Teenage Engineering updates the KO II sampler with USB audio and lo-fi mode

Teenage Engineering just pushed OS 2.5 to the EP-133 KO II, the $329 sampler that's been quietly outpacing pricier gear since it shipped. This is one of the biggest updates yet. The device now sends and receives audio over USB — no more dongles or adapters — and you can dial in selectable sample rates for that gritty lo-fi sound. It also gets a sample reverse button, an arpeggiator, equal-length autochopping, and doubles the maximum sample length from 20 seconds to 40 by capturing in mono instead of stereo.

The KO II has always been known for its aggressive repitching — samples sound like they're being dragged through a filter and back. The arpeggiator might seem like a strange addition for a sampler, but it makes sense once the unit is set up to chop and loop. The sample reverse feature, meanwhile, is the kind of basic capability that's almost embarrassing it took until now. Sample reverse isn't rocket science. It's the kind of feature you only realize you've been missing.

If you've been putting off buying the KO II because it couldn't talk to your computer, that's gone. If you've been waiting for longer samples, the mono trick gets you there. Esto te toca if you're making beats at home, in the car, or wherever the cousins are hanging out.

Why this matters for us: When makers' tools get cheaper and more capable, the people actually making things with them — not just the studios — get the real benefit.