Teenage Engineering has unveiled the EP-136 K.O. Sidekick, a compact hardware unit that sits somewhere between a mixer, an effects processor and a sequencer.

“The plan was to build a mixer for the K.O. II but it became more of an effect-box with a built-in sequencer,” says the company. “See it as a dj mixer with a 2-bar looping effects-automator, or whatever you wanna call it.”

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Weighing just 300 grams and measuring a mere 1.6 centimetres thick, the EP-136 is a two-channel mixer with an integrated audio interface, designed to sit comfortably between the company’s EP series units and your DAW setup.

Physical mounting points allow it to snap onto devices like the TE EP-133 K.O. II, creating a streamlined rig that works just as well in the studio or on stage.

Alongside standard mixing duties, the Sidekick adds a surprisingly deep set of performance tools more often found on DJ mixers or compact grooveboxes.

Each channel offers dedicated faders and cue buttons for you to preview the audio signal. From there, users can push sound into six onboard fx types – including filter, delay, loop, tape, tremolo and siren. Those effects can then be manipulated in real time using a bi-directional modulation stick and a pressure-sensitive force pad on the right-hand side of the unit.

The Sidekick also features a high-resolution colour LCD for navigating settings, managing routing and keeping track of performance parameters.

In addition, the unit also functions as a USB 2.0 audio interface, enabling multi-channel recording and playback across eight input and four output channels.

In terms of connectivity, the EP-136 offers two 3.5mm stereo inputs for its channels, along with an additional stereo aux, for a third “session” input. Multiple units can also be chained together for expanded channel counts, and the device can run on two AAA batteries or via USB-C power.

For those looking to streamline their EP setup, Teenage Engineering has also released a K.O. Sidekick starter pack that bundles essential cables and connector pegs to instantly bridge multiple machines.

The EP-136 KO Sidekick is priced at $169.

Learn more at Teenage Engineering.

The post Teenage Engineering’s EP-136 K.O. Sidekick is a mixer, effects unit and sequencer all in one – and the “power companion” to your K.O. II appeared first on MusicTech.