Teenage Engineering is a unique company that marches to the beat of its own drum. One day, it may release a toy car for $250, and the very next day, a feature-packed groovebox/sampler for $300. That’s exactly what happened recently when Teenage Engineering surprise-launched the EP-133 K.O. II, a portable sampler/groovebox that’s not only feature-rich but also stunning and priced at just $300.
The new EP-133 K.O. II is a direct follow-up to the popular Pocket Operator portable synthesizers, offering musicians a more sophisticated workstation while still maintaining the portability that’s characteristic of Teenage Engineering’s products. It’s a larger yet still portable device that more closely resembles a standalone machine, like those offered by Akai, although it won’t fit in your pocket, it will fit in your bag.
Featuring 64MB of memory, the K.O. II is intentionally limited in storage to encourage users to complete their projects without postponement. David Eriksson told The Verge that the goal was to keep the user focused and committed to finishing a song in one go without the option to revisit it later.
With 999 sample slots and an internal microphone for creating your own samples, the K.O. II is equipped with the essentials for immediate use. It also features USB-C connectivity for sample loading and MIDI devices, and runs on four AAA batteries. The unit’s orange-colored buttons and knobs help musicians to navigate during live performances in dimly lit venues. Its sleek design is complemented by velocity-sensitive keys and a rectangular LED screen that mirrors the design of the OP-1 and OP-1 Field synthesizers.
Designed to attract both newcomers and professionals in the music-making world, the K.O. II offers simplicity in workflow, while boasting impressive features such as 12 mono and 6 stereo voice polyphony, stereo/mono sampling, 12 pressure-sensitive pads, built-in FX sends, a master compressor, and sample slicing tools. Its futuristic aesthetic adds to its appeal.
The EP-133 K.O. II, priced at $300, is now available. Despite the unusual timing of its release, this marks Teenage Engineering’s first dedicated music-making machine since the OP-1 Field last year.
