op-1

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  # shows "Teenage Engineering OP-1 MIDI" at port 128:0