Pocket Operator: Hip and Portable Electronic Music Makers

The Pocket Operator 10 Series is a line of electronic music makers by the technology brand Teenage Engineering and the fashionCheap Monday. The initial collection includes retro-styled Factory, Sub, and Rhythm models with distinct sounds and colorways.

The Rhythm features a drum synthesizer, sewing machine graphics on the LCD display, and green keys. The Sub boasts a bass line synthesizer, submarine animations, and blue keys. Last but not least, the Factory rounds out the set with a melody synthesizer, arpeggio and chord play styles, factory imagery, and orange keys.

Each of the models fits in the user’s pocket and is made with the same quality components, such as a crystal clock with an alarm and a built-in Knowles speaker. The Pocket operators are outfitted with a real synthesizer, an auto compressor, a hardware limiter, a step multiplier, sync, a 16-step sequencer with parameter locks, and re-trig and 16 punch-in effects. All of the controls are wired onto a single circuit board, placed under the LCD screen for safety. No outer case is needed, and the design rocks the deconstructed look.
Nonetheless, there is a rubberized case available, along with other accessories such as a keyboard and a remote. The gear and the Pocket Operators themselves can be bought online from Teenage Engineering and in select stores internationally. The PO is priced at $59 and comes with a handy folding stand.