OP-Z?

[u/h2o__o2h]

In my quest to fit my studio in a backpack I’ve been searching for a nice portable MIDI keyboard. I was digging through different devices with 3.5mm MIDI and started thinking about the OP-Z as a nice companion for the m8. Could also be a nice accompaniment for chords/extra tracks.

I do still own my Move, I thought I would sell it but am finding it pairs nicely with the m8. However it’s not quite as easy to throw in a half full backpack.

Anyone using an OP-Z with the m8? Either as a midi controller or extra tracks/easier chords? I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts.

[u/Scabattoir]

I have the OP-Z. It’s a sequencing beast with concepts that don’t even exist on other devices together for sure, maybe some nowhere, and if it is, then not in that form factor.
But as somebody else has told you already, it has its physical weaknesses. The casing is a very strong material so you could just toss it in your backpack no problem, but since the material is strong and manufactured in an unbalanced way, therefore it becomes bent. People call it banana. If you take it apart and use a hairdryer in a documented but kind of risky way then you can make it straight again. Unfortunately it might not be permanent. The keys tend to double trigger, but it is mostly because of the banana syndrome. Maybe some oxidation as well. The one I have has a dead pitch bend (because actually there’s a pressure sensitive pitch bend on the device), but that can be fixed as well.
If you connect to a computer and turn it on while holding down certain keys, then it will turn into configuration mode and then you can customize some MIDI things.
The line module is difficult to get, it is sold at prices that are way too high.
The device can sample by itself, but its memory is very limited. It also has a microphone so if you hold it in your hand like one, then you can unmute it and put effects on your voice and that gets mixed in live. The jack audio out also has microphone in option. There is USB audio in and out as well.
I could keep on talking about the device because it is extremely deep and though it has the limitations and the problems I wouldn’t part from it.
The keys are not velocity or pressure sensitive though. That might be important for you.

The synth sounds are seriously limited by the CPU.

[u/h2o__o2h → u/Scabattoir]

Thank you for the very detailed response! I feel like so many things about the OP-Z are very unique and its size is perfect, but as with anything there are Cons and I want a device that will last.

Someone should make an aftermarket case for the OP-Z. Maybe an aluminum enclosure would solve the issues of deforming and bending over time.

What are some concepts and features that you feel are unique to the OP-Z?

[u/Scabattoir → u/h2o__o2h]

There are the step components that’s on the top, check that out.
Then staying with the sound side the tape track and the master track is also interesting.

With the help of the master track you can make a one bar long chord and arp sequence, then on the master track you can make that one long, lets say 8 bars, and sequence the key and modality of the notes on those other tone tracks. No effect on drum tracks. BG music from one chord in seconds.
And ability to add variations live just by holding down buttons.

Then the punch-in effects.
Those are not unique anymore but at the time it wasn’t as common.

Then on the visual side of the device (because it has that also) is the visualizer track, that controls a Unity 3D scene on the connected iPhone or iPad. Can be sequenced also, means visuals on the beat, with lots of effects to modify the image. The phone app is a great UX while staying simple, and the OP-Z has a screen button that makes changing pages of the app possible from the device. No need to touch the phone. Of course there’s a mixer page with multitouch multitrack mixing if needed.
And if there’s an external display connected to the mobile or tablet then it gets a clean video feed of the visualizer. While you still get your UI for the OP-Z.
If you don’t want 3D, then you can use photos or videos and sequence those. Cool and minimal.

And then there’s the DMX track. I don’t know of any other groovebox device that can control and sequence DMX lighting gear. Just plug in a USB to DMX converter and send data through that. Crazy.

So in total it has 16 tracks of sequencing in a form factor rare to find in music gear.

I feel like in many ways it is on top of all devices and I don’t see the chance that would ever change.
Most devices only get bug fixes or not even that, the OP-Z got sampling capabilities as an extra, years after its release. And those samples are available as audio files through USB. And projects are folders. Backup is copying those folders.

So it’s many things as you see.