Why The PO-33 is Perfect for Beginners!

Why The PO-33 is Perfect for Beginners!
Today we're talking about why I think the PO-33 is a perfect instrument for beginners in electronic music who have already picked up a synth or drum machine and are wondering what to get next. The PO-33 is simply the most affordable way to "tie a setup together" so to speak, allowing the user to bring sounds from gear that they already have and unite them in one device, with the intention of starting to write music! No other hardware (yes, I know Koala Sampler exists) can provide the cohesion of setup that the PO-33 does at it's price, and that makes it perfect for beginners. Enjoy the video :)
GEAR IN THIS VIDEO
Teenage Engineering PO-33 KO: amzn.to/3LvVMLd
Korg Volca Keys: amzn.to/3acldoh
Teenage Engineering PO-32 Tonic: amzn.to/3Mqoz5f
Zoom Livetrak L-12 (audio recorder): amzn.to/3wvcQgd
CHECK OUT GAR HOOVER FOR AWESOME PO SONGS AND MORE
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[@Sadiquecat]

The Po-33 is one of my fav groove boxes ever. It can sound full on it's own, it's easy to use, light, relatively cheap (compared to music gear). And most importantly, a intuitive to use sampler ! All in all, a strong recommendation from my part too !

[@FreeBeat]

It's really the perfect first look into so many aspects of electronic music, or just music in general. TE knocked it out of the park for sure!

[@Sadiquecat]

Just finished the video : I must say you did a really good job at demo-ing some possibilities on sound, and ways to use it, and "what it's all about", in such a concise video I'm impressed. Also as a regular po-33 user, I must say I very rarely bump in the 40s sampling time when making one track. 5-8s goes into drums. 3-5s in each melodic/bass element and I usually end up having 12s or so to spare. I won't lie it's a limit I bump into from time to time, but it's not nearly as limiting as I feared before having it.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, once you learn how to use your rhythmic slots for individual sounds, the 40 seconds really opens up!

[@edgeof60]

Add another $100 for an NTS-1 and you've got a great effects processor and synth accompaniment to fatten up that lo-fi PO sound, for the perfect beginner combo.

[@FreeBeat]

Definitely, not to mention the fact that you can sample the NTS-1 too! Thanks for watching :)

[@free2muse]

Excellent vid. Just picked up one of these. You’ve given me new inspiration to sample a synth I also have.

[@FreeBeat]

Awesome, have fun!

[@vertigev]

This is a really good video Freebeat, I have a P0 and never even thought to sample my synths with it... Thank you!

[@FreeBeat]

Oh you're about to have so much fun, I promise! Thanks for watching :)

[@kazeria1098]

Another great video from the coolest channel around. Decided. I have to get the PO 33. Already have PO 12 and PO 20 (this one due to your recommendations, it´s great) and since years ago I have some lovely Volcas. Adding the PO 33, it´ll become into an infinite world of possibilites. Nice.

[@FreeBeat]

Oh yeah, the PO-33 will boost that setup into the stratosphere! Thanks for watching :)

[@etenbroeck]

I purchased a PO 33 through your link, can't wait to make some proper beats! E

[@FreeBeat]

Awesome, thank you! Have fun and feel free to ask any questions :)

[@majasobiech1258]

Great timing, I've just recently got my own po-33 but untill now I didn't dive into its possibilities that much, mostly because of lack of free time. Now I have a bit more time for myself so I hope I'll finally manage to play a bit more and your video reminded me how much I can do with this little device.

[@FreeBeat]

Time to dive in, have a blast!

[@SimpleHold]

I don’t have a PO-33, but I agree that a sampler can be a helpful songwriting tool. Even sampling yourself playing a chord progression or melodic phrase, you can trim the sample or use different start times to hear what you played in an unexpected way, which can be inspiring.

[@FreeBeat]

Absolutely!

[@RaverOperatorGeeza]

Thanks for your video yesterday on LSDJ. I've been watching tutorials and making some sounds all if this evening and really enjoyed it! An amazing tool! Just as the PO-33 is too. It was my first unit and I enjoy using it still. If like to learn how to synch it up with the MPC One, but yeah even as a standalone micro-sampler and sequencer, it's great!!

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@ryanreach3710]

I bought one in January and haven't made a beat in my DAW since .. love this thing! Great vid!

[@FreeBeat]

That's awesome! Thanks so much for watching :)

[@howardanderson3061]

You’re PO chops are really up there and the PO KO is a great little monster sampler

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks Howard!

[@TrickmanTerry]

Great vid! My first KZbin music video was with the PO-33. Very cool little device. Also shout out to PO-32 for importing drums through Microtonic, and PO-35 for also sampling, but making those samples "synth-like" and turning the sounds into editable instruments.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, the three of them really do make an awesome grouping. Sampling the PO-35 into the PO-33 is also a lot of fun to get access to the PO-33's awesome punch-in effects! Thanks for watching :)

[@Ariel51_artist]

Had mine since last September and I’m already able to make beats my friends can rap over. It’s really a great device. And something that a beginner like me can actually use to make cool beats

[@FreeBeat]

That's awesome, glad you're loving the 33! Thanks for watching :)

[@kmk4960]

And it works well with Koala!!!! I use PO with Koala all the time!!! The PO 33 is as good as the SU10 and MS-1 (Yamaha and Roland)!!!! Great Vid!!

[@ryanreach3710]

How though? What sync mode do you out the PO to? I tried this with aux out from Koala to the input of my PO33, got not sound and it doesn't let me play anythi g. Sync out mode was on in Koala settings (samurai edition)

[@kmk4960]

@@ryanreach3710 kzbin.info/www/bejne/opzYfaivpL-ofpY

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@ElectronicChateau]

I bought one last year, messed about with it for a few days and went back to Ableton. Starting to go more dawless though so might be time to get it out the cupboard 😂 Love your content bud 👍

[@otterlyfoxed]

Great video. PO-33 was my first step into electronic music and now I’m jamming with an MPC One. Still carry my 33 when I’m out and about though!

[@planetfour]

I can completely attest that this bad boy is one great gateway into electronic music, as I sit hear a year later with tons of gadgets and little tracks I've made

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, it's crazy just how inspiration the 33 still is for most folks, even years after getting it haha. Just a great piece of gear, thanks for watching!

[@planetfour]

@@FreeBeat haha freebeat you are definitely another big part of that gateway over the last year, thank you! Admire your hustle!

[@fickbasterd]

this is true only acoustic gear then po33 then op1 now op1 field and all because of your channel TE is just an amazing company i so damn love my op1 it is by far the best piece i have besides my strat

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@zooblestyx]

Bravo, sir! Bravo! In my view, the PO-33 is the crowning engineering achievement of the line. It's got such excellent immediacy and simplicity, while also being unexpectedly powerful. Next, will you do Why The PO-20 is Also Perfect for Beginners? 😁

[@FreeBeat]

Hmm, I'm not actually sure if the Arcade is that great for beginners haha. It's pretty complex, the chord feature can be very confusing (especially because it transposes notes without telling you). It's a great PO, but probably not my first recommendation for someone new. Thanks for watching!

[@Death_Rave]

I make better grooves in 20 minutes than I'd ever make with a whole day on Ableton. It's great for entry-level, and I'd say it's great for pros as well! Just got my new KO yesterday and I already made a house banger that I'll probably erase 😂 love this thing.

[@CNTRRNDM]

oh yeah! the PO-33 is DEFINITELY a (or even THE) perfect entry-level sampler! you can't go wrong with the PO-33/PO-133!!!

[@FreeBeat]

Absolutely!

[@walrtbstudios5430]

Gar Hoover is a genius- the uncrowned king of the PO-33.

[@FreeBeat]

Absolutely!

[@mikejpounder]

That was a sweet little track you made there

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks haha, I was quite pleased with it too. It's in the PO album sketchbook now lol.

[@jonasbrinkworse5436]

It's very interesting when you position this sampler as the center, the beat- or songmaker of a musical proces. I've been struggling with how to not, at any obstacle, put it down and pull up koala sampler. I really want to use this, for the immediacy of it - and the cuteness - but it's a difficult battle against the koala. Objectively speaking, the ease with which this records sounds is its first advantage, and that's a big one! Great video as always. I'm definitely gonna dust off my volca keys, which in itself was also limited of sorts... but I'm gonna try what you do here.

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much! It's a lot of fun when you pair it with other hardware, it should be great combined with your Volca Keys :)

[@RaverOperatorGeeza]

@Eduarto Brito, my reply keeps getting deleted: Koala sampler is in fact cheaper and more powerful, but, it is 100% touch screen and can at times be frustrating, but, it is REALLY good...

[@AutisticCuriosity]

Great video! You said ‘one of the best things a beginner can do is learn how music works together’ could you please direct me to a video that does exactly that with being incredibly technical. I’ve searched and I can’t find anything simple and direct like your videos. Thanks

[@FreeBeat]

Unfortunately that's not really something that can be covered in a video haha. It's a bit hard to describe, and sort of something that everyone has to figure out on their own. Music is a funny thing, there are rules, but they aren't really rules. And typically, those who break the rules are the ones who succeed. Then, folks make new rules based off of the rule breakers lol. I know this is a question that you've asked many times in the past, but there really isn't a simple answer. You'll find the answer yourself, through experimentation and experience. Thanks for watching, as always!

[@axoid]

This will be my next pocket operator

[@FreeBeat]

Awesome, I hope you love it!

[@mutecommercials]

Just found a used PO-33 for $60, you better believe I bought that thing immediately!!

[@SonicVibe]

My favorite way to use po 33 is record my sample to a drum 🥁 kit slots it splits the sample into 16 pad chops , edit chops play chops over drum 🪘 loop 🔁 then Wala

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, that's so much fun, I also like importing individual samples into my own kits haha. Thanks for watching!

[@SonicVibe]

@@FreeBeat Seriously though I wonder if I should buy a couple KO‘s or maybe a street fighter I have most of the other ones but if they don’t make them anymore I kind of wanna back up K0 at least seriously for someone wanting to sample and start out it’s kinda perfect 👍

[@DavidDeLuge]

Do you think you'll be getting any of the Roland Aira Compact range?

[@FreeBeat]

No comment (stay tuned) :D

[@bigbizz118]

I tried putting a drump kit on 9 to 16 one I hit the rec button it says full any suggestions

[@evankeal]

Agree, I found the seemingly simpler 12 less intuitive. One thing I have found, but not necessarily well known, is that if you alter the instant you engage an effect by the tiniest bit, the results are dramatically different for many of the effects. I've yet to find an instrument that let's you "burn to tape" effects like this does with zero effort.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, the gen 1 PO's definitely have some interface and workflow issues haha. That's a great tip about the punch in effects as well, that works REALLY well with some of the Speak and Tonic effects too! Thanks for watching :)

[@wiggesobk]

Everybody should have a PO-33 😁👍

[@FreeBeat]

I agree!

[@barakomamma]

Can someone explain what he means by 'plates'?

[@edbrito-swdev]

Any other hardware sampler around the same price? I have an Arcade and love it but I'm thinking a sampler could be cool too

[@RaverOperatorGeeza]

Koala sampler is in fact cheaper and more powerful, but, it is 100% touch screen and can at times be frustrating, but, it is REALLY good...

[@dfkman]

A used volca sample is roughly in the same price category, but if it's a first gen loading samples can be kind of a PITA

[@RaverOperatorGeeza]

@@dfkman what is PITA?

[@baltimega]

@@RaverOperatorGeeza of course you can pair koala sampler with a midi keyboard like the Novation launchkey midi or the korg mikrokey, but that adds in its own frustrations with set up and dongles

[@RaverOperatorGeeza]

@@baltimega I added a KORG nano-key2, but koala sampler would only play 4 notes despite my efforts. I did see it was possible when free breast demonstrated it, so I was a little disappointed, but it's still an amazing app! Thanks for your reply :)

[@88Fitzy88]

Oh did u get a new KO?? I remember yours being broken

[@FreeBeat]

I was lucky enough to have an awesome viewer send me a new one back in January, thanks for watching!

[@jonasbarka]

What happened to your multicam setup?

[@FreeBeat]

I tried it for most of January and so many people complained, and my views dropped big time. So I just decided to get rid of it for now lol. Thanks for watching!

[@jonasbarka]

@@FreeBeat I really liked it, but I guess stats don't lie.

[@jasonp5918]

The knobs on mine have too much bounce for me to recommend this. Trying to trim a sample is more bothersome than it should be. For the price point, the knobs should not be this bad.

[@FreeBeat]

Interesting, I wonder if you have faulty unit. The two I've had (and the PO-133) are just fine for trimming. Thanks for watching!

[@Death_Rave]

If you pitch the samples super low, it's alot easier to more finely trim the start/end points (; If your knobs are messed tho, then rip 💀

[@hitmixhyepock9405]

I'm buying either this or the Street Fighter....I don't know if I want all the SF sound effects or the KO's.

[@Sadiquecat]

I could be wrong, but fairly sure the save (backup) files are interchangeable. The only difference in sounds would be what you get upon factory resetting the sounds.

[@Ariel51_artist]

Go with the KO. The street fighter sounds are awful

[@FreeBeat]

They're basically the same unit, but the Street Fighter is $10 cheaper (at least in the US on Amazon), and has a bit better screen interface for editing sounds. Thanks for watching!

[@hitmixhyepock9405]

@@FreeBeat no thank you lol. You are how I discovered the Pocket Operators.

[@wuji69]

Maybe I misunderstood

[@wuji69]

Be good if da hands did sign language

[@brianfarr2292]

dont do that with your hands

[@respobabs]

"Talking with hands" video = unwatchable

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for the engagement either way!

[@respobabs]

@@FreeBeat It will be the last

[@Algoritmarte]

Returned mine after 3 days, cheap but unusable toy :-)

[@FreeBeat]

I definitely wouldn't say that, many folks have proven the Pocket Operators to be great, serious, music making devices. I'm currently working on an entire PO album!

[@Algoritmarte]

@@FreeBeat Yes, reading the comments here it seems that they are heavily (and seriously) used. I reported my experience, after getting an MPC-One I have never regretted it (perhaps you need 4-5 OPs to cover the same functions, so the price difference is minimal). And on the "portable" side, there is absolutely no comparison (in usability/tweakability) with a groovebox like the MC-101.