The K.O. II is More Than Just a Groovebox

[@Bloom_Music]

The follow up video to show my 2x sample prep process is now live: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnvOkomGe9GWbcU

[@johnsuggs7828]

When my wife leaves me (god I pray) because I purchased another groove box....I'll blame....no one actually. Did it all on my own because it's something cool from TE and I can afford it. So shit, why not

[@darrickholmes6233]

Do you have a in depth video on the killer feature you were talking about

[@Bloom_Music]

@@darrickholmes6233 I do! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6vTkqCemsRlhKs

[@pshearduk]

Brilliant overview, do you sell your sample packs?

[@chester7550]

@@pshearduk I'm still learning the ko ii...would love to have his samples on my ko to get some practice

[@RhettShull]

This is hands down the best KO II video Ive seen so far.

[@NotPorn]

AGREED! I just traded an old piece of tech I never use for it and I'm hype to exploring with it more!

[@djkillachris]

wow, an intelligent review. thanks. I absolutely love mine. never have I had an easier time getting people who have never hit an electronic pad on any machine get completely into making beats. watching the smile on one's face the first time they ever made a beat, complete with their own voice as a sample, is priceless. and the quantize function makes it seem like their naturals lol. the ultimate party trick.

[@konstantine8054]

The drop test section ... made me subscribe. Clever, well executed, informative. Well done!

[@lucaacaprio]

same

[@SamplersAndThings]

Best and most honest review I've seen so far. The 2x speed then pitch down quality example is great.

[@Andreas1683]

Oh! Dude! I have been playing all day with how to make this sampler into a ambient device! Thanks to the video something clicked! I sampled some choirs from egypt, with into key mode and turned Attack and release up! and damn! a whole new world was opened! Bless you!

[@denisforbes]

Such a smooth video, loved every minute of this, smart, polished and very well done. Love it!!!!!

[@ToCoSo]

The knobs are so easy to learn, took me about a day to feel totally back to my old sampler days of the late 90's

[@Reggi_Sample]

Thing about using breaks over one shots - you’ve automatically got a premixed panned and balanced drum bus sound. With one shots they need to be blended to sound that way. It’s a good advantage

[@LoserDub]

Yeahhhh but breaks are somebody else time work and effort, like paint by numbers, sure its your picture, but did you make it? Is it a representation of you

[@LaidBackApophis]

you're commenting on a review of a sampler, and thats your take? @@LoserDub

[@1999Fabion]

@@LaidBackApophis Lmao, couldn't put it better

[@krustykrabpizza4328]

​@@LoserDub sir this is a Wendy's

[@nobodyneverknows]

Good take and a valid one. Samplig " culture " is just full of lazy fucks​@@LoserDub

[@retrothing]

I’ve been saying for decades a there’s been no successor to the SK-1’s throne. Thank you. I’m not a beats guy, more of a sound design fiddler, and I’ve been looking for a sampler to love for ages. I was going to pass this one, but your presentation and resulting music may have turned me. Thanks for your terrific work.

[@zacharysearcy]

im also a sound design fiddler...what gear do you like?

[@TrickmanTerry]

I appreciate this take on the KO II. I was worried about the 64MB sampling limitaton, so I was shying away from sampling on it. Now I think I will try to embrace it more, as it does give a cool gritty effect when its slowed down. You have a new subscriber.

[@shawnfroos]

Sir, the production, presentation and vibes of this are top drawer. Instant sub

[@supadave4250]

Totally agree 💯

[@canertogan6462]

Amazing

[@earthboundboy]

I love mine, I’m from the old days of early MPCs / S900 with an Alesis MMT-8 etc and the KO gives me the same sort of vibes. Not had any problems with it at all quality-wise.

[@Vxt667]

Feels like I’m back in Music class. Love it. Educational and entertaining.

[@r.g.thesecond]

This video inspired me to play around with old-school trackers more. I was never into sampling but now I'm hooked.

[@marcoshreds]

I 100% agree. I've been having sooo much fun with mine and absolutely love the design, quality and functionality. Everyone that has put their hands to it loves it. Thanks for an honest review in great production quality and the double speed tip!

[@3tree]

Great piece, thank you. It made me think again about this one, having been put off on launch by the quality concerns. The killer feature alone is super interesting.

[@fredicagoillanoise1309]

To really dial in on the trim points, I found using the trim knob while holding shift helps you accurately trim your samples.

[@gabrielreinert8458]

So glad to see a new video. Started to get worried, because the last videos are 8 months old. Your reviews have a certain production quality, that sets you truly apart from any other gear review youtuber. Keep up the good work!

[@Reyescult]

What a fantastic demo with a fair and balanced review. I snagged one when it was first announced, but I have yet to open it. I can't get myself to disrupt that beautiful packaging. :-) I have a soft spot for old school 'memory management' style sampling. My first sampler was an unexpanded Ensoniq EPS with 512 KB of memory. I became a MASTER of getting the most out of that limited memory. Sadly most modern samplers (including my MPC X) don't give off that same vide. This K.O. II seems to do so. I gotta get mine going.

[@ifxman]

I don't even own one but I am enjoying your tutorial presentation. I'll stick with my PO33 and 133's. Cost relatively the same but I didn't pay full retail. Last yr B&H sold the PO133 for $59 - I bought 2. 4x3=12tracks/polyphony and with the right samples it's a sweet little noise making rig. I'm honestly not sold on the EP133 yet but you certainly are giving me something to think about now because I'm all about looping sequences too. Keep 'em jam'n

[@CourtneyEllis]

I see that you are just under 7k subscribers. I appreciate that you only review what you buy with your money. Your writing and video creativity is killer! Your video quality is wonderful. Keep with this. You are one of the best reviewers I have seen. I just purchased the KOII to test ideas for myself. I don’t know the Launchpad. I’ll check out your other video related to its use in polyphonic sampling.

[@frankpayne6902]

"Immediately approachable". That's the best description I've heard yet. As it turns out, I'm pretty bad at actually making music but I love noodling around with a groovebox. Elektron stuff has always seemed out of reach for me (although the Model: Samples is great) and I wouldn't even know where to start with an actual MPC. But an hour into owning this thing and I've already made some pretty decent stuff. Now I can't wait to mess around with some time stretching. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@krazywabbit]

Props. If one focuses on the negatives or somehow you are shilling, they are missing out on the workflow nugget you dropped and the killer feature. You kinda spoke to me on the jam v production side of the house. Not that I need this yet if I decided too, fun would be had. Isn't that what this is all about? For most of us.

[@DJjayenvy]

Wasn't even interested in this equipment, but the video was so polished and entertaining and now I want one.

[@evianxlucy]

this review really made me consider keeping my po ii instead of selling it for something else. thanku so much for this

[@nicknormandy]

You’re inspiring me to go back in time when they weren’t sold out and buy one ❤

[@cvltzilla]

theres plenty available

[@AbcAbc-rs7kx]

When was that 😅

[@nicknormandy]

Oh really? Awesome! I didn’t know they were back in stock

[@renevanderkraats224]

The background tracks are beautiful...as is the review. Love the pacing and shots.

[@pierdolek1236]

You're the summoning salt of the music gear world, great work!

[@LOGICALMAGNET]

this Video Started Perfectly, so glad that i Found it, Quality always Matters thanks for this video cant wait to see more like this

[@michael7018]

I agree the immediacy of results are gained quickly and is a fun unit. I use it in a complex studio environment with many analog synths. I got it at first as a nostalgic impulse from the old days of sampling but it turned out to be a great addition to my toolsets.

[@GrocerGames]

Sadly mine came with a non functioning fader from the start but I agree with your assessments. I loved it for the day that I had it and will probably buy it again, perhaps the kinks are worked out.

[@JohnMcSmith]

Fantastic review, and great editing. This channel is gonna go places

[@brettmaddan3255]

This is a great video, I'm not even that interested in this device but the nice videography and calm commentary makes this excellent. Subscribed cheers!

[@regortex3364]

10/10 presentation, I’m sold.

[@WildlifeZambezi]

My god, how refreshing, and funny! Only 8k subscribers as well. Keep it up man.

[@TreyBruceable]

Great take. I returned mine due to the faulty fader, but it’s still a very immediate and fun device.

[@Bloom_Music]

Bummer... Sorry to hear you lost the TE lottery!

[@vinylarchaeologist]

Thank you for your level-headedness ❤

[@corri303]

Excellent review. And seriously impressed by your tapping precision!! On time like a robot

[@shawnmuench]

I was gonna make a snide comment like "oh you must really get off at an actual concert then" but I checked your channel and your stuff is v cool. Props!

[@corri303]

@@shawnmuench thanks :) always enjoy watching talented musicians no matter what instrument or genre. I for one have to rely on quantization but that's fine :D

[@ManCalledMif]

Great tip about the shift +- to trim samples. Love the EP133. The designers’ priorities were spot on

[@Bloom_Music]

It's unfortunate that there isn't better documentation on this thing. Shift trimming samples is a huge deal, and I found it on accident!

[@darwiniandude]

Loved the video, and very sensible (even if I didn't like the treatment of the MPC, even if I don't like them) and I might actually pick up a KOII as a result. I got the original pocket operator PO33 KO largely as something fun and accesible for making beats that my kids can use. My 8yo daughter can sample hitting a metal bar at the playground and work with it right there, make a little beat, put some vocal phrase in "I'm thirsty" is the main lyric from one of them haha. But it's pocketable, Mic, Speaker, Sampling - can set in and out sample points, pitch up or down, lowpass / highpass accross one knob range. It's great. But the KOII with it's far superior built in speaker and midi IO would be far better for 'actual' creation around the house - only downside is it doesn't fit in your pocket. Anyway. My only nitpick in your video is that I LOVE my OP-1 Field, it's just a pity about the price. But even the original, I don't consider it a toy - you've said there's never been a modern equivilent of the SK-1, and I think the OP-1 is exactly that. (except for price) Instant 1 key sampling from the built in mic and playback, But it's like an SK-1 with a built in four track portastudio and effects and some synth engines. For me, I think more in terms of notes on a keyboard than pads, having grown up with a Piano in the house since I was a kid. But I can take OP-1 anywhere and have sampling, effects, overdubbing, audio recording. For me it's great. Definitely not for everyone though, I get that.

[@ideologybot4592]

Via chopping breaks versus taps: those of us from a drumming background will disagree with you on that, but I kind of get it now. Well explained, and nice review.

[@zooblestyx]

"Sometimes it gets a little bit too cutesy." This is TE's entire brand proposition.

[@ChewoBeats]

This will be add nice to my live Ret! Can’t wait - it really sounds like my 3k… amazing

[@mwood1618]

Dude. The drop test. So good.

[@raysubject]

that drop test was absolutely epic … laughed very hard 😂😂😂😂😂

[@kolvis1641]

the cinematic intro has earned a subscription, like, and comment. quality video production, and i appreciate the review! also, rip the mpc.

[@QuantumKatmusic]

I love the keyboard style keys on this. More than any sampler I've used . I originally was upset by the lack of space , but I managed to get 700 samples on it by reduc8ng them to mono samples , I will say I had to return my first ko2 , it had a broken key, but since I got my new one I've been in love with it

[@freeagentbeats6170]

I really enjoyed this review it helped me understand the K.O. II beings though I just got it 😊

[@joecavalry]

I enjoyed your video immensly. I was hoping you could go into more detail about "the killer feature." Is that a Novation Launchpad Pro? Will that work with the Launchpad-X? What exactly are the connections/settings? I know you must be very busy and I thank you in advance for your time.

[@Bloom_Music]

The killer feature is that it works very well and sounds awesome as a polyphonic chromatic sample player. The Launchpad Pro is just my MIDI keyboard of choice. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to hook the Launchpad-X directly to the K.O. II because the X doesn’t have a MIDI out port like the Pro does. My connections were Launchpad Pro MIDI Out to the K.O. II’s MIDI In. For you to do this, you would have to hook your X to a computer with a MIDI interface, or use a dedicated MIDI host device.

[@joecavalry]

@@Bloom_Music Thank you. I do have a midi keyboard and I can use that. But what about the sounds? How can I recreate that sound? I appreciate your time.

[@Bloom_Music]

Those sounds were created by sampling synthesizers and then pitching them down on the K.O. II. I’ll be releasing another video in the coming weeks to show that process.

[@wulyf4lyf]

I love mine. I had an op-1 4 years ago, but stupidly sold it, and all my synths except 4. I just got this last week, and bring it w me wherever for on the go music sketching. I have an MPC One+ i just recently got, and the MPC smokes it, but I do love the KO 2!

[@Goth108]

Wow, this video was pretty informative in the end. Thanks!

[@ropewalkingelephant]

Don't forget it's also a polyphonic MIDI sequencer with 16 simultaneous MIDI tracks

[@Bloom_Music]

Good point!

[@goodnightosaka]

I barely see anyone mention how insane this is. That alone is probably worth the price

[@ropewalkingelephant]

@@goodnightosaka Exactly!

[@nobodyneverknows]

​@@goodnightosakaits a bare minimum but people forgot how thing were 20 uears ago xd

[@davelee1935]

Awesome vid ! Mines in the post ! A really interesting take on it

[@ipsinghification]

Amazingly produced Video :) Thanks

[@CrusaderGeneral]

cant believe this channel isnt at least 100k!

[@calalclab]

What a jewel of a video this is.

[@DianaMayDJ]

hahaha, I just LOVE your intro

[@SuperDuperVision]

Thanks for the video. Ive been on the fence about the KO2 but this was well done. Phenomenal editing too you got a sub in me im surprised you’re not at a million subs yet. Im here for it when it happens

[@stserge]

16:48 I heard “when I go to GYM with my friends” I never thought about music this way 🙃

[@infektdubstep]

the break workflow is so cool, really want to mess with those now! great video

[@CyberMunchies]

This is rad. Great presentation

[@cougarman8]

Awesome video! I love my ko2 and this gives me new ideas!

[@felne7335]

They have a handy icon map on their website, alongside a very good guide to the device. The umbrella means that you CAN undo, for example

[@felne7335]

also, you can hold shift while turning the encoders to make more precise adjustments!

[@funkb0x]

Fader gate is a crock. The KO 2 is insane value. 3 months solid I jam in bed, in traffic & its sampling ability is ample. An analogue mono synth becomes a fully fledged polyphonic beast with the Keys function & a midi lead. The effects on this thing are very unique & 99 scenes for each track is mind boggling. With some learning & skill, this bit of kit is going to KO them all. Buy one & find out. No regrets here. 😊

[@jcain2411]

One of the best ko videos. Thanks

[@benoftroy]

terrific review, thank you!

[@byjamesflower]

Great video! Subbed. Also, where do you get all those amazing break samples?

[@Bloom_Music]

Thanks! All of the samples in this vid are from rhythm-lab.com, three packs: Vintage Hip Hop Breaks Vol.1, Vintage Hip Hop Breaks Vol.2, and Trippy Beats.

[@raoniband]

OMG that drop test gave me chills!! 😅

[@Bloom_Music]

She was an old gal that was ready to be put to pasture, so she sacrificed herself in the name of comedy. 😀

[@baronvongreenback]

I keep coming back to this video for help and inspiration, really nice work, subbed. Any recommendations on where to get some nice loop packs? Or do you make your own loop samples?

[@Bloom_Music]

All of the breaks in this vid are from rhythm-lab.com, three packs: Vintage Hip Hop Breaks Vol.1, Vintage Hip Hop Breaks Vol.2, and Trippy Beats.

[@baronvongreenback]

@@Bloom_Music Thank you! I come from the silly land of overpriced modular synths and have no idea when it comes to sample packs.

[@vladimirkirillovskiy8056]

Really nice video and really useful trick with samples double speed! I may try it on my PO-33 :)

[@enochroot9438]

Fantastic overview and tips. I totally concur with your view of TE and its business model, trying to position itself as a designer of aspirational lifestyle products and ridiculously inflated prices. I've never been drawn to any of their products, minuscule controls requiring tiny elf-like fingers and aesthetic over functionality. BUT when the KOII launched I was caught up in the GAS flare-up and purchased a unit. I've had zero issues with the hardware and buttons, I would love to get a true picture of how many units were really damaged as there seem to be some KZbinrs riding that broken Fadergate knob hard for clicks and clout even now. I've never had a sampler/beat maker so I am a blank slate in terms of experience and have to say I find the KOII pretty intuitive and a hell of a lot of fun. Easy to pick up for some quick immediate jamming. I seem to be learning more just by experimenting rather than referring to the manual constantly. Your tips on loading 2 x speed samples, and adjusting sample Trim with +/- are brilliant I have yet to understand the polyphonic chromatic sampling (maybe a demo would be well received?) but it does indeed look like a killer function/game changer as I have some great synths I want to sample. Thanks for this great video, just subbed for more... also as a complete beginner, the on-screen symbols aren't conflicted inside my head with years of other standard symbols, I look at the umbrella handle and I kinda see the curve of the return symbol arrow thingy lol

[@Bloom_Music]

I will probably make a dedicated video on the poly-chromatic sampling since I'm having so much fun with it. And that's a very interesting perspective on the screen symbols! I didn't think about how they may appear to someone who doesn't have preconceptions about what they should be.

[@jalocin]

very good video! I am really impressed!

[@ZenMountain]

Great sampler and great video, thanks.

[@sonicultura]

Inspring video! Great one thanks!! Sorry but a dumb question how do you do to get the loops at double speed before sending them into the device? I need trying that! Thanks I am now subscribed to this channel! ✌🏾

[@Bloom_Music]

I've had this question several times, so I think I will make a follow up video to show this process and how to get the best results. Stay tuned!

[@sonicultura]

Thanks a lot!! @@Bloom_Music

[@sambeard4428]

Something like audacity works well

[@Bloom_Music]

@@sonicultura Follow up video is live: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnvOkomGe9GWbcU

[@sonicultura]

Thanks so much for the follow up on this theme! I will look into it now! I missed the notification but saw it now! THANKS!! 🙏🏾@@Bloom_Music

[@wulyf4lyf]

My biggest problem I have w this, is that it’s totally possible to accidentally reset the unit to factory settings…which means all sounds are erased. It happened to me, and it bricked for a while, as I scrambled to figure out how to reload the samples, which involves plugging into yr laptop and using the sample tool from the TE site. I feel like TE should have a failsafe for this, in case you are exploring and hit the right combo of buttons to erase absolutely everything. I fully restored it, and am loving it.

[@Knypsterino]

I really enjoyed this review and I agree on your point of view. Love my KO II 🥊

[@robdot0]

5 minutes in, best edit and review so far

[@pimhansen6720]

😍Loved the review! And as a massive fan of the Mirage the USP you bring to surface is definitely the reason to get this. P.s. PUT THAT THING IN A COVER TO PROTECT THE FADER BEFORE SLIPPING IT INTO A BAG. Just sayin' 🤣

[@Boumclap]

Great honest and cool sounded video !

[@1999Fabion]

A lot of people compare Teenage Engineering to apple, But I think it's more the lego of the music gear world. You look at these plastic bricks, and you think, "there's no way they're THAT expensive, right?" and then you learn what they're ACTUAL use case is and you're like, 'wait, this is actually tight af and really creative!'

[@micemincer]

fuck - you got me with the drop test :) - as for the KO - it is very immediate and fun, pretty intuitive for me. (for precise chop positions use shift and +/- buttons - last tweaked knob is edited)

[@wrench-dodger]

I wasn't planning on getting one until watching this video. 😭 The sampled synth pad was immaculate.

[@ringsystemmusic]

oh mannnnnnnnmnn I got one of these in a trade and damn this slaps even harder than I thought it would

[@kiume_]

proudly contributing the 777th like for such a well made video 🙌

[@DM43685]

OK big question then......how did you get the fader knob on????? So many have broken because people have just pushed it on that breaks the flimsy fade mechanism inside...so how did you do it??? Or are TE now per-installing it like most new MPC's

[@Bloom_Music]

I just pushed it on. If your unit wasn't one of the one's affected by the bad packaging, putting on the fader cap won't hurt it.

[@socalr6]

Mine is only half way on compared to yours. I’m afraid to push it further is seems very difficult

[@Tripwelleverday]

The aliasing is amazing I just recently figured this all out then here it is someone is finally talking about it

[@CrazyLazyDave]

If you ever work in a DAW.....sample in 16bit and work in 16bit. Same thing. Well....almost. the TE-133 actually uses a higher than 44.1 sample rate even though it is 16bit. Work in 16/44.1 (or lower) and you'll get what you are after.

[@Tripwelleverday]

@crazylazydave funk a daw

[@tartoras]

Thanks for the vid! Helping me better understand my KO II. I have a question... more like a request actually. Is there such a thing as a sped-up breaks sample pack for devices like this? If you have a link, would love it.I want to give your workflow a try.

[@Bloom_Music]

Sorry, not to my knowledge! You can do it fairly easily by speeding them up in a DAW, though!

[@Tripwelleverday]

Damn love yur videos bro so clean

[@MochiNPRA]

As a fellow keeb enjoyer, im glad they used cherry switches for reparability.

[@MIKEMOKRONOS]

some things you do different than I do but we still accomplish the same goal...for example finding the sample bpm without knowing what it is. I would use tap tempo or use my ears and move the knobs to get it right on point.

[@achook9474]

@Bloom_Music 1. Does it have portamento or glide between two note? As in the sample of the moog can you play a pad/note and then it slowly glide to the next note when you press and hold both notes/pads? My Emu mp-7 has this and my sp404mk2 doesn’t t and it sucks because I can sample sounds but not glide between note so I can’t make westcoast wire sounds or bass glides. 😢 that’s what I’m looking for is a sampler with glide/portamento that you can change the glide speed to make wires/bass glides that’s not an mpc(I hate their work flow). Why is this so hard when an Emu mp-7 from 20 years ago had it. 🤦‍♂️

[@Bloom_Music]

It has legato, but no glide. The way it works is it continues playback at the same position in the sample when you trigger the next note, but the pitch changes instantly.

[@saluddiaz]

great review, thanks I was wondering were do you get your breaks and drum loops, love them

[@Bloom_Music]

All of the breaks in this vid are from rhythm-lab.com, three packs: Vintage Hip Hop Breaks Vol.1, Vintage Hip Hop Breaks Vol.2, and Trippy Beats.

[@saluddiaz]

@@Bloom_Music thanks and keep up with great work

[@uglyflower608]

dude please, please give us a sample library these are amazing

[@Bloom_Music]

All of the breaks in this vid are from rhythm-lab.com, three packs: Vintage Hip Hop Breaks Vol.1, Vintage Hip Hop Breaks Vol.2, and Trippy Beats.

[@uglyflower608]

@@Bloom_Music thanks for sharing :D

[@Lorenzo_Strozzi]

dude! killer video and presentation. insta subscribe

[@hollownation]

For anyone looking to do this on the cheap koala sampler you need to pitch down and bounce a couple of times before you get it real low but it will get there add a MIDI keyboard and your away

[@jorgillo86]

Not as fun

[@SporeZoo]

I love your breakbeat samples, can I download them somewhere ?

[@NicolasMelis]

great video! thanks

[@ruz8099]

you should have started the video with the pad, omg now I want one haha

[@ForecastGrim]

Fantastic cinematography and production! May I ask what is your camera/lens of choice?

[@ForecastGrim]

Man this video is the gift that keeps giving. Excellent tip on the sample loading.

[@Bloom_Music]

Thanks! I am using a Panasonic GH5 recording out to a Ninja Flame 7. For lenses, I use a Panasonic 30mm f/2.8 for the close shots and an EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 adapted with a speed booster for the overhead shots.