OP-1 Field: Best Uses and Biggest Limitations
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- čas přidán 15. 05. 2024
- The OP-1 field is not what I thought it would be - but that's okay!
In this video, Khordmaster dives deep into the OP-1 Field, exploring its potential and uncovering its limitations. Despite initial expectations, the OP-1 Field proves to be a versatile tool when used alongside other devices, but less enjoyable as a standalone music creation device. Join Khordmaster as he records songs onto tapes, experiments with pitch shifting and looping, and connects the OP-1 Field to his iPad and MacBook Pro for MIDI control and audio interface capabilities. Discover the pros and cons of this $2,000 device and share your experiences and suggestions in the comments below!
#khordmaster - Zábava
I have to say that I love my OP-1 field. Have had it for 2 months, got a great deal on a new one from TE. Once the workflow clicked after messing around and watching a lot of tutorials I really do feel that it's incredibly inspiring and truly a machine that is very capable of making any kind of music. The limitations it has are really not detrimental to its function and actually helps me move forward with writing instead of overthinking and perfecting everything like I would on Ableton. This device has really made me a better producer and especially keyboard player. It also massively inspires me to experiment more and sound design on it is really fun! I see myself using it forever tbh
yo I really apptreicate this comment! I really enjoy hearing about and learning different ways people use the OP-1 field… I want to continue with it to reach a point where I can LOVE using it as a standalone device like you and others!
As a semi pro gigging musician who has trouble getting off the couch and dragging his ass over to the rehearsal space/studio to write songs, this OP1 has been a godsend. I've been doing this for 20 years now, and this has ignited a similar joy for making music as when I first picked up a guitar, maybe even more so. Luckily I found a very good second hand deal otherwise I never would've found out. Cause god knows I could've never justified paying full price for it. I just love how versatile it is. I can jam on it for hours (absolutely love finger in synth mode) but if I want to get work done, the recorder is right there, build in mic is more than adequate once you realize you can use any of the effects on your voice if you use a vocoder preset and turn the mix all the way down (thx for the tip Kordmaster!). It's perfect for creating demo's that I can then send to the rest of the band.
And don't get me started on the sampler with the start and end/fade repeat function, you can basically let this thing sound like anything and do it convincingly. Also I've been using it with the build in speaker 90% of the time, it's such a big deal to me not to be wearing headphones all the time. And the battery life, holy shit.
Anyway for me it's perfect, but I'm more into writing songs and sampling cool instruments to integrate into my band's live performance. Also to be fair, I'm planning on using this next to the KO2 where I'll be creating most of the drum parts on, that to me has been the only downside, the drum sequencers on the op-1 aren't that intuitive to me. But other than that, yeah, love it. Sorry for the ramble.
Very valid points. For me, the sequencing and limited limit 4 tracks make it challenging to complete a song. I primarily use op-1 field as a keyboard sampler now. It has great versatility in that mode . I am insanely hopeful many more update are in the future because it has so much potential. $2000 is a lot. I was able to get mine for $1100 on the used market so I think what I paid for is justified.
Damn $1100 is CRAZY “cheap” … awesome price. And I’m with you - I’m expecting and looking forward to more updates as well! As a keyboard sampler meaning you record / sample other keyboards into it?
@@Khordmaster I’ll take samples from old records, keyboards etc. mainly 1 note sounds that i can play across the op-1 keyboard. It’s an awesome way to make a melody without the pressure of having to making a full song. I then record those melodies into tape or directly into my daw over a drum beat. When I had originally purchased it that was my main intention to use it as platform to play samples and use on board effects,
Mainly mother reverb. I think op-1’s brilliance is being able to play personal sounds chromatically using the synth sampler. My bad for this super long response lol
Great video, iv been seeing you play with the op-1 over the last couple of days which has been really interesting to see how you use it. Do you think there are alternatives that could achieve similar results to your particular use case?
Yeah man been enjoying you show up to my streams! Honestly I really do not think so. At all. I can’t think of another 4 track recorder type device that can do even some of the things the op-1 field can do.
Do you use the OP-1 field as a standalone device mostly? Or do you find it more useful when using it with other gear?
Follow me on Patreon (for free)! www.patreon.com/khordmaster
Great video.
My biggest gripe with the OP-1F, is that 1) I really dislike the internal sequencers, and 2) it doesn't play well with external sequencers (notably the Oxi One). I make primarily groove-based dance music, so use of robust sequencers is pretty essential.
The poor functioning with the Oxi One is a real shame: on paper, they should be an amazing combo- both portable and battery powered, with MIDI over both USB-C and BLE. I've been emailing both companies, and so far, nothing.
The OP-1 definitely comes in handy, but I feel like it's more of a creative multi-tool, than a studio tool. "Fun, but not useful" is the phrase that I frequently find myself using, for the Field, and other TE devices I've spent time with.
my video has a lot to do with your comment in that case! thanks for the thoughtful perspective! I love hearing about peoples workflows and general ways they use the op-1 field. right now, mine is in a more “permanent” position on my nord piano 5… it is SO fun to just record piano / other sounds directly to tape, and then I have my mic routed through the mix too so I can incorporate voice into some musical ideas too… its an awesome and inspiring set up!
Op-1 field and iPad are the perfect set up for me. Well that with the TX-6
This is a great reminder. The two work EXTREMELY well together. Being able to sample from CZcams, use all the soft synths on there, record songs/ideas/ performances from koala / Korg gadget to tape… a lot of options there for sure 🔥
@@Khordmaster yes sir
A very interesting feature would be different tuning and temperament options for the synth engine, for example meantone or well tempered temperaments (Werkmeister oder Kirnberger III) or microtonal tunings (Partch) etc. pp.
I have no idea what any of this means! Haha! Feel free to elaborate :)
@@Khordmaster Normally, pianos / keyboard instruments are tuned in equal temperament nowadays. However, this does not put a single interval except the octave in just intonation, which means, all intervals are a little bit out of tune on a normal piano/keyboard. Especially in the Renaissance and Baroque period, people have therefore looked for ways to build keyboard instruments with just intonation based on natural overtones. The meantone temperaments (more common in France) preferred the thirds, the well-tempered the fifths (more common in German countries), which then gave each key its own color.
The microtonal tunings of Harry Partch are also based on just intonations (of the natural overtones), whereby Harry Partch has developed scales of up to 43 tones within an octave on this basis. Hope that short explanation helps a little bit.
I don't have a field just an OG OP-1. The work flow is different for sure, breaking the box and going with the tape is hard. Being able to sample anything at any moment when using it as an audio interface on the computer is probably my favorite song starter. Super portable. Whenever I use it I say "damn I got to use it more." If you're on the fence for the field - a $600 used OG OP-1 is a way better deal.
That note on being able to sample anything at any moment resonated! Do you “sample” things that way or record them to tape first?
Live is an acquired taste, to be sure. But once you do, it's pretty dang sweet. :)
As for the OP-1 itself, it's hard nail down personally. On the one hand, it's two-thousand freaking dollars; a helluva pill to swallow even for musicians with the worst case of GAS out there. On the other hand, it does offer quite a bit for all that in a rather nice compact package.
Choices...
Haha great points! Do you use both live and the op1 field??
@Khordmaster I do have and use Live as my primary DAW. I don't have the Field because of the aforementioned $2,000 price tag; still debating on buying it.
If it had 8 tracks and the chopping was better. I could see it worth it. I just don’t see the value when there is a ton of gear available for less.
Bruh if they added an undo function it would change the game lmao 🤣
it’s a funny device because it seems to be marketed towards electronic musicians but the workflow is so completely out of the realm of comfort for people used to using midi for everything and all the flexibility that comes with it. I find it both really fun and really frustrating to use depending on what I’m doing with it. For recording things in live and maybe some arpeggios it’s fun. For finger drumming drums it’s fun. But for programming sequences? Awful. Editing and building out songs? Not great.
I love it, though. There’s nothing quite like it and I find it inspiring to use, even though I think it could use a lot of improvement still.
Love this comment! Appreciate the insights!
Op is way overpriced, I think it should cost 400 bucks, That’s my opinion…..lol sorry 🤷🏾♂️. I’m with you on the IPad upgrade…..I want a 1TB storage.
For all that it can do… I don’t think its that overpriced personally… but I def respect your opinion!