Teenage Engineering OP-1 synth gets the hands-on treatment (video)

We see so many great concepts disappear from view before becoming reality that you could excuse us if by now we're a little jaded. That said, we've been holding on to hope that Teenage Engineering's pocket sequencer / synth / sampler / controller was the real deal. And what is this? According to the gang at Create Digital Music, who got hold of one of these things at NAMM 2010, the thing is real -- and it's coming soon. Even for a prototype, the OP-1 appears to be an impressive creature: aside from sporting the aforementioned synth, this bad boy sports a four-track virtual tape recorder (with "virtual splicing" for editing your audio), a sampling feature that allows you to change the record speed in real time (for analog-like editing effects), and a dazzling display screen (at least when compared to the displays on current hardware). But that ain't all! Get a closer look in the video below, and with any luck we might be seeing it become available this year, for a price below $1,000.

[RainbowVomit Posted Jan 19th 2010 5:12AM]

I am so glad that i will actually be able to buy this!

love the retro look of it! and that screen look absolutely magnificent :D

[fangwenqing Posted Jan 19th 2010 5:23AM]

http://www.teenageengineering.com/products/op-1/

[Intellectualdiot Posted Jan 19th 2010 5:37AM]

We're talking about Johan (of LSDJ fame) here people. Even an ancillary involvement with this project would give it +1000 in credibility. I'm still very damn excited about this. I hope I get through on the beta and receive an offer to purchase one.

Built in tape recorder? Fuck. This thing is going to be life-changing.

[Hydraulics Posted Jan 19th 2010 5:42AM]

WHEN IS THE engadget SHOW FROM SUNDAY GOING UP?

[cobaltage Posted Jan 19th 2010 8:26AM]

I'm looking forward to this one. There's more footage at createdigitalmusic.com for those interested:

http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/01/17/teenage-engineerings-op-1-instrument-hands-on-videos-why-its-different/

[doug parks Posted Jan 19th 2010 8:40AM]

Day 1 for me. Isn't this created by the engineers who developed the Elektron Machinedrum?

[DaftTimo Posted Jan 19th 2010 9:23AM]

I want this thing so bad.

[Stereobot Posted Jan 19th 2010 9:59AM]

I have over a dozen plug in synths and samplers that can do this and more in Logic.

....And yet here I am drooling over this thing. I really want it - I love that display, I need more demos of the synth.

[Willis Posted Jan 19th 2010 10:33AM]

Am I the only person completely annoyed by the shallow depth of field in this photo?

Seriously engadget, You've gone to far this time. The product is barely visible, and what is in focus doesn't look like anything. That Aperture dial spins the other way to you know.

Note: The video is blocked so apologies in advanced if I'm missing something.

[decypherSMC Posted Jan 19th 2010 10:48AM]

@Willis according to the source page, the photo is credited to Teenage Engineering. So blame them for their shallow DoF product shot.

[One Love Posted Jan 19th 2010 11:06AM]

He doesn't look like a teenager? :)

[Kingjew Posted Jan 19th 2010 12:07PM]

This is very overpriced if it will be close to 1k in price. Maybe like 300 bucks max.