Teenage Engineering PO-32 / Microtonic

The Lounge Other Gear
#1

NAMM is over, and some of us have already received our PO-32 tonic bundles.

I’ve never used SonicCharge stuff before and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it’s available as a standalone app when I received the download code with the PO-32.

There’s a bunch of little visual layout things about the Microtonic UI that make my eyes bleed, but for every one of those, there’s some thoughtful touches. You can just tell it’s a labor of love, and I dig software with a bit of soul. I like how I can switch tracks simply by typing 1–8 across my keyboard. Same thing with the A-L patterns. It’s no Nord Drum… but as MIDI or sample fodder for a Digitakt, it would be pretty slick.

Oh, yeah. There’s a Pocket Operator that came with it. Very cute. But right now it’s all about exploring Microtonic. I see that patterns are transferred from Microtonic to the PO-32 in half-batches at a time. That’s fine. Now I have a way to save, transfer, and backup sounds and patterns.

Microtonic enthusiasts, what else am I missing? And for everyone else, have you discovered any cool things about Microtonic since playing with the PO-32?

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#2

I’m totally blown away by the PO-32 in that package. It’s so much more than Microtonic, because it’s got the 16 FX (recordable per step and playable live on top), and the two “p-lockable” knobs for morph per channel and pitch. Crazy stuff. And you can use Microtonic for sound-design as a starting point for patterns. But right now, Microtonic is much more limited than the PO-32, even if it has double the channels.

Someone here said “Pocket :elmd:” and he might be right.

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#3

There’s some things you can do in PO-32 that you can’t in Microtonic, such as trig-less parameter locks which is pretty cool.

Also check out patternarium if you haven’t already for a supply of ever evolving beats.

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#5

This is not possible at the moment. AFAIK the creator of microtonic is trying to solve this problem though.

Man I need to open up that microtonic, just been messing with the PO32 as it is… too much fun

#6

Morphing.
Scripting functionality. You can find some useful scripts on sonic charge forum.

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#7

I downloaded MicroTonic and fiddled with it a little but I’m a bit surprised to find that I don’t feel the need to really figure it out yet. Even just with presets the PO-32 is a beast. I’ve never owned a :elmd:, but pocket :elmd: sounds about right.

When I do crack it open I’ll probably focus on melodic sounds. Making chords with this thing should be interesting and I’ve noticed that when you p-lock pitch it often does some interesting kind of acid-y slides.

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#8

I love the initial sounds on the PO-32, so since I can’t back up the sounds to Microtonic, I’m
afraid to change them.

Does anyone have or know of a way to “reset to factory” on the PO-32?

#9

From the manual:

factory reset
hold pattern + write while inserting batteries to restore the unit to factory default.

Also Microtonic has the Po-32 preset.

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#10

And I’ve seen a video (maybe above) where someone was downloading the pattern+patches and uploading them right after.
Meaning you don’t need Microtonic to save your favorite set of patterns+sounds !!

#11

on the back of the device it has send and receive info so presumably you can backup

#12

But you already can from the modem-like signal, recording the audio… that’s what I meant !

#13

What was thé bundle price with thé software??
Last year there was a cheapmonday sale at their Jean store…33 % of all thé store for one or two days…
Clearly regret not have jump on thé first offer…

#14

PO32 is not a joint project with cheap monday. PO robot was the last one of those IIUC

#15

Ah ok

#16

The PO32+Microtonic bundle was 125€ iirc.
I think PO32 is coming back.
Check on Microtonic Facebook if another wave of bundle is coming…

#17

Im part of the club now!!!

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#18

How CPU hungry is Microtonic?

#19

You have to give it at least two core 2 duo’s a week. If you use it a lot you have to start feeding it i5’s and i7’s… :smile:

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#20

I like you

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#21

I use Microtonic and love it.
Probably the closest I’ve seen to a ND2 in a plugin.
When using it is virtually not even registering on my PC CPU meter.
It is really well optimised I think

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