Teenage Engineering engineer discloses undetected Pocket Operator functionality: hidden surprise yet to be discovered.
Celebrating a Decade of Miniature Music-Makers: Inside Teenage Engineering's Pocket Operator
🎉 Ten years have passed since Teenage Engineering shook up the music world with the introduction of the Pocket Operator, a line of petite, pocket-sized music-making devices. The journey began in 2015 with the launch of the PO-12 Rhythm, PO-14 Sub, and PO-16 Factory, and has since seen the addition of nine groovy gadgets to the roster.
To mark this momentous occasion, the tech-savvy Swedes have offered an intriguing glimpse into the history and impact of their beloved Pocket Operators on their official website [🔗].
Among the highlights of this nostalgic trip down memory lane, Senior Engineer Jonatan Blomster lets slip a tantalizing secret nestled within the design of the PO-33 K.O! – a sampler released in 2018, which later inspired the EP-133 K.O. II.
Asoftheartack named "Easter egg," this secret feature allows users to dial down the device's tempo below its minimum setting of 60 BPM, all the way to 15. Blomster shared the following:
"While crafting PO-33, I was also indulging in some ambient/drone music on the side, and I found myself frustrated by the inability to go slower than 60 BPM. So I casually slipped in a little surprise that probably hasn't been discovered yet – unless you've been holding out on me! To activate it, hold down the BPM button, press a pad five times to set the volume, and continue holding the BPM button. Now, with Pot B, you can adjust the BPM from a sedate 15 to the standard minimum of 60."
Meanwhile, Oscar Ahlgren, Head of Development, enlightens us on the genesis of the groundbreaking Pocket Operator concept following the release of the OD-11 wireless loudspeaker in 2014.
"There was a strong itch to work on something less demanding, something quick, iterative, and fun. At the same time, we noticed our brand had a significant fanbase, but both the OP-1 and OD-11 were relatively pricey, making them inaccessible to many.
This led to the idea of the Pocket Operator – the most budget-friendly synthesizer we could dream up. Our goal was to create something so user-friendly that even people with no music background could dive into the world of musicmaking."
Fast forward to January 2023, when Teenage Engineering launched the #PO10DIY contest, inviting Pocket Operator users to share their DIY designs incorporating the devices. Winners were announced in April and included some innovative creations like airdrum clips that trigger the PO's sounds when shaken in a specific direction, a set of deconstructed keys to play the PO piano-style, and a 3D-printed clip-on spring reverb accessory.
So, if you haven't already, grab your PO-33 and get lost in some hypnotic drones!
Uncover the Hidden Treasure in PO-33 K.O!
Teenage Engineering's Senior Engineer, Jonatan Blomster, has shared an Easter egg in the PO-33 K.O! sampler. To activate this secret feature, follow these steps:
- Hold the BPM button.
- Press any pad five times to set the volume.
- Keep holding the BPM button.
- Adjust the tempo using Pot B.
This hidden feature enables you to set the tempo from 15 to 60 BPM[1]. If you're wondering why you haven't stumbled upon this secret before, it's probably because Blomster introduced it back in 2018 when he was working on ambient/drone music and needed to slow things down below the device's standard minimum tempo[1].
1
- The PO-33 K.O!, a sampler by Teenage Engineering, has a hidden feature known as an Easter egg, allowing users to set the tempo from 15 to 60 BPM.
- This secret function was introduced by Senior Engineer Jonatan Blomster in 2018 while he was experimenting with ambient/drone music and needed to go slower than the device's standard minimum tempo.
