Teenage Engineering EP 133 K.O II REVIEW - Does this $299 sampler live up to the HYPE?!
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- Опубликовано: 5 июн 2024
- This is the K.O II from Teenage Engineering. A portable sampler and groovebox. But does it live up to the hype? Want to upload your music to Spotify/iTunes/Tidal, use today's sponsor DistroKid: distrokid.com/vip/bobeats with my link you get a discount and support the channel
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CONTENT
00:00 Intro
00:18 Sound demos & unboxing
03:10 Build quality issues?!
03:25 A heavy sampled electronic beat
04:12 K.O 2 vs Other Samplers
05:41 How to make music with the K.O 2
14:27 Connecting a MIDI keyboard is GREAT
18:59 How to sample a synthesizers
24:25 How to chop samples
25:44 No song mode?!
28:08 Problems & Improvements
30:58 Does it live up to the hype?
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Q: How is the speaker's sound quality?
A: It is not great. The click of the buttons can easily overpower sounds
Q: How is KO2 vs Model:Samples
A: Model Samples is not a sampler but a sample player with very deep sequencer compared to the KO2. The K.O 2 however can play back samples polyphonically and sample, and has a totally different feel to it. So similar in price, not in function. Watch my MS here: ruclips.net/video/_Hr-8jzlpCk/видео.html
Q: Can I use the performance/punch in FX on external audio
A: No. Only the send fx (chorus, delay, reverb, distortion, filter, compressor)
Q: Song mode
A: No, doesn’t seem to have a song mode unless I totally misunderstood something
Q: Is it a Sp-404 killer?
A: Watch the video and the answer should be an obvious NO. For some this is a better device due to its simplicity, but the SP404 mk2 has much deeper sampling capabilities and a screen that lets you actually see the waveform. It can also resample and that is a BIG part of its eco system. Watch my review of the SP-404 here: ruclips.net/video/B6oWrtVMxck/видео.html
Q: Is it worth 299?
A: While I don't think its crazy affordable (it is just crazy affordable compared to usual TE prices) it is worth the money I think.
Q: If I have SP404mk2, Digitakt and/or Circuit Rhythm do you think I need this?
A: Except for polyphonic sample playback I think there's a lot of overlap. Give it some thought before buying! How many samplers do you need?
Q: How do you export your music?
A: No export that I could find. Only stereo recording thru the output. USB is for MIDI and not audio according to the manual.
I’ll add more Q’a and A’s as I get more questions…
Octatrack: "You'll never remember how to use me."
404 mk2: "Yes I could do that but you'll have to jump through these hoops first."
Digitakt: "Nah you don't need stereo."
KO2: "Re- what now?"
straight up. my OG zoom sampletrak better than 90% of samplers out there now. newly a 1010 blackbox user and i think it's the best thing out right now, despite being out 4 years at this point
SmplTrek: "Why do I never get added to these lists?"
digitakt doesn't have stereo? seems like at least the samples do from what ive heard?
Digitakt samples are mono, but they can be panned to the stereo outputs, like most drum machines. You can't sample in stereo though, that's the limitation.@@d3maccus
Thanks Bo! A wonderful explainer of what to expect! Well done!
Thanks buddy! For everything over the years ♥️
Thanks Bo. The video I was waiting for! Answered a lot of questions other RUclipsrs didn’t answer!
You came out with this one fast! Great to be able to watch while waiting for mine to come in the mail. I appreciated hearing the pros and cons.
Great video Bo, appreciate how you showed making a groove on it and the pros/cons at the end
Hey @BoBeats! I'm only half-way through this video, but this has been the best instructional out of many I've watched thus-far.
Seeing so many changes in real-time, only to be capable of practicing it on my own K.O. II has been wonderful for building muscle memory.
Thanks so much for the breakdown, and precise explanations. You're killing it out here. Keep it up, and I look forward to more!
Thank you for this. Best intro to the device so far.
AH YES I was waiting for the BoBeats demo of this! As always you've convinced me its awesome 🤤
Great vid, Bo!! Looking forward to programming beats on mine on the go
Bo your music is really advancing! I’m loving the tracks you’re creating in this vid!
Thank you!
Yeah really great stuff in this ep
I immediately thought the same thing as soon as he came in on the KeyStep in the demo section. He's got a lot more up his sleeve now than he did back in the OG Minilogue days
Thank you all! I think you'd be surprised if you heard some of my old music. I just never really had time to make great songs for my videos. Never been the goal either really as it's a balancing act between showing something "as it is" and not "convincing you thru a produced demo". It's also been a lot of work just learning how to make videos (which I had zero experience of when I started). I totally hear the feedback and will try hard to add good song demos in the future too.
@@BoBeats Keep doing what you're doing man. We are stoked and complimenting you... hehe... ;)
Best video about this device so far. Thank you!
Been watching your videos for years and this is finally something after years of wanting an op1 that is in my price range! Just put my order in and am excited for my first piece of gear!
Fantastic presentation Bo. Thanks.
very close clear and well recorded.good work. thank you
Bo! Selectahhh! Great and honest review. Im waiting for mine to arrive as i collect all types of samplers 😊
This is a great video, and very helpful as well with learning the device. Everybody remember to take a break and instead of carving out time for music, carve out time for the people you love most. Or, share the device with them. My Four year old laughed while playing with it 😅
Great job on the video, as usual. Always liked your informative, level-headed style and you playing the f*ck out of anything you get your hands on. We're lucky to have a great reviewer (and teacher) like you!
Thank you!
I hope it´s coming soon. Thanx for the nice explained video. Very sympathetic.
This looks like it’s supposed to come with Prodigy, KMFDM, and Atari Teenage Riot stickers all over it
Very nice review with good sounds, thx ❤
Really loved your review, I will definitely be getting one at some point!
It's much larger in person than I had expected. With the design aesthetic, I was thinking it would be around half that size. (I'm actually happy it's larger)
are you liking it? i think i would use it off another drum machine
@@GullySyde28I was responding to the video. :) Mine hasn't yet arrived, but I did order one, and I don't usually care for TE stuff.
Great video Bo!,,,thanks for sharing your thoughts👍
i' m looking forward to you doing more videos with this little box of tricks.🙏
I'm not convinced either that it's the one sampler to rule them all. However, I must say that your channel might be the one to rule them all! :) You always have the most in-depth and balanced reviews so when new gear comes out, you are pretty much the first channel on my list! Thanks much & cheers from USA!
Thank you!!
Got super excited when you brought in the midi keyboard. 🔥
I needed a sane review of it. the pluses and minuses. I knew we could depend on you telling it like it is. Thanks!!
thanks for showing me some new gear this cold Sunday
Thank you for an outstanding review and demonstration. I am far, far away, from your ability as a musician, but it is great to see what this machine can do in skilled hands. Mine is being shipped.
I'm becoming a groovebox collector but I've had hard time wrapping my head around patterns and sequences. I find with this unit I finally understand these basics that I can now apply to my Circuit Tracks and Rhythm and MC101. It's less menu diving to get to the place that you need to be. It may not be the best unit on the market but it's a great gateway into these machines. Very fun.
What a great tutorial. One of the best I've seen since this device has come out!! Very thorough and informative. Thank you. Mine is in the mail.
Thank you. Very balanced review!
Trevlig video. bra jobbat 👍
it looks like a very fun little device and quite affordable, I'll probably pick one up at some point
thanks for the rundown Bo
Resampling seems like a must have on something like this! Looks really cool
Looking forward to even more swedish music gear on my (IKEA) desk. Your country is pretty well represented here, Bo.
so rad, epic explanation. I'ma own one someday but I'm in no rush what with having the SP. This seems fun but wanna focus on mastering the SP before jumping onto something else. Also I have the OPZ and that's already like a suped up pocket operator imo
Watching videos on this machine is inducing GAS for the SP 404, great stuff Bo!
This is so informative and helpful. And some of those mini-tracks you demonstrate are fab. I'm receiving mine on Thursday, and I'm binging on all of those KO-II vids on RUclips. Yours is by far the one where I learned the most about the device, plus I got to listen to great loops! Subscribing. 😘
Got mine Friday - also thanks to Cuckoo! Loving it so far Bo.
I'm predicting that they will make another version of this based on the P0-20 arcade, with a synth engine, kind of like how there's the Circuit Rhythm and Circuit Tracks
Would make sense
Yeah, Cuckoo did mention that is is a “platform.”
Would be rad! I'd definitely get the Vocals one if they ever do it.
It says Series on the back.
A po 128 is my bet it would basicly be a novation circut
thank you excellent work-thru video, appreciated.
Very much. Your demonstrations are pleasur. 👍
Great job! Thank you for your work & honest opinion. I like the EP-133 very much and have two of them, both without fader or sticky button problems. The only thing I noticed is that the power switch on my second one needs way more pressure to switch. Greetings from Switzerland.
Two of them?! Damn! 😅👌
@@BoBeats With two of them you can resample! 😅
well that jam round 4mins mark slapped!
Really cool video!!
I am new to such devices and music. But loved this! do you suggest a complete beginner to start with this one? thanks for the video.
It IS limited for sure, but I’m surprised that it can play samples polyphonically - something the Digitakt or Octatrack cannot. So, that’s interesting.
Yepp a big plus!
So a multiplexer is now something to be excited about , 12 mono voices is pretty dire
by far this is my favorite demo of this device. i love your choice of samples when you showcased the midi keyboard, cant wait for mine to arrive
I actually find the step recording to be very simple. It's kind how I visualize ableton to begin with.
Many thanks for your video. After the initial hype of (generally good) reviews I thought to myself I’ll probably wait a few months for T.E. To sort out the problems out, now I don’t think I’ll bother! Looks like my search for a new sampler continues!
Its a fun device (if you get one that works!) but its not a must have I think. But fun!
EP-133 reminds me of MPC500 that I had back in the days. Same 12 pads, fader that you can assign FX and other things to, battery powered, banks of sounds, Scenes (same as sequences on MPC). MPC500 was built like a tank and the price was higher even back then - I got mine for $699 in 2007 (I think it's with discount) which translates to $1100 now. EP-133 has easier workflow but has less features for sure.
I agree EP-133 is the cheaper, easier, smaller version of MPC lite that we needed.
Nice video!
Is there a way to mute/unmute Groups or Pads?
Love that you're taking a teacher's approach with notes on paper. Feels authentic and I'm sure it's easier for yourself too. Just a small little detail that I appreciated about this review.
The sampler isn't for me though. Pretty, but too limited. 😊
Sometimes having limits is a good thing
Nice! Best tutorial online so far.
And I agree, let's hope a future firmware update includes an arpeggiator!
Great video ! Thanks Bob. Very appealing sweet piece of music-making. I'll grab one when the firmware update brings in individual pan, resampling, a possibility to refine the quantize (instead of on /off only) and the ability to record the punch-in fx, possibility to export not only the samples but a whole sequence. If they do that, then it will be close to perfection (aside from lacking an sd card slot).
All good suggestions for FW updates imo!
You CAN refine quantize. You select TIMING and the orange knob lets u adjust that. The black knob lets u adjust the swing.
I came very close to ordering this, based almost entirely on the aesthetics of the thing (it's undeniably cool looking) but also the prospect of a rather useful/inspiring 'toy' to play with when I don't feel like getting stuck into a big project. Kiiinda glad I held out though. I realised an upgrade to K14 Collector's Edition was about £40 cheaper than the KOII and I got *so* many packs for my Maschine MK3 I think it'll scratch that itch for a while. If - big if - I have 300 bucks literally spare, I would still like one to have on the coffee table in my living room, or to use in bed. But right now I can do without it. Also hopefully they'll get to the bottom of some of the construction/quality issues too. By which time it'll no doubt be 3x more expensive to get one lol
I impulsively ordered one on launch and just broke even reselling it on eBay. It's definitely overhyped, koala sampler app does the same if not more. I would agree with the coffee table idea, but only if the speaker was better quality. The one thats in it is so bad you can barely hear half the kicks/bass samples, and Im not surprised Bo's just straight up broke.
Yeah GAS Therapy put me on to Koala and it scratched the itch pretty well. Even has probability per event, which is really nice. Sorry to hear you didn't have a great experience though. Definitely glad I held off.
@@slvshy666
great video!!
Hi, great vid! What mic is this? Thanks
Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty.
Sweet video!
Eventually, the hype will "fade".
😅👌
Thank you very much for this video! It answered questions I had while digging through this bad boy I got yesterday. One thing I would love to see is 4 individual FX sends per group, without having to use destructive method of printing FX automation.
Also, I don't think we can honestly be very critical of a $299 USD priced device haha, just my opinion.
I agree with your assessment…it's FUN!
Keep up the great work on your channel!
It’s a very capable device. It can help you create anything if in the right hands. I picked up a couple and hope to get them soon so I can start a series on them. Great video BTW
still not nearly as powerful as the SP 404K that lets you punch in FX and run multiple FX at same time or on different samples and has resampling. I rather have the SP 404 MK2 than this toy. Still it is ok if they fix the broken slider and software issues.
can you sell me one of them? i tried to buy one but they were sold out.
I can't stop looking at it. It's such a compelling object.
I’m hoping this will get as much love & firmware updates as Novation gave the Circuit! That device just about doubled its functionality in the years after its first release.
Great idea pad.
Actually, it Seems almost like an updated SP-303...vs the 404 mkii competitor some might think it is...the inability to chain sequences...most will prob use in conjunction with a daw these days, as most people tend to with these limited feature groove box samplers, so, they may have just assumed as much and figured sequencing in daw will suffice. The fact that it's only 300$, given what it CAN do, is probably it's biggest selling point, allowing those folks, especially younger beatmakers, with limited resources, to enter into the realm of sampling, with an at least "semi pro" level sampler, that has some contemporary features, versus the previous KO, or perhaps a hard to find, potentially wonky, SP-202, or some other, older, far less functional groove box sampler for a similar price...I could totally see my 16 yr old, and her band, having a blast with this..
I think this is the best explanatory video on this product. You clearly show the interaction with the midi keyboard. But actually, it is not complete but in association with other machines it will add functionalities.
Personally Verselab Mv1de Roland can make arrangements except that there is no effect.
The most important thing is how do we recover what we have just composed? EVERY TRACK? or at least does it work with a DAW directly or connect the audio outputs of the EP 33 to an external audio interface?
You have to record the audio output. No audio over usb currently. Maybe they can add it.
I've been shopping for a decent sampler. The EP133 KO II sold out so I bought a Roland SP404 MKII instead. Waiting for it to arrive....I don't think I will be disappointed although I would have jumped on the EP133 KO II if it had not sold out so quickly....and I didn't want to wait for the next batch to become available.
I think you made a good choice from what I’ve seen the workflow is nice but the overall quality isn’t on par with the Roland 🙏
Really cool to see this little box in action. If I didn't have my eye on a Syntakt as my next piece of gear, I'd think about dropping the money for this and giving it a shot. I'm pleasantly surprised by the price point too, if I'm honest.
Thanks for another great video!
Imo if you don’t own a sampler… would definitely suggest starting with one over Syntakt. I love my Syntakt, but it has much more of it’s own identity and sound that not everyone gels with. Don’t get me wrong Syntakt is great alone and with other gear… just wouldn’t be something I’d start with.
Not contradicting you, but I started with it and love it, fwiw. But yeah, it’s different for sure!
@@GregBolton nice… I have 6 elektrons and they are all great together or on their own. I still use other stuff too… not just Elektron. Good luck!
@@dracul74 Now mind you, a Digitakt is right at the top of my list of things to get next!
@@GregBolton nice! I was surprised how much I love it… it’s a mono sampler and while that is a limitation…. the sequencer and general sound of it make it worthwhile imo. I use it mostly for drums. If you dig the syntakt workflow it will only take a few minutes to be off and running. Very similar. Has a decent compressor so some like to run other audio through. Good luck.
I like the idea of the parameters just being graphically represented, not relying on numbers but on the sound you’re creating.
The step recording is basically the same as my Boss DR660 from 1992. Made me feel a bit nostalgic.
You did a pretty good job of chopping up a sample!
great video! can you record tracks separately into a DAW for mixing later via USB like the way Elektron Overbridge works?
No
Good and ejoyable review as always! Quick question, can you use the punch-in fxs on the incoming audio?
no, punch in fx is only for internal audio, you can apply the send fx to external audio
Thank you. That's all the G.A.S. therapy I needed for tonight!
Kinda a bummer no? if they really wanted to be a SP404 killah, that would have been one of the points ;) just sain, if yu gonna come out the box, come wit it!!!! lol
love this little machine, but especially the fact that it looks remarkably similar to an old school 10 key, paper roll and all.
Great video, thank you! Can’t wait to receive mine :)
I have a question : how do you export your track on a computer?
I assume its recording stereo out. Havnt found any other way of doing it.
@@BoBeatsokay ! I thought maybe it was like the Op-1 with the folders.
Thank you ✌️
Great review! I agree with you on the poor execution of song mode. I hope in the future they can add ability to assign the scenes to the pads so you can launch scenes 1-12 (or more by using shift or other means) by pressing the corresponding key. I cannot imagine this software update would be that hard to implement.
I just got mine. You can actually launch the scenes by holding MAIN and typing in Scene number. That allows for getting around of not having the mute. You can create bunch of scenes with deleted tracks or groups. As far as I know you cannot record your live performance while changing scenes. Resampling would be nice though or dedicated mute button with ability to record the mutes.
3:33 Bo goes INDUSTRIAL!
I think it’s great! It addresses many of the weaknesses I think the original K.O. had, more samples, longer sequences. But curiously enough you can’t really arrange songs? And the sequencer is much more basic than on the original where you could get visual confirmation of your patterns. I really hope they change this in an update (and maybe and companion app!) It’s weird you can have 99 scenes but don’t link them or at least make the play in order. I just thought I hadn’t figured out how.
It will get added eventually.. you just have to be patient, thru know what they need to do with this.
Thanks for the video! What about export capabilities? How can you transfer your creation to your computer to further work on it / mix it properly? Thanks !
No export. Just stereo out
Thank you for the video!
For me personally the KO2 is highly portable device and I like it. BUT: For such portable device I would need a Bluetooth (for headphones) AND rechargeable battery (USB-C) instead of AAA batteries
Best review so far. As per use.
Thank you!!
@@BoBeats I’m waiting for the day you treat us with a comparison between the SP404mk2, the EP-133, the Tangerine and any of the Elektron boxes. I’m guessing your point of view would be invaluable at a time when samplers are making a big come back
I'm ok with this not having song mode, because even on Elektron grooveboxes I like to manually perform my songs and switch patterns on the fly. But I would have REALLY appreciated audio over USB. I hope it's possible for them to add audio over USB in a software update or something.
elektrons wait for the pattern to end (at least the digitakt does) as far as I've seen the ko2 does not do this, which is odd because the original KO does
This is my main gripe, lack of usb audio. Not just because I’m lazy and don’t want to whip out an audio interface, but also because I want to be able to export stems/separate tracks. I’m not giving TE $1100 for their little portable recorder machine just so I can record a two-track master out on it.
@@avrilcadabraboth the elektrons and this both let you switch in you want it to play too the end or suddenly.. They both let you decide just fyi.
thank you Bo
holy moly your tunes are so good - when does the album drop???
Awesome video. Can it not resample with a stereo cable going from headphones out to audio input?
Would that not just generate feedback?
No i dont think that works
This supersedes my beloved Circuit Rhythm but also gives me hope Novation will make a supercharged Circuit one day, i.e. 16-tracks wide and polyphonic and combining both the Tracks and Rhythm functionality.
I don't think it's that clear. I mean the KOII cannot resample at all - that's a huge drawback. And I might be misunderstanding, but it sounded like you could not sequence or record the punch in FX. Resampling on the Circuit Rhythm ticks both these boxes. But I agree, I held off from buying the Rhythm for ages because I thought they had to be working on its successor, and I hope they do release something. But I think it needs to be a pure sampler. I'm not a fan of the Circuit synth engine and they're so cheap easy to sync that you may as well use both together. I'd like to see stereo sampling, longer samples memory, timestretching and polyphonic tracks.
I look at this as a suped-up KO-33: portable and fun but not to be taken too seriously. Build quality and durability are of high importance for a portable unit, though, and I think the jury is still out on some issues like the fader contacts bending. Have there been other reports of the speaker going out? I am an early adopter, but there is a delay related to the shipping carrier delivering the first batch if units to the particular store I chose here in the US.
Great video. I agree with you on everything. I’m enjoying mine it is very fun. It’s a shame you can’t record the punch in fx like the OG KO. Would have like to see how to delete a sample and or sample management since sampling is so easy.
I actually succeed recording the punch in fx just 5 minutes ago but since it's my first hour with the machine I have absolutely no clue of how I did it but I did it !
Nice sho Bo. The TE product looks very sharp, Elsi mate EL desktop calcullator Sharp!
very nice review - i learned a lot - thanks! but one thing i still can't elicit from the demos i've seen (or the cartoony manual) is whether it can record and send polyphonic midi to external synths without stealing its internal voices -- i noticed in the manual that if you set sound to 000 that it doesn't steal voices, so maybe it has no limit except the total (80k?) note count, but maybe i'm just being optimistic :) anyway looks fun and i can't wait for TE to get me my unit...
After Xmas, when I have some extra money. This WILL BE my first hardware music making device! Been looking for a quality,name brand, budget device that can play samples for easy fast music making fun.
Great vid! I agree there's a lot of hype. However, I could be wrong but I really think it will suit me well. I might just have been duped by the hype 😂 very sorry I missed the first round. Guess I'll be waiting months
Just got one unopened second hand 😂😂😂
Thanks a lot Bo! Nice device, yes, but I guess I´d stick to my SP 404 MKII. Nevertheless: I like the workflow and I am sure it is a typical device for having fun on the road.
Great overview/review. Looks capable. I’ve never been able to get the hang of any TE product I have tried. Weird workflows. This looks to be the same.
2 KO2's and a Korg Kaoss Replay that would be an amazing live performance set up.
I would love to see a video about how the KO II and your OP1 Field are working together for you! Are you able to unlock any exciting new workflows?
I own the Circuit Rhythm and Liven Lofi-12 and, based on the reviews, would place the EP133 somewhere between the two. I've preordered one from a UK store and hopefully some of these manufacturing/firmware bugs will have been addressed by the end of December when mine set to arrive. Can you manually adjust slice points (like you can on ther Circuit Rhythm)?
Yes u can manually adjust slice points