Teenage Engineering’s OP series synthesizers and sequencers have just gotten a new family member. Joining the much-lauded OP-1 and OP-Z is the new OP-XY, a sleek, no-nonsense gadget that looks like it means business, especially in its all-black attire and grayscale display with a rebellious dash of red.
This one doesn’t just dabble in features; it dives headfirst, bringing the best of both predecessors while throwing in a few surprises for good measure.
At its core, the OP-XY is a dual-CPU beast, built to handle anything from high-speed sequencing to performance antics. It offers eight instrument tracks and eight auxiliary tracks, perfect for controlling external synthesizers, modular gear, or layering effects.
The workflow, inspired by the OP-Z, remains fast and fluid, with step components, punch-in FX, and the surprisingly clever brain feature that can generate chord progressions or give tracks a mind of their own.
Synth enthusiasts will appreciate the array of engines: eight unique ones for starters, plus a drum sampler, multisampler, synth sampler, and 24-voice multitimbral synthesis.
Filters? There are four to choose from. FX? Six built-in effects alongside a master EQ, saturator, compressor, and limiter. Sequencing is the real star here, with 16 tracks capable of independent speeds and lengths for intricate polyrhythms. If your creative process involves pushing buttons until the magic happens, the OP-XY’s got you covered.
Physically, it’s as portable as it is stylish. Matching the dimensions of the OP-1 Field, it’s fitted with a pressure-sensitive pitch bend on the bottom left, making even subtle tweaks feel intuitive. There’s also a gyroscope for adjusting parameters by simply tilting the device.
Connectivity is robust, with USB-C, MIDI, CV/Gate, and Bluetooth LE for wireless MIDI. Whether it’s sequencing external hardware, processing audio via its input, or hosting your entire setup, this little machine can do it all.
And it keeps going—literally. With a 16-hour battery life, you can create, perform, and experiment wherever inspiration strikes, without worrying about plugging in. The built-in speaker and mic mean you’re never stuck waiting for extra gear to get started.
For those looking to live out their synth fantasies with a device that’s as much about form as function, the OP-XY is available now for US$2,299. Serious sequencing just got a lot more stylish but damn… the price is ugh.
Images: Teenage Engineering.
