Pocket Operator suggestions for the kids

The Lounge Other Gear
1

Hi everybody! I’m thinking of getting some pocket operators for the kids! What do you recommend?

My son is 10 and fancies himself a drummer. He’s moderately interested in my rytm and has sequenced a beat or two but doesn’t go crazy for it. He writes a lot of stuff in GarageBand.

My wife’s 9 yr old is a very logical, cerebral, particular, advanced LEGO builder type guy who loves his electric piano and loves my prophet rev2. He is the one i see having the most skills in sequencing and sound design. He’s a GarageBand guy a bit.

My wife’s 7 year old is the most creative, or at least he’s the one already writing his own riffs on guitars and my Moog sub phatty. Him and my 10 yr old love jamming together whereas the 9 yr old is a bit more solo.

May that help you help me!!!

Thanks. Sam

3

Ok @bradleyallen I’m liking what I’m hearing on the PO-33. Thanks for the thoughts!

Have you or anyone else played the SPEAK and compared with the KO etc?

1 Like
4

KO is a good choice. My kids are a bit younger than yours but my 6-y-o son really liked the Arcade (PO-20) and the Rhythm (PO-12).

3 Likes
5

The Speak is ok, but it’s a bit of a one-trick pony. It pairs nicely with the KO, but I don’t think it’s that great on its own. The KO can easily make full tracks by itself if you know how to push it, plus it has a bit more in the way of fun punch-in effects for the samples.

2 Likes
6

I’d say po33, they can fart and burp and belch and swear and cry and …make stupid tunes.
And it’s not staring at an iPad.

But you might want to check YouTube vids on how to use it / judge how simple it is to sample into.

2 Likes
8

PO33 all the way, see what different sounds they can all capture on a day out or round the house…

2 Likes
9

Alrighty then! A resounding chorus says PO-33 ko :). I might just buy one, give it to one and see if it makes the other two excited!

Good stuff. Thanks for all the help.

Sam

10

Ok and now a cuckoo vid I just saw put me over edge. Love that guy:). I’m thinking po-33 for the lot of them!!! Too cool.

Sam

2 Likes
11

Pocket Opertunity

2 Likes
12

Excellent choice with the PO-33. I love mine (spent my bus commute this morning sketching with it, in fact), and wish I had one as a kid. I would have spent far less mindless time in front of the TV watching cartoons or playing Nintendo and far more time planning albums, sampling, sequencing, and recording.

1 Like
13

I have the Robot and I like that it can sequence a drum track, Melody track, and you can play live over the 2 tracks with yet another synth line.

1 Like
14

If you haven’t already I’d buy them a surfboard first

1 Like
15

Surfboard doesn’t cost $80…then you got 5/4 wetsuits, booties, leash, wax, surf rack for for 5 boards, 3.5 hr drive to coast, Sheeit, this got real expensive fast:). Can you PayPal me?

16

Shit mate that sux
You should move to the Gold Coast in Oz
Nearly boardies all year round :grinning:

17

I’ve heard good things!

But we are in the mtns and do ski/snowboard quite a bit…as wells as the standard skating/scootering!

I used to surf the Oregon coast a ton. 10C air and 10C water make it a commitment!

Anyhoo, I’m still thinking PO-33 and have inquired about deals for three:).

Thanks everyone!

1 Like
18

I agree with everyone on the PO-33.
I absolutely adore mine.
For the price it’s insane.
It comes loaded with sounds (to start it’s nice so they can play right out of the box).
You can sample ANYTHING via the input or the mic.
I’ve made a full song just sampling myself making noises with mic.
It’s FAST to create & feels like you’re playin a game.

4 Likes
19

Ok I bought one PO-33 when I couldn’t think of anything for the logical 9 yr old. And dang it if the other ones aren’t ridiculously jealous and the new owner has been playing it all day after the initial toy surge.

So the wisdom of the forum delivers…though of course I should have gotten 3 I guess.

3 Likes
21

Yeah I know! You hit on the head, @bradleyallen

Sam