While browsing the ohpeewon.com forum a while ago we came across something quite interesting. User Punji has created an OP-1 Patch Randomizer. We sent him an email asking if he could tell us more about it and shortly we got a lovely reply back. Read on…
TE: Hello Punji, can you tell us a little about yourself please?
Punji: Hello TE, nice to know you guys have enjoyed it! My real name is Joao and I live in Brazil. I got a crush on synthesizers since I was a teenager, about 30 years ago!!! I have always being fond of electronics, video games and software. At that time, I implemented an audio D/A converter cartridge for my MSX computer and played a lot with generating sound waveforms. I had a DX100 synthesizer, so I also build a MIDI cartridge for the MSX and programmed it to play some scores! By the way, I’m now a professional software engineer.
TE: How long have you had the OP-1?
P: I got my OP-1 from DV-247 in London, during the 2012 Olympic Games last year. My plan was to use it for creating sound effects and simple music tracks for an iOS game that I plan to implement. I think I joined the Ohpeewon community a little before that, while I was still making my mind about buying the OP-1, given all the trouble I would have if it failed here in Brazil, which makes it very complicated, if not impossible, to send it back to you guys for maintenance.
TE: What is your favorite thing or feature of the unit?
P: The thing that most attracted me to the OP-1 since I first saw it was the user interface (I wonder if the vector style graphics trigger some unconscious memories of old days arcade games :-). I appreciate how much thought was put into the overall user experience and making it a complete / miniature / portable studio. Having the encoders and the miniature keyboard creates some experience that can’t be replicated on an iPad, period. By the way, I also have a DSI Mopho, which I like because it has an internal sequencer that allows driving any patch parameters.
TE: How come you decided to code the randomizer?
P: The idea about the randomizer came up in the Ohpeewon forum, I believe. I needed some practice implementing a web application, for my new job, so I thought that would be something interesting to do.
TE: How long did it take and what was the challenges?
P: KrisM helped reverse engineering the OP-1 patch value ranges. I got information about AIF format from the Apple specs. The randomizer application was written in Java, it has around 1000 lines of code. I think it took me a couple weekends to do it. I was happy with the results, some generated patches are really cool and different, like the DNA+CWO “Lion Roar" that I posted up in the forum thread!
TE: Have you coded other stuff or built something in the past?
P: Other stuff I did? A “redux" mod for bootleg Bubble Bobble arcade boards (which I love the sound effects and music so much), you may read more about it here: http://elgensrepairs.blogspot.com.br/2013/03/taito-bubble-bobble-bootleg-repair-log.html. I also have some on going projects around sound generators, which I’m sure will now be deeply influenced by the OP-1 design!
Regards, Joao
PS: I’m been to Stockholm on a business trip a few years ago, it is a lovely city!
TE: Thanks a lot Joao and welcome back to Stockholm any time!