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Objects№ 002Audio recorder

Teenage Engineering TP–7

A motorised reel for audio

Teenage Engineering’s TP–7 is a digital audio recorder with a motorised reel you can turn to move through recordings. MusicRadar found the wheel useful for scrubbing and editing audio.

Made by
Teenage Engineering
Designed by
Teenage Engineering
Since
2023
From
€1,499
Teenage Engineering TP–7, studio photograph (AI-generated image)
AI-generated

Why it's here

The TP–7 puts a motorised reel on the front of a digital recorder. You can turn it to scrub through audio, pause playback and navigate menus. MusicRadar found the wheel genuinely useful for scrubbing and editing, which is why we like it here.

Teenage Engineering began electronics work in 2018, starting with the idea of a modern counterpart to a Nagra portable recorder. The form came from sketches by Jesper Kouthoofd and was developed by a team at the company. The TP–7 was announced in May 2023.

It suits someone who wants physical controls for finding their way around recordings. Skip it if you need expandable storage or depend on finished transcription: MusicRadar found the workflow unfinished, and WIRED’s test couldn’t distinguish speakers.

Teenage Engineering TP–7, studio photograph (AI-generated image)
AI-generated

Worth knowing

  1. A reel you turn

    The motorised reel can scrub and scratch audio, pause playback and navigate menus. MusicRadar found it useful for scrubbing and editing.[4][11]

  2. A Nagra starting point

    The team began with the idea of a modern counterpart to a Nagra portable recorder. An early MDF model was made from one of Jesper Kouthoofd’s sketches.[2]

  3. Recording and connections

    There’s a built-in microphone and speaker, plus three 3.5 mm two-way stereo jacks and a separate 6.35 mm headphone output. It also works as a 24-bit/96 kHz USB audio interface.[4]

  4. Size and storage

    Teenage Engineering lists the TP–7 at 96 × 68 × 16 mm and 170 g, with 128 GB of internal storage and seven hours of battery runtime.[7]

Teenage Engineering TP–7, studio photograph (AI-generated image)
AI-generated

The details

  1. Metal and backing

    The original manual specifies an aluminium body, a PU synthetic-leather backing and custom-made controls.[1]

  2. Inside the body

    The development team describes an in-moulded antenna and three plastics moulded into the metal before CNC milling and surface treatment.[2]

  3. A brushless motor

    Teenage Engineering specifies a brushless motor for the reel. Its development also enabled the motorised wheel on the company’s OB–4.[2][4]

  • Full front view of the silver TP-7 recorder on a plain white background
  • Full three-quarter view of the black TP-7 recorder on a dark background
  • Full rear view of the black TP-7 recorder on a plain white background
  • Full side view showing the TP-7's controls on a plain white background
Photos: Teenage EngineeringThe maker's own, unaltered.

What reviewers say

What independent reviewers liked, and what they didn't.

  • WIRED[12]

    Liked
    Boone Ashworth liked the construction, tactile controls and pocketable size. He also appreciated the free transcription.
    Didn't like
    He found the microphone picked up wind and background noise, and the transcription did not distinguish speakers. The storage cannot be expanded.

  • MusicRadar[11]

    Liked
    Simon Arblaster found the wheel useful for scrubbing and editing audio, and liked the integration with the TX–6 and CM–15.
    Didn't like
    He questioned its ruggedness and found the Memo and Recording modes confusing. He also criticised the fixed storage and unfinished transcription workflow.

  • AMAZONA.de[13]

    Liked
    Jan Steiger liked the workmanship and clean voice recordings. Transcription worked very well in his test.
    Didn't like
    He found the menus hard to understand without the manual and the small display limited in what it could explain. Speaking too close to the microphone caused plosives.

  • gearnews[14]

    Liked
    The reviewer liked the one-handed handling, instant memo recording and feedback from the wheel. Recordings sounded authentic, with high-quality output.
    Didn't like
    The sockets were close enough together to require slim plugs. The reviewer also missed XLR inputs and phantom power, and found the built-in speaker unexceptional.

Before you buy

Nothing's perfect. This is where it falls short.

  1. Transcription has limits

    MusicRadar found the transcription workflow unfinished. In WIRED’s test, the transcription did not distinguish between speakers. The manufacturer advertises the transcription app for iOS.[7][11][12]

  2. Storage stays fixed

    The 128 GB of storage cannot be expanded with a card. MusicRadar also questioned the recorder’s durability, and the original manual calls it a delicate product.[1][7][11]

  3. Some owners report faults

    One owner reported reel rattling audible in recordings and a subsequent speaker failure. A Thomann purchaser reported unreliable switching and shutdown at a displayed 25% charge. These are individual reports, not a measured failure rate.[15][18]

Good for
People recording voice memos or interviews who want tactile controls and a pocketable recorder with transcription.
Not for
People who need expandable storage, XLR microphones with phantom power or a rugged field recorder should look elsewhere.

Where to get it

These are the prices we saw on the dates shown. They change, and we don't track stock, so check with the seller.

Each price is in the currency that seller lists it in. Links go to the seller's site. If one is marked “Ad link”, we may earn a commission when you buy. It doesn't affect what we pick.

Would you own it?

Go on. It helps us decide what to look at next.

Specification

Dimensions
96 × 68 × 16 mm[7]
Weight
170 g[7]
Body
Aluminium[1]
Backing
PU synthetic leather[1]
Storage
128 GB internal[7]
Battery runtime
7 hours[7]
Charging
5 V USB power[5]
USB audio interface
24-bit/96 kHz[4]
Display
64 × 32-pixel monochrome[4]
Audio connections
Three 3.5 mm TRRS jacks; 6.35 mm headphone output[4]
Built-in audio
Microphone and speaker[4]
Wireless
Bluetooth Low Energy[4]
Battery replacement
Manufacturer-supplied battery; qualified personnel[5]
Designer
Teenage Engineering[1]

Versions

Aluminium
The standard version has an aluminium finish.[7]
Black
This version has a black finish.[10]

Sources

  1. [1]770-00050 sparrow guide REV.1.8 270623 outlinedTeenage Engineering · the maker · read 13 Nov 2026
  2. [2]now - 2024 - teenage engineeringTeenage Engineering · the maker · read 13 Nov 2026
  3. [3]press images - teenage engineeringTeenage Engineering · the maker · read 13 Nov 2026
  4. [4]TP–7 - teenage engineeringTeenage Engineering · the maker · read 13 Nov 2026
See all 19 sources
  1. [5]TP–7 guide - teenage engineeringTeenage Engineering · the maker · read 13 Nov 2026
  2. [6]terms and conditions - world wide - teenage engineeringTeenage Engineering · the maker · read 13 Nov 2026
  3. [7]buy TP–7 aluminum - teenage engineeringTeenage Engineering · the maker · read 13 Nov 2026
  4. [8]TP–7 EUDOC REV LOCKEDTeenage Engineering · the maker · read 13 Nov 2026
  5. [9]press images – TP–7 - teenage engineeringTeenage Engineering · the maker · read 13 Nov 2026
  6. [10]buy TP–7 black - teenage engineeringTeenage Engineering · the maker · read 13 Nov 2026
  7. [11]Teenage Engineering TP-7 reviewMusicRadar · review · read 13 Nov 2026
  8. [12]Teenage Engineering TP-7 Field Recorder Review: Price, Specs, Availability, FeaturesWIRED · review · read 13 Nov 2026
  9. [13]Test: Teenage Engineering TP-7, Field-RecorderAMAZONA.de · review · read 13 Nov 2026
  10. [14]Teenage Engineering TP-7 Field Recorder: 1.1.3 Update & a Reviewgearnews · review · read 13 Nov 2026
  11. [15]TP-7 experience so far : r/teenageengineeringReddit · reference · read 13 Nov 2026
  12. [16]GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2024 Winners AnnouncedJapan Institute of Design Promotion · reference · read 13 Nov 2026
  13. [17]BEAMS RECORDS Teenage Engineering / TP-7 portable recorderBEAMS · retailer · read 13 Nov 2026
  14. [18]Teenage Engineering TP-7 – Musikhaus ThomannThomann · retailer · read 13 Nov 2026
  15. [19]Teenage Engineering TP-7 | DeutschlandMusic Store Professional · retailer · read 13 Nov 2026

Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Prices last checked 13 Nov 2026.

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