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Teenage Engineering has announced the first major OS update for its EP-133 K.O. II sampler, released in 2023. The free update bringing resampling, song mode, sidechaining and increased polyphony to the instrument.

Dubbed the “Champions” update, OS 2.0 significantly expands the capabilities of the K.O. II with some commonly requested features that’ll undoubtedly put a smile on the face of this calculator-esque sampler’s fans. First up, we have expanded polyphony: EP-133 can now handle 16 mono and 12 stereo voices, a healthy increase from the 12 mono and six stereo voices it offered on launch.

EP-133’s new resampling function lets you record stacks of multiple samples with effects into a new sample, opening up a host of creative possibilities for reimagining existing patterns and making it possible to free up space for additional tracks and effects by bouncing down multiple tracks into one. Now, you’re also able to sample hands-free.

OS 2.0 also brings with it Song Mode, a feature that allows you to chain multiple scenes together to craft structured arrangements. 99 unique song positions can be stored, each made up of scenes containing multiple patterns of up to 99 bars. Teenage Engineering points out that this means you’re now able to create a song that’s up to 9,801 bars in length, making EP-133 a more useful tool for extended live performances.

Good news for fans of pumping techno, as EP-133 now offers MIDI sidechaining, meaning that you’re now able to use kick drums to trigger ducking on bass sounds to create a cohesive low-end with no hassle. The length and shape of the volume ducking can be tweaked as well.

Here’s the official video intro:

That’s not all: OS 2.0 brings MIDI Thru support, so the sampler can now pass MIDI information on to other machines in your set-up, along with a host of other MIDI improvements that’ll make it easier to hook up EP-133 with other instruments and gear.

New in K.O. II version 2.0:

• Resampling: Stack effects, make a beat from a beat or combine samples, all using the new resampler.
• Song mode: Song mode lets you chain scenes together to make complete compositions.
• Hands-Free Sampling: Sometimes you need both hands to play an instrument, and you want to sample it. Just hit shift and hold a pad, and the K.O. II will do the rest.
• MIDI side-chaining: Sidechain will duck the volume of the bass when the kick comes in
• Increased polyphony: The K.O. II goes from 12 mono/6 stereo sounds to up to 16 mono and 12 stereo sounds.
• Larger note intervals: The K.O. II now supports 1/1, 1/2 and 1/4 timing intervals.
• MIDI Through: The K.O. II now supports MIDI Through, so it can pass notes along to other machines.

To download the update and for details, visit Teenage Engineering site.

Roland’s latest SP-404 MKII update turns its legendary sampler into a Serato DJ controller.

SP-404 MKII’s V5 software update brings native support for Serato DJ Pro, Serato DJ Lite and Serato Studio.

Tomorrow is 404 Day, Roland’s annual celebration of its popular and influential SP-404 sampler, and this one’s a biggie, as the instrument reaches its 20th birthday this year.

In recognition of the anniversary, Roland has announced a major update for the SP-404 MKII that brings Serato compatibility to the sampler for the first time. With built-in integration for Serato DJ Pro and Serato DJ Lite, the SP-404 MKII becomes a pre-mapped controller that can be incorporated into both DJ sets and hybrid live/DJ performances.

The sampler’s DJ Mode already gave SP-404 MKII users mixing functionality, but Serato integration takes this one step further by transforming the 404 into a highly portable DJ controller with access to Serato DJ features such as real-time stem separation and hot cues, along with its extensive selection of audio effects.

The V5 update also brings compatibility with Serato Studio, the company’s DAW, enabling SP-404 MKII owners to use the sampler as a pre-mapped controller and USB audio interface for the software. They’ll also be able to route audio from the DAW through the 404’s effects, and trigger loops and samples in Serato Studio using the hardware.

If you’re an SP-404 MKII owner but you don’t own Serato DJ Pro or Serato Studio, you can download Serato DJ Lite for free to test out the sampler’s new compatibility.

To celebrate the SP-404’s 20th anniversary, Roland is throwing parties in a long list of cities across the globe featuring live performances, beat battles, artist panels, and exclusive 404 Day merchandise giveaways, while several Roland Stores will be hosting events, including the Roland Store London and the Roland Store Tokyo.

Roland has also shared a fascinating conversation between SP-404 designer Kenji Yamada and current project leader Takeo Shirato where the pair discuss the development of the instrument and its influence on musical culture.

If you are not Roland SP-404MKII owner, you can purchase it via Amazon site.

Find out more on Roland website.

Dog Paw Music is a new company, only just establishing itself a boutique builder of tech gear aimed to fit broad niches, and its self-titled first offering is a first public foray into the crowded world of MIDI controllers. Dog Paw is a device that’s currently looking for support via Kickstarter so that the team, based in Oakland, California, can make it a reality.

And don’t let appearances be deceptive. This is not just another controller. Dog Paw merges the features of traditional grid controllers, like Ableton Push or Launchpad.

At a passing glance the Dog Paw looks like any other set of drum pads. Like the front surface of an Akai MPC, or the pads off stage right on a Roland Fantom. Hit them, trigger a sound, you know the score.

But it’s only when you take a closer look via video that Grid’s special features set it apart.

Instead of each large, square, pad being a simple ‘button’, they’re weighted in much the same way as a weighted piano keyboard giving a much more tactile approach to playing what can broadly be considered a new type of instrument, or, if you want the touch but not the sound, for adding more depth and feel to the inputs in your DAW.

For while this is a new type of controller with ‘the feel of a piano with the versatility of a grid controller,’ its makers claim it’s also an entire musical instrument all-in-one, with a built-in Raspberry Pi-based computer and audio outputs giving it synth and sample capabilities with no extra gear required.

“Dog Paw bridges the gap between traditional instruments and modern controllers,” explains Bill Bartke-Croughan, the creator of Dog Paw.

“Musicians coming from acoustic backgrounds will find an intuitive way into electronic music production, while producers and digital creators can add a new layer of expression to their workflows.”

Not only are the instrument’s pads sensitive to the degree of velocity with which its pads are struck, but also they’re also pressure and movement sensitive allowing the player to introduce vibrato and pitch bend just as you would a stringed instrument.

Press and shake for vibrato. Bend the pad left and right… Bend the pitch up and down.

And all on a device that – rather than being stuffy old piano key shaped and requiring a degree of keyboard skill (as per Roli’s multiple takes on similar heightened means of control) – looks and plays like a set of finger-friendly drum pads instead.

“Avoid the confusing finger gymnastics of traditional instruments. With our grid layout, the pattern you learn for one chord or scale will work everywhere,” its makers claim.

And rather than simply being a front end to getting digits into your DAW (it needless to say offers full MIDI and MPE compatibility) it’s audio outputs and audio sound engine mean you can also leave the laptop at home.

Dog Paw Feature Walkthrough:

Find out more about Dog Paw and help make their dream a reality here.