A lot of comments on here, this gathered way more traction than I thought it would haha. A few things: 1) I tried Deoxid D5, it didn't help :( 2) I'm not really interested in selling the OP-Z, sorry! 3) While the bending and double triggering leaves a lot to desired, I still feel that the OP-Z itself has the best workflow of any sequencer type device I've used, and that is worth $600 alone. Obviously for $600 I'd expect it to last more than a few years, but I do not feel the device is overpriced. 4) A lot of comparisons to the OP-1 and I just have to say that I feel that the two instruments couldn't be more different. I'll have a video in the future. However, neither the OP-Z or OP-1 are toys to me. They are serious tools for music creation. Thank you for watching everybody!

Pretty much my same experience.

I have all the same issues with mine (bending, double triggering, encoders that won’t seat) and TE would not extend the warranty even though I was among those who preordered the unit and took a chance on them. Had to go through all the hassle of sending them a video just to get that response too! All they did was put me in touch with a repair shop. Of course the cost of repair would be about the same as replacing it outright. And replacing it would be a “fool me twice” situation. The OP-Z makes for an excellent case study in overly ambitious and risk taking design that impresses at first but ultimately fails

Wow, reading all the comments makes me think this product qualifies for a full recall

This is exactly my experience and how I think about the OP-Z. Like you I regret it very much because the OP-Z is such a fun instrument if everything works. I think TE should make an OP-Z with the same physical enclosure as the OP-1

Sorry to hear about your unit. I've had my OP-Z for a year and a half and luckily it only has a slight bend and rarely double triggers. I do love it and have a ton of fun with it.

What a shame. As someone who can't afford one, I've always kind of coveted it (and the op1) but seeing this has kind of let the scales fall from my eyes.

I’m sorry to hear about that, especially considering how it’s been such an inspiring instrument. I’ve never had one myself, but I would be disappointed if one of my favorite synths stopped working correctly. Since other people have had the same issues it would be nice if this lead to some corrective action by TE. I hope they a) are listening, and b) are able to respond in a helpful manner.

THANK YOU for being honest and showing folk just what a balls-up the op-z can be. Talk about bittersweet. Love what it can do, hate how cheap the experience is. TE have done NOTHING to rectify these issues and need to be shamed more publicly from certain high-profile you-tubers if they experience the same problems. Do they even have someone over-looking their product quality? How can a company that prides itself so highly on aesthetics not be concerned about how shoddy their products are? These aren't Behringer prices after all. This is not about hating TE, this is about wanting TE to (vastly) improve/fix/resolve all the common faults on their products and not continue selling them until so.

TE's got a promo going now where they throw in headphones with the OPZ. It has been tempting. Thanks for bringing this up. Saved me a lot of grief. Sorry about your OP-Z. Sad.

@Free Beat - considering how many OP-Zs you’ve probably sold for TE, they’d be fools for not to send you a new one.

Great video! I bought an OP-Z with a battery totally dead on arrival. I played around with it plugged into the charger and fell in love! But after googling and seeing how apathetic TE is towards everything, I returned it. I still want one (or an OP-1 (Field?!?), but $600-2000 for a piece of gear that the company won't stand behind (or anywhere near), that sucks...

I've had the same issues. Mine's bent, the dials have popped out, I bought an oplab, but I now realise it doesn't fit the slot properly, so that only works intermittently, and now it's started with the double trigger issues. All this means that in less than 2 1/2 years a £550 synth, plus £130 for the oplab, is now almost unusable and has zero sell on value. I can't think of another piece of gear that has depreciated in value so much, so quickly. It's such a shame because it's a great little synth/sequencer in theory, but the build quality and customer service are beyond terrible. I'll never buy one of there products again.

I sometimes have double triggers on my MPC One as well actually, really have to tweak the threshold value again, because it should not cut off pads just played through *basic table vibrations*. It does help to play with heavy fingers and a lot of after touch type pressure, but it can get weird at times on that device too. It would be interesting to see if anyone else runs into this issue. And it would also be interesting if adding a soft cloth underneath the OP-Z could prevent double triggers. I'm guessing it is in the sequence somehow and quantize sometimes fails to correct it, either that, or it's just very glitchy and is in desperate need of a software/firmware update.

That's a real shame. I get the very very occasional double trigger on the keyboard but never on any of the other buttons. However my pitch bend button is completely unresponsive. Still learning how to use this beast though so I appreciate the educational content you have done on the device.

I'm sorry, that's a total bummer. I purchased my OP-Z largely because of your unwavering enthusiasm for the device. I've had it for 6-7 months now and no problems yet (other than feeling limited by chaining 32-patterns max). I hope mine holds up for at least a couple years.

I sent mine in to TE for a new key bed and the double -triggering is MUCH better. Took about a month and the repair itself was free for me (through Sweetwater warranty services).

nice solo! I never went for the OP-1 hype (“this goofy $1000 calculator is the only DAW-less gear you’ll ever need”). I’m genuinely surprised to learn that TE doesn’t offer any real solutions for what essentially sounds like defective products.

Have you considered doing some sort of give away or contest? "Win Free Beat's broken OP-Z". I personally would love to crack that thing open and take out its guts and either build some sort of of eurorack module or make some kind of wooden Frankenstein case with better speakers etc....

That's sad man 😥 Even more considering you made its promotion since the beginings of this channel and its price, which is not cheap! TE should definitely address this 👊

Same experience here. I absolutely love what it’s meant to do, such a shame it’s not consistent else I would have never sold it

Yeah, I’ve had a ton of frustrating experiences with mine regarding double triggers as well. To me it’s analogous to an incredible sounding guitar that just won’t stay in tune, except with a guitar you can generally FIX it.

I had to replace my soundboard on my op1, which I love, but it was disappointing because I had only had it for two years. I was considering getting an opz till I saw this and I think I’m just going to go for the mkII. Thanks for the info and maybe teenage engineering will want to make it right for you.

Thanks!

My first unit had to be replaced since the pitch bend button failed. The second unit was flawless and I didn't experience the bend, double triggers or encoders popping out. However, I sold it after a couple of year to buy other gear.

I'm also seeing these issues. Have you tried backing off/loosening the screws underneath the plate? I just tried it now and seems to have improved the double triggering issue. The track button still a little nuisance though, but the keys and shift buttons are working pretty good now. You'll need a pretty small screw bit, should come in those screw bit kits. Be careful to not strip the screws, I almost did on one of them

Have you every tried to clean the buttons using something like DeoxIT D5?

Drat I got mine just a few days ago. Wondering when I'm gonna get these issues :/

Great bassline!

TO's continued success completely baffles me. Every product i have bought of theirs has not only been a disappointment, but so poorly constructed that I would feel guilty selling it to someone else. Sorry to hear that the OP-Z follows this trend.

Bought one after seeing positive reviews from KZfaqrs. Came bent out of the box and the pitch bend button doesn’t work. Worst experience I can remember having with any product. Kind of bummed that none of the big KZfaqrs (Andrew Huang, Cuckoo, Red Means Recording) were honest about what a piece of hot garbage this thing is. TE than gaslighting everyone saying it’s “completely normal” for the plastic to be bent. Thanks for producing an honest review of this dumpster fire.

Bummer man, i was thinking about picking one up. But i am a bit of a stickler for longevity when it comes to music equiptment, it really shouldnt be breaking down to unuseablility in the first couple years when it cost as much as it does...

I was just about to get one... I'll probably get a model cycles instead and wait for TE to do a proper fix to the build quality

You are the pepto bismal for my gas for this product.

It's a shame that TE haven't made a higher durability version. Would be great if it could incorporate a screen too, but they won't make that because it will encroach on the OP-1s space

You have enough followers and could in many cases be seen as a Teenage Engineering ambassador with your intro art and frequent features of their POs that it actually surprises me that you don't already have a direct line of communication with their team. This is terrible marketing for them and they must surely be stressing out about it this Wednesday morning in Sweden.

I wonder if there’s a way to midi map shift functions or track functions... so if this happens to anybody they can still use ...I wonder if that’s possible if so hope they can get it in a firmware

Simply because you didn't mention it in the video - have you reached out to Teenage Engineering? If so, what did they say?

Bummer, I was considering this to take to my hiking trips, but now seeing how unruggged it is, I am doubting it. It is certainly very portable, but the build and its issues are discouraging. Want its sequencer though.

ive had my opz since launch and for the last year its has just become a decoration. since i purchased the mpc live 2 i have kind of had no use for it. getting samples into the opz feels like a bridge too far st this point. it has minor double trigger issues so i cannot morally sell it to someone else in its decline

Hey Freebeat, I'm thinking of getting one of these used. Am I crazy and super dumb. I need a groovebox that is ultra portable and can't seem to find anything comparable. Hoping you can talk me out of it

Just realized after watching your video that my OP-Z is also starting with Double Triggers... For the moment, it's still manageable.

Yes, the Mk 2 looks awesome! I’m getting one soon! I might add the mk 2 is less expensive a does so much more! My family would kill me if I spent the kind of money an OPZ cost’s for something my iPhone will do! The MK 2 is way beyond an IPhone and IS the latest and greatest with new interesting updates all the time. Your making a great choice and it will make great content for you channel. Cheers brother!

I have the same struggle with the OP-Z. It is not good for live performing because of the double triggers, I use it strictly for sequencing out songs and then hitting play. I wish it worked better, when I compare everything that the OP-Z can do to other groove boxes it’s unrivaled but it’s user interface and quality is its downfall…

Great piece of gear that needs better quality materials. $600 devices shouldn’t bend and double trigger etc. got rid of mine using a Blackbox Studio for on the go. Not as feature rich but built SOLID and they constantly adding to it

:( bummer man… I have been fortunate with mine, I’ve had minimal triggering issues. If I did I’d be looking into mini keyboards and tearing it apart to clean it…. Ugh so sorry for your trouble

Thanks for all the inofrmation on this thing, good and bad. I've been torn about getting one for a while now, but for $600 it should at least be durable and reliable. So yeah, I'll pass.

i guess i have a unicorn op-z because mine seems to be absolutely stable and flat and reliable. Sorry to hear about your misfortune with the op-z i know how much you love this machine. i hope you get a solution

My OP-Z got demoted from main rig to my portable rig, but got replaced by my circuit which is now both my main and portable rig. I love my teenage engineers gear, it’s fun and inspiring to use, but my behringer, volcas, and circuits are what I use on a daily basis.

Been loving my OP-Z so much as of late lol

Wait do they not support these things at all? It can stop working from normal use and you're just hung out to dry?

I have been considering buying an OP-Z and it was a bit sad to see your "Is the OP-Z Build Quality Really THAT Bad?" video followed by this ^ one. 2 Years later, and not including OP-1, which device mostly replaces the OP-Z for you?

I don’t blame you, dude. I sold my second purchased one off (first one was returned to the seller) after discovering the poor build qualities and the effects of it. For me, the Oplab module would not sit properly in the case, making it useless ($150 worth/less). Really frustrating user experience.

Never experienced the double trigger, but It was bent and two of the encoders pop out, not entirely, but everytime you touch them, at the realease of the finger, they pop out. I sold It and buy an mpc One.

Mine's bent too, but I managed to fix it a bit with a blow-drier while holding both sides and bending in the opposite direction. The double triggers are probably a different malfunction. But, I'm with you, love this sequencer. I bought an iPad Pro 4 years ago and the battery died 2-3 years later. I couldn't replace it. What did I do? I bought a new iPad. OP-Z, luckily, is not the most expensive thing out there. If it really gives you all that joy, perhaps, it is worth buying it again.

I had to replace my OP1 day one due to double triggers. But I luckily haven’t any problems with my OP-Z. I even bought it when it was first released. I do get some double triggers on the OP-Z but I find it’s cause I’m not pressing the button hard enough. If I only half push down it rides the switch and triggers it multiple times. It’s not the same as when my OP-1 was double triggering as I couldn’t prevent it at all like the switch was broken. Im always worried they are going to break down seeing they’re my only gear and I hate using DAWs. I just love the workflow on the OP-Z. I have been using it for a few years now so even if I had to replace my OP-Z I’d consider it a normal cost. We replace our phones every couple years anyway I think of it more like a bi-yearly expense. I can’t expect an instrument to not wear down. Harmonicas wear down so much I couldn’t keep buying new ones. I think with digital gear we have higher expectations but it’s still gear with moving parts that wear down over time. Of course the longer it lasts the better but… one thing I wish TE did so was update their gear to ver 2 with better parts. The op1 is the same as it was when it came out but could really benefit from USB C and other small things not worth a full new model, more of a revision.

I could hear the sheer disappointment in your voice. It's like saying goodbye to an old friend. It did you well for a couple of years, but it's truly awful that it only lasted that long, especially under normal use. What a shame.

Do you think that I should avoid the OPZ as a whole because of those types of issues? Is that addressed in any shape or way or form by the Teenage Engineering team? I'm thinking about buying one and I don't know if that was fixed on new versions or something like that...

Have you contacted TE about your problems?

Class lawsuit, ? Replacement program? Let me know if you need a signature,... setting 3rd spark, effect on a step and double triggering wipes out all you put on a step? Shame , I don’t have these issues with pocket operators and those are a lot cheaper

I had all the same problems on the first one I had. I had all the same problems on the replacement I received. Annoyingly Teenage Engineering know there is a problem but won’t do anything about it. Even after straightening it still double triggers.

Just an idea, use your midi controller to trigger the functions, obviously it really isn’t the point being a tiny all in one device, but at least you’ll still be able to use it. Keystep 37 worked great for me plus adds functionality

Maybe it is Temperaturen or moisture dependant?

mine is also bent, the knobs fall out all the time and gets double triggers too. I love the device but its build quality is really a downside it's becoming much less practical.

clean the contacts man??

I still like the PO’s dude .. but i’m glad i got rid of the rest

So, if I take one, I just have to remove that f*****g pads under the case, use that flat on the table (or like a game-boy) and it can rules ? If I got mine, probably will I make a wooden box for it if the bending problem come to it ...

Considering how much this kit costs, don't Teenage Engineering themselves say anything about it? Obviously I don't know whether you bought from them directly or not, so I'm not sure about the situation exactly... It's a real shame, great video all the same!

This must be effecting sales by now, have TE responded to these issues at all?

Wow. Now you have me nervous about mine. I’m storing mine facing down so that it hopefully won’t bend.

my op-z is so beat, i’ve used it everyday since release and despite all the problems with build quality, i rather just buy another than fix it or hassle with TE on getting a repair. the price to fix it is ridiculously expensive that it’s just best buying a new one.

mine still feels ok but but the fact that i may have the same problem in future scares me..

Good honest vid. Looks like an Infuriating piece of gear. Can you follow up with a vid OPZ Meets Sledge hammer.!! Huge lol !! and thanks for convincing me Not to buy this one.Bullet dodged, Matrix Style.!!

sold mine. it came pretty much flat. i put additional feet to support the middle but eventually banana'd anyway. it wouldn't keep the modules in at that point.

I feel your disappointment and frustration. For the price, one should expect significantly more durability and longer life span than a cheap pocket calculator or tv remote.

Thanks for sharing.. I'm glad I found this video so I can save my $600. What a shame. I hope TE learn from this

No problem give it to me!😂👍

Still using it though. So what was this about?

There is a way to repair the double trigger, just not with the contact cleaner spray.

Broken gear isn’t fun,. Sometimes it’s better if it’s really dead then constantly giving a bit of hope. My MPC acted up once in a while and then self triggered all the time. Couldn’t be repaired, was still under warranty and then made me buy a MC707.

For little more than half the price of this piece of unstable piece of plastic you could have a Dreadbox Typhon- a little bigger, but portable as you like (it will run for hours from a power bank). For perhaps one-third the price you could have a Modal Skulpt SE, which can be battery-powered. For barely $130 you could pick up a Modal CraftSynth 2.0- much smaller and also better powered. And you have the PO-33, right? And for the price of an OP-Z you could buy an iPad and fill it with synths, fx, DAWs… Let it go.

Wow I am glad you made this video but damn that’s pretty lame. It sounds so good - it looks like they used cheap parts to make it and probably realized it too late. Some of these companies refuse to take the hit - sad smh - I was just about to pull the trigger. Thx for the lovely video

Do you know why they are named OP? OverPriced....

I like the opz and op1 I have both but for their rediculous price they are weak, my op1 I've owned for a month and the c key broke and there's never any replacement boards in stock (you have to replace the entire damn keyboard for one key) like I paid 1200 for it, why is it having such poor build issues.. Not like I bang the keys, I expect better from such lucrative devices Interesting thing I've heard the opz switched case manufacturers at some point, so the outer plastic is not flimsy anymore, but they should offer replacements free of charge

This is a funeral.😭 Always a shame to say goodbye to a piece of equipment.

Buying it was a mistake, 500 euro in a trash

It is a pity when a company lets a product ruin their reputation through poor support. All the studies show that good support of a less than stellar product brings disproportionate customer loyalty! In contrast I'll never buy Asus again because issues I had with their support meant I had to take to embarrassing them on social media.

TE awful reputation in regard to quality and durability is in THE single reason I steered away from the OP1 and OPZ. It's a shame though as they are exactly what I am looking for and would have gladly grown money at them. And the day they release a new expensive device, I'll probably wait on it for a year or more for feedback to get out before making any decision. Common TE, get your act together already before completely destroying your reputation...

Wow, kind of shocking. What a shame.

try clean again. Im telling you it will work. You need take apart whole device. Use tooth paste and fabric to clen contacts from coating. then isopropyl to clean it. Then clean buttons with ispopropyl too. If you want trow away device why not to try again?

I took one look at those tiny little dot buttons and instantly passed on the OP-Z. I bought my OP-1 way back in 2012. It is one of the best gear purchases to date. So far, I've had zero issues with it and I have made some killer beats with it. Damn shame about the OP-Z. I feel like the Pocket Operator KO33 might be more durable!

Like the OP-1, it's simply way way too expensive for what it is. Half the price is even too much. Production costs on these things can't exceed 20 bucks... TE gouges its customers on these products, sorry - I'm never buying one! Alternatively, I have a lot of POs which have good value, comparatively IMHO.

The issues with this device are bad, but it is the reported response from TE that have put me off ever buying any TE products.

Oh no this is sad.

I love the opz, but yeah... It has its issues.

My MPC 1000 suffers from the same ailment

uh oh OP-Z has a new module, so i'm guessing you won't cover it since you are done with it.

I mean shit dude I'll take it...

Make complaint videos addressed to the manufacturer once a month Put little effort in Just show the issue Get in Get out Done before you know it Petition them to better build the machine And have you beta test it

I still love mine but am appalled at the build quality regardless of the cost. It's a fantastic sequencer but if I was wanting to use it to play / record live it would be unreliable enough to be useless.