How To Clear Pocket Operator

Pocket Operator FAQ Hero

We've collected some useful Pocket Operator notes below for getting started. While the features below are the same for each device, check your Pocket Operator's guide for details about each button/feature and how to use it. Learn more onTeenage Engineering's Pocket Operator FAQ page. If you are getting started for the first time you should instead follow your Pocket Operator Quickstart Guide.

Powering on and off

Pocket Operators automatically power off after 5 minutes of inactivity. The LCD will remain lit, but all patterns and settings are saved. When connected by line-in, power off happens after 60 minutes.
PO's will power on once batteries are connected. If not powering on, adjust the PO's battery contacts and insert a fresh set of batteries.

RETURN TO TOP ↑

Changing volume

Hold the bpm button and select the volume level from the 1-16 buttons. When connecting multiple Pocket Operator's, set the volume of the leftmost (first) units lower than the rightmost (last). Each Pocket Operator will add its sound to any signal it's already receiving and output them together. If the levels aren't balanced correctly, you'll likely hear one or more much softer than the others. Keep in mind that turning up the level of one PO will also affect any signal connected to the line input.

RETURN TO TOP ↑

Changing tempo

Pocket Operators have three built-in tempo presets: HIP HOP, DISCO, and TECHNO. Press the bpm button to cycle through them. Hold the bpm button and turn the B knob to manually adjust the tempo.

CUSTOM TEMPO: Hold bpm and turn the B knob.
TEMPO PRESETS: Press bpm to cycle.
- HIP HOP: 80 bpm
- DISCO: 120 bpm
- TECHNO: 140 bpm

RETURN TO TOP ↑

Write mode: create patterns

Press the write button (bottom right) to enable/disable entering notes into the sequencer. You'll see a record enable icon on the screen when write mode is turned on. Notes can be entered while stopped, or on the fly while playing the sequencer.

Create a pattern while stopped

Press the write button to enable/disable write mode.
Press 1-16 to trigger the selected sound at that beat.

Record while playing

Press play to start the sequencer.
Hold the write button and press 1-16 to record into the current pattern.

RETURN TO TOP ↑

Synchronizing one or more Pocket Operators

Pocket Operators have six modes which determine their input, output, and synchronization settings. The default mode isSY0, where the sync feature is turned off, and the input/output receives/sends stereo audio. If you want the PO to either receive or send sync, it needs to be set to the appropriate mode(SY1-SY5). When done, the left channel is the audio click track(sync), and the right channel is audio. To choose the right mode, determine what the PO needs to send(output) and receive(input).

For example, when connecting and synchronizing three PO's together, set them in order SY1, SY5, and SY4. This makes sure that both the audio signal and sync travel through all three devices. The last device should be set to output stereo so you don't hear the audio click track. Other setups will be different and depend on your specific configuration.

WARNING!
Do not sync to external gear with levels exceeding 5Vpp (5V peak-to-peak), they can damage your Pocket Operator!

Change sync modes:

To change modes, hold thefunction button and press thebpm button.

MODE

INPUT

OUTPUT

SY0

stereo

SY1

stereo

mono/sync

SY2

sync

stereo

SY3

sync

mono/sync

SY4

mono/sync

stereo

SY5

mono/sync

RETURN TO TOP ↑

Factory reset

To reset a Pocket Operator to factory settings, hold thepattern andwrite buttons while inserting the batteries.

Reset to factory default

Carefully remove the batteries with a prying tool.
Hold thewrite andpattern buttons.
Continue holding and insert the batteries.

When you need help, Sweetwater has the answers!

Our knowledge base contains over 28,000 expertly written tech articles that will give you answers and help you get the most out of your gear. Our pro musicians and gear experts update content daily to keep you informed and on your way. Best of all, it's totally FREE, and it's just another reason that you get more at Sweetwater.com.