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This is where the M8 shines though. I do use the OP-1 Field out and about in parks, the seaside, etc. The OP-XY would be the same for me portable usage wise. It’s portable, but you need a surface to rest it on. The M8 is much more portable in that regard.
I do wish they didn’t do away with the lanyard hole that the OG OP-1 had. I had a small wrist strap in it to help prevent any falls to the floor if I was moving about. With the OP-1 Field and now the OP-XY I always feel a bit iffy moving about with them, just because of the cost.
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Bought the field on release, haven’t had a single problem yet.
I’ve owned the original for years and years. I might not be a great example, because I don’t baby my instruments. Cosmetic damage doesn’t really bother me much.
I lost a key at one point and dealt with that for a while, but a couple years ago decided to purchase a new OG-1 to ensure a solid 8 years ahead.
I still use the OG extensively because I feel the sonic character has carved out an interesting area in musical history.
I hav all the TE stuff and it is as important to me as the rest of my pretty high end studio.
Creativity is born from limitation.
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OP-XY may not be perfect … but from the (admittedly promotional) YTs so far it does seem to be to the top right hand side of the portability v features chart for the user who wants nearly all they could possibly need ‘on the go’ to transfer ideas in their mind into a sequencer/synth/sampler.
I’ve bought a multitude of devices for portable set-ups (I generally only have time to indulge in my peter pan music hobby when I am on the move to various cities) and every time I’m packing my bag it is a last minute thing to pick some devices, stuff a bag with usb cables, adapters and power supplies and then hit the road. When I get there I’m always missing something but plug everything that’ll work together on a table.
And to be frank it is more than a silly hobby, it is an effort at mindfulness that works.
For 2k, a lot of money to be sure, the sheer fun of exploration of this, and then the hope of it becoming a regular toy over several years is a decent investment. All we have is time folks, and what you do with it is up to you.
15 Likes
Most videos are talking a lot about step components which I find a bit funny because they’re not new - they’ve been on the opz forever. Hardly a selling point for the xy, unless this is your first TE device.
In comparison, almost no talk about sampling, how to incorporate audio from other instruments, etc. which could be a real novelty.
The most useful would be a full heads-on comparison to the opz, but nowhere to be seen?
11 Likes
I’d add M8 is a supercool device but feels like I’m punching a never ending series of PIN numbers into a minimal keypad … if Dirtywave ever put M8 into an OP format it could be even more of a blockbuster for those who like the multi finger experience
8 Likes
Exactly. It’s a good reason to wait. My TX-6 is flawless and indispensable, while my OP-Z is a bent brick. I waited for the OP-1F and TP-7, and they were both fine. Fortunately, my EP-133 KO had no issues, and I’ve been using it live since it was released. So, I’m reluctant to jump on board the OP-XY anytime soon, or maybe ever. I use Logic, so I don’t really need a $2300 sequencer.
the step components are an amazing USP feature of the Z
in this new format, with better synths and higher quality FX and the screen, it does take the Z legacy into a new paradigm - that sense of more personal interaction and control of stylistic macros
It’s surprising that more manufacturers haven’t copied it - MC101 scatter is probably the closest I’ve seen but TE seem to have a better feel for funk and style
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for real. i use the Z several times a week but i never figured out the sampling. just made my first drum pack for it lol. i’m kinda determined now to use that side.
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Haven’t watched yet, just starting to, but there is one video that’s set up as a direct comparison between the two
https://www.youtube.com/live/rAvWC0qyehY?si=50K_qDvOg57V1q7S
For the most part it doesn’t seem like a topic TE would want to focus on haha
I think there are many very meaningful improvements in OP-XY, but at like $300 used I feel like a true comparison would make the OP-Z look like a real deal haha.
Edit: the video seems to be a really great comparison between the two, I recommend it.
Still, for me, the improvements look significant enough for me to draw more interest in the XY than the Z…
2 Likes
I did sample on the opz because I didn’t like most of the factory synths too much. Now I see here ample memory, more sampling time, multi-sampling - and even the possibility to record linear audio for longer phrases taking advantage of that extended sampling time? Threshold! No more contorsions to keep the record button pressed? Resampling! Etc etc
With scenes/songs, makes it almost like an ep-133 is contained in here? How many samples come in the factory content? What kind?
You could say that the xy is “all of the POs+EP-133+OP-Z+OP-1f” in one sleek machine. Yes, kind of including the 4-track linear tape recording because you could set 4 tracks to sample if you have long sampling times.
Clarity on all that is huge to sell the op-xy I think. Yet not much is being said.
1 Like
@MichaalHell
Any discussion on the backend with TE about export? Or is the final intention that things are just recorded out?
Because imo with things like Logic for iPad and Ableton Move really nailing the Export options, I think TE needs to come up with something here
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OPZ sampling is not something I’ve ever done much of as it felt like you have these tiny time slots and would start getting too forensic to slice and dice when all you want to do is start building the band with a musical idea … not start allocating hits to buttons and then start feeling creative.
Other machines make that a lot more inviting (particularly elektron) where you have a lot more memory and visual guide on board.
Wonderfully intriguing if the OPZ is your only device, but why would you bother if you have access to anything else that can manage your samples.
OPZ always felt to me like make use of whatever is in memory on the drums percussion side, but focus on the melodic tracks to be creative as that’s where it is strongest with its step components etc
And ultimately the onboard synths are functional but somewhat ‘lowbit’ to go far beyond markers for a melody that you might transform later with better sonics in a DAW
2 Likes
No discussion and I don’t think that is something to be expecting from this machine. I might be wrong though.
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Take a look at the OMX-27. To be honest, that’s why I love the OP-1 Field, the ability to play keys off the cuff instead of the super deliberate changing phrases in the M8. The OP-XY seems similar, creating patterns and ability to play over these sequences and record, etc.
Really cool.
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Is the multisampler such that you can fill a folder over USB from your PC/MAC with files (named in a certain way perhaps) that cover various notes and the OPXY does the rest?
the reaction of those who snap called on this when the Toneverk is announced….will be interesting.
4 Likes
Thanks! I guess it makes sense that work went into making the ‘master’ section more polished so you can pretty much do everything on device and just record out. Is that how you’ve been working?
Can you categorize custom/user presets into the categories they have or is that just for the default presets?
Thanx for this, it was really helpful. Btw your are neutral right? Or do work for TE 
? Just asking, since you joined the forum cough cough, 2 days ago 
Either way, and assuming you are being honest, your input is much appreciated. It’s always hard to grasp how reliable products are, specially when we are talking about such a polarizing brand as TE.
I have to say that regarding hardware, the field didn’t inspire me the same level of confidence, as I have on a octatrack (Op1f feels good, but the keys and specially the encoders made me wonder if it will last for 10 years). The OT, and elektron products, are built like a tank. When I was thinking about this - how industrial and tough elektron products are - I just realised that my octatrack MKI has its encoders damaged- well know issue of jumping values- and my analog keys has its keys also faulty - sometimes some keys stop working, only to start working again afterwards, which is also a known issue. Initial and general feel is a limited predictor of reliability I guess. Its a “feeling” after all 
I have bough a few things for TE, a op-z, a op1-field and a PO tonic. Only kept the tonic. The OP-XY looks like maybe it’s going to be a keeper. Lets wait for the next couple of weeks and see
Dude, I hate when that happens
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