| name | op-1 |
| description | Use when working with the Teenage Engineering OP-1 portable synthesizer — 13 synth engines, 4 sequencers, 4-track tape recorder, mixer, and wireless radio. Covers synthesis, sequencing, effects, recording, and connectivity. |
| version | 1.0.0 |
| author | Hermes Agent |
| license | MIT |
| metadata | {"hermes":{"tags":["instrument","synthesizer","op-1","teenage-engineering","midi","sequencer","tape"],"related_skills":[]}} |
OP-1 — Teenage Engineering Portable Synthesizer
Hardware
| Spec | Value |
|---|
| Keys | 25-key musical keyboard (C1–C3, octave shiftable) |
| Display | OLED, 64×128 px |
| Audio | 24-bit, USB audio class compliant |
| Connectivity | USB (charging, audio, MIDI), 3.5mm audio I/O, wireless |
| Battery | Internal Li-ion (~8–9 hours heavy use, ~2 years standby) |
| Storage | Internal 4GB drive |
⚠️ Critical: Never plug 3.5mm mic input or line output into a sound card with phantom power — destroys OP-1 ports.
When to Use
- Synthesizing sound with any of 13 engines (FM, phase distortion, sampler, string, etc.)
- Sequencing melodies, drum patterns, or free-form shapes with 6 sequencer types
- Recording and overdubbing multi-track audio on the tape recorder
- Using OP-1 as a USB audio interface for a DAW
- Controlling external hardware/software via MIDI controller mode
- Using built-in wireless radio to sample broadcast audio
Main Modes
Press one of four main mode keys (Synth, Drum, Tape, Mixer). Press SHIFT + any main mode key for the secondary function.
| Key | Primary Mode | Secondary (SHIFT+) |
|---|
| T1 | Synthesizer | Synth engine selector |
| T2 | Drum | Drum engine selector |
| T3 | Tape | Tape transport/settings |
| T4 | Mixer | Mixer views (sound path, main, EQ, master effect, master out) |
Synthesizer Mode (T1)
13 synth engines (SHIFT + T1 → blue encoder scrolls): Cluster, Digital, String, Pulse, FM, Phase, Synth Sampler, D-Box, D-Synth, Drum Sampler, 6 Operator, DNA, CWO.
Full engine reference with parameters: references/synth-engines.md
Per-voice controls: Envelope (orange), Playmode (green), Effect (white), LFO (blue after pressing LFO key — 8 types: Element, Random, Tremolo, Value, MIDI, Crank, Bend, Free).
Saving a sound: SHIFT + T1 → blue encoder selects slot → long press saves.
Drum Mode (T2)
2 drum engines: Drum Sampler (per-pad note/pitch, loop, reverse, gain) and D-Box (pitch, waveform, envelope, filter).
6 Sequencer Types
Access: SHIFT + any main mode → see sequencer options.
| # | Type | Key Use |
|---|
| 1 | Endless (128 notes) | SHIFT + keyboard keys, auto-advance |
| 2 | Pattern (16-step grid) | Drum patterns, live insert |
| 3 | Tombola (physics random) | Bounce notes, adjust gravity/bounciness |
| 4 | Finger (two-sequence) | White keys = patterns, join/replace/fill-in |
| 5 | Sketch (shape drawing) | Blue+Green draw shapes, keyboard = vertical |
| 6 | Arpeggio | Trigger mode, pattern, note length, type |
Full sequencer reference: references/sequencers.md
Tape Mode (T3)
6-track tape recorder (4 audio tracks + 2 shared). Records real audio.
- SHIFT + T3 → arm recording, select track
- T3 again → record
- Arrow keys: rewind/forward | SHIFT + Arrow: jump to start/end
- Tape speed: white encoder (adjusts pitch + time)
- Reverse playback, overdubbing, bar markers, lift, bounce
Mixer (T4)
Final stage. Press T4 repeatedly to cycle: Mixer Main → EQ → Master Effect → Master Out.
Mixer Main: Blue/Green/White/Orange encoders = Track 1–4 levels. SHIFT + T4 → Sound Path screen.
EQ: Blue=Low, Green=Mid, White=High, Orange=EQ amount.
Master Effect: SHIFT + T3 → select stereo effect (same 8 types as synth: Delay, Grid, Nitro, Spring, Telematic, Power, CWO, Drum Effect).
Master Out: Blue+Green=balance L/R, Orange=drive, White=release.
Effects & LFO
8 effects: Delay, Grid, Nitro, Spring, Telematic, Power, CWO, Drum Effect.
8 LFO modes: Element, Random, Tremolo, Value, MIDI, Crank, Bend, Free (non-retriggering).
Full effects and LFO reference: references/effects-lfo.md
Tempo, PO Sync, Clock
Tempo modes: Free (independent) | Beat Match (OP-1 = master, sends MIDI sync) | Sync (listens to external MIDI clock).
Setting tempo: Blue encoder, SHIFT + Blue for fine-tune, tap tempo key.
PO Sync: 3.5mm stereo dual mono: L = click track for Pocket Operator, R = mix. Set PO to SY4.
Connectivity
Full reference for COM mode (USB audio interface), Album mode, TE-Boot, MIDI controller mode, Disk mode, key shortcuts: references/connectivity.md
COM modes: T1=Album, T2=OP-1 (DAW as tape machine), T3=MIDI Controller, T4=Disk.
TE-Boot: Hold HELP + CONNECT → firmware update, factory reset, format, test.
Linux / USB MIDI
Class-compliant. Enumerates as MIDI device + USB audio interface.
amidi -l
