Teenage Engineering · Updated August 2026
PO-32 tonic: price, specs & release date
PO-32 tonic, released 2017-04. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: teenage.engineering verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
Is the PO-32 tonic a good buy?
At $89, the PO-32 tonic is the cheapest of the 13 drum machines we track, where the median is $399. On the spec sheet, its pad count of 16 is at the median of the 12.
Specifications
| Price (US) | $89 US MSRP at launch (2017), single unit |
|---|---|
| Brand | Teenage Engineering |
| Released | 2017-04 |
| Sound engine | Sonic Charge Microtonic-derived digital drum/percussion synthesis engine (co-developed with Sonic Charge) |
| Voice count | 16 sound slots (unlimited additional sounds via Microtonic VST data transfer) |
| Sequencer steps | 16 |
| Sample playback | No |
| Onboard effects | 16 real-time performance/parameter effects (beat manipulation and sound distortion) |
| Output count | 1 (3.5mm audio I/O) + built-in speaker |
| Midi support | No |
| Battery powered | Yes |
| Pad count | 16 |
Source: teenage.engineering (verified 2026-08-01) · corroborated by musictech.com. Teenage Engineering's own product page confirms the 16 preset sounds, 16 performance effects, 16-step sequencer, 3.5mm audio I/O plus built-in mic/speaker for wireless Microtonic data transfer, and 2xAAA battery power (1-month battery life, 2-year standby). No MIDI I/O of any kind is mentioned on the product page or in any Pocket Operator documentation (sync is via a proprietary 3.5mm 'sync' protocol, not MIDI), so midi_support is false. MusicTech's January 2017 NAMM launch coverage corroborates the $89 single-unit MSRP and the ~April 2017 worldwide release; no evidence of an official price change was found, so the original launch MSRP is used as-is.
Is the PO-32 tonic worth it vs cheaper drum machines?
PO-32 tonic against its closest cheaper and pricier drum machines on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 13 ranked
| Product | Price | Sound engine | Voice count | Sequencer steps | Sample playback | Onboard effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO-32 tonic this | $89 | Sonic Charge Microtonic-derived digital drum/percussion synthesis engine (co-developed with Sonic Charge) | 16 sound slots (unlimited additional sounds via Microtonic VST data transfer) | 16 | No | 16 real-time performance/parameter effects (beat manipulation and sound distortion) |
| volca drum | $129 | Digital percussion synthesis (DSP analog modeling: oscillator waveforms, wave folder, overdrive, waveguide resonator) | 6 parts x 2 layers | 16 steps per pattern, chainable up to 256 steps across 16 sequences | No | Waveguide resonator (tube/string modes) with decay, body and tune controls |
Frequently asked questions
How much does the PO-32 tonic cost?
The PO-32 tonic has a US price of $89 (US MSRP at launch (2017), single unit), as of 2026-08-01.
How does the PO-32 tonic compare on price?
At $89, the PO-32 tonic is the cheapest of the 13 drum machines we track, where the median is $399.
When was the PO-32 tonic released?
The PO-32 tonic was released 2017-04.
What are the PO-32 tonic's key specs?
PO-32 tonic (Teenage Engineering): sound engine Sonic Charge Microtonic-derived digital drum/percussion synthesis engine (co-developed with Sonic Charge), voice count 16 sound slots (unlimited additional sounds via Microtonic VST data transfer), sequencer steps 16, sample playback No, onboard effects 16 real-time performance/parameter effects (beat manipulation and sound distortion). Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-08-01.
Price of record: $89 at teenage.engineering, 2026-08-01. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:
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