#338

Ive had my op-z for a day and a half now and I am loving it. Although the synths do have macros, not a full range of parameters, with the filter and lfo section you can get some great sounds. The filters resonance is pretty nice!

Although there are fewer parameters to tweak within the engine the parameter locking can let you get some complex step to step changes! In that sense, the op-z is super accessible. I feel like sometimes within a DAW I have some interesting ideas about panning, reverb, and filter to direct an instrument around in 3D space within my mix, but it takes a long time to automate these parameters.

Everything is at my fingertips with the op-z I love it! I guess step sequencing is a much better fit for my playing style.

The punch in effects are really fun to experiment with, as well are the step components. Haven’t messed around with the tape yet, although I think it seems more playable than the tape effects on the op-1! Very happy with this little unit so far.

Edit: Forgot to mention I learned the Op-Z purely from reading the manual and watching a video or two! Totally doable with out the screen.

8 Likes
#339

I think the track types are a quiet way of pulling the reigns on the processor. I’ve had tracks start dropping notes on full/busy 8 track compositions. If every track was a chord track with decent note release times the Z probably wouldnt keep up.

1 Like
#340

http://gerotakke.de/op-z-sample/

Here’s a good tool for converting to the sampler format. Before I found this I was creating the aif file in audacity then loading into op-1 and saving again there to make it compatible with the op-z. Otherwise the samples would not load. Not sure why it was this way as the drum tracks I did not have to do any extra steps with. The op-1 drum utility will work fine for drum samples.

3 Likes
#341

Does anyone know of any Max4Live sequencers that have OP-Z step components type capabilities?

I use Rozzer with Live 9, but it is not Live 10 compatible. Live 10 has its own native M4L sequencer that is similar enough, but what I am looking for is things like probability based ramp up / step repeat stuff.

#342

New Firmware released today!

https://teenage.engineering/downloads/op-z

  • allow programming steps with external controller

  • support velocity on arpeggiator track

  • change step length setting 9x to be 16x long

  • add full octave range to drum tracks

  • pass incoming midi start/continue/stop to other ports

  • improved stability

  • copy step now works on all tracks

  • change default tape volume and reverb parameter 2

  • fix noisy resampling in synth sampler

  • keep sending audio to fx1/fx2 if audio muted

  • improve midi continue behaviour (works better with OP-1)

  • change maximum recording note length based on step length

  • show pattern position from solo mute context (same as pattern context)

  • properly reset parameters after releasing shift (temporary tweak mode)

  • “enable_program_change” setting now saved between reboots

  • don’t play trigger driven tracks when muted

  • gate trigger step component trigger on entering step instead of exiting

  • fix hanging notes from linked tracks when pressing shift before releasing note

  • fix hanging punch in notes when releasing shift before releasing note

  • remove track clear wipe animation

11 Likes
#343

have had an OP-Z for a month now and really, really love it. Perfect for subway bleeps and bloops. Check out my mobile sound setup!

MVIMG_20190223_203901
MVIMG_20190223_203901.jpg4032×3024 2.76 MB

8 Likes
#344

The OPZ lab module is out.

https://teenage.engineering/products/op-z/modules/oplab

Still trying to figure out seq. drums with OPZ through Anisble to control drum modules. Wouldn’t the USB-C to USB-A midi work here?

8 Likes
#345

Doesn’t ansible MIDI mode only send out one CV+gate? Don’t think you can send out multiple gates with it

#346

On Ansible manual.

Allocation style 3: MULTI

4 pairs of CV/TR mapped in simple MONO pitch/gate outputs responding to MIDI channels 1-4.

Allocation style 4: FIXED

TR mapped to notes C4, D4, E4, F4 (60,62,64,65).

CV mapped to CC 16,17,18,19

Enter learning mode by holding Key 1 and pressing preset (all CV/TR will clear). As unique notes and/or CC messages are received they are mapped to the next available CV/TR output respectively. Once all outputs are mapped all LEDs will go out. Press Key 1 (panic) to cancel learning.

seems like you could with multi mode get 4 channels of gates/triggers and CV? Assign them to the 4 drum tracks on the OP-Z. That would be hot.

Just lost at how to get that going through OPZ menus.

1 Like
#347

you have to admire TE enthusiasm…

“it features three cv outs and one gate out, all programmable and playable from OP-Z. have your wall of modules sequenced from the palm of your hands.”

you’re going to sequence a WALL of modules with 3CV + 1 GATE,
also if you have a wall of modules, its hardly portable, why do you need a palm size controller.

don’t get me wrong, I think its a really cool thing to be used with modular, very useful - I just found the hyperbole amusing … or perhaps in sweden they have very small walls :wink:

15 Likes
#348

To setup the OPZ for this, you’ll have to connect it to a computer and modify a config file to change channel numbers.

I no longer have my OPZ, but I briefly experimented with this, and found that Ansible and/or the OPZ would mix up the incoming sequences (ie whatever was happening on channel four would interrupt channels 1,2, and 3). I got a loud high pitched sound from the audio out of the OPZ as well.

Thinking back, it may have been from plugging it into ansible directly. I imagine the OPZ tries to pull power from ansible over USB, so I wonder if an external power solution like Offworld etc would work better.

#349

In an update they added an option to disable USB Charging.

  • add option to disable USB charging with SCREEN+E2 (to remove ground noise)

Thanks for the tips! Will play around with it tonight.

2 Likes
#350

I totally agree except for how amazing it is to have a portable palm sized controller. You can create cv and gate sequences while away from the rack. Then plug and play when you get back to the module.

2 Likes
#351

agreed, I do something similar with a C&G Organelle … its actually a lot of fun.

2 Likes
#352

How well is usb-midi working with the new firmware? I want to purchase one to sequence external gear but I see a lot of people complaining about midi issues.

#353

I use the op-z plugged usb into the top of an intellijel case, I haven’t tried anything fancy yet but am tracking clock and pitch just fine with umidi in my 1u row. Haven’t been able to use the pressured mod button on the bottom of the op-z to modulate yet, will keep investigating. My firmware on the op-z is still 1.1.17, havent upgraded to 1.1.23 yet.

#354

Have you tried using multiple channels of midi? I want to combine mine with Norns and Gameboy DMG as a sort of portable set up.
It seems that people who are encountering these issues are those who are trying to convert usb-midi into 5pin or cv. I’m not sure how reliable direct usb-midi output is.

#355

i plugged my Z usb into my op-lab (classic, not the new module) and set the first two drum tracks to send midi on separate channels. one gets picked up by the op-lab and sends cv/gate to my modular. the second plugs into a volca fm via midi din.

i’ve played a couple shows now with this setup and it works fine.

4 Likes
#356

I know you were messing with this a bit before, but have you tried OP-Z + Ansible with the new OP-Z firmware?

#357

Ive sent multiple channels of midi to the op-z from my laptop & norns via usb and been able to sequence it just fine.
Have not tried the reverse, sending multiple channels of midi from the op-z to sequence multiple pieces of gear.
I no longer have the norns to test it out, recouping losses from wildfires here in malibu forced me to sell it and have been more concerned with eurorack than replacing it.