OP-1 Alternative

I was seriously thinking about getting an OP-1 to use with my Ipad apps. After some research (an having previously owned one) I think the Qunexus will be a very good alternative and will save me about $600:

...hmm,, my ipad and samplr are an amazing tool....and adding some key controler might be nice....

but that is NO op1 substitute at all.....

The OP-1 is completely unique so it's not easy to replicate at all. The sequencing/arranging is pretty horrific on it though, so the average MPC head and/or iPad user isn't missing out by not having one. It's the generating of sounds where it really shines.

Coz wrote:The OP-1 is completely unique so it's not easy to replicate at all. The sequencing/arranging is pretty horrific on it though, so the average MPC head and/or iPad user isn't missing out by not having one. It's the generating of sounds where it really shines.

I agree, it is very unique. So unique, in fact, that it has no competition. That is why Teenage Engineering can sell them for $849. I bought one from Ebay for less than $700. I liked it a lot, but since I ended up using it primarily as a controller with the Ipad apps. which keep coming out at an astonishing rate, I decided to sell it. I miss it, primarily because of the "fun" factor and portability. The Qunexus/Ipad combo. gives me similar portability as well as the fun/wow factor.

problem with the op-1 is while it does have a identity it however, is very limited in terms of sound and what you can do.

Another issue is the no proper output, the headphone was hissing all the time on my one.

acronym wrote:problem with the op-1 is while it does have a identity it however, is very limited in terms of sound and what you can do.

Another issue is the no proper output, the headphone was hissing all the time on my one.

From what are read on the Opeewon forum I think the headphone hissing problem might have been addressed via a recent firmware update. Another user reported that it could be eliminated by using an inexpensive inline headphone volume control.

Sound wise I thought it was good and has great tweakability via the cool color-coded encoders. The only drawback is that new features are dependent on one company, T.E., whereas the IOS apps. are released and updated daily by many companies including heavyweights such as Moog, Korg, Arturia,etc.

coolderb wrote:

acronym wrote:problem with the op-1 is while it does have a identity it however, is very limited in terms of sound and what you can do.

Another issue is the no proper output, the headphone was hissing all the time on my one.

From what are read on the Opeewon forum I think the headphone hissing problem might have been addressed via a recent firmware update. Another user reported that it could be eliminated by using an inexpensive inline headphone volume control.

Sound wise I thought it was good and has great tweakability via the cool color-coded encoders. The only drawback is that new features are dependent on one company, T.E., whereas the IOS apps. are released and updated daily by many companies including heavyweights such as Moog, Korg, Arturia,etc.

I dunno about how a firmware upgrade can fix a hardware issue, they're masking it surely.

Anyway if the op-1 had a better sequencer/midi and sampling I would cop but the amount of problems and rubbish customer service means I'm not really missing the op-1 too much at all.

This guy's stuff is 95% sample-based music. 100% OP-1.
https://soundcloud.com/ath315t

Figured this would be an appropriate time to share this dude's work.

Peace!

medearis wrote:This guy's stuff is 95% sample-based music. 100% OP-1.
https://soundcloud.com/ath315t

Figured this would be an appropriate time to share this dude's work.

Peace!

I like those joints. With that being said, I'm sure similar results could be done with Ipad apps. But the beauty of the OP-1 is that it is a small, self-contained unit. When people ask what did he use to create those tracks they would never guess that it was all done on something so small yet packed with sampling/synth features.

Yup! It's amazing what toys we have today.

acronym wrote:I dunno about how a firmware upgrade can fix a hardware issue, they're masking it surely.

The tone of the digital noise floor changes with every OS update, with the current OS being very clean. With mine it sounded like a subtle high pitched flanger in the background but thankfully it doesn't get transferred to the tape when recording. Tracking out through the headphone output is not good with the OP-1.

It apparently all centres around the fact that the volume control is digital and not analogue, which is why people recommend maxing the volume at all times and using a separate headphone volume control. The new OS doesn't require this though.

As far as it being sonically limited, that's pure nonsense. There's 8 synth types, loads of effects and LFOs, 2 samplers, an FM radio and a bunch of arpeggiators. It's a miniature dream machine for sound design.

"As far as it being sonically limited, that's pure nonsense. There's 8 synth types, loads of effects and LFOs, 2 samplers, an FM radio and a bunch of arpeggiators. It's a miniature dream machine for sound design."

Well said, Coz. I absolutely adore the OP-1, quite possibly my favorite synthesizer ever made. PLUS it samples AND has a mic built in? DAAAAYUM!

Sound designer's dream that fits in a lap.

I'm sure the iPad is equally worthy but I've NEVER played on one, ever (at all). So I have absolutely zero experience with anything tablet-related.
From what I've SEEN, I'd choose the OP-1 any day.

Think of the Quenexus video setup as a Daw & the OP-1 as a keyboard workstation. Can't really compare them now, eh? It's a personal choice.

Oi Coolderb how about that flawed logic then with only spending $250 to get that Quenexus set up working? What about the cost of the Audiobus, synth apps, Ipad & any other Ipad accessories?

Unfolding Machines wrote:Think of the Quenexus video setup as a Daw & the OP-1 as a keyboard workstation. Can't really compare them now, eh? It's a personal choice.

Oi Coolderb how about that flawed logic then with only spending $250 to get that Quenexus set up working? What about the cost of the Audiobus, synth apps, Ipad & any other Ipad accessories?

I agree, it is a personal choice. As far as flawed logic, nah. I did say that i was considering the OP-1 to use with my Ipad apps. Currently the Qunexus is $149, the OP-1 is $849. I personally cannot justify the price difference especially given the fact that I would mostly be using the synths and apps. on the Ipad. I do like sampling from the on board FM radio. That is a cool feature. I came up with an option for that by getting an Ipod Nano and converting it into a watch. I then use the built in FM radio on my Nanowatch to sample into Beatmaker and chop away:)

What meant by flawed logic was that you're comparing an $850 all-in-one device with a $150 midi keyboard.

To get the midi keyboard to work you need to have also spent money on an Ipad, apps and an internet connection. To do what the video represents means buying another peripheral as well. None of of those (save maybe an app or 2) will be free. Therefore the actual value of set up you've linked is greater than $150.

Don't get me wrong, both are great set ups for different workflows and different results.