> Even at ~1300 or whatever the old model is going for [...] you can get both a digitakt and a digitone
You could probably get an iPad, a USB midi dongle, a midi keyboard, and a whole suite of software for that, too.
You could probably get an iPad, a USB midi dongle, a midi keyboard, and a whole suite of software for that, too.
Despite both items serving fundamentally the same base purpose (getting from point A to point B for cars/motorcycles; making music for OP-1/your list), and one of them is cheaper overall and on paper has a lot of factual advantages, they might simply prioritize different things and both be extremely good at different things they prioritize. I, personally, love the workflow of the original OP-1 way more than almost the exact list you produced (because it used to be pretty much my setup, except I used a different midi controller).
The OP-1 if we're using motorcycle analogies is like a Zero. Really cool, new tech, quirky, doesn't use gas (a traditional DAW) but also comes with a bunch of limitations (can't load any of your normal synths into it, have to work around sampling) kind of like the limited range of electric motorcycles.
Totally fine if what you want is an electric bike for city commuting or short trips, until you want to go on a weekend trip or a track day. Now you're waiting on charging, and limited in power.
I think we've stretched this analogy far enough. I wouldn't call a laptop with an audio interface and Ableton a Honda Civic. OP-1 fills a niche, but it certainly isn't high end performance in terms of audio quality or malleability. They're really cool, creative, unique ways of making music if you like the interface, but ultimately a quirky niche in terms of actual production.
(Which is totally valid if that what you want from your musical instruments)
People buy gear because they like a workflow and the UX/UI tactile choices a particular designer/ brand decided to highlight.
I love Elektron devices and I enjoy patching away on Eurorack. I'm pretty sure there's VSTS out there that will do 99.9% of the sound design I do with that gear, but then i'd be using an iPad or a laptop to do that... and that just completely kills the mood :/
People should (with in their means) obtain they musical instruments that allow them to create music :)