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the album function lets you mix down all four tracks from tape into stereo files saved to the OP-1. album is useful when you want to record any tape tricks, EQ, effects or live jamming. you may also play the synthesizer simultaneously on top.
you have two sides of the record – side A and side B each have a recording time of 6 minutes. just switch sides to record to the other side. the recordings will still be there if you power off and back on. remember to export a recordings over USB before you record to the same side a second time, as this will overwrite what was previously there.
to record press the record key (T1) and then switch to tape and press play. when you are done switch back to album and press stop.
the album records directly from master out, which means that any EQ, master effect or drive you have added will be applied to the sound.
the album key’s alternate use is to get to COM mode. you get there by pressing shift + album key. COM mode turns your OP-1 into a controller or storage device.
note: the COM key is also used to access te-boot. read more about that here .
this is the mode which we’ve covered mostly so far, where your OP-1 works as a self contained, stand-alone unit.
activating this mode is done from COM mode. here press the OP-1 key (T1) for getting to the standard OP-1 mode. in this mode, the OP-1 works as a stand-alone unit.
when connected via USB in this mode, the OP-1 listens to and transmits MIDI-notes on MIDI channel 1 by default. this can be changed by using shift + blue encoder.
controller mode makes your OP-1 a MIDI controller keyboard. in COM mode, press the CTRL key (T2) for getting to the controller mode.
use shift + the encoders to set the behavior of the encoders and arrow keys. you may also switch MIDI channels by using shift + green encoder.
in COM mode, press the DISK key (T3) to get to the disk mode. your OP-1 will turn into a storage device. it will show up on your computer’s desktop when connected via USB.
backup: drag all files from OP-1 to a backup folder on your computer. you have now made a complete backup of your unit.
restore: drag all files from the backup folder in your computer back to OP-1. choose yes to replace any files. you have now restored a backup of your unit.
the OPT mode (option mode) disables USB charging of the OP-1, without having to pull the USB-cord. in COM mode, press the OPT key (T4) for getting to the OPT mode.
from there, turn blue encoder to toggle USB charging on/off. OPT mode is useful when in a setup with a ground loop making noise. regardless of this setting, your unit will still charge if powered off, or if it runs out of power, as long as it remains physically connected via USB.
pro-tip: use a physical ground loop isolator to eliminate all noise. a suitable one can be found here .
your OP-1 is always sending MIDI data out, even if you’re not in controller mode. this way you may connect the OP-1 via USB and use any of its built in sequencers for controlling software synthesizers or other connected hardware, configured to receive MIDI.
download script here
OP-1 integrates as a configured control surface for Ableton Live. if you don’t plan on using OP-1 for controlling Live you might consider skipping this section.
download the OP-1 Ableton Live script.
once installed pick the OP-1 as control surface under the MIDI/sync tab in Live’s preferences. make sure OP-1 MIDI device is selected for both input and output. press shift + COM and then put the OP-1 into CTRL mode using T2.
modes
# key name function
9
[synth]
perform mode
use arrow keys to shift octave and note keys to play, as usual.
10
[drum]
clip mode
- a red box will show you the area of clips you currently control. use keys 7/8 to move the red box up/down. use keys 32/33 to move it left/right. - key notes are used for launching individual clips inside the red box. for stopping the clip, use shift and press the same key again. - use last key note to trigger entire scene, and shift + note to stop all clips in the scene.
11
[tape]
transport mode
- arrow keys move the current song position one beat. - shift + arrow keys offset loop. -note keys are used to set the length of the loop. the length increments are in multiples of two per key (1, 2, 4, 8... 4096) -shift + note key defines loop without changing loop start.
12
[mixer]
mixer mode
-arrow keys navigate on mixer tracks. -note keys select mixer tracks directly.
global assignments
1
[help]
tap tempo
2
[metronome]
metronome
3
[blue]
select track volume
4
[green]
select track pan
5
[white]
select track send 1
6
[orange]
select track send 2
7
[mic]
red box up
8
[album]
red box down
13
[T1]
predetermined bank select
14
[T2]
user bank 1 select
15
[T3]
user bank 2 select
16
[T4]
user bank 3 select
17
[loop in]
punch in
18
[loop out]
punch out
19
[loop]
loop
20
[break]
overdub
21
[reverse]
select track mute
22
[chop]
select track solo
23
[M1]
select track arm
24
[M2]
reset mute/solo/arm
25
[sequencer]
back to arrangement
26
[lift]
open/close browser
27
[drop]
arrangement/session toggle
28
[split]
open/close detail
29
[rec]
record
30
[play]
play
31
[stop]
stop
32
[REW]
red box left
33
[FF]
red box right
34
[shift]
shift
please refer to Live’s documentation for an in-depth explanation of Live commands and navigation.
with the OP-1 plugged and in and in MIDI mode (press shift + COM, then press T2), open Reason’s preferences. navigate to control surfaces, and click auto-detect surfaces. follow the instructions on the screen and close preferences.
version requirement: following Reason 6.0.2 and Reason Essentials 1.0.2, the OP-1 has remote support built into Reason.
key(s) / actions function
transport buttons
control Reason’s record and playback functions
keyboard
plays notes
shift + arrow keys
alter the octave
sets the tempo
tape button
toggles looping on/off
help button
toggles metronome on/off.
using synth and drum keys, along with sound selection keys 1-8
selecting patches
mixer key
sets to Reason’s default mode
T1 – T4
sets to the four rest of Reason’s main modes
each of these Reason modes give different functionality to both encoders and sound selection keys:
green & white encoders
typically control filter cutoff and resonance values.
orange encoder
usually adjust volume
blue encoder
mostly control the mod wheel
mic button
starts recording of the sample when using a sampling Reason device.
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