People get intimidated by all the buttons alone on this thing, but it's a really lovely device. This should simplify the main logic of the PO-33 interface as well as that of all the other pocket operators, which I've written more about here. Am also working on one for the Speak.

PO33 screen main functions
The parts of the KO screen that tell you useful things
  • The function of all those numbered buttons changes depending on what you hold down.
  • You can either write samples into a pattern by holding write and playing live, or by tapping record so the icon appears and then tapping the numbered buttons to place a sample. It'll place whatever sound you selected last (by holding sound and pressing a numbered button).
  • You can layer a maximum of four sounds total on each step. (You can make more complex drum patterns by sampling layered drum sounds into the PO, so you can have a high hat and a kick as a single sound in one slot in a drum kit)
  • Fun times: Put one sound all over a pattern, then play, hold record, and move the knobs. Tap FX to change what the knobs control. Your knob movements will be recorded. (You can do this with more sounds of course, but this should make it clear what's happening)
  • While recording a new sample into the device with record and a number button, once a recording has started, the number button can be released and it will continue to record.

If you're way beyond this, here's the most comprehensive guide I've found for the PO-33, and another one for the PO-35 Speak (with some "secret" tricks)

I've used those as a reference to make the graphics below.

PO 33 KO manual with hold to choose sound, hold to choose or chain patterns, hold to choose volume, swing, BPM, hold and choose slot to start recording sound, hold to choose FX, edit sound, trim, length, pitch, volume, filter, resonance, play, stop, tap to turn step by step recording off, hold to record as you play (including knobs A and B), hold step and press bpm for step multiplier
PO-33 K.O. visual quickref
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Every PO-33 command I've found

(Shameless plug: In case you liked all this, I also made this calendar app for people with ADHD.)

Bonus:

Archive

(part of the process of refining to the quickrefs above)

po 33 manual Patterns: Hold record and pattern to delete pattern, Hold write and pattern and step to paste active pattern, Copying sounds and slices: Hold write and sound and record and a step to copy current sound to that step. Hold write and sound, then a number and a destination to copy a slice or drum sound to another kit. Data and system: Hold write and sound and record to receive data, Hold write and sound and play to send data, Hold sound and bpm for system information, Hold record and bpm for sync mode. SY0: Sync mode is off. SY1: stereo input, mono + sync out. SY2, sync input, stereo out. SY3, sync input, mono + sync out. SY4, mono +sync in, stereo out. SY5, mono and sync in , mono and sync out.
PO-33 manual basics