Teenage Engineering's EP-133 is... Trash

I don't normally post rants here on YouTube, but after reading all about the broken faders in the EP-133 K.O. 2, and then when receiving mine, realizing it had a defective fader as well, I just felt like I had to express my disappointment.
This is something Teenage Engineering could have picked up if they implemented simple quality controls. But probably in an effort to maximize profits, they chose not to.

Do you think it's okay to cut corners like this?

Please note that everything in this video is just my own personal opinions based on my personal experiences, but I have no insider information.

[flundlip]

Just to clarify since a lot of KO2 users are happy with their units and don't recognize what I'm talking about here... I don't think it's a bad sampler or musical device ... If it works. These are just my opinions on the lack of quality control, the low quality components and the disappointment of receiving a unit with a well known flaw. I bought it to use it, not to roast it, but since it arrived broken, I can't use it 🤷‍♂

[Scotch_and_Sew]

It doesn't really matter if it is $100 or $300 it should work when it arrives at the least. I have similar issue except my fader is stuck on 62 and part of the mechanism is folded in on itself. Given it has to travel to the other side of the planet and back not hopeful I am getting a replacement until after the new year assuming TE support gets back to me in timely manner :(

[hellfog]

Received mine today, and it works perfectly, seems like they are shipping the fader with a plastic sleeve protector now. I don’t even bother to change to the real knob, the sleeve Kinda looks pretty cool.

[wavetro]

my unit worked fine out of the box but the unfinished manual and confusing workflow made me send it back. i know some people are getting the hang of it but i find the device way too confusing to use compared to my PO-33, and this was a total miss on TE's part. gonna focus on Koala Sampler instead to stop the gear acquisition syndrome dead in its tracks

[TheNullState]

My fader arrived broken. I don't think they tested the device before shipping it. The fader is so crucial that I can't really use the device until it's fixed.

[NefertitiGold]

We really need to abandon the notion of spending $300 is “cheap”. If other companies can get their products made well and properly for lower price tags, there is absolutely no excuse for TE, especially as an ESTABLISHED brand and company this many years in.

[dinogoldie]

The EP133 KO2: when Teenage Engineering, toddler-level manufacturing and a newborn's sense of quality control collide. The price of the KO2 is no excuse for shoddy workmanship and garbage customer service. The KO2 is in the same price bracket as Novation's Circuit Rhythm, Sonicware's Liven Lofi-12 and Elektron's Model Samples and those are all well made great machines.

[osvos]

Mine had a duff power switch, wouldn't turn off when batteries were installed. Sent it back for a refund. Such a shame, I have a bunch of POs and they are all great fun (and work fine after years of being thrown in bags and taken to the beach etc). Had high hopes for this unit but it just didn't feel robust.
The whole fader install looked really dodgy to me - even though mine actually worked, the track was open to the elements with no skirting to stop dust and stuff from entering the unit. The faders I've seen on videos where people have taken them apart just look really cheap. Really wanted this to be better.

[Studio_to]

That’s TE for you.
And having 5000+€ worth of TE gear at home, I can vouch for the bad build quality, the cheap components, the botched software and the arrogance of the brand.
Great ideas, with really poor execution.

But the thing thats amazes me the most is how fanboys want to rationalize their purchases, ignoring the fact that a) 350€ is not cheap by no standard, b) the whole release is a mess, c) the whole TE brand is broken to its core and d) the EP-133 is a botched down, pale copy version of every old school MPC.
This glorified Lego box with so many limitations (I mean…350€ and no SD card reader tells you something) is not worth its price.
The software bugs alone and the absence of resampling is inexcusable from a boutique brand that taunts itself as the next best thing.

[Gadjet]

There is a chance its shipping issue as well, I noticed that on mine the fader spindle sticks out above the packaging so anything that goes on top of the box puts pressure on it. And they are shipping 8 in a box all stacked on top of each other I'm sure the ones on the bottom would be getting quite a bit of stress.. But as there are othe faults useres have repoted their QC department really needs to address this asap.

[ArborGeist]

I was part of the first batch order, I waited since the 24th for shipping confirmation, heard about all the issues, and decided to cancel. Thank you for confirming my doubts. I really wanted this to work out, but i'll probably get and SP404 mk 2.

[TinySparrow]

Mine works fine and I'm loving it. My first external hardware piece too since I mostly use ableton. Been really enjoying the work flow and I've spruced mine up with Lego. Still working on the overall attachments.

[bistrs]

I received a working one. So far. I ordered it thru b&h . I got it from them cause 2 day shipping. I like it but my keys constantly sticking. You have to press the keys exactly straight down from top or they get stuck. On my unit they do. I’m huge fan of TE POs and op-1. The rest of their devices not so much. The ko2 feels cheep. I do love the screen and how the effects look. That’s probly the reason I impulsively ordered it. And the price. If they make a tonic ep133 I don’t think I would order it. You are better off buying the po ko speak and tonic for the same price as this. Much better investment. If you are new to this and have 0 products.

[twilihgtn]

Mine unit was defective too - the fader issue, as well as the "ENTER" pressure sensor triggering all the time, what leads to a floating number displayed all the time instead of the mode/sound. I've sent it back too

[Fitzy]

My fader is broken out of the box too, waiting for the return label from TE

[dolo]

Same issue I had. Opened it up. Checked fader. Nothing. Packed it right up and returned it to Amazon. There was no damage on the shipping box. Just bad QA

[damelos]

My unit is on the way. If defective, are you "charging "TE for the shipping back to them? Do they provide a label, etc. so there's no cost to the buyer? Terrible experience.

[disxiple_]

my fader arrived broken too, as well as corey’s from bboytech report

[GODInTheWax]

It has to do with how they were warehoused. They stacked them on top of each other and the box its in is not sturdy enough for that. There's nothing wrong with the quality of the fader. I got one that was in perfect working order, most likely because mine was on the "top" of the stack. Sorry you gota bad unit, but the device is lit....it's amazing and a lot of fun. Hopefully you can get yours working and see that....

[noizzihardwood]

Amazon’s extended return period for the holidays FTW…