When most people think of Teenage Engineering, they think of the OP-1: the quirky, stylish and prohibitively expensive synth and sampler that inspires adoration and animosity in equal measure.
Whether or not you’re a fan of the OP-1 and its younger siblings, the $1,999 OP-1 Field and $2,299 OP-XY (and we are), most people would agree that they’re at least a touch overpriced. (Not to mention the $1,599 desk that Teenage Engineering suggests you perch them on.)
But not every product in the elusive Swedish manufacturer's line-up requires a bank loan to take home. In fact, what may well be Teenage Engineering’s best-selling release also happens to be one of the most affordable music-making gadgets on the market: the humble Pocket Operator. Built from little more than a circuit board, an LCD screen and a handful of knobs and buttons, these miniature marvels have sold close to a million units since launching in 2015.
The beloved series of pocket-sized instruments reaches its 10th birthday this year, and Teenage Engineering is celebrating with a backwards glance at the history of the product line and the launch of a competition that gives you the chance to win all nine of these deconstructed calculator lookalikes.
Teenage Engineering’s #PO10DIY contest invites PO fans to submit DIY “ideas, videos and designs” involving the Pocket Operator - the previous edition’s submissions include everything from a case in the style of a chunky ‘80s mobile phone to a retro keytar controller - with the winner taking home the entire range, second place snagging a PO-80 portable record cutter and third place landing a personalized Pocket Operator of their choice.
Over at the company’s website, Teenage Engineering charts the history of the Pocket Operator, starting with its beta release at the 2014 Moogfest and the official launch of the PO-10 series - initially a collaboration with fashion brand Cheap Monday - at NAMM 2015. The original trio consisted of the PO-12 Rhythm, a bare-bones drum machine, the PO-14 Sub bass synth and the PO-16 Factory, a charmingly lo-fi lead synth.
The range has since expanded to include six more Pocket Operators, spanning the PO-33 K.O.! sampler - itself the inspiration for the beefed-up EP-133 K.O. II - the PO-35 Speak speech synthesizer and the PO-24 Office, a groovebox inspired by vintage office equipment. Teenage Engineering has also released a number of limited-edition collaborative POs, including Rick and Morty and Street Fighter-themed variations on the concept.
Head over to Teenage Engineering’s website to find out more.
