teenage engineering EP-1320 Medieval takes its users to the sounds of the Middle Ages with the power of the EP series groovebox sampler.
After many high-end priced devices, teenage engineering surprisingly returned in November 2023 with the EP-133 K.O. II in the affordable range. Even though there was a fader gate at the beginning, it was an absolute best seller in the first months. From what you hear, it’s one of the best they’ve ever had.
It’s no secret that it won’t just be one EP device. Not a year later, the second one is here, and that causes a bit of a WTF moment, not because of the price, but of the direction they went. It is a medieval version, the EP-1320. Yes, medieval meets electronics beats.
Teenage Engineering EP-1320 Medieval
No joke or Photoshop thing; the device is real. With the EP-1320 medieval, teenage engineering presents a second addition to the EP family. According to them, the device is entirely dedicated to the sounds of the Middle Ages.
Is there a gap in the market for the first medieval electronic musical instrument or do they do what they feel like doing at the moment? I think the latter is more likely. They went all-in from the look, the engine, and the sounds.
At its core, it is an EP-133 K.O. II groovebox sampler, but there are over tweaks. The different look is immediately noticeable. Teenage Engineering has given here the EP groovebox, a golden medieval dress with different buttons and letters. Particularly striking are the track buttons that have letters in old script.
Otherwise, the design is the same: retro display, pressure-sensitive keys, Lego-compatible case, built-in speakers, and the fader. I hope I don’t have to go to a blacksmith to get it fixed.
EP-1320 Medieval Engine & Sounds
The engine is mostly the same: 6 stereo or 12 mono voices, 128 memory (96 ROM sounds and 32 MB user samples), nine 9 user projects for the sequencer, and built-in FX. Here is a difference to the EP-133 K.O. II.
According to Teenage Engineering, it has a redesigned set of effects and punch-in FX that fit medieval sounds. It also includes a brand new arpeggiator.
The newly-created built-in sound set makes the EP-1320 “Instrumentalis Electronicum” medieval. It contains hundreds of medieval sounds, phrases, ready-to-use multi-sampled instruments, and one-shot samples. It includes hurdy-gurdies, lutes, gregorian chants, thundering drums, percussive foley FX, and more.
In addition, the line input and internal microphone allow you to sample your own “modern” sounds in seconds or use the sampler tool to import them.
The connection side remains unchanged: stereo input and output, sync in/out, MIDI in/out, and a USB-C. Like the EP-133 K.O. II, it is powered by 4x AAA batteries or via USB-C. If you need some inspiration for your EP-1320 medieval jams, here a playlist.
First Impression
Finally, I can make beats and jams at a medieval festival alongside the bagpipes and fire-eaters. That was one of my first thoughts about this release. I’m not sure what to think of the idea. But I have to smile about it.
teenage engineering EP-1320 is available now for $299/ 349€.
Ummm
Quirky. If this becomes a range of variations, I expect them to do a Japanese edition, which would sell really well. Both aren’t for me. Give me a brutal Vietnam war edition. Or maybe a highly experimental 50-60s sci-fi. Or….?
Just import your own samples bruv
32 MB user samples? Are we absolutely sure this is not an error? 32 MB? In 2024? I mean, cmon, Digitakt is already a dance with the sheeps, but 32 MB ram smells like a whiskey bet at 4 am: „I bet people are so dumb they will still buy that“ said the drunken pirate. Of course still a piece of art to make this happen and make people buy it. But boy, are people so stupid?
More memory is cool, but you have the device in your hand and you make beats with it. Scrolling through endless samples can be unpleasant. For an MPC, Digitakt or something like that it’s a must and they are made for this with their OS. And look at it this way: 32MB with which you can be creative or 20GB of samples with endless scrolling and none of them inspire you. Then 32MB is better. In the past, musicians were also creative with 10MB or even less 😉
I agree 20GB is an endless scrolling nightmare but 32MB is… weak. Even the Model Samples is double that and both devices are in the same segment of cheap sample enabled portable groovebox.
Niche quirky somewhat useful novelty item from the usual suspects but we all know this thing is ***checking all the boxes*** 😉
Also, soon: just like the Street Fighter, Megaman and Rick and Morty, this thing will have plenty collabs with anime series since those are very popular these days.
Ah yes, this thing is so YouTube ready it hurts, it’s an absolute gift because the jokes write themselves.
Well, they could have added a memory card slot, so that whoever likes scrolling can go all out. Or would that have resulted doubling the devices price? (A 32GB card goes for a whopping 8.49$ on amazon.)
Sure, it seems silly, but many of the most famous samplers in history had less. They still are killer instruments. There is something to be said for limits. Also, 32mb is a whole hell of a lot more perc samples than most would ever use in a track.
TE sure knows how to have fun, and I thank for them that. Too much negativity in communities. Is this new EP weird? Hell yeh it is and that rocks. Too weird or dumb for you? Don’t buy it. Buy one of Roland’s predictable and palatable machines.
Do you think they’ll include the arp functionality in the old one? Or would that distract from sales of this one? I’ll admit, it’s ugly as sin, but I kind of like the idea of themed operators like the mega man, which I ended up getting.
when your dawless jam doesn’t feel primitive enough
who are you all most excited to see run this into a microcosm?
A result of detailed market research? Or a one knight ( sorry) focus group whilst getting a bit squiffy on mead? No idea. Great fun to play with whilst watching Viking / Roman / GOT stuff I guess. Midievil name – a missed opportunity? I guess it will play other samples – just watch out when you slice them up.
“I hope I don’t have to go to a blacksmith to get it fixed”. 😂 My sides, man.
I love Teenage Engineering!! Folk need to lighten up. Think of this version more as a collector edition. It’s only another 133 with a different colour way and range of samples after all. Who buys a sampler and keeps the preset samples?
it’s TE and they know it’s going to sell no matter what. people are going to shell out whatever price they set on their niche gear because, it’s niche. I’ve only ever bought one TE machine, the OPZ and as horrible as the form factor was, it was a pretty good workflow and very inspirational.