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teenage engineering PO-32 Pocket Operator Tonic Drum Machine

BH #TEPO32T • MFR #010 AS 032
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teenage engineering PO-32 Pocket Operator Tonic Drum Machine
Key Features
  • Sonic Charge's Microtonic Sounds
  • 16 Punch-In Effects and Parameter Locks
  • 16-Step Sequencer with 16 Patterns
  • Unlimited Sounds via Microtonic Plug-In
Small enough to fit in your pocket and powered by a pair of AAA batteries, the Teenage Engineering PO-32 Pocket Operator Tonic is an analog drum synthesizer with 16 on-board sounds and limitless external timbres thanks to a collaboration with Magnus Lindström of Sonic Charges. Indeed, the product was developed by Magnus and Teenage Engineering to jam-pack the sound of Sonic Charge's well-regarded Microtonic drum synthesizer into the pocket operator's form factor, recreating the oscillators, envelopes, and filters from the original Microtonic plug-in.
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teenage engineering PO-32 Overview

Small enough to fit in your pocket and powered by a pair of AAA batteries, the Teenage Engineering PO-32 Pocket Operator Tonic is an analog drum synthesizer with 16 on-board sounds and limitless external timbres thanks to a collaboration with Magnus Lindström of Sonic Charges. Indeed, the product was developed by Magnus and Teenage Engineering to jam-pack the sound of Sonic Charge's well-regarded Microtonic drum synthesizer into the pocket operator's form factor, recreating the oscillators, envelopes, and filters from the original Microtonic plug-in.

With 16 on-board sounds and 16 tweakable effects, the PO-32 is not merely a replica of the Microtonic. Instead, you can actually create custom sounds in the Microtonic plug-in and transfer them from your computer to the PO-32 by means of its on-board, receptive microphone. Thus, you can take the sound of the software with you in a highly tweakable analog format. You can also share sounds you've tweaked with other users of the PO-32 in a similar manner as described above. Conversely, you can receive data from your friends'/collaborators' PO-32.

The unit's parameters can be locked, while a 16-step sequencer, which holds 16 patterns in memory, can be chained into a song. An integrated clock and alarm clock expand the creative possibilities of the instrument. A jam-sync function with 3.5mm audio in and out connections allows for multiple synthesizer units to be linked together. A foldout stand makes it easier to play and rear-panel speaker solder terminals allow you hook up the unit to a larger sound system. An optional tailor-made silicone pro case (sold separately) adds anti-slip feet, battery protection, and professional-feel buttons to this truly unique music-making device.

Key Features at a Glance
  • Analog synthesizer engines
  • On-board sequencer
  • Parameter locks
  • Step multiplier
  • Unlimited sounds with Microtonic VST
  • Built-in speaker
  • Built-in microphone for data transfer 
  • 3.5mm audio I/O
  • Jam-sync function
  • Animated LCD display
  • Folding stand
  • Breakaway lock tab 
  • Clock and alarm clock
  • Battery powered (2 X AAA)
  • 1-month battery life
  • 2-year standby time

 

On-Board Sounds
  • Kick 1
  • Snare 1
  • Shaker / zap
  • LFO effect
  • Kick 2 
  • Snare 3
  • Close / open hi-hat
  • Claves / cowbell
  • Low tom / kick 3
  • Rimshot
  • Tambourine / crash 
  • Hand clap 
  • Bass
  • FM snare
  • Cymbal
  • High tom

 

On-Board FX
  • Half rate
  • Distortion
  • Squash
  • Echo fade
  • Pitch LFO
  • EQ sweep 
  • Mega morph
  • Pitch bend up
  • Punch
  • 6/8 quantize
  • Beat-repeat
  • Beat-repeat faster
  • FM
  • Granular
  • Reverse 
  • Bouncing ball

 

Notable Controls
The PO-32 affords you many controls, including:

  • Accent
  • Swing
  • BPM
  • Step Multiplier
  • Copy pattern
  • Clear pattern
  • Chain pattern
Transfer Microtonic Sound to your Pocket Operator
You can craft your own unique sounds in Microtonic and send them wirelessly to the PO-32 by means of its microphone. Conversely, you can download sounds and patterns from Sonic Charge's online Rhythm-Generator Patternarium.
Lock Tab
Adding to the PO-32's guerrilla mentality is a breakaway lock tab, which allows you to permanently protect all written patterns, restoring all tweaked parameters to locked settings any time you remove the unit's batteries. This process is reversible by soldering the two pads located by the lock tab together.
Transfer Capability
You can transfer sound and pattern data directly between separate PO-32 Tonics using the built-in speaker and microphone, or using the 3.5mm line in/out connectors.
Backup Capability
Sound and pattern data can be stored to any device for saving and sharing. You can back up the data via built-in microphone or line out. Likewise, you can restore data from a transmitting unit.

teenage engineering PO-32 Specs

Key Specs
Sound Generation
Digital
Number of Pads
16x Pad
Number of Sounds, Kits, or Samples
16x Factory Drum Kit
Audio I/O
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Input
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Output
MIDI I/O
No
USB I/O
No
Media/Memory Card Slot
No
Sound Generation
Digital
Number of Pads
16x Pad
Transport Controls
Yes: Record, Play
Display
LCD
Standalone Operation
Yes
Sounds
Number of Sounds, Kits, or Samples
16x Factory Drum Kit
Drum Sounds
4x Kick/Bass Drum
4x Snare
1x FM Synth
1x Hi-Hat (Open)
1x Hi-Hat (Closed)
1x Cow Bell
1x Rim Shot
1x Crash Cymbal
1x Clap
1x Cymbal
1x Hi Tom
Number of Rhythm Pattern Presets
16x Factory Pattern
Tempo Range
60 to 240 BPM
Number of Song Presets
No
Built-In Effects
Yes
Built-In Speaker
Yes
Sequencing & Recording
Sequencer
Number of Steps: 16
Number of Sequencer Patterns: 16
Pattern Chaining: Yes, Up to 64 Patterns
Tempo Range: 60 to 240 BPM
Input/Record Modes: Real-Time Record
Playback & Features: Accent
Number of Recorder Tracks
1x Sequencer
Connectivity
Audio I/O
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Input
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Output
Trigger Device & Pedal Inputs
No
MIDI I/O
No
CV/Gate I/O
No
Sync I/O
No
Network I/O
No
USB I/O
No
Media/Memory Card Slot
No
Internal Drive Bays
No
Wireless
No
Compatibility
OS Compatibility
macOS
OS Compatibility
macOS
Included Software
No
Mobile App Compatible
No
Power
Power Requirements
Battery
Battery Type
2x AAA
Expected Battery Life
1 Month
Physical
Color
Black / Gold
Included Accessories
Microphone
Packaging Info
Package Weight
0.15 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
5 x 2.5 x 0.8"

teenage engineering PO-32 Reviews

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