Synthesizer-heavy music was pretty big in the 80s up to the 90s and so were the equipment required to make those trance-inducing music. But that was then. These days making synthesized music is literally pocket size, thanks to development like the Pocket Operator from Stockholm-based outfit, Teenage Engineering. Created in collaboration with Swedish fashion brand Cheap Monday, this calculator-like, pocket-size device is actual music machine that lets you create electronic tunes in your own terms. Everything that you need to create music is contained with a single circuit board, which boast a LCD display with animated graphics appropriate to its music type, along with a host of quality electronics including real synthesizer engines, built-in speaker sourced from Knowles, Silabs EFM 32 Gecko CPU, Cirrus Logic DAC, and even an alarm clock.
The device is intentionally left bare without case to keep the cost down, so it will be affordable to the consumers. Actually, it had to, because there is not one, not two, but three models available and honestly, we didn’t think digital music enthusiasts would be satisfy with just one style. The three models are Rhythm (PO-12), which is basically a drum machine, a bass line creator called Sub (PO-14), and finally, there is the Factory (PO-16), a melody synthesizer. See what we mean? You can’t possibly just own one if you fancy a full synthesize band sound. Obviously, all three can be rigged together to form a whole digital band. In case, you don’t quite fancy your device being naked and all exposed, Teenage Engineering is also offering a silicone pro cases for them too. The case offers anti-slip feet, battery protection, plus professional feel buttons. The Teenage Engineering x Cheap Monday Pocket Operator is available as we speaker, priced at $59 and up.