OP1 vs. OPZ: Which one is right for you?
If you’ve been on the hunt for high quality, portable and innovative synths- the OP1 and OPZ from Teenage Engineering will certainly have crossed your synthdar at some point. Maybe you’re one of many whose interest has peaked by these weird and unique products; the important question is which one’s right for you? While both machines are superb options- they each have their strengths and weaknesses which we’ll be comparing here today.
And hey, some people like to read, others need visuals and audio examples. Well you’re all in luck! Here is the visual/audio version of this Blog, if that’s more to your liking.
Price
I’ve spent over 2 years with both the OP1 and OPZ and they’ve each played a prominent part in my music production workflow this whole time. I’m confident in saying that my experience will save you many hours of research and hopefully help land you on the synth that fits your needs.
We’ll break things down into three key categories: price, appearance and features.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room- the OP1 is not cheap- it’s over 1100$ (USD) Is it worth it? Well...I guess you’ll be the judge of that! I think it’s worth it and so do countless top professional artists worldwide. I urge you to Google “Which artists use the OP1”. I guarantee you’ll recognize some names.
The OPZ wins the price category- it’s easier on the wallet at just over 600$ (USD). While it has some advantages over the OP1, it’s not quite as expansive and hasn’t had the same impact on music. In other words, if you Google “Which artists use the OPZ”, you won’t be as surprised- you might actually just be disappointed.
Appearance
The OP1 is a bigger synth, yet still very portable. It boasts a screen, which is a plus visually. In fact a big part of the OP1’s attraction is its FX/parameter visuals. I mean that COW effect!? ICONIC! It’s hands down the prettiest synth of the two. Arguably one of the most aesthetically pleasing synths on the market (controversial statement, I know).
The OPZ is significantly smaller — we’re talking like the size of a channel changer. It doesn’t have a screen either, but that shouldn’t necessarily put you off. You can easily connect it to your smartphone through the OPZ app. The visuals are as descriptive as they need to be but not quite as fun and unique as the OP1.
Image captured by @heykeeg (Instagram)
Features
The OP1 and OPZ both have fantastic workflows and features for different reasons- let’s talk about strengths and weaknesses, shall we?
If you’re looking for diverse synth sounds, the OP1 wins. It has deeper synth engines, drums, presets- more expansive FX and LFOs. Each engine is paired with ADSR and several FX options / LFOs to combine with. You can even create your own drum kit from scratch in what’s called the “D Box” engine. Here’s a video that demonstrates this.
All this being said- there is one MAJOR downfall with the OP1: once you compose something and record it onto a track, you’re stuck with it. There’s no way of going back/undoing actions. The alternative is to go back- sculpt your sounds all over again and re-record OR you can copy/paste a “copy” of each take that you create. This method works well but to be real with you, it’s just a nuisance really and it kills creativity.
BUT to play devil’s advocate against myself- this limit has weirdly pushed me to come up with some of my best ideas! I’m not sure if it outweighs how many times i’ve accidentally recorded over a track and ruined it forever. Informing your decision much!?
Unlike the OP1, the OPZ lets you alter tracks after they’re recorded. You can change any parameter/instrument that you want on the fly/while you’re playing a set- the OP1 can only dream about doing this sort of thing.
Sequencing
Ah- sequencing. The difference between the OP1 and OPZ is big. OP1 sequencers are straightforward for the most part — there are seven of them, each with their own unique workflow. This is the sort of thing that needs a visual to be explained properly. I would suggest checking out my OP1 Sequencer Playlist, where I feature each one individually with a video- examples and practical application included.
As for the OPZ, there isn’t really a selection of sequencers to choose from, per-say, but sequencing patterns and banks is LIGHT YEARS ahead of the OP1. It’s essentially a DAW/mega performance beast within itself. You can sequence an 8 bar loop on it, copy/alter it on 16 other patterns, add triggers and FX to entire patterns or even individual notes. This can change/evolve over a sequence. The possibilities are literally endless.
Plus, all of this can be done in real-time, making the OPZ the better choice (by far) for live performance. This is simply not possible with the OP1- I think of it more as a piece of the puzzle, more so than a full arrangement production beast within itself, like the OPZ.
Sampling
Let’s touch on our final feature! Sampling.
It’s easy to load up and swap out one-shot samples on both synths, and they can both chop up longer samples just fine — there are some key differences though.
The OP1 is basically built with sampling in mind — it’s constructed seamlessly into the workflow of the instrument. Personally I think that sampling is quite visual, and you get that with the OP1. It’s all right there in front of you.
Image captured by @heykeeg (Instagram)
The OPZ is less fluid. With or without the screen, the sampling workflow just isn’t as clear. It’s safe to say that it was added as an afterthought; in fact it literally was. It wasn’t until about a year (ish) in that they actually introduced sampling to the OPZ. If you’re looking to get a synthesizer primarily for this feature, it’s clear what I’d recommend.
What’s right for you? A Deeper Investigation
This isn’t a case of one synthesizer being better than the other, they’re just different. I mean think about it, why would Teenage Engineering build two of the same synth? They want to “fill in the holes” (that’s what she said), so you have a reason to buy all of their synths. Still, they make QUALITY products across the board; the OP1 and OPZ are obviously no exception to that.
Are you looking for a synth geared more towards performance flexibility? Sampling? Expansive synth engines? Are fun visuals important to you? These are the types of questions that will impact your decisions and determine which synth to go with.
If reading this hasn’t been enough to help you make your mind up, or at least take you a step closer to your final answer, well i’ve got some more content to help you out! Sometimes you need sonics and a visual to make a better decision- in which case I invite you to check out the video version linked at the top of this Blog.
I release all sorts of synth/gear/music production content on Youtube. Here’s a link to my channel. If you like the OP1/OPZ you’ll feel right at home.
One last thing! If you’d like to support what I do here are two Perfect Circuit affiliate links for the OP1 and OPZ. If you purchase using either of these links I actually make a small commission from that sale, at no extra cost to you: