After several weeks of speculation, Teenage Engineering has officially unveiled two new products – the EP-40 Riddim sampler and EP-2350 Ting microphone – deeply inspired by reggae, dancehall and sound system culture.
The EP-40 Riddim is a variation of the EP-133 K.O. II sampler, released in 2023, based on the same hardware but with updated software, sounds and aesthetics. (This isn't the first themed take on the EP-133 – in 2024, the company released a medieval-themed version.)
Described as a "complete rhythm and bass system", EP-40 is equipped with an extensive library of over 300 artist-designed instruments, one-shots and loops. The company has enlisted the talents of some genuinely legendary figures in developing the EP-40's sounds, working with both King Jammy and Mad Professor – two renowned reggae producers – and a long list of reggae and dancehall artists from across the globe.
EP-40's sounds are divided into four instrument-themed banks spanning Drums, Bass, Keys and FX, and these are joined by chord stabs, vocals and multisampled instruments like guitar and melodica. A key difference between EP-40 Riddim and EP-1320 Medieval is that you're now able to delete the factory sounds to take advantage of its 128MB memory, which gives you twice as much storage as the original EP-133.
Both the EP-133 and EP-1320 were entirely sample-based, but EP-40 introduces a synth engine to the range for the first time: Supertone. Equipped with nine presets, Supertone is a basic subtractive synth that Teenage Engineering says is capable of producing "classic bass and lead tones" and reggae-style dub sirens.
On top of the new synth engine and sound library, EP-40 introduces new functionality to the sampler. Samples can now be looped thanks to a new Loop Mode that joins One Shot, Keyboard and Legato in the sampler's selection of sound modes, which adjust the way a given sample is played. Select Loop Mode and a sample will continuously loop in the background after you hit play, muting and unmuting when you tap the relevant pad.
EP-40 also brings two new features designed specifically for playing live. Live-State is a new mode that enables you to disable buttons and even entire features on the device that you don't want to use while performing, temporarily simplifying the EP-40's workflow to make it a more streamlined tool for live performance. Live-State also introduces pitch-shifting when you change the project tempo, imitating the effect of slowing down a vinyl record.
Speaking of live performance, Teenage Engineering has also released a battery and USB-powered microphone designed to be paired with EP-40 for live vocals: EP-2350 Ting. Ting has a gritty, lo-fi tone by design and features four built-in vocal effects (a dub-style echo and spring reverb, along with two pitch-shifted effects) and four "party samples" that can be triggered via the mic itself. Ting connects to Riddim (or any other device) via the attached 3.5mm cable.
Aside from the changes we've detailed here and a handful of minor workflow tweaks, EP-40 is the same instrument as the EP-133 K.O. II. That means it's equipped with a 46kHz/16-bit sampling engine with 12 stereo/16 mono voices, velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads, a built-in mic and speaker and can be powered by 4x AAA batteries or USB-C. Effects are the same, aside from a new vintage-style phaser, and a few of the punch-in FX have been tweaked to play nicely with the new Loop mode. I/O covers stereo audio in/out, MIDI in/out and sync in/out over 3.5mm TRS.
More than a few eyebrows were raised in our office when the EP-40 was leaked in September – it's fair to say that a reggae-themed sampler wasn't the next release that any of us expected from the Swedish manufacturer. Channelling a different culture for inspiration can be a dicey task, and it's one that should be undertaken with respect and sensitivity – especially considering the recent devastation caused in Jamaica by Hurricane Melissa.
Fortunately, it seems that's exactly what Teenage Engineering has done. The EP-40 Riddim looks like much more than just a reskinned EP-133 with a few reggae sound effects tossed in. The company says it's a project that's been shaped by field research, studio sessions and community workshops, guided by the influence of established artists embedded in the scene and inspired by a reverence for reggae, dancehall and sound system culture. What's more, Teenage Engineering is donating a portion of the profits from the EP-40 to Red Cross to support their recovery efforts in Jamaica.
Teenage Engineering EP-40 Riddim is priced at £299/$329. For a limited time, the EP-40 will ship with the EP–2350 Ting microphone included at no extra cost. The EP-2350 will be available to purchase separately at a later date.
