I just sold my OP-1 Field and repurchased a used OG. It actually was an easy decision, after giving the field a shot for 6 months.
Don’t misunderstand me. The field is amazing, and I understand why many people see it as a huge upgrade to the OG. I just don’t feel that way, and found it a fun thought experiment, to find out why I don’t.
I think the OG is a more well rounded device, more true to the ethos of the OP-1. IMO it feels very complete - like a closed ecosystem and almost magical.
The Field seems like it’s (and arguably is) done by a completely different company, and departs from the OG in a few ways, that are important to me. And I recon it all shows in the choice of the colors on those encoders - a more professional, bland and serious product - which was what made the OG OP-1 so different. The Field has no sole - it’s like the evil mutant clone of deadpool in one of the Wolverine movies. An empty shell. A spoiled richkid that inherited all of his money from his hardworking mother.
So here is my short love list to the OG in comparison to the Field: I have narrowed it down from 100 points to the 10 points that are most important to me:
Gorgeous (AM)OLED screen shows UI graphics with much richer contrast and colors
Low-fi sound engine (suits workflow with pops/clicks better)
Protected keys that don’t stick out and feel better, softer and less cheap/clacky
Instant USB mounting. Better implementation - no need for MTP
Old encoder colors are more playful, fitting the workflow better, and they are easier to distinguish from each other. And looks much better.
User interface that emphasises listening and experimentation, and not programming numeric values on a popup. You also have the option to actually alter it (moose graphics, tape upside/down etc)
No menus
No Velcro underneath
Secret Iter synth engine
Hidden filter fx
Ultimately, the OG to me has a “magic no-compromise Swedish start-up company single flagship we’ll show you what we can do product with 10 years of many meetings, feedback, innovation and love” mentality baked into it.
I am not sure why - but the only other product that gives me similar vibes is the MonoMachine.
This is really interesting. I have recently picked up a field. Never had the OG. I am wondering myself whether the OG at half the price might be a better bet for me. Interesting to hear someone else has done the same-and with much more experience…
I don’t intend this as any sort of counter argument but I bought and sold the OG 3 times. Once, I had flipped it within a week. Another time bought for the now legendary price of £350 I just didn’t get on with it in the slightest. I can probably sum the reasons into two:
I thought the OG just sounded a bit naff. The Field on the other hand is quite lush. The improvements in this space are very significant
The brief OG love affairs all happened 7/8+ years ago. Recording to tape just wasnt something I was near good enough with or that interested in. A few years under my belt and I guess I’ve grown a bit musically and handle the whole OP1 ethos now.
I took an almighty risk getting a Field considering my past with the OP1 but it was my 40th at the time and I was in a serious fuck it kind of mood. It might not be a keeper either long term but it sure does feel incredible in hand and has this ability to draw out a bit of joy no matter the mood.
Just my tuppence worth. There’s a huge volume of evidence to support the OG being a fantastic choice for many too.
Yes, that makes sense to me as well. I fear I would also miss some of the upgrades.
I got the field for a really good price new (£1250) but it still feels a lot and is my most expensive musical purchase for an item that feels amazing, but also not the most ‘feature rich’… my MPC was a 1/3 of the price! I am enjoying the OP1F but haven’t worked out ‘how’ I want to use it yet. At the moment I’m just playing around as a casual/fun portable device and occasional polysynth with my wider set up. I therefore wondered whether the original at half the price would be a better fit.
Mind you as soon as you start the money debate you run into issues I think. And I suspect that I would end up regretting still spending a large chunk of money (currently around £800 new on Amazon for an OG, maybe £600 used) on a 10 year old device that’s more limited. Interesting topic though!
this is exactly how i feel about the OG, i think best ideas came out of it for me personally and as you said no matter the mood it is somehow able to break this barrier and enjoy the time spent with it.
i am pretty sure i would have same affection towards field that i see as more beefed up, polished version of its predecessor, maybe one day at right price (for me) i will get it.
Definitely an interesting take and topic.
I was in the same boat a few months ago.
Was going to buy a field brand new here in Canada which is $3000 CAD. Had my mind set it had to be brand new because of the warranty.
Then I started looking at the OG as a store here had some old stock $1800 CAD before tax. I haggled a bit and got it down to $1600 before tax
By then I saved up $3000 but for some reason every time I put this field in my cart I couldn’t go through with the purchase when looking at the total after taxes.
So Back to the OG thoughts. Then I started looking at the field used. Still not cheap but cheaper. One popped up for $1900 CAD and I bought it. Figured if I was going to pay $1800 + tax for a OG I’d be comfortable paying that amount.
For me. Best decision to buy used because I treat this thing like an OG because of the price paid.
If I had to pay full price I still wouldn’t own the Field.
The philosophy of the OG was perfect is interesting to say the least. Especially carrying it over to the field.
OG OP-1 is summing to mono on input, so any phase issues would be caused by your source.
There are reverbs that do have some weird phasing when summed to mono and others that don’t…
For those reverbs not liking to be summed to mono you can feed one channel only (L or R) to the OP-1 via a split cable or a mixer and be fine, that way you’ll be sure to avoid any phasing issue.
if the switch doesn’t work it’s mostly because the soldering pads underneath are a bit weak and with like a few hundred times of plug in plug out it may break…which is your case.
you can try to re-solder the pads and you’ll notice a little gap between the switch and the pads….try soldering that until it’s working again.
ah I see you’ve dotted that smd capacitor? you can also try to resolder that part if you have the pieces that fell off, but you need a thin soldering iron and never apply heat for too long, it’ll break other parts aswell.
I actually made the exact same move. I ve always wanted an OP-1, and pulled the trigger 6 month ago on a field. I liked it but for some reason, something felt off, it sounded super polite, like a daw. I sold it and got an OG instead for an amazing price (650 euros here in Berlin) and oh god, I am so in love with it. It have so much more grit to it. I compared with my mpc2000 xl with same samples and it sounds just as punchy as the akai sound. I also just love how solid and well build the OG one is, compared to the field which felt so cheap on the keys. So happy that I made this switch. The OG1 just sounds more interesting to my hear, is more vibrant, and have a much more fun attitude. I am also finally not afraid anymore to use a 2000 euros device. I can really make the OG mine, and it sings.
If you can get along with the workflow, OG OP-1 is one of the best value propositions out there right now. One of the best parts of the Field being released is that it made the OG more accessible to people who wouldn’t have been able to get their hands on one otherwise.
It does so much in such a portable package, though I wholeheartedly acknowledge that it’s not for everyone. You really have to commit to it and its limitations.
theres been a couple sitting in my local used market for a while, one for a real good deal. my interest has been growing, i think i could really gel with one of these. accepting im just a little TE man
Digital but in a “12bit circuit bent microcontroller fashion” which gives the OG this kind of organic/unpredictable nature, especially when pushing boundaries.
İ just traded my tr8s for an OG op1! İ want to achieve jungle and Uk bass sounds and as i understand it is not the best equipment for it. So i guess chopping break would be pretty fun on it and im open for any advise for modern jungle sounds on the op1 and some advice for arrangement?
I just didn’t get on with it in the slightest. I can probably sum the reasons into two: