TE PO-20 Arcade Introduction

A brief introduction to the Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-20 Arcade synthesizer.
www.teenageeng...
Addendum: You can turn on a click-track (metronome) by pressing Function + BPM. This cycles through sync modes, which include an audible sync-click on the beat. There are 6 sync modes, 0 being the one you will want to return to when you're ready to play without a click again.
Sorry about the strange noises in the VO, still getting used to my new lav microphone.
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[@microyetigus]

I had no idea. I appreciate the tutorial. This is the first video that wasn't just a flurry of " OK, do....thisandthisandthatandthenthatthisandyerdone" I have 4 diifferent POs and will not be sleeping for a few months. Thanks.

[@RedMeansRecording]

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SLEEP SO YOU CAN DREAM ABOUT YOUR POs

[@TheHotboots]

G

[@mg9261]

thats a funny meme

[@MiloTheOpossum]

Fucking millionaire

[@patrickbodine1300]

😉👍

[@xKellszz]

Thanks so much for this! I got this thing for my birthday yesterday and even though I KNOW it's a cool thing, I have no idea how it works. My brother is into making music with synthesizers and stuff and I recently expressed interest in that too, so he thought this would make a good gift. I've just never done it before! This video helps me a lot!!

[@Jan-vw5cg]

This is probably the best PO yet

[@therachoice4814]

Robot and the drum machine and maybe the sub. And that's all. The factory/ office OP in my opinion was the least favorite

[@therachoice4814]

It's all about the purple🍆

[@therachoice4814]

Purple rain ☔️ baby 👶🏻 :0)

[@ZeuzMakesMusic]

Jan I hope it is, it's the one I got.

[@i.ak.1684]

Whats the difference between this and ko? Im completely serious. Im interested but dont know sh*t... Sooo whats the difference and which one would you advise me to get kf i only want one to make beats on the go and add them to my daw.

[@akaeric007]

I absolutely love your channel, you have a very clever sense of creativity. I've watched all these pocket operator tutorials and i agree, this one is my favorite too. The square waves are real lol

[@RedMeansRecording]

Yeah, it's crunchy and delicious.

[@coreyhughes1456]

Wasn't that interested in this particular one until the little appeggiator button showed up at the very end. That thing is NEAT.

[@alienorbiter]

By pressing down a special key, it plays a little melody

[@purelucknoskill5158]

Im the operator with my pocket.... operator?

[@kenzooznek8022]

I'm adding And subtracting I'm controlling And composing

[@GKRS15]

Hey man, i accidentally disabled the metronome, how can i make it reappear, i already rebbot it by replacing the battery and it doesn't worked, psl help me, i'm so sad

[@joshpickles9022]

@@GKRS15 hold chord and bpm button

[@GKRS15]

@@joshpickles9022 thx bro

[@ZachClayTube]

This video will have a million views. I got the arcade and office POs for xmas and it was a pain in the butt to figure how to use them. This is the first concise intro video I have seen. Bravo

[@ast_rsk]

I hope TE is paying you because.... they just got another sale of the PO-20. Thanks for these videos! I cannot wait to sequence my first song.. ever!

[@BalterBlack]

You still making music?

[@Tigeroovy]

Well you've done it. I ordered myself one of these. Let's see how deep this rabbit hole goes.

[@RedMeansRecording]

oh shizz, nice! congrats!

[@alistairsheehyhutton4201]

OMFG. I've just learnt there is a secret metronome function on the PO-20 (and I presume the others as well). Hold Chord and BPM and you get a metronome!

[@minecrafter0505]

It's the syncing mode, that plays a metronome on the left channel and the music on the right. This allows POs to sync their BPM between each other when they are linked together.

[@kory443]

crystal castles in a box

[@chasey4069]

This is why I want on e

[@UfukToraman]

You just made me order one now

[@chasey4069]

@@UfukToraman Good, they're hella fun man. Have fun with yours.

[@NALTOdeluxe]

I love this comment.

[@Demonskunk]

You can't convince me you're not just a wizard, and this little device is just to cover up the magic.

[@RedMeansRecording]

shhhhhhh secrets

[@moneypits]

Watched this and bought 4 of them :D Terrific work on the whole channel and the vlogs on yourself. Keep it up, mate. It's inspiring and I haven't touched music production since the 90s but now I'm all in and thoroughly enjoying it again.

[@MagnusBlem]

Really enjoying these videos..! Decided to order this PO-20 arcade, which is gonna be my first syntheziser (craygasm). Keep up the good work :)

[@RedMeansRecording]

awesome, have fun making the bloops

[@therachoice4814]

I just craygasmed all over the place🙏🏽

[@Putzinator]

I just bought mine to take out backpacking and camping to give me something to freestyle on. Seems like a capable little beast and you saying it's your favorite one made me extra happy to hear! Love you Jeremy! =D

[@BoronBullet]

had to go order one after watching. I'm so psyched now. thanks for the video

[@mindmanifestations2036]

So nostalgic sounding… it brings me back to my NESall nighters and the song you made totally sounds like an opening title

[@teenageoperator7246]

took me a while, but I finally got one! wild to think I’ve been watching this channel that long, lol. thanks as always Jeremy!

[@MinusTwoPoints]

I have to stop watching this when I'm high... I buy way too much cool stuff.........

[@chadcanfield6153]

TrippyFunThings ....that's called a "high buy"

[@stirfry741]

I'm definitely going to buy this when I'm high, but probs bass cause ya know

[@ParadigmStages]

Got on higher purchase 👍

[@strawberryfrogforever]

Are you me?

[@prsmo]

nice

[@KaeseNachos]

You helped me buying one (and to undestand how it works too)! This is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life :D Take care!

[@RedMeansRecording]

yay!

[@RababaInc]

KaeseNachos which one did you buy?

[@peterveer7798]

@@RedMeansRecording at 2:02 this the Prodigy used this sound

[@9graff9]

What does the top cord plug into?

[@Shugo819]

Honestly was struggling to get into Arcade, but this was super informative! Factory was my previous favorite, but that might change after getting some time in with Arcade. Really appreciate all these PO videos :) keep up the great work!

[@BUGHAKARASTA]

what a time to be alive

[@howardanderson3061]

Mr Red Means Recording. you never cease to amaze.

[@TheUncommonVideo]

I also just learned that if you're in Write mode, hold a step and press the BPM button then you can re-trigger a sound, so you can get some more complex beats going without changing the BPM

[@neoboomboom]

Sometimes the KZbin algorithm bestows gifts upon us, got this video suggested and instantly purchased that pocket operator!

[@Sakunera]

Awesome video. Wish I had this when I picked up the PO-20 but I guess that is part of the fun figuring it all out :)

[@Sakunera]

Also you forgot to mention the functionality of retriggering (is beat repeat a better way to put it?) stuff in the sequence multiple times by holding STEP + BPM. Sounds really awesome on drums.

[@RedMeansRecording]

That's exactly what my mindset was going into this. Just a really basic walkthrough. It took me a long time to figure these little guys out, so I hoped this would help some other people.

[@littlebluefoxstudio]

Just got my PO-20 and I have the PO-14 on the way. Thanks for this. After just one day, I had already figured most of this out but I was still a little sketch on the pitch parameter bit. I got it now! The only problem I'm having is getting it to sync with my OP-1.

[@2mbst1]

My favorite PO! But unfortunately my only po… yet.

[@CptFalcone]

Solid video! Picked up one of these a couple months ago and I absolutely love it. I didn't see it in the comments so I'll say it, but my apologies if this has already been said. Holding chord and pressing bpm turns on the metronome click. Love the channel. :)

[@Rodonuts]

Dude I love your stuff, now I'm thinking about getting it; you deserve more views man

[@dannyzep92]

This was my favorite of all of these

[@aygabe]

I love your review videos! You explain and show every facet so well.

[@amyshaw893]

i want this in my life right now

[@amyshaw893]

I got it in my life. It was amazing

[@hrnekbezucha]

Purple means recording.

[@purplelizard2348]

Hrnek Bezucha shh

[@jaimearreu5906]

Hrnek Bezucha No. Purple means cool

[@invetegon4596]

purple means purcording

[@DarkRedman31]

I was thinking about it but knowing a bit of this channel I bet it'd do Purple means red and then red mean recording :P

[@jeisu2951]

Purple means arcade

[@maximoplf]

Am I the only one who thought these were some engineering calculators from the thumbnail?

[@cholling1]

when I press this special key, it plays a little melody

[@SpunkyMcGoo]

I thought it said Texas Instruments for a second

[@Epic501]

I want this one more than any other (except the OP-1) There would be so many bus and train jams.

[@jonnystiztv]

Epic501 if you have an iphone get iMaschine 2

[@rhoddity]

Watched all your vids on these and I was inspired to get the PO-20! I'm loving this little thing! =D

[@museric2007]

this is my first, it is a ton of fun! just getting it to sync with the volcas. thanks for the great demo and tutorial.

[@RedMeansRecording]

+Eric Larsen that's an awesome setup

[@museric2007]

I have a crazy feeling the other operators my find their way here :)

[@kaisiljander1060]

Great introduction, thank you! I just ordered one of these and a PO-12. Keep up the good work!

[@XanderMorgan]

Thanks a lot for that video. I choosed right PO because of you and very happy about having PO 20.

[@StupidRobotFightingLeague]

I bought one because of this video.

[@annoform]

Neat tut, just got bought one of these. Can't wait to get blip n beepy!

[@ImperatorScab]

Of the lot, this one is my favorite. Good little intro video to this wonderful little thing, man!

[@VOIDIGAZE]

Finally decided to make the purchase thanks to this video. Thanks

[@VOIDIGAZE]

It came in the mail today and it's fucking awesome. I can't stop playing with it and now I need 5 more of the different variants.

[@sim0n278]

Saw the price... And boy I'M get one to my self! I like to try music on the go on my phone and this could help me get some neat samples :D not just that the sequencer can be used for this too. Boy so many ideas, definitely a must buy for me especially for 60 bucks!

[@senjuromon]

Oh my gosh, the arp button is delightful!

[@RedMeansRecording]

it really is!

[@senjuromon]

Happiness happens when you push it. Does it always quantize to the chord being played?

[@RedMeansRecording]

It will always conform in pitch to the chord sequence that has been selected, yes.

[@ironikkronik]

I get mine Monday! I am beyond stoked!!! Your channel pretty much helped me make my decision, You are great at explaining everything. Every one of your videos blows my mind though. Hopefully I can obtain an OP-1 at some point!

[@RedMeansRecording]

+Nathan Fulk awesome have fun with it!

[@NoobMasterX1]

Those sounds are classics ! I definitely will buy one Nice review, great video

[@ErokLobotomist]

I'd been on the fence about picking one of these up for a while. This video convinced me to pick this model up, can't wait to get my hands on it. Thanks for the info!!

[@sava9411]

Mine arrived today I'm super hyped

[@RedMeansRecording]

+lolliruu nice

[@sava9411]

Red Means Recording thanks for the answer, do you know how to turn off the metronome sound . Every time my pattern is clear they're there still

[@maximumgaming5o483]

9:15... Damn...

[@hellomynameisscen]

Thanks, didn't know about the live tweaking of the note pitches!

[@ooairmonkey4771]

Your PO videos are *GREAT*! They're perfect for an overview to see which POs are more convenient for one's preferences. Plus, they're a nice little startup guide. So cheers for that! I'm wondering which PO you would recommend one to get as one's first PO if getting two or more is, budget-wise, out of the question. I agree with you that, in terms of preference, I'm liking this Arcade one more than the others-I guess because it has that real 80s feel. But I also think the Speak is very cool and perhaps more versatile than this one (albeit 50% more expensive as well).

[@JoshuaAnderson91]

I saw this video and immediately went to check the price thinking that they'd be out of my price range for something this cool. But they're only about $30-50?? Nice :) I'll be getting this one soon.

[@RedMeansRecording]

awesome!

[@pointest-charles192]

I ddnt know the cases existed, looks nice. ordered!

[@liamhebden8857]

these units would be great for making your own loop libraries.... this one not so usable but at the price range fun to get and will be useful on occasion

[@shindigital1]

Just this video convinced me to go and buy this. Thanks for telling me about this!

[@travelwithcamera]

Nice overview, thanks for putting this together

[@Funkotronimus]

I love this one, though I find it a [fun] challenge to not have everything I make with it sound the same ...totally doable, but it took me a while -a lot of fun on its own, but I definitely feel this one works best as a special ingredient/ companion to other POs and gear.

[@SteamPoweredFox]

God damn these videos are informative. I am filled with confidence

[@BarrettBaker_photos]

It’s so lovely!

[@PianistePolo]

You got me, I'll buy one

[@BadenHealth]

Have fun with this guy

[@mikelee1906]

How do you apply the effect #15 blinds(gating effect) permanently? It plays over and over with the gating effect on until I stop playing it. When I hit play again after stopping the effect is gone.

[@kjsilent]

Extrememly helpful. Had mine a year and been unusable

[@conchamelon]

Thank you so much for this.

[@vovical]

Time to get this with a case so it looks like a calculator

[@lau_dhondt]

Helpful video! Thanks!

[@dividedreality9708]

Woah. Last time I saw a pocket operator, it looked like a circuit board.

[@soldship]

Is there a place I can get that case? The one they sell now doesn't have the cool icons or colors :(

[@nodehash3247]

Dude, what is that hand + circle icon that appears sometimes, in between the centre arcade picture and the A channel? 5:08 for example.

[@natjes6017]

This seems totally awesome 😁 Great tutorial 👍🏻

[@KuPaoChicken]

Thanks very informative!

[@brainwashedindian6355]

Ashens Intro...lolz...cool device tho...btw most of us don't get what u do..we like the music and effects that u put in...

[@littlesnowflakepunk855]

Mohinesh Patil Boop-beep, boop-beep, boop boop. Hello!

[@alexram7176]

this convinced me to get one

[@Tronaldump7]

just bought one too !

[@olaszmidt2958]

awesome tutorial! Thank you so much!

[@olaszmidt2958]

and yes I will be getting this beast :)

[@RedMeansRecording]

woot!

[@samfisher1663]

I was second guessing myself on buying one of these but now i wanna get one

[@ijimedia]

pretty gosh darn cool

[@JJiG]

I caught wind of these a few weeks before you posted this video and they're awesome.. i need to pick one of these up. I see you have the added cover and buttons, but do you think they're really that necessary?

[@RedMeansRecording]

Not necessary at all, but the covers do give the things a more solid feel.

[@SPAZZOID100]

JJiG yes. If u want it to last.

[@AJC19811]

James Reeno it will last If u look after it with or without case

[@siskavard]

Just got mine. Love it. Just wondering why they only made like 10 of these awesome custom cases for it, I can't find one anywhere

[@neguentropix]

gracias x tanto

[@kishigohei]

i want all of them now!!!!!

[@denplayz4309]

when i got the po 20 i clicked play and a small melody came insted no sound?

[@haydencrane8745]

im pretty late but you can actually turn on a metronome by pressing chord and bpm together

[@liver5889]

Im a beginner to these shits, I'm j tryna have fun making music. which PO should i get??

[@RedMeansRecording]

I think the Rhythm, Factory, Robot, or Arcade would all be fun.

[@liver5889]

ok thanks! What would you prefer for making a simple beat with like a synth or something. Or do they all do that?

[@RedMeansRecording]

The Rhythm has a couple tonal patches that can be step sequenced for a semblance of melody, but it's time consuming... however beats are fun. The Factory and Robot are both more "playable", with the Robot winning out as a solo synth (one sequenceable synth, one playable, and a sampled lo-fi drum machine). The Arcade is less outright playable, but has chords and melodic patches and lofi drums, so a lot to work with there.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Have one...mine does not have this chassis, nor can i make sense of it.

[@ToCarlosWebos]

awesome device

[@siniquezu]

Does anyone know where I can get this case?

[@loopcell]

Great vids buddy,i saw the po-32 tonic version on their website , r u gonna do a vid on that too ?

[@RedMeansRecording]

Yes, I hope to!

[@Zeebo_Rowte]

dude where do you get these cases that match the buttons? The only official TE CA-X silicone cases I see all looks the same and don't match the pocket operator buttons

[@Drpopcorn23]

When he had the drum line I tried playing that in write mode but it doesn't keep playing over and over like his how do I get mine to do it like that

[@andresebastian8099]

Hi, but late but he did that in live record mode, not write mode. Hope it helped you stranger!

[@davidmooreulster]

Definitely going to get one of these. Which one do you think is the most versatile? In other words which one could I do the most with just sitting on the bus with it?

[@RedMeansRecording]

The PO-20 or the PO-28 would be my picks for that.

[@davidmooreulster]

Red Means Recording Thanks! Love your videos

[@zhangliubao]

Keygen synth

[@howardanderson3061]

Very cool...... now I feel the need to buy yet another Pocket Operator Lol.

[@Liveimprov]

great vids, ty

[@Maudio303]

Cool Review! What Cam and Mic are used in the vid?

[@RedMeansRecording]

Canon 5d MKii and Audio-Technica ATR3350iS lav. Apologies for any rustling, I'm still getting used to placement.

[@Maudio303]

Red Means Recording Thx for really fast answering! My Cam (Panasonic Hc-V520) doesnt't even have a line in or mic in... frustrating. So i have to sync it via software. Mean the video and the audio. Possible to do that with different inputs?

[@RedMeansRecording]

Does your camera have a microphone built into it? If so, send your real mic and line out of your synths to a soundcard (different channels if you can). Set your camera to record from it's internal mic (ambient sound of the room). At the beginning of each take, clap your hands together loudly, visibly on camera. That will make your sync super easy.

[@Maudio303]

Red Means Recording Thank you. I will try 👍

[@souhaitmoon7937]

Hi. Thanks for the amazing tutorial. I was following you on the video but when I try to record only sounds, unlike like your PO does, I hear some kind of pattern together even though I pressed only 4 sound button! (1, 5, 9, 13 like you chose) I want to record only sounds..Can you please tell me what I should do?

[@RedMeansRecording]

Sorry I don't know

[@mmattcisterna5591]

Awesome

[@BestHakase]

So, with PO-28 i can select sound (1 from 15+ drums) and then all 16 buttons act as keyboard. With PO-20 i can't live play all notes, i have to turn knob to get different notes. Am i right?

[@RedMeansRecording]

correct

[@BestHakase]

Red Means Recording, yesterday I got my PO-20. Thank you!

[@RedMeansRecording]

woooooo

[@BestHakase]

Eeeeee) Love the chords!

[@peterveer7798]

@@RedMeansRecording Its Like Super Mario bros 3