Teenage Engineering PO-32From real comments

Verdict distilled from 27 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment65%
PROS 65%
CONS 35%

Rank based on 27 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a pocket-sized synth for jamming on the go
  • You're into sound design rather than sampling
  • You want the most versatile-sounding Pocket Operator for drums and melodies

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You don't want to deal with a separate paid, complex Microtonic VST
  • You need a clear, easy-to-read display for programming
  • You want a rugged unit that won't break easily

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Teenage Engineering PO-32
Convincing demo videos drive purchasesImpressive for its sizeGreat portability for jammingConfusing Microtonic VST setupBuild durability issuesHigher price than other Pocket Operators
Teenage Engineering PO-32
Convincing demo videos drive purchases
Impressive for its size
Great portability for jamming
Confusing Microtonic VST setup
Build durability issues
Higher price than other Pocket Operators

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Owners consistently praise the PO-32's sound design depth for such a small device. Multiple commenters describe being 'blown away' by how much sound and musicality comes out of the Tonic, calling performances groovy, beautiful, and even ambient-worthy. Some say it's the best-sounding Pocket Operator, better suited to synthesis than sampling-focused siblings, and capable of melodic as well as percussive work when paired with the Microtonic engine.

The Microtonic VST connection is powerful but frustrating to set up. Several users note the PO-32 needs the separate Microtonic VST to unlock its full potential, but purchasing it is confusing since there's no standalone app and it requires a VST host or DAW. Commenters wish Teenage Engineering offered a simpler, dedicated Microtonic program, and some are unsure of its current pricing or bundling history.

Portability drives a lot of the PO-32's appeal, though build quality complaints surface too. Fans describe bringing the Tonic anywhere, jamming on public transit or during walks, valuing its compact convenience. However, at least one owner reports several LEDs failing making programming difficult, and another broke the lock tab, suggesting the build isn't fully rugged despite its portable design.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?