I think the disbelief/discomfort here stems from the fact that we all realize the OP-1 should have been an iPad app to begin with.
The OP-1 is 100% digital, so most of the (likely astronomical) production cost is blown on an underpowered computer. Even at $800, margins on the OP-1 are almost certainly slim. In exchange for the high cost of production, the user is rewarded with very little: a better DAC, USB connectivity, and a physical keyboard that you still can't play like a piano.
Instead of spending hundreds of thousands on development, they could have put together a nice app for $25-50k. With a little bit of marketing, they could probably have moved a few thousand licenses at $19.99 (not because selling iPad music apps is an easy business, but because their design is really something special). This represents a substantial return on investment.
The great thing about the OP-1 is its fantastic design, not its features, specifications, or tone. Good design is something there can never be enough of, and there certainly isn't enough of it among iOS music apps!
Because an iPad OP-1 might legitimately cannibalize hardware sales, I don't expect to see it anytime soon. I would be absolutely delighted to see the folks from Teenage Engineering try their hand at an app, though.
I agree that apps could have saved $ but still glad to see hardware being built. At this time to run more that one app we still need more than one idevice.
10 comments:
I mean, obviously that is a joke. It is very badly drawn.
I really hope they do put out an app, though.
Anthony
I don't know why they would jeopardize future sales with an app.
Maybe a midi controller?
I agree though - an app would be good:)
HA! You can see the Sketchbook Pro dot on it!!
It seems the most obvious direction for the future of the OP-1. :)
isnt its hardware the big sellingpoint?
read somewhere that each synth has 4 parameters only?
I think the disbelief/discomfort here stems from the fact that we all realize the OP-1 should have been an iPad app to begin with.
The OP-1 is 100% digital, so most of the (likely astronomical) production cost is blown on an underpowered computer. Even at $800, margins on the OP-1 are almost certainly slim. In exchange for the high cost of production, the user is rewarded with very little: a better DAC, USB connectivity, and a physical keyboard that you still can't play like a piano.
Instead of spending hundreds of thousands on development, they could have put together a nice app for $25-50k. With a little bit of marketing, they could probably have moved a few thousand licenses at $19.99 (not because selling iPad music apps is an easy business, but because their design is really something special). This represents a substantial return on investment.
The great thing about the OP-1 is its fantastic design, not its features, specifications, or tone. Good design is something there can never be enough of, and there certainly isn't enough of it among iOS music apps!
Because an iPad OP-1 might legitimately cannibalize hardware sales, I don't expect to see it anytime soon. I would be absolutely delighted to see the folks from Teenage Engineering try their hand at an app, though.
Anthony
Plus, They sold out before NAMM was over.
I agree that apps could have saved $ but still glad to see hardware being built. At this time to run more that one app we still need more than one idevice.
The greatness of OP1 is all in the software. No current iPad is a great as OP1 on the iPad could be. I would pay $35 for it. Some might even pay $100.
Most efford was put in marketing
people wanted it before it existed I think
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