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by post_break 1109 days ago
I'm pretty sure I have ADHD because I get heavy into a project, buy a bunch of shit, then move to the next thing. The OP1 is my unicorn. I want one so bad, but the cost is so high even I can't justify it. Red means recording on YouTube twists the knife because it just looks so cool. I'm sure there are better synths, but man, I want the OP1.
7 comments

I have ADHD (diagnosed) so take this as a message from future you: don’t waste your money.

I too lusted after the OP-1 bc of Red Means Recording. I finally bought one a few years ago. I barely play it. The sounds aren’t that great and the sampler is Casio sk-1 level. You can’t record more than a few songs on it and it doesn’t have enough onboard memory to hold many samples. I bought a Arturia keystep and installed logic on my MacBook. I use that set up 98% of the time.

The OP-1 is certainly a pleasure to look at. I'd love to have one too, based at least partly on looks, but thinking more pragmatically, I don't think I'd really get the price tag's worth out of it as a music instrument, given its workflow. Make sure to look at other options - there's so many these days, including software-only solutions, and you'll find plenty of videos and forum discussions about this. Personally, I really really like my dirtywave M8. (You might've also seen it on RMR's youtube).
Buy a TE pocket operator. They are reasonably priced. If you like chiptunes, PO20. If you want to sample, PO33. If you want a drum machine, PO32.

I have an OP-1 and a collection of pocket operators. The PO’s are my favourite creative outlets, by far.

Good suggestions! What do you love about the PO's?
I have the PO-33, I think of it from a “creativity love constraints” perspective, though I don’t make anything real with it. Mostly a fun toy
You and me both, my friend! The price is definitely high, but there are solid used options available for the original at this point if you're patient and strike when the moment's right. Treat yo'self!
Let Red Means Recording talk you out of it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32qvbi5OM28
To scratch that itch get this App instead:

Korg iDS-10

There’s also the iMS-10 but haven’t tried it. Yet.

Thanks for the suggestion!
RMR makes it look so easy and accessible too...
Their videos are so good!