In an endlessly evolving world of musical gadgetry, the Teenage Engineering OP-1 still captures the imagination of musicians and producers alike. It’s a powerful and intuitive instrument with a distinctly unique approach to synthesis, sequencing and sampling. All contained within a portable, lightweight chassis to take with you anywhere and everywhere. It’s no wonder this small gadget is an accredited writing tool of artists such as Bon Iver, Bonobo, Deadmau5 and Flume.

These days, computers, tablets and even smartphones are also very capable as portable music production devices. When combined with a multitude of apps, plugins and controllers they make excellent composition tools. So what does a dedicated music-making device like the OP-1 offer that other gadgets don’t? In this guide, we will delve into the depths of what this quirky little microsynth can do.