r/pocketoperators

Just released a small instrumental album, mostly boom bap stuff, all done with a PO-33. Thought I’d share it here 🙂

Hi all. I want to get back into Pocket Operators. I use Reaper with a 2nd gen Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and wanted to sync one or more POs with the DAW's tempo so I could record some stuff into existing projects, but I can't get it to work. My setup is in the picture. I've spent an entire day watching youtube tutorials and reading posts, but no matter what, I can't get it to sync. I'm trying to get it to work via a click track in Reaper that is then sent to my PO, but I must be doing something pretty wrong.
Big disclaimer, I'm just a hobbyist and the more technical music production gets, the stupider I feel, so sorry if any of this is actually very wrong or dumb lol.

I've tried different sync modes:
SY0 - plays pattern with no sync
SY1 - PO syncing signal (I assume?)
SY2, SY3, SY5 - nothing?
SY4 - receives audio from track 1 (click track in Reaper), but doesn't play my patterns (it's set on play with the play icon blinking and the lights under PO's buttons don't move)

I think it should be working either on SY4 or SY2, right? On both of those I hear the notes I'm playing live, but the patterns are not playing despite the blinking "play" icon on the PO's screen.
I'm trying with just one PO at the moment, and got the same results with both PO-12 and PO-20.

Is it the routing? It might be my biggest "I don't know what I'm doing" here...

Do I need different cables? I've also tried some audio splitter (Y cable from PO's left side to 2 3.5 mm cables to connect to Focusrite's both left and right outputs, it's 4-pin 3.5 mm on one side and meant to join headphone and microphone inputs, idk if that makes any difference)

I would love to get this to work because now I just feel very stupid and frustrated, so any help would be greatly appreciated! T_T

https://preview.redd.it/foqzjj05gwah1.jpg?width=2636&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=480c1b85f00f9bf444ff089ee24bf3befad396e9

I just ordered my first pocket operator, a PO-33! I'm super excited to start using it. That being said, I've been relentlessly trying to determine what the best case for it is. A lot of threads I've found on this topic are older, and they all link to sites that are completely out of stock. I like the look and design of the official CA-X cases, but I don't like how they leave the back of the board exposed. I haven't gotten my hands on a PO yet, but it seems like they're weirdly exposed to the elements and prone to breaking? Just need some recommendations for the best cases that are currently available. Thanks!!

i went to my (not so) local music store and they only had guitar eq pedals