT’S GOOD?

OKAY, SO WHAT MAKES IT PERFECT THEN? Here are a number of reasons why I think they’re so great!

PORTABLE

Well, for starters, it’s so compact that I can bring it with me everyday! Because it’s so small, I can write whenever, wherever I want. You see, all I need is the device plus a set of earphones and I’m all set!

There are a lot of times when I’ve asked my wife for a couple of minutes of “Me time” when we’re on the go. I do this to tune-out all the unecessary stuff and focus on the song that’s playing in my head. I’ve done it on the bus, on the cab, while waiting at a mall bench, at the smoking area, while shitting, you get the idea.

Previously, I had to hum the melody,drums, or whatever sequence to a voice recorder app. I had to wait to get home to finally get started on ideas that came to me while I was out of the house or away from my PC.

POWERFUL

There’s just so much technology crammed into a small package. Here, take a look at the specs:

Sequencer

• 16-track component based step sequencer. 8 audio, 8 fx/midi/tape/cv/etc.
• 14 Step componments
• Automation <3

Sounds

• 16 sample packs, 24 samples each. You can also record or import your own.
• 12 synthesis based sound engines.
• 2 separate fx buses with delay, reverb, bit-crush, and distortion. Future firmware updates will include more fx.

Live performance

• Sequence audio, trigger iamges, 3d graphics, and DMX lights.
• Unity 3D integration.

Connectivity

• USB-C
• 3.5mm TRRS for audio or Pocket Operator Connectivity
• Bluetooth for connecting mobile as a screen.
• (optional) oplab module for CV, Pocket Operator, & MIDI

PREMIUM FEELS

Looks tough, feels tough, with minimalist an industrial feel to it. Even the cable that come with it is nice!

On a side note, my unit has one button with a defect. I’m quite happy to report that’s purely aesthetic though.

NOT SO GOOD?

“But you said perfect..” shut it, you little sh*t. When I say perfect, I meant for song writing. It does have shortcomings, but they don’t hinder the tool from achieving the purpose. Here are some reasons that I can think of.

Availability

Unavailable locally in the Philippines. As far as I know, there is no local distributor for Teenage Engineering. Please, somebody pick this up? With that in mind, this compounds with another problem…

PRICE

It’s (a bit expensive) at around 599 USD. Add that to shipping & taxes. Ugh. Maybe, you can wait for Black Friday and get a discount if they offer any promos.

GIG READY?

I haven’t really tried but I feel you have to have some kind of controller for it be easier to use in a gig setting. A mixer would also be nice.

CONNECTIVITY

Although you can connect to a lot of MIDI controllers via USB, you kind of need a something to power them or it will draind the op-z’s battery.

The only logical solution would be a powered USB hub. What sucks is that there is only 1 sure USB hub that woks with it, and that’s the Kingston Nucleum. So yeah, I also had to order that separately.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It might not be for everyone, but the utility of the thing is just amazing.

I think the main thing that makes the OP-Z such a perfect instrument is that you can have something so powerful that you can fit in your pocket. You can layout or even finish creating your music anytime, anywhere.

If you want to know more about the OP-Z, you can check out the product page on Teenage Engineering’s website.