Teenage Engineering’s CEO says it’ll stop making synths
Teenage Engineering CEO Jesper Kouthoofd has announced plans to stop manufacturing synthesizers, including the iconic OP-1. The company intends to pivot away from being a music gear manufacturer to focus on broader design initiatives.
Why it matters
This marks a major shift for a cult-favorite brand that defined modern portable music production, signaling a potential end to their hardware-focused business model.
Teenage Engineering founder and CEO Jesper Kouthoofd told Highsnobiety that it plans to stop making synths. And yes, that includes the iconic OP-1, which put the company on the map. TE isn’t just a music gear maker; it’s also a sought-after design firm. It’s collaborated with Ikea, Nothing, and Playdate, among others. But almost everything the company makes itself — the OP-1, the OP-XY, EP-133, TP-7, et cetera — is music or audio-focused. Which makes the supposed decision to abandon the market all the more confusing.
Here’s the relevant quote from Highsnobiety:
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