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Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-33 KO!

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Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-33 KO!

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$91.00 to $99.00 Price Tier: Budget

4.5 (31)

3 Critic Reviews

2 Reviews

Find out who is using Teenage Engineering PO-33 KO

9 community setups

27 wishlisted

226 saved

Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (3)

$99.00

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$99.00

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5.0 (24)

$99.00 14 available New

$65.68 8 available Used

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4.7 (29)

$99.00

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4.5 (226)

$91.00

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£79.99

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$99.00

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Average Price: $93

Budget/Beginner

$249

$700+

Price Tier

In the Tabletop Synthesizers category, Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-33 KO! 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 4 merchants for "Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-33 KO!". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash your creativity with the Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-33 KO!, a compact powerhouse designed for musicians and DJs who crave portability without sacrificing functionality. This micro sampler is more than meets the eye, offering an impressive suite of features packed into its handheld frame. Whether you're on stage or crafting beats on the go, the PO-33 KO! is your ideal musical companion.

At the heart of this tabletop synthesizer is its integrated microphone, allowing you to capture sounds on the fly with up to 40 seconds of sampling time. With 8 melody sample slots and 8 drum slots, crafting intricate beats and melodies has never been easier. The 16-step sequencer and 16 patterns give you the flexibility to layer and manipulate your samples, while the 16 effects add unique textures to your sound.

The PO-33 KO! isn't just about sound; it's about style and convenience too. Featuring an animated LC-display, the device provides a visually engaging way to interact with your music. Its line in and output 3.5 mm jacks ensure seamless connectivity with other devices, and the integrated speaker allows you to share your creations instantly. Powered by two AAA batteries, this little device boasts a battery life that can last up to a month, making it perfect for spontaneous jams without the worry of running out of power.

Key Features:

Integrated microphone for sampling
40 seconds of sampling time
8 melody and 8 drum sample slots
16-step sequencer with 16 patterns
16 effects for sound manipulation
Animated LC-display
Line in and output 3.5 mm jacks
Integrated speaker
Runs on 2 AAA batteries with up to a month of battery life
Automatic shutdown and lock tab write protection
Jam Sync and integrated alarm features
Bent wire stand for easy setup

Owner's manual

Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-33 KO! User Manual

Product specs

Available since	February 2018
Polyphony	4
Internal Storage	Yes
Storage Medium	Flash Memory
File Format	Own Format
Time Stretching	No
Effects	Yes
USB-port	No
MIDI interface	No
Analogue Inputs	1
Analogue Outputs	1
Digital Outputs	No
Display	Yes
Sequencer	Yes
Design	Desktop

FAQs

What can I sample with the Teenage Engineering PO-33 KO!?: The PO-33 KO! features a built-in microphone for sampling any sound around you, and it offers 8 melodic sample slots and 8 drum slots for diverse sound creation.
Does the PO-33 KO! have effects and how many?: Yes, the PO-33 KO! includes 16 effects, allowing you to creatively alter your samples and enhance your music production.
How long is the sample memory on the PO-33 KO!?: The Teenage Engineering PO-33 KO! provides up to 40 seconds of sample memory, giving you ample space to capture and manipulate sounds.
Is the PO-33 KO! suitable for live performances?: With its sequencer, parameter locks, and jam sync capabilities, the PO-33 KO! is well-suited for live performances, allowing for dynamic and interactive music creation on stage.
Can the PO-33 KO! be used with other music gear?: Yes, the PO-33 KO! features 3.5 mm audio input and output, making it compatible with other music gear for expanded sound possibilities and integration into larger setups.

Videos

Add video

Red Means Recording

TE PO-33 K.O! Introduction

Red Means Recording

Using PO-33 K.O! from Teenage Engineering , complete in depth guide tutorial.

XNB

PO-33 KO! 1 Year Review.

Ollie Loops

Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-33 K.O! Micro Sampler - Tutorial & Demo

PMTVUK

Why The PO-33 is Perfect for Beginners!

Free Beat

PO-33 KO! by Teenage Engineering - Complete introduction

SPVIDZ

Teenage Engineering PO-33 K.O! | UNBOXING & TUTORIAL

Stamatis Stabos

Reviews

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PROS

Excellent for chopping samples and sparking creativity
Highly portable, perfect for on-the-go music creation
Built-in microphone enables sampling anything, anywhere
Fun and intuitive play with 16 key buttons tuned to a scale
Effective high-pass/low-pass filter for dissecting samples
Powerful sequencer allows for complete beat creation
Can sync with other gear like Volcas seamlessly
Long battery life for extended use
Offers granular-like sample trimming and real-time pitch shifting
Unique lo-fi sound adds character to music

CONS

Limited sampling time can be restrictive
Trimming and slicing samples can be tricky to master
Monophonic limitation hinders layering samples
Sequencer's 4-note polyphony limits complexity of beats
Quantization in live mode may not suit all styles
Silicone casing obstructs visibility of step LEDs
Accidental deletion of sounds or patterns with no undo option
Lock tab can break, requiring soldering for repair

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-33 KO!.

Features and functionality

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The PO-33 is limited to mono sounds, 40 seconds of sample time, and 4 voices of polyphony, making it simple yet charming for quick, gritty music creation.
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The KO II offers significant upgrades with 999 sample slots, 12 tracks, and built-in effects like reverb, providing more flexibility for complex compositions.
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The PO-33's tactile feel is often highlighted as a major advantage, providing a distinct physical interaction that differs from touchscreen interfaces.
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The PO-33's lack of MIDI capabilities limits its use in DAWless setups, relying instead on sync pulses for basic synchronization.
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Use cases and applications

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The PO-33 excels in creating sample-based jazz house, lo-fi hip hop, and jungle music, thanks to its punch FX and focus on sample discovery.
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The KO II is recommended for genres like dub techno, lo-fi house, and trap/hip-hop, with its advanced features like scale mode and off-grid drumming.
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Several users find the PO-33's limitations foster creativity, pushing them to complete tracks quickly, unlike more feature-rich apps that can lead to unfinished projects.
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The PO-33 is described as a "sketch pad" for quick sampling, ideal for on-the-go use but not suited for full track production.
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Value and pricing

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The KO II, although three times the cost of the PO-33, is considered to be at least ten times more powerful, offering better sample quality and more advanced features.
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Comparisons

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Some users find the PO-33's limitations add to its charm and immediacy, while the KO II's expanded features make it a more versatile choice for serious sampling.
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The Novation Circuit Tracks is frequently preferred over the PO-33 for beginners due to its user-friendly interface and expandability with additional sound packs.
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The Sonicware Liven series, especially the XFM model, is noted for its built-in speakers, battery use, and robust sequencer, making it a competitive alternative to the PO-33.
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User experience

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Owners frequently mention the PO-33's portability, noting its convenience for capturing and playing samples on the go, despite its delicate build.
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Some users report the PO-33's interface as difficult and imprecise, with steppy filters and pots that jump, affecting the overall workflow.
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Software and compatibility

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It's noted that the PO-33 can integrate with software like Koala for sample collection and manipulation, enhancing its functionality despite limited internal memory.
Source

Critic Reviews

Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-33 KO! & PO-35 Speak

soundonsound.com

Teenage Engineering's PO-33 KO! is a tiny powerhouse of sampling creativity, delivering fun-size sampling mayhem with its compact design and engaging performance effects. The PO-33 KO! offers eight melodic sample voices and eight slice players, allowing for creative experimentation on the go. However, its fixed scale for melodic samples and lo-fi audio quality may not suit everyone's taste. The need to hold two buttons while recording can be cumbersome, but its parameter automation and live performance effects offer intriguing possibilities. Overall, this pocket-sized sampler is a great tool for generating ideas quickly and is a delightful addition for spontaneous music-making.

positive

Full Review

macProVideo.com

macprovideo.com

Teenage Engineering's PO-33 KO! is a pocket-sized powerhouse, offering a fun and intuitive sampling experience with its micro sampler and sequencer capabilities. With 40 seconds of sampling time, it's perfect for creating cut-up sequences and glitchy patterns on the go. The onboard mic, loud built-in speakers, and intuitive sequencing make it a portable music-making marvel. While its exposed circuitry necessitates a protective case for travel, and it lacks MIDI or USB connectivity, the PO-33 still stands out with its quirky visuals and powerful sound manipulation tools. An affordable, battery-powered antidote to complex DAWs, it's a must-have for creative musicians seeking immediate and gritty results.

positive

Full Review

Review: Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-33 KO

audiogearz.com

The Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-33 KO! is a fun, budget-friendly micro sampler that excels in portability and creativity. Its playful design belies a surprisingly robust feature set, including a 16-step sequencer and 40 seconds of 8-bit sampling. Perfect for beginners and seasoned producers alike, it offers an easy entry point to music-making and sampling, though it lacks high-end sample quality and polyphony is limited to four notes. For those who appreciate its lofi charm and compact design, the PO-33 KO! is a delightful tool that encourages musical exploration.

positive

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 31 Ratings

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abstractlion

492

almost 5 years ago

Possibly the coolest thing in the world

I'm serious with the header of the review . Just being able to sample anywhere at anytime itself is cool as hell , but this little thing has granular like sample trimming , real time pitch shifting , and HP/LP cutoff filters . I don't think could ask for anymore . The sound quality isn't for everyone as it's very low fidelity and in mono , personally I love 8/12bit samplers so that was just another plus . It allows up to 256 notes , and lots of samples (although short) , My only real gripe with it is the lock tab (why would anyone need this?? Mabey for a display model?) If the lock tab accidentally breaks off you'll have to solder the 2 contacts together so you can start making patterns and adding samples again which not everyone is able to do. Besides that love it and I don't think I'll ever get rid of it and highly recommend for anyone who's dream machine is a portable lofidelity sampler for there pocket!

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Recording samples from my daw or phone at a fairly high-speed into the PO33 so I can slow it down within the pocket operator and preserve a ton of recording memory (old-school method)

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Hip Hop Funk / Soul

From Gear Setup

ted_trembinski

about 7 years ago

So FUN!

I love sampling and I love being on the go. I love throwing this thing and an 1/8th in cable in my bag to grab samples off my phone while I am out of at the studio. Sampling and sequencing really has never been this much fun for me.