Teenage Engineering Pocket Modular series

[echorec]

What are the initial feelings on these? Does it all really come down to sound/performance? Or will people buy them for the sake of having another budget-friendly tool?

I love the bright colors and small size---they add personality to a space and don't take up an entire wall of your home.

I don't love that they look like a small child could easily decimate them. I'm still waiting on someone to do a digital modular system with memory recall, making it easier to revisit and reformulate sounds for the purpose of performance and gradually allowing sounds to evolve. (I know a lot of you don't care about this aspect.) Where is this? Some builders are going smaller/cheaper. Some people are trying to innovate by harnessing DSP capabilities, but I'm still waiting on someone to make a more user-friendly system that's dynamic, modern, and easier to interact with.

https://www.teenageengineering.com/products/po/modular

https://www.engadget.com/2019/01/18/tee ... lar-synth/ (a little more insight into their development)

https://www.factmag.com/2019/01/18/teen ... 2/#gallery

The 170, an analog monophonic synth with step sequencer, costs $349 and includes a chassis, nine modules and eight patch cables.

The 400 costs $499 but for that you get a three-oscillator synth with modules including noise, random generator, envelope, VCA, LFO, filter, mixer, speaker, power pack and 16-step sequencer.

THE 16 [$149] IS A STAND-ALONE KEYBOARD WITH INDIVIDUAL TUNEABLE KEYS AND A PROGRAMMABLE STEP SEQUENCER.

NOTE: THE UNIT IS DESIGNED TO CONTROL THE 400 OR OTHER MODULAR SYNTHESIZERS. IT MAKES NO SOUND BY ITSELF,
BUT SENDS CV, PITCH AND TRIG.

alternate colors (large JPG):

https://s.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images ... ular-1.jpg





There are plans available for people wanting to incorporate TE stuff into a pre-existing system.

https://teenage.engineering/_img/5c40d6 ... iginal.pdf

https://ask.audio/articles/teenage-engi ... tor-synths

All kits come with a 70 pages full color build manual including examples of patches.
Single module option will be introduced later this year.

For those in the EU:

159€ for the 16 keyboard
399€ for the 170 system
599€ for the 400 system

[Chankgeez]

Where's the purple?

[echorec]

Where's the purple?

The far-left corner looks purple. I'll be curious to see if all those are available at launch, or if the different colors will be part of a staggered release in more limited runs. I'd love an orange or green system or maybe a rainbow wall.

[Dandolin]

Who is the thin-footed dude standing in the background?

[MrNovember]

I'm still waiting on someone to do a digital modular system with memory recall, making it easier to revisit and reformulate sounds for the purpose of performance and gradually allowing sounds to evolve. (I know a lot of you don't care about this aspect.) Where is this?

There are a few modules that do some form of memory recall (e.g. Shapeshifter and Rainmaker both definitely have presets, pretty sure the ER-301, Bitbox/Toolbox/otherboxes, O_C all have some form of preset or memory as well), but you're never going to be able to fully recall an entire patch due to the physical re-wiring that is required.


Anyways, on topic, I like the idea of these little Teenage Engineering Pocket Modulars. Also, really like the other colour options. I'm curious to see some actual user demos of these in action

[echorec]

you're never going to be able to fully recall an entire patch due to the physical re-wiring that is required.

Actually Mungo already did a patchable, poly-modular system several years ago. It had a digital signal path with digital control. It was estimated at about $10K, which obviously would've come down substantially over time, but not enough people were supporting the project.

http://mungo.com.au/zero.html

State Zero represents a new class of instrument being the only patchable synthesiser with polyphony and complete recall of all knobs and patches.

It frustrates me so much, because that was unveiled 7+ years ago. A bigger builder could've worked with them to bring down costs and expand their system. The other thing that gets me is that more and more people are turning to digital, yet no one's making a killer virtual-analog hardware synth. (Peak is the closest, but it has limitations.) A company with a software background could put a powerful virtual engine into a fun, physical synth, without someone having to stare at a screen all day. I'm so sick of Minimoog clones and mono synths. Korg/Yamaha/Roland all have the resources to do insanely cool synths in the $1500-2500 range, yet everyone's focused on electric pianos or novelties for semi-pros. (Korg's Volca Modular seems cool, but they could go much further.) Anyway, hopefully some more hardware synths will emerge next week and throughout the year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU3J55WMsjE

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU3J55WMsjE[/youtube]

[coupleonapkins]

The world needs more key controllers of a varied variety (even if they're not purple), though my only qualm is that these will all be vetty smawl, but w/e. With all the available options, demos will be our salvation before we all go broke

Who is the thin-footed dude standing in the background?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG0oBPtyNb0[/youtube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG0oBPtyNb0

[Dandolin]

jugband'd again

[UglyCasanova]

Pretty sure I can't fit these in my pocket.

[Dandolin]

No way. If that slim-footed dude is who I think it is, these things are actually huuuuuge....

[Bartimaeus]

If/when they offer individual modules for sale, I'd really like to stick a bunch of utilities in that 400 case. That would be the perfect add-on to my current modular.

[greyscales]

I think this is a cool idea, but I can’t imagine how frustrating it will be to turn those knobs.

Sequencer looks like it could be cool though.

[_r_]

Interesting that this seems East Coast whilst the also-just-released-and-affordable Volca Modular is Buchla/West Coast inspired...

[echorec]

This is the best audio preview yet (and much better than the typical PCA demo).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuuQJS_l8HY

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuuQJS_l8HY[/youtube]

[echorec]

TE has been experiencing an issue with the 170 and has refunded direct orders for this module and its companion 16 sequencer. They're offering a 10% discount for people wanting to purchase the larger 400 module instead.

The timing and the news is curious. Obviously it makes this endeavor look exceptionally rushed. The next question is how long will this delay manufacturing: a month, three months? Considering the OP-1's history of operating errors, the biggest concern might be how reliable these are.