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"Pocket operator" is just the size of the device they're making. There are lots of them from samplers (like you're seeing) to little synthesizers: https://teen
by blhack 7y ago
"Pocket operator" is just the size of the device they're making. There are lots of them from samplers (like you're seeing) to little synthesizers: https://teenage.engineering/products/po#features https://teenage.engineering/products/po#features
Regardless, these are driving the concept of small, packagable audio devices, which eventually leads to modular synthesizers.
- ralfd 7y agoStupid question, but what is the advantage of having this as a hardware device instead of an iPad/Phone App?
- 0xdeadbeefbabe 7y agoMarx and Mumford may approve of this approach. The batteries are cheaper.
- barbecue_sauce 7y agoThey look cooler and have actual buttons and knobs?
- rtkwe 7y agoThey fit a little easier into certain audio chains too. The POs have an in and out audio jack and use them to synchronize with a lot of other small instruments so they all play at the same tempo and can start and stop all at once.
- praptak 7y agoI'm not sure if a generic phone's DA converter can match the signal quality of a specialized circuit.
- jack12 7y agoThe Pocket Operators are just a generic DAC+amp chip, the Cirrus CS42L52. The DAC is driven by a 48MHz MCU with just 32K of RAM. If it were purely a question of technical / hardware capabilities it would all fit into an app ten times over. http://hackingthepo.weebly.com/ http://hackingthepo.weebly.com/ has a terrifically detailed teardown of a PO-16. Or SiLabs (the MCU's manufacturer) did a marketing video / interview with one of the Pocket Operator's designers about the hardware design: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjrOnlMkJHU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjrOnlMkJHU
- starsinspace 7y agoMost importantly: having real physical controls (buttons, knobs, etc) makes a huge difference. Tapping fingers on a hard glass surface just isn't the same. Also, the joy of a single-purpose device which makes it easier to get deeply into it. Also means no notifications or other distractions.