Posted by teenageengineering

May 29
2013

OP-1 OS update #13585

CWO - Frequency Shifting Delay
Finally here, the new OP-1 OS is ready! This time we’re again adding something completely new. For the first time in the history of the OP-1 we have teamed up with an external developer and invited them to create something fresh and unique for our unit. The result of this first collaboration is something truly spectacular.

From the sonic master mind Magnus Lidström of Sonic Charge comes CWO

We first met Magnus Lidström a few years ago at a developer party here in Stockholm, Sweden. Even before that we have all been huge fans of Magnus’ work, such as Microtonic, Synplant and Bitspeek. When first thinking about doing something together for the OP-1 platform we discussed what could be ported. We soon came to the conclusion that an effect would fit really well. Inspired by Magnus’ own Echobode, the new CWO effect is a frequency shifting delay with a twist, modified for the OP-1 format.

“I like the limitations. The four knobs on the OP-1 have been highly optimized, so that each one produces a drastic change in sound on its own. This combination of effects is uncommon and capable of producing a wide arrange of sounds, such as phaser, flanger, tremolo and dub echo. It is really good on drums and for making simple sounds more fun and complex.”  
- Magnus Lidström, Sonic Charge

We made the graphics for CWO to resemble a cow, digesting and processing the audio signal through it’s four stomach compartments, producing a very unique result. We hope you will like it and look forward to hearing your sonic experiments!

DNA - CPU ID Noise Synthesis
Also in this update is a completely new synthesis engine. DNA adds CPU ID Noise Synthesis, meaning it’s a noise synth, based on the Analog Devices 64-bit Blackfin processor ID, unique to every single OP-1 unit. Every synth will therefore potentially have a slightly different sound. Sometimes tonal, sometimes not, this engine adds a truly expanded sonic pallet to the OP-1. Filter, Wave number, Wave modifier and Noise can be directly controlled via the knobs. The DNA graphics is set to resemble a Kaleidoscope, where sound and visuals are abstractly interlinked. Developed in-house.

Posted by teenageengineering

May 16
2013

Jens depressed at the design / tech prize award ‘Stora Designpriset’ (which we didn’t win), trying out the radio controlled digger. Congratulations to Hestra who won!

Jens depressed at the design / tech prize award ‘Stora Designpriset’ (which we didn’t win), trying out the radio controlled digger. Congratulations to Hestra who won!

Posted by teenageengineering

May 7
2013

Control Natural - Interview with Mike Fresh

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Set in the berkshire hills of Massachusetts in a house on several acres of woods, Control Natural is a project designed to subtract all distractions from an artists life, to curate the best environment for them to create.

The project takes the form of a studio album (EP) and a 3 part documentary series produced by producer Mike Fresh and directed by Matthew Charof. Each of the 3 artists visited the property for a few days separately (one coming after the other) and spent time letting go of their everyday worries before stepping in the studio, located in the house everyone was staying at. Mike and and the artists then created a new song from scratch. Artists featured are Adrienne Mack-Davis (5/7), Dao Jones (5/14) and James Ryan (5/21). Tobias of Teenage Engineering had a few words over email with Mike.

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TE: What was most challenging with the environment you were working in?

MF: The most challenging thing for me with the environment was to make sure everyone felt extremely comfortable and relaxed but at the same time push to make sure we write and record a beat and vocals as well as film interviews and a documentary, usually within 24-48 hours for each artist.

TE: Did the benefits outweigh the challenges?

MF: I believe the product that was produced under this controlled environment was some of the best work ever written by these artists. The challenges made us all better at what we do and our benefit outweighed these challenges by a long shot. I would take every advantage I can to use this model with other artists I am producing as well as open this project up to visual artists.

TE: How was the OP-1 used in the process?

MF: The OP-1 was heavily important to the writing process. All 3 artists and myself noticed we would unintentionally pick up the OP-1 and carry it with us outside to the front lawn or pool, bring it to the dinner table, and even bring it to jot down a few ideas while in bed. The OP-1 broke down the walls of the studio allowing the entire property to be the studio and we no longer had to sit in one room inside for hours looking at a computer screen. It also played a big role in the production of the songs which to me (being the producer) was super happy with. This instrument that is small enough to cary around is actually outputting high quality sounds that I was picking over my Juno, JP-8080, or any soft synth.

TE: What is your favorite thing with or feature of the OP-1?

MF: My favorite thing about the OP-1 is that it really has been designed so well both inside and out. Tweaking instruments on the fly, changing patches through the wide spectrum, and making them your own with all the effects and parameters. Also super happy that I can take it anywhere, use the super easy record functions and then plug it into my computer and develop it more, while still be able to use the same sounds. Also, can’t forget Chop Lifter :) !!

TE: Will you do this kind of project again?

MF: I would make another Control Natural if I had the opportunity. I would keep many things the same but also change some things. The cool thing about this concept is that it can take place anywhere with any set of artists. I hope next time we can use a beach house somewhere warm or travel across seas.

TE: Add one more: Are you always this super organized?

Ha ha ha, I’m a crazy person and loose my mind if things are not organized ha ha.

TE: Thanks Mike!

Be sure to check out the documentaries, listen to the tracks and grab the studio album available for download May 21st.

www.controlnatural.net

Posted by teenageengineering

April 27
2013

Job opening: Senior Backend Engineer

We’re looking for a passionate and experienced developer to join our tech team. You’ve worked many years with designing and building client/server applications and backend/database infrastructures or maybe you’ve been developing high-concurrency real-time multiplayer game systems.

Required experience
- *nix/SysOp experience
- Big interest in modern web technologies and backend systems
- System level Linux config & management
- Network performance tuning and debugging skills
- Continuous integration & Test-driven development
- C/C++, Bash, Python
- Familiarity with cloud computing, clustering, failover, etc.

Bonus experience
- Expertise in security theory, monitoring and practice, web apps & Linux
- OpenWRT & software packaging / Linux open source contributor
- Modern world HTML, CSS & Javascript
- TCP/IP Networking, asynchronous socket programming, Twisted
- Part of launching and running an online startup / system as a service

When applying, please include a brief description of your skills, passions, and work style plus one link to a personal hobby app you’ve built.