Is the EP-133 built poorly?...

Commission Link: linktw.in/HcgtiP
Let me know what you think!

[@vince89503]

I was attacked for questioning the quality of this machine. Good luck in the new millennium kids😅

[@DeclansReviews]

If you don't mind me asking, what's your verdict on this machine?

[@GODInTheWax444]

Attacked by whom and where?

[@GODInTheWax444]

I was lucky enough to get a fully functional KO2 from Guitar Center. I have zero issues and I've been loving using it. Like you I love the pads/keys because I love mechanical keyboards for my computer and that's what they remind me of. I'm typing this comment on a mechanical Razer keyboard. I like to make grimy 90s style boom bap hip hop and the KO2 hasn't let me down in that respect yet! It does that genre very well and I've been having a TON of fun with it. I also have a 404 mk2 and MPC One and since getting the KO2 I haven't really messed with either of those other two. I'm sure its just because the KO2 is new to the family, but I know I'll be using it for a long time to come because its so easy just to sample into it and get something down and going. Not a lot of menu diving or too many shortcuts like with the 404 mk2. I love how they made the little icons with the backlight screen and they are very useful and convey so much info! i wish other people weren't having so many issues with their KO2s, because this could have suck in at the end of the year and stole "Device of the year" very easily with how good it is when fully working. That's my 2 cents. Great video!

[@lavender.b0y926]

The build quiality of the “housing” is good, but the buttons and faders feel a lil brittle😢. So I’m waiting on a deck saver before I can feel comfortable throwing it in my bag. Also sidenote, my fader works well but my “1” key is ever so slightly askew (the switch underneath is applied that way) so it gets stuck a little when pressed a certain way like 10-15% of the time :/

[@DeclansReviews]

I had a couple of keys acting like that when I first got my device, but after some use I found the keys fixed themselves!

[@liberatumplox625]

Looks like LEGO technic and power functions.

[@Funkotronimus]

When I got mine a week ago, I found that a Lego head fits well in place of the fader cap. It seems like the idea is spreading a little

[@DeclansReviews]

The only problem with a Lego head is that it's not snug...

[@jedfriesen]

Nice review of build quality. I fixed mine so lights move properly w fader. But like true cuckoos vid I don’t see the numbers counting 1-100 when sliding fader. Is that a special setting or is mine just not 100% functional. Can’t wait to hear from te but who knows. Peace man!!

[@MrMissingReel]

To answer your question....yes!

[@oblitafier]

We'll know about the build quality in 6 months

[@DeclansReviews]

We'll have a 'moths'-erpiece of a reveal in 6 months! Let the countdown begin

[@lepidoptera9337]

3.5mm jacks are cool. They typically wear out in three months if you use them daily. That will never happen, of course, because after playing with your new toy for three days you will be so frustrated about the user interface that you will never use it, again. ;-)

[@DeclansReviews]

I've actually found myself using mine more and more as time passes!

[@lepidoptera9337]

@@DeclansReviews Then you better get yourself a soldering iron. ;-)

[@socks7545]

can't say I've ever had a 3.5mm jack go on any device, even ones I've used for years.

[@lepidoptera9337]

@@socks7545 Try a couple hundred mating cycles on a cheap one. They wear out very quickly. There are high quality connectors that are guaranteed for 1000, 2000 and even 5000 cycles, but those are usually standardized low stress situations where the connector is being plugged in at just the right angle. One could make 3.5mm connectors with much better performance... but it would require the use of machined plastics or technical ceramics for the body and a spring mechanism that reduces the friction during insertion and extraction. You can find suitable phone connectors for old style manual switchboards, but they were enormous. I built a 1/4 inch custom jack once for myself to test a few ideas. It was beautiful... and huge. Also way to expensive to machine since it required extremely precise tolerances even for a 1/4 inch connector. So, yeah, it's all very easy to say in a one sentence post on the internet. Once you actually try to do this it's anything but. When was the last time you tried? No, let me answer that for you: NEVER. ;-)

[@damelos4039]

There have been reported problems, yes. But not EVERYONE has issues. Good to know that some units (obviously most) have no issues at all.

[@31pas0]

Well, mine had, the fader was broken. I disassemlbed the fader to fix it, and, what can I say - it's really bad. Like, 0,5mm plastic bed bad. It's the cheapest fader I've ever seen. If you push it hard, it will break like any thin plastic will. You can read all these mantras about ‘not everyone has issues’, but they will not make that poor fader sturdier.

[@dinogoldie9716]

"Overall, I think they did a great job with the build quality" of something that doesn't work. "The fader knob feels amazing. They did a great job with this" except for when they break the circuitry. "These keys they did a great job on as well." How low is your bar for praise? They definitely did not do a "great job" on manufacturing, assembly and quality control. Mislabelled sockets and poorly soldered speaker and display connections don't scream "great/amazing job" to me. What do I need a screwdriver for (other than voiding the warranty)?

[@DeclansReviews]

If my unit breaks, I'll update my review. The device I received has had no problems. This video's goal is to look at the device I bought and quickly look over the material's build quality. Manufacturing quality and general quality control would be a different video. Knowing that my unit works, and I like the quality, means I think they did a "great job".

[@GingerDrums]

​@@DeclansReviews your title implies a discussion of the device in general, not just one unit. I'm also confused that there is no discussion of the fact that you got lucky to have a working unit

[@mattytrane]

He's not doing QC at the factory bro. Ofc he's reviewing his unit.

[@dinogoldie9716]

​@@mattytrane Neither are Teenage Engineering. Nothing about this machine qualifies as a "great/amazing job."

[@DeclansReviews]

@GingerDrums Maybe I could rewrite the title as "is THIS ep-133 built poorly" or "I review MY ep-133". I do think it is implied that I am reviewing the device in my hands on the thumbnail. How would you rewrite it?

[@therealdohos2607]

man just superglue it to an old broken djimbe or something like that if you wanna carry it around

[@aaronsazon2835]

It’s too bad some (many?) have had issues. Mine just came in and I’d have to agree with your assessment. It’s too bad there a high amount of negativity from some. It’s $299, and the po33 was $99 so, is it at least 3 times more capable than the po33 lol, I’d say so 🤷🏻‍♂️. Good enough for me