Teenage Engineering Wants to Stop Making Synths – Really? Oh No!
Jesper Kouthoofd Sees a Future Beyond Synthesizers, OP-1 Included
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Teenage Engineering Wants to Stop Making Synths – Really? Oh No! · Source: Teenage Engineering
Teenage Engineering wants to stop making synthesizers, including the original OP-1, OP-XY, PO series, and more. Founder and CEO Jesper Kouthoofd says he revealed the plan to his team during a company reorganization, with Teenage Engineering later sharing the interview on its official Instagram channel. Wow! Here’s exactly what he said, what it could mean for your gear, and why this news stings a little.
Teenage Engineering and Synths: What Kouthoofd Said, What It Means
A Company That Never Played by the Rules
If any company could pull off a move like this, it’s Teenage Engineering. The Stockholm-based company has been doing things its own way ever since the original OP-1 arrived in 2011. Born in Kouthoofd’s garage as an alternative to laptop-based music production, it set the tone for everything that followed. From the Pocket Operator series and the OP-XY to furniture, beer, and even an electric moped, Teenage Engineering has never been afraid to venture beyond synthesizers.
So, am I surprised? Not really. But wow, you’ve got to respect a move like this! Walking away from the very products that put you on the map takes some serious guts.
Jesper Kouthoofd Explains Why He Wants to Quit Synths
In an interview with Lukas Mauve, published by Highsnobiety on October 7, 2026, Kouthoofd reveals that he told his team during a company reorganization last fall that he intends to stop making synthesizers altogether. And yes, that includes the iconic OP-1. Teenage Engineering even shared the interview on its official Instagram account, using the same headline.
His reasoning is surprisingly straightforward: Selling products isn’t the whole point. “We shouldn’t make profits out of the products,” he says. Kouthoofd doesn’t want every creative idea to turn into another commercial product, especially if that means churning out yet another synthesizer.
That’s quite a statement from a company with around 100 employees and roughly $46 million in annual revenue. Kouthoofd personally decides which prototypes make it to market, even when his team doubts they’ll sell. And spreadsheets or customer surveys? He’s not exactly a fan of either.
Why Teenage Engineering Sees Itself as More Than Its Products
“The real value lies in the company as a whole,” Kouthoofd explains. To him, Teenage Engineering should be a place where creativity never gets boring. Some projects are still five to ten years away from becoming reality, and he even hints at one that could change the way we experience life online. What exactly does that mean? He isn’t saying.
Just look at some of the company’s previous creations: a portable vinyl record cutter, a choir of eight wooden singing dolls, and a plastic PC case that snaps together without a single screw. Kouthoofd even wanted to give the case away for free. Classic Teenage Engineering!
What This Could Mean for Your TE Gear
Here’s my guess, and it’s only a guess: Prices for existing Teenage Engineering gear will go up again, as they usually do. If you’ve been eyeing a device, don’t wait too long.
The good news is that TE’s update policy is still unmatched, and existing products keep getting new functions. You can find the current lineup at Thomann*.
Teenage Engineering Without Synths: A Bittersweet Thought
I own almost every device Teenage Engineering has ever released, and I use most of them pretty much every day. The CM-15 microphone is a perfect example. Just plug it into your computer, and you’re ready to capture high-quality recordings in seconds. No complicated setup, no hassle. The OP-1 Field and OP-XY are also constant companions, whether I’m jamming on the go or capturing ideas whenever inspiration strikes.
That’s exactly why I’d hate to see Teenage Engineering walk away from synthesizers. These devices continue to inspire creativity and push electronic music forward, and I’d definitely miss them. Still, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. For now, this is simply a statement from the company’s founder in an interview. There’s no official timeline, and we don’t know what this could mean for existing products or future support.
What about you? Which Teenage Engineering device would you miss the most? Let us know in the comments!
Further Information
- Teenage Engineering Is Going to Stop Making Synths (Highsnobiety interview)
- Teenage Engineering gear at Thomann*
- More news on Teenage Engineering
- Teenage Engineering OP-XY
*Note: This article contains affiliate links that help us keep Gearnews running. The price for you always stays the same! If you buy something through these links, we receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!*
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2 responses to “Teenage Engineering Wants to Stop Making Synths – Really? Oh No!”
Well, Jaguar did something similar and look how great that turned out. This guy sounds like a totally out of touch typical arrogant European.
I was actually very close to buying an EP-133, but this news made me look into it more and I changed my mind. I find this decision a little strange. Does that mean support for synth devices will dwindle or be not as good? Will parts needed for service be scarce?
I wish them the best with whatever else they do, but I just wonder about spreading themselves too thin, if it will water down the support and strength of their product line.