Teenage Engineering’s KO Sidekick is a mixer with interesting effects

The Picture of EP-136 The KO Sidekick is Teenage Engineering’s new two-way mixer, specially designed to connect two of its own. Pictures of KO-II for live performances and DJ sets. Although, it can connect two audio sources, not just TE devices. An ingredient scumbags several times, but what the leak didn’t show is that it’s a powerful processor that brings some of TE’s best features to every device in your arsenal.

The EP-136 by default supports two stereo inputs, but can also be converted to four mono inputs using audio adapters. Plus, it supports two stereo outputs over USB-C, so you can use it to control DJ apps on your phone or tablet if you want. Each mode has a simple 3-band EQ and a built-in compressor with 3 different modes. While Sidekick uses a language similar to KO-II and interacts with it directly using pins, it thankfully displays the EP-133’s cryptic UI on the small, but bright LCD screen.

The most interesting part of KO Sidekick is its effects. There are six: DJ filter, tremolo, delay, tape, loop, and siren. You can dial in the volume with the mod stick or, as on the KO-II, use the touch-sensitive pad. The more you push, the more impressive the results. You can also change the view to change over time, without putting your hand on the pad.

The Sidekick automatically detects the BPM of the incoming audio to ensure that the music is compatible. And, results can be run sequentially or in parallel. So one channel can be delayed, while the second channel has tremolo, or you can set it to output both.

The Teenage Engineering EP-136 KO Sidekick is available now $179.