Teenage Engineering OP-1 fieldFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 39 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment40%
PROS 40%
CONS 60%

Rank based on 39 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You value a portable, idiosyncratic workflow unlike anything else on the market
  • You're already an OP-1 devotee who wants the updated craftsmanship and features
  • You prioritize inspiration and immediacy over deep FX and sound-shaping depth

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're on a tight budget, since prices run $1999-$3299 depending on region
  • You need reliable firmware and responsive customer support
  • You want extensive built-in effects or deeper synth sound quality

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Premium
Teenage Engineering OP-1 field
Inspires creativity and real outputUnique portable workflowGreat for travel and quick idea captureVery high priceLimited effects and sound quality gripesOnly incremental update from original
Teenage Engineering OP-1 field
Inspires creativity and real output
Unique portable workflow
Great for travel and quick idea capture
Very high price
Limited effects and sound quality gripes
Only incremental update from original

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A one-of-a-kind physical workflow that keeps musicians coming back. Commenters consistently praise the OP-1 field's tactile, sit-in-your-lap workflow and small form factor, saying nothing else on the market offers the same combination of features and immediacy. Long-time users describe it as priceless for songwriting and travel, crediting it with real creative output and calling it their most essential non-guitar instrument, even while acknowledging its quirks and limitations compared to other gear.

The price tag dominates nearly every conversation about this device. Across dozens of comments, users repeatedly balk at prices from $1999 up to $3299 depending on region, comparing it unfavorably to laptops, Moog synths, Juno keyboards, and Mellotrons. Some frame it as fair given craftsmanship and semiconductor economics, but far more call it insulting, cynical, or a toy for the wealthy, with several saying they'd love one but simply can't justify the cost.

Reliability and support complaints temper enthusiasm from devoted fans. Multiple users report buggy, unstable performance persisting for a year or more without firmware fixes, plus buzzing while charging and past OP-Z knob and button failures. Others describe TE's customer service as dismissive or rude once warranties lapse, with one user vowing never to buy TE again after returning two units, casting doubt on long-term ownership satisfaction despite the device's creative appeal.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?