Following yesterday’s release of new firmware for Teenage Engineering’s OP-XY synth, a free collection of sounds and presets from renowned producer and sound designer Douglas Carr is available as a free download.
Carr has been instrumental in writing and producing hits for the likes of Ace of Base, Leila K, Dr Alban and Meja.
The OP-XY sound library is especially tailored for songwriting, and the sounds combine the character of vintage samplers with carefully crafted, dynamic sounds.
There are over 300 sounds in the library including transient, rich drums and gritty textured keys.
Douglas describes it:
“Every instrument has its own unique character and texture, and the OP–XY is no exception. ever since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by sounds, records, and the emotions they carry. having spent many years in the studio writing, recording, producing, and mixing, I’ve come across a lot of gear. the OP–XY has inspired me to reflect on classic techniques and revisit traditional workflows. My goal with this sound pack was to broaden the instrument’s horizons and to bring something new to the OP–XY that it doesn’t already have. I began dissecting vintage samplers from the 80s and 90s, focusing on those imperfect machines that produce such incredible, unique textures, something many contemporary tools fail to replicate.
“I approached the sound design with a sense of curiosity, using a few studio tricks to tailor everything specifically for the OP–XY. to me, one of the best aspects of working with samples is keeping an open mind about what a sound can become. It rarely matters if the source is a saxophone or a pot from the kitchen. everything in the signal path colors the result: the microphone, preamps, EQs, and converters. bouncing sounds through an old sampler, pitching them up, and then running them into another 8-, 12-, or 13-bit converter can yield incredible textures. Finding ways to make noise beyond an instrument’s intended purpose is always fun, much like cranking the gain on a guitar amp. But even in contrast to that, feeding a pure, clean signal into the OP–XY is just as rewarding.
“The way the OP–XY sounds and behaves is incredibly inspiring. I noticed right away that it forces you to truly listen, stepping away from the mouse and the big computer screen is always refreshing. I hope this library inspires your own journey with sound and helps you create some great songs!”
