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DJ Tech Reviews

Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II

A slim battery sampler and sequencer with punch-in effects; small memory, and early units had fader failures.

Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II from above

Photos: Teenage Engineering

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67%

of 9 reviews recommend it

See reviews
Best for
Sampling and sketching beats anywhere, on batteries.
Skip it if
You need large sample memory or effects per sound.

The Internet’s Opinion

From 9 professional reviews and 23 owner reviews: a fair amount of evidence.

Six of the nine professional reviews recommend it, and most owners read agree: a fast, fun, portable sampler for sketching beats and performing, with pressure-sensitive punch-in effects as the highlight. The concerns are fader failures on early units, a learning curve, small memory even after the 128 MB revision, and limited effects routing; free updates since 2025 added song mode, resampling and USB audio.

6 recommend3 mixed0 avoid

What people praise

  • A fast, fun workflow that gets ideas down quickly
  • Portable, with batteries, a built-in mic and a speaker for sampling anywhere
  • Pressure-sensitive punch-in effects are great for performing
Show 5 more
  • Good value for what it does
  • Easy drag-and-drop sample management from a computer
  • Good factory sounds
  • A distinctive, playful design
  • Sound with plenty of character

What to know first

  • Faders and other parts failed on early units, and some reviewers doubt the buildStill present
  • A learning curve: cryptic icons and key combinations that need the manual
  • Small sample memory, which fills quickly with loopsStill present
Show 5 more
  • One send effect shared across groups, no per-sound effects, and punch-in effects can't be recorded
  • No song mode or resampling at launchFixed
  • Audio only through one stereo jack: no USB audio or individual outputs at launchFixed
  • Twelve keys are limiting for melodies; a MIDI keyboard helps
  • Mini-jack MIDI and sync ports need adapters and sit close together
See the 9 reviews behind this

9 professional reviews (6 recommend, 3 mixed, 0 avoid; 1 on YouTube; all cover the 64 MB launch version); 23 owner reviews read at Thomann (13 posted on the 128 MB listing across seven languages, 3 under 20 words skipped; the 64 MB listing and its reviews are no longer online) and Guitar Center (14 posted on the original listing, one posted twice and counted once; the 128 MB listing has none yet)Compiled 2026-11-01How this is compiled

Video reviews

  • Blezz BeatsNov 2023Mixed

    EP-133 Review | Is it so much good?

    EP-133 Review | Is it so much good?

    Blezz BeatsNov 2023Mixed

Plays from YouTube when you press play. Picked from the reviews counted above, including one that disagrees where there is one.

Prices

Before you buy

Released
November 2023; the 128 MB version January 2026
Status
Current

Works with

  • EP Sample ToolMac or PC

    Teenage Engineering's sample tool moves samples on and off by drag and drop, trims them, and backs up and restores individual projects Manufacturer spec sheet (Teenage Engineering), checked 2026-11-01

  • Computers, phones and DAWsUSB audio, OS 2.5

    Since OS 2.5 it works with any class-compliant USB audio host: stereo audio in, as a sample source or audio source, and audio out to record straight into a DAW User manual (Teenage Engineering (user guide, OS 2.5 notes)), checked 2026-11-01

  • MIDI gear and controllersMIDI in, out and USB

    MIDI in and out connect to any MIDI-controllable device or controller such as a keyboard or drum pad, and over USB-C it works as a MIDI device with clock and transport User manual (Teenage Engineering (user guide)), checked 2026-11-01

  • Pocket Operators, Eurorack and vintage drum machinesAnalogue sync

    Dual 8th-note sync drives two Pocket Operators through a splitter cable, 16th-note sync suits Eurorack or a second K.O. II, and Sync24 links vintage drum machines User manual (Teenage Engineering (user guide)), checked 2026-11-01

You’ll also need

  • 4 x AAA batteries or a USB-C power sourceNot in the box

    The box holds the unit, a quick start guide, four knobs and the paper pulp box; power comes from four AAA batteries or USB-C User manual (Teenage Engineering (user guide)), checked 2026-11-01

  • 3.5 mm to 5-pin MIDI adaptersNot included

    MIDI in and out are 3.5 mm TRS Type A jacks, and MusicRadar notes the adapter needed for 5-pin MIDI gear isn't included MusicRadar, checked 2026-11-01

  • 3.5 mm to DIN sync cableFor Sync24 gear

    Linking vintage drum machines over Sync24 needs a 3.5 mm to DIN sync cable; a MIDI cable will not work User manual (Teenage Engineering (user guide)), checked 2026-11-01

  • A Mac or PCFor sample transfer

    Samples and project backups move through the EP Sample Tool on a Mac or PC Manufacturer spec sheet (Teenage Engineering), checked 2026-11-01

Key specs

Version
128 MB model, on sale since January 2026; it replaced the 64 MB original, which is discontinued
Sound engine
Sample-based: stereo or mono sampling at 46.875 kHz / 16-bit, 32-bit float signal chain, 24-bit converters
Polyphony
16 mono or 12 stereo voices
Sequencer
4 groups, 99 patterns per group, 12 tracks per pattern for samples and MIDI, patterns 1 to 99 bars; song mode with 99 positions; 9 projects of 80,000 notes
Pads
12 pressure- and velocity-sensitive mechanical keys (50 gf operating force, 3.2 mm travel) and a fader
Sample memory
128 MB, 999 sample slots, preset samples included
All 12 specifications
Sampling
Stereo samples up to 20 seconds, mono up to 40 seconds; recording rate 46.875, 32 or 26.25 kHz; can sample over USB audio and resample patterns
Effects
6 send effects and a master compressor, plus 12 pressure-sensitive punch-in effects
Inputs and outputs
3.5 mm stereo input and 3.5 mm stereo headphone/line output; built-in microphone
MIDI and sync
TRS Type A MIDI in and out (MMA compliant); sync in and out at 8 PPM, 16 PPM or 24 ppqn with start/stop
USB-C
Power, USB MIDI with clock and transport, sample transfer, firmware updates, and audio in and out with a computer
Power, size and weight
4 x AAA batteries or USB-C power; 240 x 176 x 16 mm; 620 g

12 of 12 figures sourced; hover one for its source

Our take

Rory TassellWritten from the sources on this page, not from a loan unit.

Six of nine professional reviews recommend it, and most owners read agree: a fast, fun, portable sampler for sketching beats and performing, with pressure-sensitive punch-in effects as the highlight. The concerns are fader failures on early units, a learning curve, small memory even after the 128 MB revision, and limited effects routing; free updates since 2025 added song mode, resampling and USB audio. Buy it to sketch and perform with your own samples rather than as a main studio sampler.

What it is

Status, November 2026: current. Teenage Engineering still lists the EP-133 K.O. II. The 128 MB version went on sale in January 2026 and replaced the 64 MB original (Synth Anatomy); the professional reviews cover the original.

What it is

The EP-133 K.O. II is a sampler and sequencer from Teenage Engineering, first released in November 2023. It samples in stereo or mono at 46.875 kHz and 16-bit through its built-in microphone, a 3.5 mm input or USB audio, and can resample its own patterns; stereo samples run up to 20 seconds and mono up to 40 (Teenage Engineering). The current version holds 128 MB of samples in 999 slots, preset samples included, with 16 mono or 12 stereo voices (Teenage Engineering).

It is played from 12 pressure- and velocity-sensitive keys and a fader. The sequencer has four groups of 99 patterns with 12 tracks each, patterns up to 99 bars and a song mode. Its send effect is one of six types at a time, shared by all four groups, with a master compressor, plus 12 pressure-sensitive punch-in effects for performing. Connections are a 3.5 mm stereo input and output, 3.5 mm MIDI in and out, analogue sync in and out, and USB-C for power, MIDI, sample transfer and audio (hardware overview).

It runs on four AAA batteries or USB-C power, and has a speaker. It measures 240 x 176 x 16 mm and weighs 620 g. It is in the drum machines guide.

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