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Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16 Factory

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Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16 Factory

^# 15

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$72.00 to $89.00 Price Tier: Budget

4.0 (36)

8 Reviews

Find out who is using Teenage Engineering PO-16 Factory

11 wishlisted

89 saved

Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 5 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

4.5 (173)

$89.00

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5.0 (6)

$73.90 13 available New

$69.71 1 available Used

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4.8 (8)

$89.00

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4.4 (38)

$73.00 $72.00 $1.00

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£39.99

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Average Price: $79

Budget/Beginner

$249

$700+

Price Tier

In the Tabletop Synthesizers category, Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16 Factory is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16 Factory". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 22, 2026.

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Description

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Dive into the world of synthesis with the Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16 Factory, a powerhouse of creativity that fits in your pocket. Perfect for beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike, this compact synthesizer packs a punch with its intuitive design and versatile features. From crafting unique melodies to experimenting with rhythms, the PO-16 Factory is your go-to for musical exploration, wherever you are. Its playful interface, adorned with engaging animations, makes music creation accessible and fun, offering endless possibilities for sonic innovation.

Key Features:

16-step sequencer and arpeggiator for intricate patterns and melodies
Three distinct synth engines for a wide range of sounds
16 onboard effects to sculpt and refine your musical ideas
Compact and portable design, ideal for music creation on the move
User-friendly interface with engaging visual feedback

Owner's manual

Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16 Factory User Manual

Product specs

Available since	April 2015
Number Of Keys	16
Touch-Sensitive	No
Aftertouch	No
Split Zones	No
Modulation Wheel	No
Number of simultaneous Voices	16
Sound Engine	FM Synthesis
MIDI interface	None
Storage Medium	Internal
USB-port	No
Effects	Multieffect processor
Arpeggiator	Yes
Number of Analog Outputs	1
Digital Output	No
Display	Yes
Pedal Connections	None
Dimensions	124 x 60 x 28 mm
Weight	0,1 kg

FAQs

What type of synthesis does the Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16 Factory use?: The PO-16 Factory utilizes FM synthesis, allowing it to generate a wide range of complex and dynamic sounds suitable for creating unique melodies and textures.
How many voices can the PO-16 Factory synth produce simultaneously?: The PO-16 Factory can produce up to 16 simultaneous voices, providing ample polyphony for creating layered and intricate soundscapes.
Does the PO-16 Factory have a built-in arpeggiator?: Yes, the PO-16 Factory includes a built-in arpeggiator, enabling users to create rhythmic patterns and melodic sequences with ease.
Is the Teenage Engineering PO-16 Factory compatible with MIDI devices?: The PO-16 Factory does not have a MIDI interface, so it cannot directly connect to MIDI devices. However, it can be synced with other Pocket Operators for collaborative performances.
What kind of power supply does the PO-16 Factory require?: The PO-16 Factory is powered by two AAA batteries, making it highly portable and easy to use on the go without needing an external power source.
Can the PO-16 Factory be used for live performances?: Yes, the PO-16 Factory is well-suited for live performances due to its compact size, built-in effects, and ability to sync with other Pocket Operators, making it a versatile tool for live electronic music setups.

Videos

Add video

teenage engineering

PO-16 factory

teenage engineering

TE PO-16 Factory Introduction

Red Means Recording

Pocket Operator PO16 - Factory Review

sonicstate

Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16 Factory - Demo & Tutorial

PMTVUK

Teenage Engineering PO-16 Factory Arpeggio Demo

Russo Music

Teenage Engineering PO-16 Factory Overview

Perfect Circuit

Teenage Engineering PO-16 Factory Pocket Operator

Guitar Center

Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16 Factory

tomohiro nakamura

Reviews

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PROS

Compact and highly portable
Impressive sound quality for its size
Built-in sequencer, arpeggiator, and effects
Syncs well with other gear
Good battery life for extended use
Offers surprising depth for sound exploration
Fun and engaging for all skill levels
Encourages musical creativity on-the-go

CONS

Screen prone to cracking if dropped
Construction feels exposed and vulnerable to corrosion
Limited to C Major scale, reducing musical versatility
Some find the buttons small and tricky to press
Volume control can be uneven across multiple devices
Feels more like a toy than a professional instrument to some

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16 Factory.

Features and functionality

0 0

The PO-16 Factory allows one melody line and one drum line to be played simultaneously, providing unique layering capabilities compared to other Pocket Operators.
Source
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Turning knob B while holding a step might adjust the note length, indicated by the LED length, though specific functionality varies across different PO models.
Source
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The LCD displays a unique number for each drum sound, allowing users to identify and select sounds for sequencing by holding a step and turning the left encoder.
Source
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The right encoder can also be used to tweak drum sounds further, providing additional customization for each step in the sequence.
Source

User experience

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Users have expressed confusion over the effect of the "keyoo" and "style" buttons, noting that holding these should reset the pattern without altering the melody.
Source
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Despite following official guides, some owners find the drum sound sequencing process unintuitive, indicating a learning curve or possible design oversight.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

A user-created guide on Imgur offers detailed insights into the chord progressions for harmonizing with other devices, useful for those without music theory knowledge.
Source

Setup and maintenance

0 0

The battery insert trick (write + pattern) may not effectively reset patterns to factory settings, indicating a potential gap in user control over memory management.
Source
0 0

Users report challenges in switching drum sounds for sequences, suggesting a potential glitch that requires real-time live playing to introduce different sounds.
Source

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 8 Reviews and 36 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

futurekitsune

151

about 9 years ago

Awesome Little Jam Machine

This is actually a surprisingly good portable groovebox. Sadly, there isn't any direct polyphony, just a chord mode, but it still is very powerful. This little box has 15 tweekable synths and a great 16 sound drum set, all of which make it awesome for performance and for sampling into your daw or hardware sampler. All in all, if you want a sequencer/synth/drum machine that's affordable, flexible, and doesn't take up prime real estate, this is it.

john_withers

815

over 7 years ago

Tons of portable fun

I often take a few of these Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators with me when I travel along with their OP-1. Great fun and can jam with the kids as painful as it sounds! hehe The factory is a basic lead synth with a drum track and built in step sequencer and a parameter sequencer as in most of the PO's.

dongwon_oh

130

over 7 years ago

My first PO.

Fun little thing. Through this I got interested in synth and sound exploration. Expanded my sonic and musical horizon a bunch

mutemachine

391

over 10 years ago

limited

I like some of the synth sounds I can make with this synth but it is very limited, I feel like it would be better if I could make synths with this. it feels more like a toy than an instrument

lq8

over 8 years ago

HARD TO USEIDK HOW TO USE THIS???????????????????????????

but the sounds are good except for in demo pros cons neutrals - sounds pretty good |- compact (may lose, but won't not never un-bring with you) /- ??????????????????????HoW to use ()P-16

voxhumanamusiccurators

183

almost 9 years ago

my first PO. Best pocket synth ever!

Amazing synth...you have to try it to believe it...Just..don´t underestimate it for its size!....it´s incredible...

Roles:

Guitarist Keyboardist Composer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Pop

txufowilson

121

almost 11 years ago

Fun Factory

Pocket synth and sequencer station. More possibilities than you think.

komaelectronic

over 8 years ago

Loss of Sound

Only gripe is the loss of sound when linking multiple POs together.

Artist usage

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Deadmau5

Music Producer

BSOD

Verified via YouTube

At 1:15:36, Joel holds up his Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16 towards the camera.

Virtual Riot

Music Producer, DJ

Verified via Instagram

In this Instagram video, Virtual Riot can be seen making a song with the Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16.

Sylvan Esso

Music Producer

Verified via Twitter

The PO-16 is seen here, differentiated by its orange knobs

CUCKOO

Singer, Keyboardist

Verified via YouTube

Cuckoo is also clearly seen using the PO-16 Factory in the same YouTube video as before.

Leftfield

Music Producer

Verified via Facebook

In a Facebook post, Leftfield is shown using the Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16 Factory.

The Toxic Avenger

Music Producer

Verified via Facebook

at the 0:39 mark you can see this synth in the bottom left corner

Jason Boland

Bassist

Kodaline

Verified via Twitter

In a Twitter post, Jason Boland is pictured with the Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16 Factory, humorously referring to it as a "toy" for public transport.