Teenage Engineering expands its ecosystem with the EP-136 KO Sidekick, a two-channel mixer designed to connect two KO-II samplers live, though it works with any audio source. It's not just a mixer: it acts as a punch-in effects processor to add textures to any instrument. It supports two stereo inputs (or four mono with adapters) and two stereo channels via USB-C, allowing control of DJ apps on mobile devices.
Effects technology and live touch control 🎛️
Each channel integrates a three-band equalizer and a compressor with three modes. The high-resolution color LCD screen sets it apart from other models. The six channel effects (DJ filter, tremolo, delay, tape, loop, and siren) are controlled with a modulation bar or a pressure-sensitive pad to automate changes. The Sidekick detects the audio BPM to sync rhythmic effects and allows configuring them in series or parallel.
For when your DJ set needs more buttons than talent 🤡
Because, of course, what was missing was another gadget to make beats on the living room table. Now you can explain to your friends that the out-of-tune loop isn't your fault, but the Sidekick's and its automatic BPM detection. And if they ask why you need two samplers to do what a mobile app could do, you can always point to the color LCD screen and say: it has more lights.