---
product_id: 48668142
title: "PO-12 Rhythm Pocket Operator - Drum Machine"
brand: "teenage engineering"
price: "£60.78"
currency: GBP
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/48668142-po-12-rhythm-pocket-operator-drum-machine
store_origin: GB
region: Great Britain
---

# Jam-sync with other devices 16 synthesized drum sounds 16 real-time tweakable effects PO-12 Rhythm Pocket Operator - Drum Machine

**Brand:** teenage engineering
**Price:** £60.78
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🥁 Pocket-sized beats, pro-level vibes — make your rhythm impossible to ignore!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** PO-12 Rhythm Pocket Operator - Drum Machine by teenage engineering
- **How much does it cost?** £60.78 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/48668142-po-12-rhythm-pocket-operator-drum-machine)

## Best For

- teenage engineering enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted teenage engineering brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Collaborate & Sync:** Connect multiple Pocket Operators or third-party gear with jam-sync for instant collaborative sessions.
- • **Dynamic FX Control:** Shape your sound live with 16 built-in effects like distortion, delay, and stutter—fully adjustable in real time.
- • **Pro-Level Drum Palette:** Craft beats with 16 authentic synthesized drum sounds, from crisp hi-hats to punchy cowbells.
- • **Seamless Pattern Chaining:** Build entire tracks by chaining up to 16 patterns with a 16-step sequencer and step-multiplier for complex rhythms.
- • **On-the-Go Music Production:** Compact, pocket-sized design lets you jam anywhere—no laptop needed, just pure creative flow.

## Overview

The Teenage Engineering PO-12 Rhythm Pocket Operator is a compact drum machine featuring 16 synthesized drum sounds and 16 real-time adjustable effects. It offers a 16-step sequencer with pattern chaining and step-multiplier capabilities, enabling full song creation on the go. With jam-sync functionality, it easily connects to other Pocket Operators and external gear, making it a versatile tool for both beginners and seasoned producers seeking portable, professional-grade beat making.

## Description

From the brand teenage engineering Visit the store teenage engineering Visit the store pocket operators Visit the store pocket operators OB-4 colours Visit the store OB-4 colours OP-Z Visit the store OP-Z

Review: Excellent for learning the art of sequencing - If I were allowed to swear I would. This device is brilliant. If I explain why I bought it you'll see what hole it fills. This is important as if you want something super basic this is not for you; if you want something with every bell and whistle out there, this is not for you eitther. Right, here we go: I have played on iPhone apps that allow you to sequence drum machines. They are fun but they all seem a little too basic and far off what a professional may use. They also do not 'feel' like a good stepping stone into music production. So I wondered what to go for. I checked out software first. There seemed to be lots out there ranging in price and complexity. I was reluctant to go out and buy some software that would just put me off for life. You know what I mean: you go and buy photoshop pro, try to draw a circle and find you have to spend four hours on Google to learn how to do it! I did not want the photoshop pro version of music sequencing; I did not want to have to boot up the computer sit at a table with a mouse (and possibly a keyboard) to get going. I wanted something the size of an iPhone that I could just grab and make music. Then along came this bad boy: the pocket operator. Before you read on check out YouTube to see what people have done with it. When you link it up with another (or even more) you can get some real professional music laid. How easy it is: I am gonna be honest. It was not intuitive for me. You can't just open it and get stuck in. I struggled to even play around to work out what things did. This may not be the case if you have experience of this sort of thing; the symbols (pun intended) may mean something to you. I was a little frustrated but remembered why I bought it. I wanted something a little more professional that a simple iPhone app. And that was gonna require a little learning. So I put the work in. If you have peace you can become proficient with its use in about an hour. You may need to refer back to the instructions to remind you how to do some if it but it is actually relatively simple. I would advice learning one function then spending a few minutes playing with it then moving on. The hard part is actually making a good track. But then if that was easy we would all be pop stars! The internal speaker is not brilliant but it is much better than I was expecting so don't let that put you off; with earphones its perfect. It takes two AA batteries and is constantly on. There is no off button but this does not matter. To my understanding most of the screen is just for show but some of it does help. All the LEDs near each button all mean different things depending on what you are doing. I found it a little confusing at first but quickly got the hang of it. So, if you are looking to put your foot in the water - get this; it is wicked. I was picking my wife up from somewhere the other day. I arrived early so killed 15 minutes in the car with the Operator, wrote a little track and smiled. Boom! I read that the Rhythm was was the best to get if you were just getting one. It is not just a drum machine; you can get melody on your tracks to.
Review: Small But Mighty! - Lots of options on this unit and a great value!!

## Features

- PRODUCES 16 DIFFERENT DRUM SOUNDS - The Teenage Engineering PO-12 Rhythm uses real synthesized drum sounds to recreate drum and percussion sounds like cymbals, hi-hat, cowbell, and more
- OFFERS 16 BUILT-IN EFFECTS - The Rhythm Pocket Operator has 16 onboard FX including distortion, delay, stutter, and vibrato
- LETS YOU CREATE A WHOLE SONG - The 16-step sequencer and step-multiplier allow you to chain up to 16 patterns together You can also insert a re-trig in a single step
- FINE-TUNE THE EFFECTS IN REAL-TIME - Effortlessly edit the 16 effects with the dual real-time parameters You can fine-tune the tempo from 60 to 240bpm
- JAM ON THE GO - PO-12 Rhythm has a jam-sync function, which lets you connect the unit with other Pocket Operators You can also integrate PO-12 with 3rd-party gear thanks to its integrated audio-pulse-based sync

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B00X6EYNQE |
| Best Sellers Rank | 1,072 in Musical Instruments & DJ ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments & DJ ) 4 in Tabletop Synthesizers |
| Body Material | Wood |
| Brand Name | Teenage Engineering |
| Colour | black/green |
| Connector Type | Auxiliary |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (787) |
| Finish Type | Lackiert |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 07350073030538 |
| Included Components | Integrierter faltbarer Support und integrierter Knowles-Lautsprecher |
| Item Dimensions | 17.8 x 8.9 x 0.5 centimetres |
| Item Type Name | pocket operator |
| Manufacturer | Teenage Engineering |
| Material | Bass Wood |
| Model Name | PO-12 |
| Model Number | TE010AS012 |
| Part Number | PO 12 Rhythm (drums) |
| Product Warranty | 1 year manufacturer. |
| Set Name | Pocket Operator |
| UPC | 714573520413 142200968572 |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Teenage Engineering
- **Colour:** black/green
- **Item dimensions L x W x H:** 17.8 x 8.9 x 0.5 centimetres
- **Material:** Bass Wood
- **Model name:** PO-12

## Images

![PO-12 Rhythm Pocket Operator - Drum Machine - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/712sPFkIbkL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Style** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: Are these fishies freshy or frozening?**
A: frozening

**Q: Does this include the VST plugin?**
A: No 
if you have already have tonic you can down load it into the buffer or any samples you require via 3.5 jack and you can link all POs together

**Q: Has anyone else had trouble with the batteries? when placing in aaa batteries they don’t seem to stay in place and it won’t turn on.**
A: There's a wire frame to keep them in place and are fairly snug, if anything you should have more difficulty getting them out than staying in. Sounds like yours may have a fault.

**Q: How is this device powered? Mains electricity and/or batteries?**
A: It uses 2 x AAA batteries.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent for learning the art of sequencing
*by M***K on 14 October 2017*

If I were allowed to swear I would. This device is brilliant. If I explain why I bought it you'll see what hole it fills. This is important as if you want something super basic this is not for you; if you want something with every bell and whistle out there, this is not for you eitther. Right, here we go: I have played on iPhone apps that allow you to sequence drum machines. They are fun but they all seem a little too basic and far off what a professional may use. They also do not 'feel' like a good stepping stone into music production. So I wondered what to go for. I checked out software first. There seemed to be lots out there ranging in price and complexity. I was reluctant to go out and buy some software that would just put me off for life. You know what I mean: you go and buy photoshop pro, try to draw a circle and find you have to spend four hours on Google to learn how to do it! I did not want the photoshop pro version of music sequencing; I did not want to have to boot up the computer sit at a table with a mouse (and possibly a keyboard) to get going. I wanted something the size of an iPhone that I could just grab and make music. Then along came this bad boy: the pocket operator. Before you read on check out YouTube to see what people have done with it. When you link it up with another (or even more) you can get some real professional music laid. How easy it is: I am gonna be honest. It was not intuitive for me. You can't just open it and get stuck in. I struggled to even play around to work out what things did. This may not be the case if you have experience of this sort of thing; the symbols (pun intended) may mean something to you. I was a little frustrated but remembered why I bought it. I wanted something a little more professional that a simple iPhone app. And that was gonna require a little learning. So I put the work in. If you have peace you can become proficient with its use in about an hour. You may need to refer back to the instructions to remind you how to do some if it but it is actually relatively simple. I would advice learning one function then spending a few minutes playing with it then moving on. The hard part is actually making a good track. But then if that was easy we would all be pop stars! The internal speaker is not brilliant but it is much better than I was expecting so don't let that put you off; with earphones its perfect. It takes two AA batteries and is constantly on. There is no off button but this does not matter. To my understanding most of the screen is just for show but some of it does help. All the LEDs near each button all mean different things depending on what you are doing. I found it a little confusing at first but quickly got the hang of it. So, if you are looking to put your foot in the water - get this; it is wicked. I was picking my wife up from somewhere the other day. I arrived early so killed 15 minutes in the car with the Operator, wrote a little track and smiled. Boom! I read that the Rhythm was was the best to get if you were just getting one. It is not just a drum machine; you can get melody on your tracks to.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Small But Mighty!
*by G***. on 30 December 2025*

Lots of options on this unit and a great value!!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great sounds, great fun, but perhaps not for serious music making
*by C***T on 1 September 2017*

First off, this is great fun. It didn't take me long to get the hang of programming a beat, and once you get going, it is very easy to use the different sounds and effects to build unique and catchy beats. The question I have not yet answered for myself is whether this is a toy or something which can be used in a serious music-making sense. it is an instrument in its own right, even if the way you play it is a bit unconventional. As Teenage Engineering demonstrates on its website and YouTube videos, you can jam and make quite sophisticated music if you chain a couple of different pocket operators together. Which is fine. However, it is more difficult to integrate this into other music making systems such as computer-based DAWs. There is only a (mono!) audio out and no midi/USB/whatever, so once you've put a beat together you can only export it by recording it into a DAW (or whatever) as a single channel of audio. It would add a huge amount of flexibility if you could get each channel separately, or get the midi data out... But I appreciate this would add cost to something which is pretty keenly priced.

## Frequently Bought Together

- teenage engineering pocket operator PO-12 rhythm, drum machine and sequencer with parameter locks and punch-in effects
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- teenage engineering CA-X silicon pro-case for pocket operators with built-in battery protection and anti-slip feet (red)

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*Product available on Desertcart Great Britain*
*Store origin: GB*
*Last updated: 2026-04-30*