An impulse buy. But I don't regret this.
I Christmas pressie to myself?
While I was in Japan, the TE email popped up and I couldn't resist.
That same night TE had sold out of the first batch. So I guess I was lucky to have bought this.
Looks like a piece of Lego.
But no, ...its a sampler, sequencer and composer..... for a bargain price.
I view Teenage Engineering as a Swedish design company masquerading as a producer of electronic music instruments. They sell everything from baseball caps, 3D printers & furniture to some of my fav musical instruments. I still have a original OP-1 that I love. Their gear is either super pricy or cheap. This was in between.
Links:
I'll def keep the box.
Even if this turns out to be a fail on a musical level, I think the KOII 133 is a object of beauty that I'll still be happy to own.
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It's the lovechild of an 1980's pocket calculator meeting a box of Lego in a Swedish nightclub
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This is how the display is setup.
After reading the manual a few times here are what I think are the basic concepts
you need to know to get started.
The file structure starts with the PROJECT at the top.
Each project contains Groups, Patterns & Scenes
PROJECTS
There are 9 projects.
Hold "MAIN"& press 1 to 9
Projects 1 - 5 already have sounds loaded.
GROUPS
There are 4 groups:
Group A = Drums
Group B = Bass
Group C = Melody
Group D = empty for your samples
PATTERNS
The sequencer's patterns can be up to 99 bars long
The default length is 1 bar. Each bar is divided into 4 beats. Each beat is divided into 4 steps
(this can be changed by adjusting the Pattern Length & Note Interval).
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To record to a pattern step :
Hold (record) and press on one of the pads to record that pad to a step.
Placing a kick on 1.1.1 / 1.2.1 / 1.3.1 and 1.4.1 - this is called a ‘four on the floor’.
A snare on 1.2.1 and 1.4.1 - this is called a ‘back beat’.
Note intervals:
to change the note interval (number of steps per bar). press (timing button) and turn (knob - x).
having a higher note interval allows you to sequence in more detail.
by default K.O.II will be set to a note interval of 1/16, but note intervals of 1/8, 1/8T (triplet), 1/16, 1/16T (triplet) and 1/32 are available.
Pattern length
by default new patterns on K.O.II will be set to 1 bar (len:1).
if you want a longer pattern just hold (record) then press (plus button).
if you want a longer pattern just hold (record) then press (plus button).
Note repeat
hold (timing) and press a pad to repeat that pad with the chosen note interval.
use it on a hi-hat to quickly record hats into your beat!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Making the first tunes:
Start by making some drum beatsUse GROUP A.Press RECORD & Play to hear a four beat count-inhit the pads to record your beat!once you are done recording press (play) again to stop the recording
Bassline
use it on a hi-hat to quickly record hats into your beat!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Making the first tunes:
Start by making some drum beatsUse GROUP A.Press RECORD & Play to hear a four beat count-inhit the pads to record your beat!once you are done recording press (play) again to stop the recording
Bassline
press group (GROUPB) to play some bass sounds.
select one that you like then press (keys) to (play) that sound across the pads like a keyboard!
if you’d like to change the scale of the pads, this can be done in system settings.
if you’d like to change the scale of the pads, this can be done in system settings.
Melody
The method is much the same as with the BASS
press group (GROUPC) to play some melodic sounds.
press (keys) to play that sound across the pads like a keyboard!
if you’d like to change the scale of the pads, this can be done in system settings.
tap (record) and (play) to get a four beat count in and record it in!
if your melody is longer than the drum pattern increase your pattern length by holding (record) and pressing (PLUS).
Sampling
press group D then hit SAMPLE to enter sample mode!
the pads will flash to let
you know that they can be
sampled to.
press one pad and
sing into
the mic or play a instrument into the line in!
As soon as you let go it will
stop sampling and you can
press the pad again to hear
your sample
Use the same
techniques we used in the
previous sections to play
your sample(s) into your beat!
----------------
Performance
There are two types of effects
FX vs Punch-in FX
Master FX
press (fx) to open the fx
menu. here you can send each
group to one master fx.
turn the fader up and use (minus)
and (plus) to switch between the
available fx.
OFF
IILY delay - adjust the length & feedback with the X/Y knobs
RVB reverb - adjust the length & colour (filter hi&lo frequencies) with the X/Y knobs
DST distortion - adjust the drive & colour (filter & resonate hi&lo frequencies) with the X/Y knobs
CXO chorus - adjust the modulation & feedback with the X/Y knobs
FLT filter - adjust the cutoff & resonance with the X/Y knobs
CMP compressor - adjust the drive (loudness) & speed with the X/Y knobs
Punch-in FX
If you hold down the FX button & press buttons 1-9 you can add super fast punch-in effects.
Its a quick way to add variations in live performances.
Its a quick way to add variations in live performances.
The effects are pressure sensitive and can be combined.
This is one of the quickest and easiest waveform editors Ive ever used.
Connects to your computer via USB C.
Perfect for managing samples on your K.O. II. use it to upload, download and delete samples from your device, as well for editing and quick assignment of samples to pads.
The max sample length is 20 seconds/pad.
are arranged as follows:
kick 1-99
Snare 100-199
Cymb 200 - 299
Perc 300 - 399
Bass 400 - 499
melody 500 - 599
loop 600 - 699
User 1 700 - 799
User 2 800 - 899
SFX 900 - 999
There is a waveform editor in the app.
Press SHIFT & Edit.
Use the +/- button to get to TRI (trim)
Now you can use the X/Y knobs to change the start/end points of your sample.
the ep sample tool currently supports any sample format that is supported by your browser, as well as aiff files. you can find detailed information here.