EP–133

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Teenage Engineering’s new EP‑133 “K.O. II” sampler is drawing attention for marrying the company’s distinctive industrial design with a relatively low $299 price point, though European buyers note a sharp VAT-driven price jump. Commenters weigh its limited 64MB memory, quirky sample rate, and toy‑like durability against its immediacy, portability, and fun workflow, often comparing it to more powerful but pricier samplers like Roland’s SP‑404MKII and 1010Music’s Blackbox. Many see it as an appealing, design‑forward groovebox for dabblers and live jamming, but not a replacement for more robust, professional hardware or software-based setups.

Pricing & Regional Differences

  • Many are surprised that a Teenage Engineering sampler is priced at $299, lower than expected (some guessed ~$1,000).
  • EU buyers see 349 € (~$380), causing frustration; others explain US price excludes VAT while EU price includes VAT and possibly consumer-protection overhead.
  • TE appears to use a flat 349 € VAT-in price across Europe and $299 elsewhere, with free shipping.
  • Some view the value as strong for TE; others think memory (64 MB) is too limited for the price.

Design & Aesthetics

  • Widespread praise for the industrial design, form factor, and overall “cool” look; some admit wanting it despite no real need.
  • A minority see TE gear as “sexy but toy-like,” prone to becoming desk clutter or failing under real gigging conditions.

Features & Technical Details

  • EP‑133 is a sampler/groovebox with mic, line input, pads, battery power, internal speaker, and MIDI in.
  • Uses a nonstandard 46.875 kHz sample rate; reasons proposed include clocking constraints or part availability, but actual rationale is unclear.
  • Some argue nonstandard rates matter for aliasing/conversion; others say good filtering should make this irrelevant.
  • Sample memory is 64 MB; seen as limiting by some, acceptable given the price and use case by others.

Comparisons to Other Gear

  • Frequently compared to:
    • Roland SP‑404MKII (seen as far more powerful, deeper, and better long-term value, but more expensive).
    • 1010Music Blackbox and other samplers/trackers (often judged more “serious,” but with different use cases and 3x price).
    • Korg Volca line and Pocket Operators as closer in spirit.
  • Some classify TE hardware as playful, immediate, and great for spontaneity, but less “professional” than Elektron or Roland devices.

Workflow, Use Cases & Newcomers

  • Several describe TE gear (and specifically PO‑33) as fun, inspiring, and great for low-commitment music-making.
  • New users ask if they can load their own samples—answers: yes, via onboard recording plus a web-based sample tool.
  • EP‑133 can be controlled via MIDI from a DAW.
  • Some argue a laptop/iPad could replicate all functions; others emphasize the value of dedicated hardware, tactile controls, and reduced friction.

Marketing, Website & Ali Imagery

  • The launch page, dithering image load, Ali hero shot, and packaging draw strong admiration.
  • Posters note that Ali’s image and likeness appear properly licensed, as indicated by page credits.