Teenage EngineeringEP–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.

Tons of fun - o lot of capability and can be used in moist settings.

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.

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.

- The packaging is cheap: no plastic sheet over the plastic display, the power switch is embedded into the packaging, forcing you to try and pull out the unit 2-3 times before realizing you'll have to leverage the whole thing out, pulling apart the packaging as you do so.- The battery compartment is disguised by an unsettlingly thin piece of plastic that is impossible to remove without leveraging and bending one end. It doesn't pop off, you've gotta basically peel it off and hope it doesn't snap.- Once you get the battery compartment open, it's so tiny and rigid, that you've really gotta squeeze the AAA batteries in there. Mine popped out three times before I could forced them all in and shut my eyes as I fearfully pushed the razor thin plastic cover back on top.- And then there is fadergate. I tested all my knobs and the fader BEFORE putting any of the tips on, just to be safe. THE TIPS DO NOT FIT. There is absolutely no way to get these things on without putting considerable, and I mean A LOT, of force.- TE's solution to "fadergate" was to put a small rubber corset around the exposed fader top. To get this off, I had to use needle nose plyers and prayed in terror, wonder what was worse, pulling this thing like crazy, or pushing the tip on.- The power switch is brittle plastic, and instead of nicely jogging back and forth from on/off, you have to truly PUSH it and it clicks. Not in a satisfying way, but in a way that makes you wonder how long until this cheap plastic thing just cracks off.The unit itself is a joy to make music with, it's a shame that they went so cheap on the build. It's so close to feeling perfect. Unboxing should be fun not stressful!

Awesome