REALLY LEARN K.O. II with DIAGRAMS - Tutorial on Sounds, Groups, Scenes, Patterns & Projects

Make sure you watch (or jump to) the 10:30 mark - COMMIT SCENES - in this video - that's where the detailed visual guide to projects, scenes, patterns, etc is presented - which may be really helpful!
This is a video to truly understand the structure of Projects, Scenes, Patterns, Groups and Sounds on the Teenage Engineering KO2 EP-133 Sampler Sequencer.
It starts by explaining the lowest content level of detail - SOUNDS - and moves into making your first beat, and then the full connected relationships of Sounds to Groups to Patterns to Scenes to Projects.... all with graphical visual aids that I hope you find useful!
Chapter Index:
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Sample Tool
1:49 - Loading Sounds
2:20 - Content Structure
3:15 - Patterns
4:22 - Recording Patterns
5:30 - STEP Sequencing
7:13 - LIVE recording
10:00 - ChangePattern Length
10:30 - COMMIT SCENES
10:45 - HOW Scenes Work
12:28 - Pattern Confusion
14:29 - Scope of Features
The Teenage Engineering Sample Tool - as of Firmware 1.1 - can be found at this link: teenage.engineering/apps/ep-s...
More of my explainers and realated musical and educational content can be found at rochefsky.com

[@Spykedjadedragon]

I honestly wish @teenageengineering would contract you to make video tutorials of ALL their products... most specifically this, the OP-1 Field, the OP-Z and the PO-33... Your visual breakdowns help me like no other tutorial when approaching these instruments, as I'm new to music making to begin with. THANK YOU!!!

[@rochefsky]

I like that idea :) perhaps I’ll do the PO-33 next since it’s in the same family 👩‍👦 thanks for the encouraging feedback! ❤️

[@TheAutoKite]

Thank you so much, Your visual sheets really helps me understand the structure of K.O.II

[@rochefsky]

Thanks for that feedback! Those graphics take a while to do… 😅

[@S_e_a_n]

I totally agree with @Spykedjadedragon, TE should contact you to create their training contact. You are a natural teacher. The visuals are amazing. Thank you for taking the time to share this content. Cheers!

[@rochefsky]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@constantinvonseld5258]

Thank you for this very comprehensive tutorial! 👍

[@rochefsky]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ad_underground]

Thanks for this lesson. This was incredibly helpful!

[@rochefsky]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SuperHydroNYC]

Great video! thanks for having the page details. Makes following super easy.

[@rochefsky]

very welcome!!

[@Apreche]

There's a lot of videos about this thing on KZbin, but THIS is the one. You really know how to teach things properly. I wish all KZbin tutorials for everything were as clear as this one. A++

[@rochefsky]

Wow thank you!! Motivation to do more content like this! ❤️

[@croay]

you`re making the best ep133 tutorials ive seen, thanks for the effort its really helping me here

[@rochefsky]

so happy t hear these were helpful for you!! thanks for taking the time to let me know!

[@dennismikha7541]

I was thinking about a video like that and here it is. Thank you for your work

[@rochefsky]

☺You're welcome!

[@davidrichards6342]

Thanks for this. It’s a fantastic tutorial and just what I needed. The TE manual only gets you so far.

[@rochefsky]

Glad it helped!

[@user-wm4on5ff6u]

This is brilliant content. Thank you so much!

[@rochefsky]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@danrochelle5663]

Super helpful. Thank you!

[@rochefsky]

You bet!👍

[@bwest6275]

This is the clearest and most practical tutorial for me at least. Thank you so much! 👍

[@rochefsky]

Glad it helped!

[@exmalobonum1]

This was very helpful, thank you so much. Scenes have been a bit ambiguous to me up til now. Your pacing and visuals were on point. I’m new to this whole hobby and am grateful for people like you who help open the door for others. 🍻

[@rochefsky]

Happy to hear you found it helpful!!

[@kah1970]

Thank you! My K.O. II arrives tomorrow and your visuals are helpful for how I think. Excited to dive in.

[@rochefsky]

Exciting! Have fun!

[@boffyrox2]

Hey @Rochefsky! Appreciate the clear visuals. I'm currently reading through TE's manual. And while it's pretty straightforward, this is one section I could not wrap my brain around. Admittedly, I wasn't sure what scenes were which was a big sticking point till now. Thanks a bunch for making that clearer!

[@rochefsky]

Glad it helped you - my initial motivation was to get my own mind around that too!

[@cerebralparasite9238]

subbed based off this excellent tutorial

[@rochefsky]

Thanks for the sub!

[@enochroot9438]

Thank you for this, very useful. This is my 1st sampler so a lot to get my head around, love that this is aimed at beginners too, much appreciated. Pretty sure I've messed up my sample library already by fooling around, writing over original presets by mistake. I wish there was a simple factory reset to restore everything including the original library as I would with some of my synths by just installing a firmware of choice. Overall the KOII has been an extremely fun experience, I highly recommend and will definitely continue enjoying it and keeping an eye out for your vids. Pretty sure TE will keep improving the unit with susequent firmware feature additions too

[@rochefsky]

Glad the video was helpful!!

[@VXNCE139]

Thanks!! Super helpful : ) well explained!

[@rochefsky]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SethWeisfeld]

Great breakdown

[@rochefsky]

thank you! hoping to find time to do more!

[@kingof9x]

I like how te's hype train results in several people making tutorials. I like hearing or reading different ways of explaining a concept, i think it leads to a deeper understanding of whatever i am learning. I just hope the hype train is big enough that this is worth while for the creators because each te gear release i find a couple new people to follow that make music I like.

[@rochefsky]

There is definitely more content, more quickly, on the EP-133 than most devices I've seen before...

[@tiergartenmusic]

Absolutely superb explanation! Thank you for taking the time to make the graphics, they really help.

[@rochefsky]

So satisfying to hear your reaction - thank you for taking the time to share that!! makes my time spent on the graphics and video SO worth it :)

[@tiergartenmusic]

@@rochefskyI hope you make some more videos about the EP-133 in the same style. You deserve lots more subscribers.

[@rochefsky]

wow - thank you @@tiergartenmusic !!

[@MyNameJeff..]

This is amazing

[@rochefsky]

thank you!

[@Funkotronimus]

Very helpful!

[@rochefsky]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robertdeelder5434]

Great video man! I just got the KOII, and immediately found myself stuck in how to put a song together. The manual isn't really clear about it either, nor are there many videos who do explain how to do it, besides you! Many thanks, and keep it up!

[@rochefsky]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[@Salvation76]

Thank you for s good video. I when it comes to a new scene after commiting one. I would rather erase the pattern(B.03, Erase + hold Group B) then choosing a new(B.04), to keep the logical sequence. But I do believe that it is good that you highlighted this and in the video. Most of the time when I end up with uneven pattern numbers in the scene, It’s because I unintentionally pressed + or - while holding a group button. You can store fader positions on pattern level. You just record them in the same way you record notes. In this way you control the main settings on group level but if you want variation you record them in to the pattern. I think this is s good setup.

[@rochefsky]

Yes - I have that fader automation recording method in the video only as a subtitle because I forgot to mention in my voice track - but I found it hard to manage as you have to be careful to end the automation at the level you want the fader to be for subsequent parts… hard to explain :)

[@JasonBunting]

@rochefsky - This really is a great tutorial, just got mine and have looked through many, but this one fits my software-engineer-style brain best so far - thank you!

[@rochefsky]

Love hearing that - thanks for the feedback!

[@N1h1L3]

top down thinking !!!! yeah baby !!

[@rochefsky]

😊 I’m thinking of doing a series called “groovebox theory” 😆

[@AngusCarbarns]

I didn’t realise what Commit actually did, so basic but really helpful.

[@rochefsky]

Mission accomplished :)

[@alitna]

Great visuals! I wish TE could make a iPad companion app with something like it to help visualize projects.

[@rochefsky]

That would be cool! I did chat with them and heard directly that they’ve shared my video around the team 😁

[@JamesStiling1985]

Thank you for this! You saved me some hair!

[@rochefsky]

Ha! Thanks for the credit LoL

[@jedgould5531]

OK. Now Ableton looks cheap. Yeah, this is an inexpensive sampler, but it’s a WHOLE lot to remember. I dearly appreciate the teenage thought bubbles that went into making this. But the KO2 just got intimidating. I have had the device sitting in my bedroom for weeks now. I just want to make music. I bought another to gift a friend, but now I’m afraid they wouldn’t use it! This video helped me realize there is hope in learning the damn KO2. But admit it: it requires a substantial knowledge base to move forward. Time is money in so many different ways. Um, thank

[@rochefsky]

I actually have gotten into more of a grove with the KO2 by simply creating 1)create drum back track, 2)commit several scenes with just that pattern, 3)add or paste patterns into those otherwise empty scenes on the other 3 groups and vary the drum pattern as needed… It’s still a very inspiring fun device without all the technical scene stuff :)

[@achook9474]

Can this do bass glides/portamneto? Or westcoast wire pitching between notes? So that it glides between the notes?

[@rochefsky]

Awesome Question - and NO, not that I have seen in the current firmware unfortunately

[@israeledri4053]

amazing video thank you, please anyone who sees my comment write an email to teenage engineering about the song mode, I've write to them and im sure that the more people that will write to them about it can really helps us to really get that song mode update

[@rochefsky]

Song mode definitely has been a common ask - hope we see an update soon!

[@brianwayneevans4136]

Song mode would satisfy one of my two wishes, but the main one. The other being resample, but that is more of a convenience thing.

[@rochefsky]

I’m finding the voice and memory limit more of a blocker recently - and - I would love a longer quantized scene switcher (one whole pattern rather than just one bar) as it’s hard to do FX fills and switch scenes with the right timing… user error and skills is a thing here too 😅

[@brianwayneevans4136]

@@rochefsky Agreed. I have no skills and am prone to user error, so scene chaining would be great for me. Also, I use the EP as a midi sequencer and would love to have hands free to tweak the "attached" synths.

[@madedigital]

SUBBED

[@rochefsky]

thanks! feel free to suggest other devices you think need this same treatment :)

[@yarrowcentral]

Amazing tutorial, thank you so much for taking the time to create this! Can anyone tell me how to reset the fader levels? I got buried in a sound shaping wormhole and can't get out unless I just change to a new pattern. There must be a project reset to default key combo?

[@rochefsky]

I see a way to erase fader 🎚️ automations in the manual - but it says it will revert to what the fader levels were before automating the movement - so I don’t think that’s a full reset… and since fader levels are at the group level, you might have to start with a new project (I wonder if you copy sound groups, if the fader levels are also copied, but I doubt it… will have to try that soon)

[@rochefsky]

Found it - I think - In section 9.4 of the manual: press (SHIFT) and (FADER) to reset the fader’s virtual position to the default position for all fader assignments in the current group (RES shows on screen).

[@yarrowcentral]

@@rochefsky thank you!!!

[@tablaninja]

I just got one. Ordered it Day 1. After waiting and watching videos I’m conflicted. So so I even open it? Or just sell it. Cause honestly, it confuses me. 😂 now I watching ALL the videos to help me!! This video is AMAZING!!

[@rochefsky]

So happy to hear that! Thanks for sharing!

[@billiedoesbeats]

Open it, what the hell It’s awesome

[@DelainoBarris]

I deleted projects 4 & 5, Do you have a list of the sounds preloaded into each group for projects 4 & 5?

[@rochefsky]

here's mine which I don't think I've touched yet from bottom row to top, Left to Right): Project 4: A:16, 30, 310, 109, 125, 140, 337, 212, 228, 352, 242, 251 B: 403, 408, 413, 418, 423, 428, 433, 438, 443, 448, 453, 458 C: 503, 508, 513, 518, 523, 528, 533, 538, 543, 548, 553, 558 D: Empty Project 5: A: 19, 31, 314, 113, 128, 143, 341, 214, 231, 355, 246, 253 B: 404, 409, 414, 419, 424, 429, 434, 439, 444, 449, 454, 459 C: 504, 509, 514, 519, 524, 529, 534, 539, 544, 549, 554, 559 D: 42, 34, 38, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, x, x, x. (I suspect this group may have been changed...)

[@dinogoldie9716]

Hi. Did your EP133 come with any demo projects? Mine appears not to have. Is there a way of importing/exporting projects? If so, from where can I get the KO2's demo projects to put them on my machine?

[@rochefsky]

I definitely had demo sounds loaded on several projects - but don’t remember if there were demo patterns - I’ll check when I’m back at the device tomorrow. There apparently is no way to back up and re load projects yet but reliable rumors say that’s coming soon in a firmware upgrade (see this Reddit thread: www.reddit.com/r/teenageengineering/s/2DbmlcvHyP)

[@dinogoldie9716]

​@@rochefsky Thanks for the info. Yes, I've got several projects with samples loaded on them but no patterns/scenes. If that's normal then that's fine. I was just under the impression that there were demo patterns/scenes.

[@AlfredoAntonioMartinez]

can I use a sample recorded with the mic as a piano? ( I mean, that change the tone of the sample in every pad? ) and the other question, in case affirmative, to make that, we need to edit manually each tone or there is an option automatic to convert the sample into an armonic or whatever it called ? if someone can tell me, I really appreciate!

[@rochefsky]

YES - You use the "KEYS" button after selecting the pad which holds that sample... and each pad will automatically be one tone up/down in the scale that you have chosen in the systems settings.

[@AlfredoAntonioMartinez]

@@rochefsky Thanks you so much!!!

[@dinogoldie9716]

I have the system codes for scales, metronome, keys, velocity settings, sync rates and MIDI clocks. But that's far from 999 codes. Are there presently any codes filling the gaps between aforementioned settings and/or codes 411-999?

[@rochefsky]

I’m not clear on what you’re asking - sorry. Sounds like you’re talking about the shortcut codes to get to system settings quickly? If yes, I don’t think there’s an expectation of 999 of those. If you’re talking about samples, there’s definitely not 999 but lots of empty slots to store new samples (but not lots of memory for that)

[@dinogoldie9716]

​@@rochefsky Yes I meant the former (numeric shortcuts to system settings).

[@ABHGape]

Seeking help when committing scenes. When I commit, instead of going from scene 1 to 2, it goes from 1 to 19. How can I change this to make it commit from scene 1 to 2 like it shows in your videos? Please help! @Rochefsky

[@rochefsky]

I’m guessing you must have already had scenes 2 through 18 … scene commit will always navigate you to the duplicate it makes in the next available scene - so even if scenes 2-18 had empty patterns in them, if those scenes existed, it would send you to scene 19. I suggest you erase scene 2 through 18 - and that will actually pull scene 19 into that scene 2 spot …. If for some reason you can’t traverse scenes 2 through 18, I could not explain that.

[@PaulodeMelo]

Wait, you understand programming, and you are a musician and you are a Teenage Engineering fan?? Where have you been all this while, best friend?

[@rochefsky]

Ha! Thank you, friend! I wish I thought of myself as a musician but the other things, yes! and more :)

[@YoYoYo]

In 13:21, you can just erase the notes in pattern B.03 not have to use B.04 just to have empty pattern. I believe holding delete and B group will do that. Just saying.

[@rochefsky]

The point I was trying to make at that point in the video was more about how simply navigating to a new pattern, actually changes the scene to point to that new pattern from that point on… I do this often without realizing because I’m just browsing patterns looking for something and then realize that I just edited the scene

[@YoYoYo]

@@rochefsky Makes sense, I just wanted to mention it in case anyone has an impression that this is the only way to mute a track. Great videos, they helped me a lot to understand the EP-133. Thanks!

[@rochefsky]

@@YoYoYo gotcha - good point - have to say the lack of simpler muting during performance has been frustrating (I end up just using the FX button solo method). Thanks!

[@drewdoctor1984]

I just can not connect to the computer always get error

[@rochefsky]

Oh that stinks - not sure why that would happen… depends what kind of error and maybe type of computer - sorry not sure I can help

[@HonestJosh]

God bless you content god and god bless my wife and god bless mk ultra and Christmas What a day!

[@rochefsky]

Ha! Best comment award :)🥇

[@KevinVerde]

Helpful video! Please consider reducing the mouth noises in your videos.

[@rochefsky]

helpful feedback! (admittedly a little embarassing since i hate hearing that on other videos!) - can you let me know what sort of device you're hearing that on? Headphones too? I haven't heard it as much - but time for me to get into the Davinci audio special features that can likely help with that.

[@KevinVerde]

bluetooth ear buds on a mobile device. I think around 1:28 is what really got me. :) Again, awesome and helpful video. Sorry if my critique was harsh. Thanks for sharing. I love the way you visually presented the 'scopes'. @@rochefsky

[@markstephenson9280]

That’s a big ass calculator

[@rochefsky]

it is :-D. !!

[@stupedcraig]

On Scene 03, why not just delete B03 and record a new one?

[@rochefsky]

Sure - so many ways to approach it

[@Mr_Tummy]

Great video, thank you! Would the following alternative workflow be possible?...In scene 1 create all the patterns I need for my song (A) drums, (B) bass (C) melodies and (D) samples/misc then select the 4 patterns (A thru D) I want for say the intro and commit them to scene 2. Go back to scene 1 and select the 4 patterns (A thru D) I want for verse 1 and commit them to scene 3, repeating this process for additional verses, choruses, breaks, outro, for all the sections of the song?

[@rochefsky]

Yes! Basically using scene 1 as your work area and committing as you go to each subsequent scene in the order.. I like that workflow 😁