Teenage Engineering adds lo-fi mode, USB audio, and more to the KO II sampler

Teenage Engineering has already released several substantial releases Updates Its amazing capacity costs $329 EP-133 KO II sampler. The latest one is one of the largest to date. Operating system 2.5 It adds audio via USB, selectable sample rates for lo-fi fun, sample reversal, an arpeggiator, and automatic equal-length trimming, and extends the maximum sample length from 20 seconds to 40 seconds by capturing mono audio, rather than stereo.

Sample inversion is such a simple feature that it’s shocking that it wasn’t implemented earlier. An arpeggiator doesn’t always make a lot of sense on a sampler, but the KO II sounds so great at looping samples (like the SK-1’s successor I’ve always wanted) that it’s a huge plus here. It’s now easier than ever to create a synthpop bass line.

The combination of longer sampling time and automatic equal-length cutting makes the KO II more suitable for cutting and rearranging samples, loops, and rearrangements. While the transient-based auto chopper was great for isolating break drum hits, it was less useful for melodic content.

But my favorite new feature is the new selectable sample rate. You can stick with the standard 46kHz if you want, but the new 32kHz mode adds some nice character, while 26kHz goes all lo-fi, turning crunchy and digital.

These are just the main features. There’s also improved time extension, new metrics, time toggle for each panel, and several bug fixes.

the OS update 2.5 Also available for KO II’s reggae-themed sibling, Redeem. While strange EP-1320 Middle Ages Sampling finally gets going Operating system updateit only gets USB audio, nothing else. We’ve asked Teenage Engineering why the EP-1320 is regularly excluded from the upgrade fun, but have yet to hear back.

You can upgrade the OP-133 KO II, EP-40 Riddom, or EP-1320 Medieval here.