Teenage Engineering, an engineering company based in Sweden, has been working on a stand-alone synthesizer and composer that people can fit in their pocket. Now, the OP-Z has been released, and is reported to be the first 16-track sequencer that encompasses the ability to perform live composition of music, visuals and lights, according to New Atlas.
The OP-Z is half the size of the company’s OP-1 pocket synth, and has more digital signal processing power from the Blackfin 70x DSP, Cirrus Logic audio co-processor and a 24-bit/48 kHz DAC. The device also has enough charge to “fly the Atlantic four times back and forth.”
OP-Z contains synth engines, beats, samples, effects, visuals and preset patterns. The step components allow players to individualize each independent track by altering note variation, micro sequencing, parameter changes and more.
To fit the club-theme of flashing lights, multi-color LEDs and glow-in-the-dark markings encompass the housing. Additionally, there is a two-octave keyboard with backlit keys that has been integrated into the 8.36 x 2.26 x .39 inch device. Four multi-purpose encoders and a six-axis motion sensor has also been included.
Although the OP-Z doesn’t have its own display, musicians can use an interactive user interface by pairing an iPhone or iPad with the OP-Z app over Bluetooth 5.0. The smartphone’s camera can also be set up to shoot continuous photos that generates an instant music video.
A toolkit will be available at the launch that uses both OP-Z and Unity 3D multi-platform gaming engine for live syncing of animations and video with the music.
Credit: Teenage Engineering
Filed Under: Rapid prototyping
