Sweden’s Teenage Engineering keeps adding to the OP-1 field, successor to the original OP-1 candybar multi-function synth / micro workstation. The latest surprise – a vocoder – following up on November’s addition of velocity sensitivity.
Okay, first, velocity sensitivity isn’t so much to write home about, except that it is on this tiny, ultra-compact instrument. So in case you missed November’s addition:
Velocity is a big deal on such tiny keys, and there was a lot to go along with that update.
- Three velocity settings (off / soft / hard)
- Integration of velocity with internal sequencers, plus transmission over MIDI (for using the OP-1 field as a controller)
- Tape speed to external clock
- Mono/stereo setting toggle for line in
- Pre-tape panning
- FM transmit frequency sync with the OB-4 for – yeah, not FM as in synthesis, FM as in synchronizing FM radio transmission frequencies
Now onto today’s update – vocoder. And yes, they’re continuing the theme of dressing up in space suits, which, hey, why not?
Set the input source (built-in mic, headset, radio, or even USB audio in), and play on the keyboard.
The vocoder is 20-band with controllable filter bandwidth and formant shift; the carrier is a custom 7-oscillator poly synth variable from single sawtooth to pure white noise.
Controls:
- blue is a one knob synth engine
- ochre is formant shift
- gray is number of bands
- orange controls the dry/wet mix
Good stuff.
As it happens, there’s more to say about Teenage Engineering so – stay tuned to CDM.
https://teenage.engineering/now
Firmware update: https://teenage.engineering/downloads/op-1/field#1-4-2
https://teenage.engineering/products/op-1
Check-our in-depth, just-published hands-on review with Andreas Roman, who reviews the OP-1 Field with all the firmware updates – and goes into the field. It’s a “non-review” that comes complete with personal experiences and tons of OP-1-produced tracks (and at the end, an entire album):