overdub
ToolTeenage Engineering OP-Z

vcvopxyz

un1tz3r0/vcvopxyz · ★ 3

VCV Rack plugin recreating the OP-Z sequencer and engines, importing and exporting real OP-Z projects and kits, with CV breakouts.

README from GitHub, MIT

vcvopxyz

A Sequencer playing the six tracks of the first song, with a Screen beside it

What is it?

An ode to the Teenage Engineering OP-Z, this is a VCV Rack plugin which re-imagines the iconic pocket synthesizer as a virtual eurorack module.

How do I use it?

You will need VCV Rack. Although the free version will do, please consider purchasing the full version to support its awesome creators.

Grab the .vcvplugin file for your OS and architecture from the newest version at the top of the project's Releases page, and drop it into your VCV Rack plugins folder... If you're not sure how to find that, have a look at the Install instructions for your platform: Linux, MacOS and Windows.

The main Sequencer module can be used stand-alone, just like the real OP-Z, or in combination with Breakout expander modules for patching individual sequencer tracks to external chains in place of the builtin sounds.

What it is not

Rather than try and make a sample-perfect clone of each sound and FX engine, the goal was to build something similar enough to be instantly usable by anyone who is familiar with the original. What it lacks in sounding exactly like the hardware, it makes up for by allowing the sequencer tracks to be diverted to 1v/oct pitch and gate/trig outputs so that they can control chains of external modules whose output can then be routed back into the OP-Z's track-fx and mixer.

This project is not affiliated with or endorsed by teenage engineering. OP-Z and OP-XY are their trademarks.

Intros

These pages will be helpful for those with little or no prior experience with the OP-Z.

  • How it works: the model behind the modules in one page, with pictures and a glossary. Read this first.
  • Beginner's Guide: step-by-step instructions starting with an empty rack to making a simple loop, with screenshots, for those without any experience with the OP-Z.
  • Quickstart: a brief rundown of the core features for those with some prior OP-Z experience who could use a refresher.

If you just want to see what it can do, have a look at the example patches in patches/.

The manual has every module, page and key. To build the plugin or change it, start at Development, DESIGN.md and TODO.md.

In a patch

A Sequencer with a row of modules to its right: two Synth Breakouts take tracks 5 and 6, a Screen shows the selected track, and a Drum Breakout takes track 1

The Sequencer makes every sound, so a Sequencer and an audio module are all you need. To send a track to other modules, put a breakout to the Sequencer's right. A Screen in the same row shows the selected track's dials. Remotes on the Sequencer's left plays its patterns from jacks, a Song Editor there edits its songs, and a Pattern Editor edits its patterns. The modules in the row need no cables between them. How it works explains the rest. Patch recipes use it with MIDI, clocks, recorders and other modules, each with a demo patch.

License

MIT, see LICENSE. The Nunito font in res-src/fonts (SIL Open Font License) is used only to generate panel artwork and isn't shipped with the plugin.