teenage engineering EP–133 K.O. II sampler, drum machine and sequencer with built-in microphone and effects

This is a super fun sampler. I love that it comes with a bunch of preloaded one shots so you can start messing around right away even if this is your first sampler. The folks at TE have immaculate taste and most of the sounds are actually worth keeping on the device in my opinion.No build quality issues here; fader is perfectly fine. Either I’m lucky or they’ve made some adjustments.This is really a 4.5, but I’m rounding up to 5 because the current score of 4 overall is too low in my opinion for how fun and inspiring this device is. Here are the nitpicks that I think keep it from being a true 5/5 in my book:1. 64 mb of store space is abysmal for a sampler in the 2020s. I get that TE wants to impose some limitations (like how the OP-1 tape is limited to four tracks) but this is a bit extreme IMO. Even double the space would be a pittance in terms of cost but would make the device easier to use while still having those inspirational limitations.2. No song mode sucks. I wish you could program and save a chain of patterns to arrange a song like you can on the OP-Z — you can even do this on some of the Pocket Operators even though they are 1/3rd of the price!3. No resampling is somewhat limiting. The FX on this device are incredible, but you can’t use more than one per project. Resampling would serve as a workaround to allow layers and combination of effects to be applied to a sample.This is a wonderfully fun sampler/musical sketchbook. I have some nitpicks, but overall I’m shocked at how much you get for the price — the value is there, which is wild considering who made this product. I hope the success of the EP-133 inspires TE to find a way to keep releasing more midrange products — devices that are more robust than the Pocket Operators but much more affordable than the usual stuff. That $300 - $500 range of the EP-133 and OP-Z is the sweet spot in terms of price, and I hope they keep returning to it.

I was scared buying this off Amazon... I really was. However, it's the genuine product!! So, I’m now looking into a OP-1 now.Note to people considering this product: be tech-savvy before you buy it. Although I found it challenging at first, I found it incredibly enjoyable to use. I just, It took a month of playing within it before I could figure it out, haha.

This is a great machine with a wealth of fun to be had. Clearly the one I received was an open box as I ordered a new one but you can just tell… like someone threw it in the box! It was missing 2 knobs which the original manufacturer replaced quickly and free of charge. I got the fader cap on but was super gentle as it does feel extremely fragile. That said overall I’m thrilled with it. Just a bit disappointing to have something sold as new and clearly wasn’t.

Awesome

Best calculator I ever owned, though I can’t find the sine function.

After debating weather to get the original K.O., I recently discovered the K.O. II and started to look into it some more as I had been interested in a proper sampler and not just use my Casio SK-1 or Yamaha VSS-200.After reading about the complaints regarding the fade slider having issues, I decided to bite the bullet. The price wasn’t terrible and I figured I’d get it because my electronic capabilities would be sufficient to replace the slider if needed.I got the sampler and I have to say that the packaging looks great. It instantly invokes the thought of a record LP. My wife was even surprised at the packaging, as it did not look like a synth package.Opening the package was a challenge. That thing is in there extremely snug. There are finger holes to remove the sampler but if you tug too hard you will probably rip the outside sleeve. I gently shook it out on my bed with my finger guiding it.So far my biggest complaint stems from the packaging. While beautiful and extremely functional, it may be too functional. Like an IKEA box, no space was wasted, and this led to the curiosity of why Teenage Engineering shipped this without the knobs attached on the slider and pot.Not attaching the knobs only saves about 1/4” of space and they surely could have made the box bigger to account for such dimensions. I would think this might alleviate some of the issues people have had with the knobs, as I have read it may stem from people attaching them to firmly but as I opened the box, I also noticed marks on the inside where the packaging rubbed against the knob less pots and slider. I am sure that any good hit or jostling could potentially cause some damage, like when you ship a Faberge egg with zero packing peanuts.I followed some YouTube video suggestions carefully, such as gently attaching the knobs and when it came to the slider, not pushing it all the way down and attach the knob while the slider is positioned all the way up or down. I did notice the knob on the slider was a bit harder to get on than the volume or BPM knobs.The unit itself feels well built and while the buttons are plastic, the tapping seemed alright and played into the retro aesthetic. The lights and display are very intuitive and the inner packaging has a quick start cheat sheet. I wish there was a heavier duty instruction manual but I knew going in that probably wasn’t going to happen knowing Teenage Engineering. I was able to start making my own sound bank within 5 minutes.So overall, I feel this thing is worth the money. Who knows. Firmware updates in the future may resolve some issues and if they do a revision on packaging or components you might be able to get this one at a good price, although I doubt it as their products seem to hold value really well.…and after a thorough testing the fader is broken out of the box. Does not respond one bit. Looks like this will be returned and while the sampling and use seemed easy out of the box, what good is it if this is faulty from the beginning?!