TOYS or SERIOUS INSTRUMENTS? Pocket Operator DAWLESS setup explained! // Summer of Synths

[@GarHoover]

Thanks for having me Bo!

[@BoBeats]

Glad to have you! Hope you are enjoying the summertime!

[@allgonewrongful]

Trigger warning wasn't enough. I feel personally attacked :) Great vid

[@mattytrane]

Gar's musical examples in this clip were naaaaaasty!

[@GarHoover]

@@mattytrane thank you! That means a lot! I tried my best to show the versatility of POs and the quality of music they can create!

[@FreeBeat]

The video I was waiting for! Gar's channel was the main motivator for me to start mine, and first turned me on to what the PO-33 was truly capable of :) Such an amazing creator!

[@GarHoover]

Thanks for the encouragement Free Beat! I’m excited to watch your video on Summer of Synths soon!

[@NoirEtBlancVie]

Totally agree Free Beat! This video is awesome!

[@GarHoover]

@@NoirEtBlancVie wow! I’m huge fan of your channel thank you for the encouragement!!!

[@patrickbodine1300]

Me too! Both of you guys! 😀👍

[@leewightman8619]

I got a ko a few days ago amazing little things figured the work flow in a couple of hours made a full track today recorded it into the multi track and added parts to it with the Yamaha DJx

[@Death_Rave]

The KO is absolutely an instrument. Even if it's a toy, you can still perform a toy like the meow-keyboard or the hello-kitty drumset. The one thing It isn't is a full on DAW, but You can write and PERFORM songs with it, either live, semi-live, or completely sequenced. It is an instrument if you play it like one, just don't ever expect to outdo a mastered studio track when it comes to quality/resolution. THE OTHER POS however, are more toy-like on their own, but when put together they are great accessories for performing songs.

[@MattGreerMusic]

The PO-33 alone is a classic. I've made several albums on it and you'd have to pry it from my cold dead hands to get it away from me.

[@WrightFlyer1903]

I got PO-32 simply on a whim and because I didn't have any other form of drum machine. I loved it so much and it got me so interested in sequencing / drums it prompted me to go on and get a more fully featured groovebox (Sonicware Liven XFM) so I'm really glad it led me to the light and showed how much fun step sequencing can be.

[@GarHoover]

Yes! The PO-32 is very immediate and is a great way to learn about sequencing! I’m glad it helped you expand into other synths too!

[@teilzeitrwachsn]

Kudos @Gar Hoover - that beat on 2:13 is really, really good pocketoperating! Wow!

[@GarHoover]

Thank you! I love glitchy beats like that! The PO-32 is perfect for that!

[@Drobvio]

Nice vid! thanks Gar and Bo

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

Here is some lyrics of a band Kraftwerk, you might have heard of. I'm the operator with my pocket calculator I'm the operator with my pocket calculator I am adding And subtracting I'm controlling And composing I'm the operator with my pocket calculator I'm the operator with my pocket calculator I am adding And subtracting I'm controlling And composing By pressing down a special key It plays a little melody By pressing down a special key It plays a little melody I'm the operator with my pocket calculator I'm the operator with my pocket calculator

[@GarHoover]

I should have covered that with my pocket operators! Maybe I’ll do that on my own channel!!! 😂

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

@@GarHoover It is about having fun, Kraftwerk were making fun of big ego guitar bands with PO. There is this channel Musik Arbeiter, he does a lot of Kraftwerk (hence the name). This evening I was letting the dogs out by having a take on Skinny Puppy's Yes He Ran (big slightly distorted organ from Jupiter 50 and drums from Drumbrute Impact). Bit of a soundscaper, I am by no means a musician.

[@teamphil]

After a long wait, I finally purchased the PO-12 Rhythm not too long ago. The effects and chaining of patterns together is awesome. I was pleasantly surprised, and I like more than some of my expensive drum machines.

[@GarHoover]

That’s awesome! The PO-12 has some great tones! For being a first generation PO it’s stood the test of time!

[@mobiledaw1436]

I have the Tonic and KO. The pattern chaining with parameter locking are outstanding. They are toys to those who dismiss them without taking the time getting to know them.

[@hexwavemusic]

Yeah Gar's the man! Very glad to see him as a guest here, he deserves a lot of attention! Great video! PO's are super fun and powerful in the right hands!

[@GarHoover]

Thanks Dude! Yes they are, you just need to be open to the PO workflow and some patience!

[@iosmusicman]

Gar is a true master of the POs. Great set of reasons given and an inspiration to boot. It’s no secret that FreeBeat is heading this way so I’m looking forward to that and any other invited guests. Cheers Bo. Lee

[@chrisisasavage]

I keep a PO33 in my truck's console as something to play with when I'm stuck somewhere and bored.

[@SURCOlive]

Very fun! Always awesome Gar!

[@GarHoover]

Thank you! I found your video fascinating and really makes me want to get a Syntakt!

[@SURCOlive]

@@GarHoover I could say the same. I've always been curious about the PO universe, and you make it seem so much fun. I'll have to give them a go! Thank you again!

[@creedpowell]

Yes!!!!! More GAr and Bo. This video makes me so damn happy

[@mattkaz9604]

Quality video. Good tunes and explanations, and makes these things look really appealing.

[@BoBeats]

Unless you have too big hands! See comments. Thankfully me and Gar have medium sized hands 😅👌

[@mattkaz9604]

@@BoBeats Good point. I am a giant dinosaur myself. I remember demo=ing a roland se02 in a shop and worrying that I'd trap a finger between the dials and be forced to buy it.

[@GarHoover]

@@mattkaz9604 😂 Thats wild! I know people have made hacks where they transfer the buttons of the pocket operator onto arcade style buttons to make it have more of a MPC feel and greater control!

[@mattkaz9604]

@@GarHoover Interesting. I did ponder buying one after this video to use on train trips. They do look delicate - if you throw one in your bag will it crush when it gets knocked, or are they studier than they look?

[@rockhead11]

I’m just surprised that Teenage Engineering hasn’t put a $500 price tag on them.

[@raul0ca]

I'm surprised they don't run traces through the tab on top that disables it when broken

[@GazRendar]

Gar was a perfect pick as a guest for a PO feature. Love his content and loving the summer of synths series. Good stuff!

[@GarHoover]

Hey Thank you! It was a lot of fun to be part of it!

[@CargoShorts7]

Hey great video! I’m late the the party and somehow just found out about the PO lineup and now I’m super eager to get one as a first synth/sequencer. Probably a novice question, but is that just a regular 1/8” aux cable in the line out or is it a special kind of 1/8” instrument cable? Also, if I wanted to connect a PO to a traditional interface like a Focusrite, or if I wanted to pair it with some outboard effects like guitar pedals, do I just need a 1/4” adapter?

[@bestkoreanjesus]

Make sure you test your buttons and knobs. They had a big QA issue where they were shipping out dead or defective units. So glad I recorded myself opening and testing it. They really did not want to refund me.

[@GarHoover]

Yeah I’ve heard a lot about that! I hope they increase their customer support!

[@gratedebate]

Some time ago my spouse had to have a pretty serious outpatient surgical procedure; rather rotting my brain doomscrolling on a phone I brought a Tonic, Arcade and Sub along and kept my mind occupied. How many synths can quite literally fit in a pocket and do all that those 3 could?

[@GarHoover]

That was a healthy alternative! And that is a solid trio, you have nearly everything covered!

[@returnofthegoth2220]

The Nic Cage of synths? That only makes them more attractive to me. And already own about the whole series. Love to hear you folks talking them up! Thanks for this video series, Bo!

[@GarHoover]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video! What’s your favorite PO you own?

[@returnofthegoth2220]

@@GarHoover oooo, tough call. The KO is the most versatile and so I use it most. But the Mega Man was my gateway instrument and I value it's ability to play leads. But the Arcade is a close 3rd bc of its chord synthesis. BTW the reason I see the value of the KO is bc listening to your work so thanks!

[@caxtnova]

I have no choice but to believe that you are hacking into my brain for deciding these Summer of Synth videos. First the M8, then the Syntakt, and now PO? I just got a PO-14 Submarine as a gift, and it's a ton of fun for the size and price.

[@GarHoover]

I’m glad we can continue to contribute your paranoia! They really a great time for the price and great for cooking up ideas!

[@rozzgrey801]

I've got the PO12 and PO33 and they're great fun and inspirational, and you can get brilliant 3D printed cases for them so they resemble stuff like an Akai MP.

[@Answersonapostcard]

I have the sample, beats and drum brute impact. All three are good machines in their own right. But the ones I pick up the most are the PO-12 Rhythm and the PO-20 Arcade. They are by far the most fun to use, which is what it's supposed to be about after all.

[@GarHoover]

Absolutely! I don’t have a PO-20 but they look like a lot of fun!

[@Answersonapostcard]

@@GarHoover The chord mode is lush.

[@MisterMunkki]

"The Nic Cage of synthesizers" I'll have 10 thanks

[@ruffiankick]

po-33 is like a Boss SP-202 with a sequencer

[@GarHoover]

That’s a fair way of describing it!

[@Rollur1234]

Great message. Never noticed they are designed with these store package hangars :) Great phone dial tone playing!

[@GarHoover]

Yes! I’ve always been hesitant to break off the hangars because I know people have to break them to put them in cases! I like to hang them up though!

[@Th3rdFloor]

Hey Bo,,,I reckon it’s high time you revisited Synthstrom’s Deluge,,,it’s been a while!!!

[@BoBeats]

Im sorry to say I have passed it along. I never quite gelled with it and it felt like such a waste having it just sitting there… i view it as a Me problem tho, amazing machine.

[@Th3rdFloor]

@@BoBeats sorry to hear that!,,and you are right it is indeed a unique and amazing box of tricks. Who know's, maybe one day in the not so distant future it might be sitting right in front of you again? ...i reckon it might possibly will be.🤔👍

[@16bitsound]

Love the PO's but would greatly improve usability to increase size and add some slight adjustments to form factor, you could maintain the exact same OS & board logic.

[@scottfarrell1906]

Super stuff Gar

[@GarHoover]

Thank you!!! 🎉

[@dinogoldie9716]

If somebody gifts you a PO Rhythm, Arcade, Speak or Knock Out, be grateful. You'll have a lot of fun and might actually make some surprisingly decent noises. Don't buy them yourself though. Well, maybe get the PO12 Rhythm but don't waste any more of your own money. The POs hold their resale value about as well as a net holds soup. The one/only advantage the POs possess over other budget gear is their song mode (chaining of non-consecutive patterns). Other than that? Get yourself some Volcas, A Sonicware Liven groovebox or, the newer Roland Aira Compacts. They have better functionality, connectivity and you wont lose all your money if/when you sell them on.

[@patrickbodine1300]

Whatever your choice of machines, add the nts-1. You will be blown away by what it does. Especially when you hook it up to your instruments. *ENJOY* !!!

[@CNTRRNDM]

I just love pocket operators. Can't say which my favourite one is because they're all just great...I'm kinda torn between the PO-32, the PO-33 and the PO-128...the PO-32 is an incredibly versatile drum synth and if you have Microtonic, possibilities are basically endless...the PO-33 has become my favourite dawless sampler...and the PO-128 is just so cool🤘😁🤘

[@GarHoover]

I’ve been curious about Microtonic! How easy is it to use and make sounds for the PO-32?

[@CNTRRNDM]

@@GarHoover it's super easy, actually...you really just need some basic knowledge on how to make synthesized drums to make some really cool sounding stuff...the UI is also pretty intuitive and, overall, Microtonic makes designing sounds from scratch a piece of cake...it also lets you turn your PO-32 into, let's say, an FM synth or a distorted bass synth in no time!

[@LovelyLily409]

Love it!!

[@illnaturetv831]

that beat at 3:50 is icy cold

[@KimiElectronic]

Bo, we must have some kind of spiritual connection! This morning I was thinking I need to get a PO! And a few hours later this video appeared! 😲

[@BoBeats]

we are all synced to the synth matrix 🙀

[@vertigev]

Man that's cool... Thank you!

[@Oooo-bi7bi]

I had one and it’s only because I have enough money to upgrade that I did. I would have loved them when I was younger with less money. I think they are a good idea for people who are looking at getting into making music.

[@WhiteWhiskerMusica]

Any music gear that can allow someone as UNtalented as me to get views to their channel can not be underestimated 😅 love the gang.

[@LeShark75]

I bet Vince Clarke has a few of these.. Nice video guys.

[@Jpetersson]

Looks like I'll be buying my first Pocket operator soon! 😀

[@paulbeattie1717]

I have KO and Tonic and use them more than anything else! They're there on the desk and I find myself just hitting play as i walk past it and then suddenly half an hour has gone by and I'm dancing round the room with one in each hand. Lol. Great bits of kit. The naysayers are wrong.. soooo wrong.

[@GarHoover]

That is such a great example of the power of POs they’re so immediate and are instant fun! I think that’s a great combo to have!

[@ratchetdnb9554]

Yeah the Play Button is really tempting

[@ssmith2019]

Thanks Gar !😀

[@GarHoover]

Thank you, you for watching! Hope you enjoyed it!

[@TizedesCsaba]

I wish two-keys-push-turn-ON for them. On Office sound+write turns off the unit, but any key is enough for wake-up. Why? I can't to drop it into my bag or slip into my pocket, because always turns on :((( One question: could you share outro music title?! Thanks!

[@GarHoover]

That’s true, an on-off switch would be nice! Which outro music are you talking about specifically? Could you share a time stamp for me?

[@51AM_]

The knobs are too damn finicky for me personally (I also have large hands). I have a volca sample that I get a lot more use out of. If I had to redo it all I'd probably just get koala sampler on my phone and save my money for an mpc

[@GarHoover]

That’s fair! The knobs can be particularly tricky. I know some people add an additional ring to the knob to make it easier to control!

[@kimbanevile6421]

For people of a certain size, POs are just too damn small. I have very large hands hence large fingertips. It is almost impossible for me to use a PO.

[@GarHoover]

Yes they are not designed for all hands unfortunately!

[@leewightman8619]

Im gonna order one on Friday.

[@michaelhonormusic]

I tried to go onboard with a pocket but it was not for me. They sound good but are a hazzle to work with, its a matter of taste. The lack of direct midi connection was a big no no.

[@RaskolnikovR]

Great video

[@GarHoover]

Thank you!

[@88Fitzy88]

Omg the trigger warning got me 😂😂

[@GarHoover]

Haha thank you! I’m glad someone appreciated it!!! 😂

[@sendalunar2974]

Tonic ftw!

[@GarHoover]

The tonic is immediate fun!!!

[@theshinylunchbox]

How can you not like a pocket full of fun?

[@wiggesobk]

People who are disliking Pocket Operators are toys 😂

[@Barry101er]

I have one; I just could not connect with it it, but that says more about me I think

[@BoBeats]

Totally not for everyone! No gear is.

[@Barry101er]

@@BoBeats I won’t give up-I will keep trying-I love the sounds but I just can’t get my head around it (kind of like like slap bass ;)

[@BDKabrini]

I'm glad pple thinks POs are Toys. Stay in ya Lane. That's what keeps them Unique Pple thought the TR808 909 was BS too. Ijs...

[@bistrobmusic]

I’m also a proud wearer of a cactus shirt

[@GarHoover]

Let’s Go! That’s awesome!

[@jongdonglu]

they cost a freaking fortune... heard they need extra stuff to make 1v/oct.. wish i hadnt bothered wasting my money on it its not even a good doorstop!

[@SIAKPHDLIVE]

I respect the talent here and they’re great for what they are but they really are toys. I’ll never understand wanting to work with instruments that are that small for longer than a few minutes. I say they’re great for starting out in electronic music but if you really want get down to the nitty gritty you’ll want to spend more money at some point. This of course is just my opinion.

[@JorgBarrett]

5 reasons that you have enough gear and shouldn’t waste money on what our favorite KZbinrs say

[@BoBeats]

Well, thats a slice of truth right there

[@DankePlace]

I don't have any nor intend on buying any. I get why people do, just not for me.

[@zooc8202]

Technically all instruments are toys cause you literally play with them lol

[@PojralPosral]

Thank you, to show me reason why I shouldn't buy a POCKET OPERATOR

[@pekkagronfors7304]

In the hands of the right user, they can sound perfectly OK. Personally, I think they are ridiculous toys. Maybe I'm an old vintage synth collector who doesn't know any better.

[@BoBeats]

Hey my next vid will be about how I dont like classic synths 🙀

[@scottfarrell1906]

Check out gars channel and see what he does with them. It's actually unbelievable.

[@MrWhiskybreath]

It's a rubics cube for people on the spectrum.

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

Just give me Koala Sampler on my phone $10 and less finicky

[@GeorgeLocke]

IDK sounds like a toy to me.

[@aseomg]

Imagine a world where TE's quirky out of the box synths didn't exist...

[@GarHoover]

Exactly! It would be a far more serious world with significantly smaller portable synth market!

[@daneguitarist1]

eww not for me, i dont hate them for other people, but they are not for me and my big fat hands lol

[@GarHoover]

Yeah the size can be a challenge for many!

[@Gi_Zero]

I would disagree. PO is a toy. Just toys for big boys n girls. Small buttons, nonsense form factor... Unless for live or studio.

[@jiquerez]

I don't know... Teenage Engineering has atrocious customer support and the build quality of their hardware - especially the pocket operators - is abysmal. At least for me, these are absolute NoGos, and I didn't even touch on their pricing structure, yet. If you can get teenage engineering hardware used for below half price, I say go for it. They're really fun to toy around with and especially the pocket operators are fun little idea machines!

[@ZenMountain]

The one and only reason is you guys want to make a buck.

[@GarHoover]

Interesting take, but notice my argument in the video is not to convince you to buy a pocket operator. My argument is to show why pocket operators are cool and the potential they can have. Thanks!

[@TheMCCraftingTable]

Excellent. I have been using my PO less and less since getting NTS-1. I know the PO's deserve more love :D

[@GarHoover]

The NTS-1 and the POs are great together especially when using the NTS-1’s effects!

[@patrickbodine1300]

Excellent combo, imho.

[@genepozniak]

NOT COOL. 🤕It's not that they aren't a great musical device. It's that they are NOT GREEN! Give us a plug-in adapter and they won't make me feel guilty about battery pollution. 🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋....

[@BoBeats]

I think there is a plugin adapter from MyVolts no?

[@genepozniak]

@@BoBeats Wow! Thank you for getting me up to date! It's so weird: Sometime over a year ago, when I searched YT for a PO adapter, all I found was some guy's home-made device; but since then, I don't think I've gotten more than a handful of suggestions from YT for videos about POs at all. KZbin has simply become more hyperfocused on TELLING me what I want to watch (for ad revenue) than LISTENING to MY preferences. It even subscribes me to channels without my permission (Have you noticed that?). Let's hope YT gets some serious competition soon! Thanks again, Bo! :-)