Fadergate on supposedly better packaged KO-133!!

Received my new KO 133 from teenage engineering and again I’ve got faderGate this time they’ve added a small plastic sleeve over the fader knob, to supposedly, protect it, but taking it off is a real nightmare. I think it also breaks it, but it’s still very hard to fit the knob.

[@audiomixexpert3175]

It's such a shame. They went to all the bother of designing an incredible product at a price point people could afford but totally skimped on the quality control. I hope they learn from all the feedback and make those important improvements. I would have bought one myself but after all the negativity I decided to wait until they addressed the quality control issues. Let's hope they manage to address the problems and develop a product that is truly a game changer!

[@DM43685]

I agree, they only need to do two things, assemble it (meaning put the knobs on at the factory), and put it in a well padded box…and that’s it! Im hoping they learn from this!

[@gravecode]

debateable, as long as ceo stands by his word, people should have access to manufacturer parts for repairs which makes fadergate a lil more tolerable in opinion. OP-1 parts are pretty cheap (Cheap is realitive due to price of retail)

[@DM43685]

@@gravecode agreed we should have the opportunity to repair after a certain period but not from brand-new. As for the OP one. I think that’s still priced at £2000 please correct me??

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

For those considering ordering this, I recommend getting it from Perfect Circuit. It came in a box with pading. Not in a freaking plastic bag like this one.!!!! Mine works perfectly and the fader had that same black plastic notch on it and I didn’t even bother taking it off to put TE’s poorly designed cap on it.

[@cesanbucek8587]

Sorry but the "They don't tell us how hard to push" comment is rather silly guys. Look at the way you're pressing that thing down! No instructions needed i'd say, more of a common sense kind of thing lol. If never seen any manual instructing how much force you need to put down with a sampler. Would you like that in PSI or BAR sir? Some pineapple on top perhaps? I mean , We've never seen any instructions like that on our toilet paper packaging either, yet we all know how to keep are fingers clean, right? ;) All jokes aside, as much as i don't agree, I do appreciate the video and your effort, so thanks, and keep dropping those beats :)

[@DM43685]

I’ve never seen an instruction manual for these types of equipment on installing knobs… either.. again that’s my point… but I will make a beat for you 😉

[@20680]

ordered it first day, fadergate on mine, opened it first day, got faders of amazon b100k ones packs of five, once they arrived desoldered the old, soldered new one, assemblied it back together, now working like a champ.

[@damelos4039]

I would have left that plastic thingy on the fader. But mine came uncovered, like most of the shipments. After having seen so many fadergate videos I spent about 10 bucks and got a set of 3rd party knobs. I only used the one for the fader. it fit perfectly and with no pressure. Operated fine before and after the 3rd party knob. No mic issues. It actually matches the color scheme as well so if you didn't know, it looks like that what it should be that way by design.

[@corzakkzakkcor3309]

I got mine at Christmas and had no problem regarding the fade gate issue and thought people were just being heavy handed attaching the knobs ,but after watching your vid you did not apply any more pressure than I did , I guess I was just lucky it was ok , like you say we shouldn’t have to assemble it ourselves , it’s a shame because it’s a great little sampler and a lot of fun.

[@gadblatz4841]

I have two and they both work perfectly. No issues.

[@OPdbx]

bruh the way you were man handling that fader made me cringe, and not really surprised it didn't work properly when you turned it on. It probably would have worked fine if you had played it safe and just left the black cover on. Not saying it's entirely your fault as TE have clearly made a flimsy machine, but knowing what we know now I'm not sure why you were putting it through that kind of unnecessary stress.

[@DM43685]

I put as much pressure on it as the other two knobs, second the fader knob simply didn’t want to fit, I had to wiggle it first and then almost rock it on until the fader grabbed it (if that make sense), and even then the tolerance of this manufactured part is so tight , I had no choice but to add some pressure, that just physics.. importantly why should I be assembling this? I have no experience building samplers, apart from music stands and my piano, I don’t have any music equipment that I had to build like this, my MPC X, MC707, MC101….MC verse labs, Korg Wavestate… etc all came pre built. And subsequently they all (touch wood) work. So I disagree on your response mate, sorry.

[@OPdbx]

@DM43685 putting the knob on the fader is widely considered to be one of the main causes of the issue. Like I said just leave whatever cover that came on it in place and don't try to pull up or press down or rock side to side bc it's not necessary and almost guarantees that you're going to have an issue. TE made a cheap machine so I think they are mostly at fault, but these issues are so well documented at this point that you had to know what you were doing was going to be problematic.

[@Reeceline]

​@DM43685 "I put as much pressure on as the other two knobs" well you said it. Sorry but I agree with the above comment. I'm not saying its ideal but knowing there could be problems you persisted to put pressure on the fader repeatedly. It's not the same type of mechanism as the others so it makes it feel like you were testing the water. I've just received mine and while I agree the build quality could be better, but I also treat it with care and its absolutely fine.

[@DM43685]

@@Reeceline whilst I respect your opinion, there is no instruction on how much pressure or how much force you should use, that’s my point about this… we hard working paying customers expect a ready made product, not something you have to partially assemble. The build quality is poor, and TE will now receive another unit back to them. It would be great if they read these comments and learned a lesson from this.

[@atstrollz6875]

​Obviously, the knob doesn't fit the fader. It's not your fault.

[@jarretttaylor1073]

Just finished the video and your fader does work, you just don’t want it to. The screen shows the mute icon when you put the fader to the bottom. It’s a clear indication that it’s fine. Why are you wiggling the fader at the halfway point? Dude is a clown. You are handling the fader so carelessly as if we don’t see what you’re doing. In the comment defending yourself because you used the same force as you did with the other knobs. If you had of slowed down you would realize why the fader slide is much harder to install because the fitting is different. The top three knobs were made for the caps to slide on easier. This is a case of user-gate and someone who just wants to be stubborn and mad for no reason. Also, you should have powered the device first and then did the fader test before you installed the cap. You’re wasting your own money and time because you want to have a bad attitude about then whole situation.

[@DM43685]

Don’t panic I’ll correct you, just so it makes you feel comfortable I replied to your insane comment. I….meaning the consumer should not be assembling expensive products. Second, I applied the same pressure… hey wait “I forgot to read the pressure assembly section”, or the “don’t press hard warning in the instructions” that doesn’t exit!! Third, when at halfway, the level indicators was sporadic, meaning all over the shot. So no… I didn’t do this for fun, I worked hard to pay for an assembled product, like I have for the rest of the studio equipment, but clearly TE thought it would be good to save on costs and get the consumer to build their product. Bad idea! And finally my last comment, just to appease your intellect, why would I break a piece of studio equipment purposely… I like many other professional musicians buy this gear to make produce music, and not break shit for fun…. Hope that makes sense.

[@jarretttaylor1073]

@@DM43685 You’ve seen other KZbin videos about fader gate and I’m sure you’re smart enough to do research before you buy a product. Therefore you knew that was going to be a challenge before you even began to install the product. You’re correct we shouldn’t have to pay for a products and assemble it ourselves. Like I said, the slide and the knobs are fitted different for the caps. Thats why the top three slide on easier than the fader. You didn’t take your time and to realize that, so you applied the same pressure for all the caps and now you supposedly have a fader gate. We can clearly see it in the video that it was handled roughly. Why are you wiggling the fader at the halfway point regardless of the sporadic indicators? Why not a rebuttal for the fact that you didn’t turn the device and test it out before you installed it? That was the first thing I did when I got it, to make sure the actual fader worked before I put the cap on. Send this one back and get another one, and when you get it, be more careful. I hope when you get your new unit, you have fun, and make some good music.

[@DM43685]

@@jarretttaylor1073 irrespective on whether I should of tested it prior to assembly, I would have no choice but to install it, so that breaks that argument. That was TE move , not mine , should I make a 3D knob, or just don’t install it, categorically No… I didn’t do that for my MPC X, my Roland 707, and the list goes on . The only thing I want to build and make , is music and thankfully not with TE equipment, it’s been returned and I want nothing more to do with TE. And am I the only person with this issue??? Nope lots of people , I appreciate your enthusiasm on responding, but it’s a clear point that electronic music equipment needs to be produced and delivered effectively to the consumer, not in inadequate packaging, and partially assembled.

[@ColonelForkEyes]

I bought mine in the first week direct from TE. 10" Muhammed Ali box arrived in a much bigger cardboard box using only crumpled brown paper for packaging. Defective, sent back. TE despatched replacement. Packaging of yours looks like it might have been taken from a bigger box, repacked and then forwarded on by a local courier.

[@roseutterback5755]

I can’t wait for the arcade and the tonic and I bet they make a turn table and a mixer too

[@adarg2]

If they put that plastic piece on there it really raises the question: "Why not just put the knob on?". I'm skipping this one. $300 USD for a poorly engineered piece of gear is too much.

[@all.day.day-dreamer]

That's the original packaging. I know. I opened this exact box and had a broke fader and I have still not received my replacement. Its been 3 months now?

[@DM43685]

So sorry to hear. I think they do put a plastic black sleeve over the fader now, which you have to pull off ,but that just doesn’t help the situation…

[@GoodL82]

Uhh, did it occur to you to update the firmware? I have a ko II from the same batch as you. Black fader guard was hard to get off, and knobs are stiff but the volume, bmp and metronome do sit flush in the rings when you support back and push them on. I’m surprised you were able to handle the factory sound pack install of an mpc x if the physical assembly had you so perplexed.

[@DM43685]

Ok I’ll ask a very interesting question, how do you correlate a physical and mechanical failure with firmware? This unit either had Fadergate, or through asking the consumer, me and thousands of others to build the unit, suffered a failure through that process. My metronome clearly didn’t fit flush, and again how much pressure should the consumer add?? A bit, lots?? The answer is none…. It’s called factory assembly … like the MPC X that came with sound packs installed at AKAI , so to answer your question, no I had no issue with installing software, because if there were software issues, updates and on occasion firmware can fix them.

[@synthshoot1026]

I got the same plasticky thing on the fader. Never dared to remove it. Seams to be working fine though. But I didn’t try that “still” test you just did there.

[@jieelyuu]

Does you fader wiggle side to side? Mine wiggles about 1mm

[@DM43685]

Yep it has significant wobble…

[@Kronique]

That was a bit too much pressure since the knob isn't on there all the way lol

[@JaydenLawson]

I had that plastic sleeve on my EP-133. Got it off to push down the slider knob... and it totally ruined it. Had to pull it all apart, unsolder the fader, re-bend the fader contacts, and put it all back together. Pretty terrible design! But it's working nicely now

[@DM43685]

Sorry to hear that, but exactly my point, why should you (on a brand new product) have to fix it ? It not the design, I love the shape size, maybe more memory might be a next version update, but what TE failed at is the end product delivery process, meaning fit all the knobs at factory, test, package(better) and deliver.. then this thing would be impossible to get hold off…

[@JaydenLawson]

@@DM43685 yeah pretty huge oversight. All they needed to do was put some protection in the packaging?! Like a firm foam, or cardboard. You're right - it would've constantly sold out

[@IzHaa-wb8dn]

So many complaints! You sound like my 4 year old at the dinner table

[@sodiumlights]

You sound like TE; just keep serving up the same stuff without fixing the faults

[@canedrive76]

I’ve just received mine and the fader is broken. I like the general flow of the OS, and the sound is nice but I’m annoyed at having to chase this up to get it swapped. I’m quite tempted to just crack it open to repair it myself.

[@DM43685]

Sorry to hear that, interestingly was that after or before the knob installation? And my advice would not to repair it, as you shouldn’t have to on new equipment, but that’s just me …

[@canedrive76]

@@DM43685 I only noticed after putting the cap on and noodling around. I assumed the ‘protective’ cap would have done the trick, but the packaging was woeful. Totally inadequate. I had a few miserable weeks working at UPS, so I know how packages get thrown around and stacked up in huge piles. This thing hasn’t got a chance under those circumstances. Anyway, I’m quite handy so I could repair it if it comes to it but I’ll hold off for now.

[@canedrive76]

@@DM43685I didn’t check to be honest. The last video I watched prior to receiving it said the issue was sorted, so I didn’t give it much thought other than to install the cap as carefully as I could. I’m quite handy so it wasn’t a worry. It was only after a few hours playing that I started testing the fader and realised that the values were jumping and sticking.

[@DM43685]

@@canedrive76 same as me….

[@theleastsignificantbit4794]

It would seem that the only knock out was TE’s customers who received faulty units. It’s a shame because the PO-32 and 33 are really cool.

[@DM43685]

Yeah in round one as well 🤣🤣…before i tried installing my knobs, i named it Bruno…. Thinking now Perhaps I should of named it Tyson 🤣

[@VinylAthletes]

Well that bubble wrap and plastic mailer they shipped your device in couldn’t have helped the situation. Why didn’t they box it up?

[@royevans4581]

Use 2 teaspoons if you can get them under it, and prise it off.

[@DM43685]

Good advice, but after my experience ,mine went back, also customers shouldn’t really be prising off plastic sleeves from new music equipment. 👍

[@ToCoSo]

Mines fine

[@GrayedSchool]

I suspect customs are repacking after they inspect upon arrival. Teenage engineering is taking 1:30 a bit due to this

[@Dawhud]

HA! fadergate... have fun with an SP1200, EPS etc.

[@DM43685]

In fairness it was great hardware of its time, but I’ll stick with my already assembled AKAI force , 707, and wave state.. along with alb 11 and other gear … thank you very much👍

[@birdie17uk]

I can't believe these clowns are shipping gear with controls you need to install yourself, especially after the initial outcry. WTAF? Do they think they are IKEA or something? I am further bewildered by the comments blaming you! TE fanboys need a serious reality check. I bought an UNO Drum a few years back, and despite loving the sound it was buggy AFand the build quality sucked, so it went straight back to Andertons (who were great). This comedy calculator is three times the price and seems even worse. They could have seriously improved their rep with this machine, but nope, it's right down the toilet. Again.

[@chadxp]

I think that some of the faders may not be actually broken but bugged, a lot of the issues with the KO are all stemmed from power delivery. When I first unboxed my KO my speaker didn’t work until I put batteries in the device. Same thing with my Fader, when the device would get low on power the fader would glitch out when I slide it from 100 to 0. All these glitches went away when I changed out the batteries for fresh ones. I also haven’t had as many power issues after a firmware update

[@cesanbucek8587]

"If this breaks, its not my fault" Brother, you have weird way of going about these things. If you press it full force, yes, it's going to break. Why are you putting so much force on it? I've had my hands on the third unit today (my homies') and none of them were dissfuntional. After seeing how hard you pressed it down (for no real reason except to test the "fader gate", im starting to wonder if "fader gate" is not just a bunch of people doing silly stuff. Yes, it's a flimsy machine, no doubt, like most TE products. However, if you treat them with care the will last you forever. Im saying this out of personal experience, having bought my first PO almost 6 years ago. That shit travelled the globe with me and still works the same as day 1. The way you are handling this seems rather silly t0 me. Just my 2 cents :)

[@etgalim]

When you consider TE referred to as one of the most important industrial design firm of recent times, collaborating with many major companies as a design firm - expecting a snug fit is build into the basic expectations level. It’s literally their job. I’m no expert, but I am an industrial designer and from all the videos I’ve watched (mine is yet to arrive) it clearly feels like the packaging is to blame. I’d say the marketing team had to much influence there :)

[@senerio2124]

Bro, he doesn't know how hard he would have to push it to break it nor does he know how hard he has to push for it to fit on right. The "assembly" process is just unintuitive and should've been left to the manufacturers (the ones who know how its supposed to fit on). If it breaks its definitely the fault of the manufacturer/designer with those shitty tolerances.

[@DM43685]

I would reply to your response, however the last two said exactly what I would say ….

[@88Fitzy88]

Shoulda just left the black piece on the fader it works with it on

[@DM43685]

@@88Fitzy88 with all respect, what would be the point of the fader knob then ? That sleeve, is for packaging. As many have said, TE need to go back to the drawing board on this

[@dinogoldie9716]

Mine arrived two days ago (a month late). I had exactly the same reaction as you did to the loose knob caps and the weird liquorice-esque fader knob. The liquorice fader "fix" seems permanent. Is it supposed to be removable? My unit appears to be working fine with the liquorice faider so I'll leave it be (unless convinced/assured otherwise). I've stowed what I believe to be the original fader knob cap in the battery compartment for now. I, personally, don't give a crap about the Muhammad Ali packaging (wtf has a Swedish sampler got to do with him?). This culturally insensitive packaging gimmick has only succeeded to break machines and put considerable blemishes on Teenage engineering's reputation. Also, the in-box ^documentation^ and the online ^user guide^ are both garbage. Just post a glossary of terms and a list of key combos. I don't need Jackanory to walk me through making my first beat. I just want somewhere to reference button combos. p.s: Since TE chose to make this thing with 3.5mm MIDI sockets, they should provide the adaptors.

[@DM43685]

Fully agree…. I’m not tolerant when it comes to equipment I have to build from the box… this was my first and probably last TE product…

[@oemresagir]

Hey, can I ask where/whom did you buy it? I just ordered it but I'm not gonna leave there country in 15 days so I'm worried 😅

[@jaygilligan]

Culturally insensitive packaging, thank you for being the brave first one to say this publicly!! It's what we've all been thinking but no one dared to call them out on this until now! Bravo

[@DM43685]

@@oemresagir I got mine from Gak, it took almost 2 months, in honesty they have been very reassuring With me about it from the start, retuned mine today, so fingers crossed a swift refund..

[@bobbywebster2174]

such a brave soldier

[@Nuggyc]

Yeah ,guy should have left the black cap on. Other than that. I just like to see someone operate it until one arrives for me. Too much talk on videos. Turn the pots , hit some pads, a lil demo. Nah... not this video

[@DM43685]

I think you should’ve gone to spec savers🤣🤣 the title clearly says federgate and y better packaged not demo 🥱

[@Nuggyc]

@DM43685 Don't start my man. Should've scratch the video period.

[@DM43685]

@@Nuggyc NO I already started pal, and I’ll finish it!! watch the damn video and learn something .. I have now made an impact!! By demonstrating how insane it is to ask the consumer to finish off the build, TE listened and are now going to start finishing them at the factory, as they should off!!! Don’t thank me!!

[@Moh-Tor]

@@DM43685that’s great! Totally agree TE should’ve done this to begin with. So will you be getting another one now? I’m considering getting one when they come back in stock..Cheers 👍

[@DM43685]

@@Moh-Tor I might do, like millions of others I fell in love with this , it’s compact, not massively demanding to learn, and importantly fun. But wait until they build them fully assembled from the factory!!😊