OP-1 field VS OP-XY
The Ultimate Battle! Which one os best for you?
The moment the OP-XY was released by Teenage Engineering around a year ago, the first question that everyone asked was how it compares to the OP-1 field. And that makes total sense since they look almost identical and it’s easy to confuse the OP-XY as a blacked out version of the OP-1.
The truth is that these two have more similarities than differences. However, those few differences are significant and change how you use each device. So let’s break everything down and help you make a decision on which one is best for you! I'm not planning to get super technical today and discuss every little difference, but instead we're mostly going to focus on the core workflow differences. Also, we're going to discuss the power of having both devices, which is quite cool, to be honest.
Design & Connectivity
So both the OP-1 field and the OP-XY are synthesizers. They're also samplers for drum sounds and synth sounds. They have effects, and they're essentially a DAW in a hardware form. And that DAW side is probably their biggest difference. So, in terms of design, both devices look pretty much identical. Their main difference is that the OP-1 field has bigger keys, and the OPXY has a sequencer strip with a gradient black and white color scheme. Other than that, they're pretty much the same, and most buttons do the exact same thing on both devices.
I've got to say that playing the keys on the OP-1 field feels much better than on the OP-XY. You have bigger keys and they feel better. They have some kind of padding, while the keys on the OPXY are more clicky, but they're both mini synthesizers, so you're not expecting to have full-size keys or even mini keys.
In terms of connectivity, both devices have a stereo audio in and audio out, but the OP-XY also has a multi-out port that can be configured to do a lot of things. It can be used for MIDI, CV & Gate, or syncing. So, in terms of connectivity with other gear, the OP-XY is a bit more capable.
Synth Engines
Now, let's talk about the synth engines. The synth engines are completely different and unique to each device. They both have lots of them, and you can create a wide palette of sounds. But if I had to compare them, I would say that the OP-XY has more standard synth engines, while the OP-1 field has a bit more experimental ones.
So on the OPXY, you can find synth engines like the Electric Piano or the Organ, which are kind of standard. As a more standard engine, the OP-1 field has Dimension, which is a standard subtractive synth. While they both have some weirder and more experimental synth engines, they're both very capable and versatile, and you could create many sounds with them.
So, I wouldn't say that the synth engines are a deciding factor in choosing one over the other. In terms of samplers, they both have a drum sampler and a synth sampler, but the OP-XY has more capable samplers because you can have multi-sampled instruments for the synth sampler, which is kind of great. Another addition to the OP-XY is that you can use single one-shot samples and create kits, and that is something that you cannot do on the OP1 field, where you have to sample like a full loop and then chop your samples. So, for samplers, the OPXY has a slight advantage.
Effects
When it comes to effects, you will find a big difference, not only in the options you have, but also in the way they are implemented. The OP-XY does not have an effect slot per preset like the OP-1 field, but it does have two effect sends. So, all your tracks share these two effects. You can have chorus, delay, distortion, a lo-fi effect, a phaser, and a reverb. All your tracks share these effects, and you can send different amounts of them to them, just like you would do on a regular mixer, where you have your two AUX sends.
On the OP-1, each preset has its own effect slot, and you have a few effects that you can choose from. Plus, the effects on the OP-1 field have more controls, having four controls for each effect instead of two on the OP-XY. I think that the effects on the OP-1 field play a huge part in how the OP-1 sounds, and they have much more character than the ones on the OP-XY.
On the other hand, on the OP-XY, you also have your AUX tracks, where you use the punch-in effects that can completely transform your sequence, but they're not like actual effects. They're pretty much MIDI effects for your drum parts and for your synth parts. The equivalent of that for the OP-1 field would probably be the effects you have for the tape. You have a tape stop, a reverse, and two macros that you can map, for example, to the master effects you have for your output. These are a bit more limited compared to the punch-in effects on the OP-XY that are so fun to use, and they can completely transform your sequences and your sounds.
Also, while it's not an effect, the OP-XY has something I've been asking for in the OP-1 field, and that is a dedicated filter per preset. Every sound you have on the OP-XY has its own filter, and you can also use a filter envelope for that filter, which makes your life so much easier. On the OP-1 field, you have the Nitro effect, which is essentially a filter, but you have to waste your one Effects slot just for the filter. I think the way they implemented it on the OP-XY is much more convenient, and I wish they could do that on the OP-1 field.
Sequencer
Now it's the time where these two devices start to drift apart from each other. While the OP-1 has multiple sequencers, the OP-XY just has this one massive, incredible sequencer that is much better than any of the sequencers in the OP-1 field.
The sequencers on the OP-1 field are quite useful. You have, for example, the endless sequencer, which is my favorite; you have a great arpeggiator; you have Finger, which is for melodies and for drum tracks; you have a simple Hold, the pattern sequencer, which is kind of a step sequencer, Sketch, which I never use, and lastly, you have Tomblola, which is a generative sequencer. Many of the sequencers of the OP-1 field are kind of gimmicky after a while. For example, Tombola is something that everyone loves when they get the OP-1 field, and after a while, you never use it.
The OP-XY has an incredible sequencer, which is a step sequencer, but you can also live-record. You have the step-components that alter your sequences, and it's something that most of us are kind of familiar with. On the OP-XY, it's very easy to create complex stuff.
Tape VS Arrangement
And now we're going to the biggest difference, which is the Tape versus the Arrangement mode. This is the biggest difference between those devices. And the thing that makes them unique! On the OP-1, you have the Tape, where you can record four tracks. On the OP-XY, you have 8 tracks, one for each of your presets. And the big change is that the OP-1 field records audio while the OP-XY records MIDI. And that changes everything on how you're using its device.
I think that the Tape, which uses audio versus the sequencer and the MIDI tracks on the OP-XY, is the difference that defines the audience for each of these two devices. To create a song or just flesh out an idea on the OP-1 field, you have to use audio, copy, and paste stuff, which can become difficult and tiring. While on the OP-XY, you can create tons of different sequences, arrange them, and then use the song mode to put them into a song structure. Especially if you're an Ableton Live user, the OP-XY feels like home. It's much more intuitive to use because they have pretty much the same workflow. You first create your sequences, you arrange them to a scene, and then arrange those scenes into a song just like you're doing in Ableton Live.
I truly think that the OPXY is the best hardware implementation of a DAW. It's intuitive and easy to understand. It's very fast, it's easy to edit stuff, and it comes in a very portable package. So yes, I think it's the best hardware DAW you can find out there.
Overall Philosophy
Now let's talk about the overall philosophy and workflow on each device, which I think is the way to decide which one to get. Teenage Engineering clearly tried to make a portable 4-track recorder and a portable DAW with these two devices. And I think they nailed it!
The OP-1 field is a modern 4-track tape machine with all the instruments and effects built in. While the OP-XY is, as we said, the best portable DAW you can find. If you’ve ever worked with an actual 4-track recorder, and then you use the OP-1 field, you can clearly see the vision and the way they recreated a digital 4-track. You can only record audio. You have to cut and then paste stuff just like creating splices with tape. And it also comes with all the problems that an actual tape recorder comes with. You cannot undo; if you mess up a recording, you have to delete and re-record it, and you have to overdub a lot because you have only 4 tracks.
On the OP-XY, you have full flexibility and a much more structured workflow. So, in this time and age, where most producers are very familiar with DAWs, the OP-XY feels easier to grasp, easier to understand, and to work with, while the OP-1 takes you to a completely different workflow and a completely different approach than the one you're used to. And that might look like a bad thing, but it can also become a very good thing!
How to choose
So, if you had to choose one over the other one, I would do it like this. If you're a producer who likes to work with sequencers and who likes to create loops, I would go for the OP-XY. If you're used to working in the DAW and making scenes and a lot of loops that you can edit, the OP-XY is a much better choice because the workflow is just that, and you won't have all the frustrations of the tape functions of the OP-1 field.
On the other hand, if you're more of a singer-songwriter type of artist, I think that the OP-1 field is a better fit for you. You can quickly record your ideas, and you can record instruments or even vocals directly on the OP-1 field. For example, you can set up two mics and just play the guitar and sing, and record a whole track on the OP-1. And that is something that you cannot really do on the OP-XY. And I think that the linear timeline that the OP-1 field has, is something that a lot of artists find easier to understand and easier to work with. So, if that's you, the OP-1 field is the right choice.
But what if you're someone in between these two different personas? Well, that would be a bit tricky to answer, but I think it all comes down to what you want to do with your instruments because each device has its own strengths and weaknesses, and it's all about your unique workflow and how you can elevate that workflow using a hardware instrument. For example, if you're looking for a device to record stuff, mangle audio, and play with it, the OP-1 field is a better choice. If you like to create a lot of loops and ideas, maybe the OP-XY is a better fit for you. In general, I think that the OP-1 field is a bit more creative and experimental, while the OP-XY is a bit more structured, easier to work with, and you can use it for so many things. And if you just want to get the job done, I think that the OP-XY is a better instrument, while the OP-1 field is a bit more loose and a bit more creative.
To narrow it down, I think that for most people, like 9 out of 10 producers, the OP-XY is a better fit. It has a lot of things that the OP-1 has, and it's easier to work with.
The prices…
However, we do have to talk about the prices. The OP-XY costs €2.299 while the official price of the OP1 Field is €1.999 right now. And in that case, with just €300 difference, I think that you can easily compare those two devices and decide which one is best for you. But recently, Teenage Engineer has this discount program where you can choose your own price. And for the first two months in June and July 2025, they allowed you to buy an OP1 field for €1.399. So if the new price of the OP-1 field comes down to €1,400 versus €2.300 for the OP-XY, then it would be a completely different case comparing these two devices because we're talking about a €900 difference.
So in that case, they would be like in different price tiers. You cannot really compare a €2.300 device with a €1.400 device. There are a lot of people who cannot afford the price of the OP-XY, but they might be able to afford an OP-1 field. I have no official information from Teenage Engineering about a new price for the OP-1 field. So, for now, we'll just have to compare them with the official prices, which are 2K for the OP1 Field and 2.3K for the OP-XY. And at this price point, I think the €300 difference is not something that is going to hold you back from buying the one you want.
What about having both?
I'm sure some of you are going to be so pissed that I'm talking about a €4.300 setup, but bear with me. I know it's expensive, but if you can afford to have both devices, I think they make a powerful combo for music production on the go and in the studio.
So, I'm going to briefly talk about the advantages of having both of them. When Teenage Engineering started the field system product line, I think that's exactly what they had in mind. Besides the OP-1 and the OP-XY, they also have the CM-15, which is a great microphone, and the TX-6, which is a tiny mixer that runs on batteries. Having the OP-1 field, the OP-XY, a microphone, and a mixer, which is also an audio interface, is the ultimate portable studio setup. You're going to have an abundance of synth engines, drum samplers, synth samplers, multi-sampled instruments, numerous ways to record external gear, and two ways to arrange your music.
The workflow I tried and works perfectly is the following. I usually start with the OP-XY because I find it more comfortable to work with, and I start developing ideas. I start by having a structure of a song, creating scenes, arranging them, and when that comes to having an almost final idea of a song, I'm using the OP-1 field as a recorder. I'm using like one track of the OP1 field to record the arrangement I created on the OP-XY. So now I'm moving to the OP-1 field, and I have one track, out of the four tracks that I have available, with my initial idea and my initial song structure. Then I can just record vocals, or I can record external instruments like an acoustic guitar on the other tracks on the OP-1 field and start developing the idea even more. So essentially the OP-1 field works like like a summing mixer for all my tracks on the OP-XY. I might even use two tracks from the OP-1 field to record stuff from the OP-XY and then still have two more spare tape tracks for adding instruments from the OP-1. I think that this workflow and this setup give you so much flexibility and so much room to create a track. You have too many instruments to work with, too many options to record stuff, and you have the tracks available to do that. If you practice with this setup, you will immediately understand how much power you have in your hands. And the best part is that you just have two tiny devices with incredible battery life that you can carry around anywhere with you. Both of them are capable of producing numerous sounds. And when you add samples, either drums or synth samples, the sky is the limit.
So yes, I think that the portable studio dream of Teenage Engineering has come to life, and now we have all the instruments and all the tools to actually have a portable studio.
Conclusion
Both the OP-1 field and the OP-XY are amazing. I’ve had both for a while, and I still can’t decide which one I prefer. We all know that they’re also quite expensive or even overpriced, but no one can deny that they are and feel like premium products.
So, choosing one over the other is a bit of a tricky task. While I love both, I can safely say that getting an OP-XY is a choice I can’t see anyone regretting, while I can imagine a few people getting frustrated with the OP-1’s limitations and quirks. So maybe that helps.
As with any purchase and especially with audio gear that are made for getting your work done, I think the safest way to decide what you get is to first and foremost know yourself and your own unique workflow. Once you have this settled down in your head, every choice gets much easier, and you can identify if a piece of gear will fit your workflow or fill a gap that frustrates you. The OP-XY can easily become your studio’s center point, and the thing where everything starts and ends, while the OP-1 field is more of a creative, inspiring, and experimental device. The OP-XY gets the job done and fills the gaps, and the OP-1 field can lead you to unexpected journeys and sonic explorations.
So choose wisely. Or just sell your car and get both.😊
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