pocket operator modular 16 - build guide

...

KO II - getting started

An impulse buy. But I don't regret this.

I Christmas pressie to myself?

While I was in Japan, the TE email popped up and I couldn't resist.

That same night TE had sold out of the first batch. So I guess I was lucky to have bought this.

Looks like a piece of Lego.

But no, ...its a sampler, sequencer and composer..... for a bargain price.

I view Teenage Engineering as a Swedish design company masquerading as a producer of electronic music instruments. They sell everything from baseball caps, 3D printers & furniture to some of my fav musical instruments. I still have a original OP-1 that I love. Their gear is either super pricy or cheap. This was in between.

Links:

+ TE website

+ KO 133 website

+ KO II 133 online manual

+ KO II online sample tool / editor

The packaging and marketing were excellent.

I'll def keep the box.

Even if this turns out to be a fail on a musical level, I think the KOII 133 is a object of beauty that I'll still be happy to own.

It's the lovechild of an 1980's pocket calculator meeting a box of Lego in a Swedish nightclub

After reading the manual a few times here are what I think are the basic concepts

you need to know to get started.

The file structure starts with the PROJECT at the top.

Each project contains Groups, Patterns & Scenes

PROJECTS

There are 9 projects.

If you hold down MAIN you can tell which project you are in because it will be flashing.

To change the project Long Hold "MAIN" & press & hold any pad (1 to 9).

Projects 1 - 5 already have sounds loaded.

GROUPS

There are 4 groups:

Group A = Drums

Group B = Bass

Group C = Melody

Group D = empty for your samples

In each of these groups you can have 4 sounds.

PATTERNS (sequences)

Remember, that patterns are made within a group.

The sequencer's patterns can be up to 99 bars long.

You can record/enter more that one unique pattern for each of the 4 groups.

You can make up to 99 patterns per group.

Thus a project can contain up to (4 x 99) 396 patterns.

But you can only play 4 patterns (one from each group) simultaneously.

Each pattern can have a different length

This is how the display is setup.

The default length is 1 bar. Each bar is divided into 4 beats. Each beat is divided into 4 steps

(this can be changed by adjusting the Pattern Length & Note Interval).

When you hit PLAY, you will be playing the four patterns saved in the 4 groups.

If you press Group buttons A,B,C,D, you will see the names of the 4 patterns that will play simultaneously.

There are 2 ways to make a pattern:

Step sequencing or live recording.

eg: To record to a pattern step :

Hold (record) and press on one of the pads to record that pad to a step.

Placing a kick on 1.1.1 / 1.2.1 / 1.3.1 and 1.4.1 - this is called a ‘four on the floor’.

A snare on 1.2.1 and 1.4.1 - this is called a ‘back beat’.

Note intervals:

to change the note interval (number of steps per bar). press (timing button) and turn (knob - x). 

having a higher note interval allows you to sequence in more detail.

by default K.O.II will be set to a note interval of 1/16, but note intervals of 1/8, 1/8T (triplet), 1/16, 1/16T (triplet) and 1/32 are available.

Pattern length

by default new patterns on K.O.II will be set to 1 bar (len:1). 
if you want a longer pattern just hold (record) then press (plus button). 

Note repeat

hold (timing) and press a pad to repeat that pad with the chosen note interval.
use it on a hi-hat to quickly record hats into your beat!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------============================================================

Making your first tunes:
Before you do anything1. Make a new project.2. Pick your sounds for each group.Each group can have 12 sounds.Thus, you have  a max of 48 sounds for you project.3. Choose the number of bars you want in each pattern.

DRUMS
Start by making some drum beatsUse GROUP A.
To pick your sounds simply press SOUND. Then press the pad you wish to add you sound to, then use the +/- buttonto audition the sounds

The drum sounds are as follows:

kick 1-99

Snare 100-199

Cymb 200 - 299

Perc 300 - 399

You can just type in the numbers if you want to jump directly to a specific sample.

Just hold down the SOUND button, then type the number you want.

You can preview the name of a sample by holding down the pad while in sound mode. a sample will only have a name if imported or renamed using the EP sample tool.

In this MAIN mode, you can change the amplitude (X-KNOB) & pitch (Y-KNOB) 

Press RECORD & Play to hear a four beat count-inhit the pads to record your beat!once you are done recording press (play) again to stop the recording 

Bassline

press group (GROUPB) to play some bass sounds. 

Bass  samples are stored from 400-499.

select one that you like then press (keys) to (play) that sound across the pads like a keyboard!To go up/down an octave press KEYS & +/- button. 
To lengthen the bar press REC & + button (or - to shorten)
if you’d like to change the scale of the pads, this can be done in system settings.

Melody

The method is much the same as with the BASS

press group (GROUPC) to play some melodic sounds. 

melodic sounds are stored  from 500-599.

press (keys) to play that sound across the pads like a keyboard!

if you’d like to change the scale of the pads, this can be done in system settings.

tap (record) and (play) to get a four beat count in and record it in!

if your melody is longer than the drum pattern  increase your pattern length by holding (record) and pressing (PLUS).

Sampling

press group D then hit SAMPLE to enter sample mode!  

the pads will flash to let you know that they can be sampled to. 

press one pad and sing into the mic or play a instrument into the line in!   

As soon as you let go it will stop sampling and you can press the pad again to hear your sample

Use the same techniques we used in the previous sections to play your sample(s) into your beat!

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Performance

There are two types of effects

FX vs Punch-in FX

Master FX

press (fx) to open the fx menu. here you can send each group to one master fx. 

turn the fader up and use (minus) and (plus) to switch between the available fx.

OFF

IILY delay - adjust the length & feedback with the X/Y knobs

RVB reverb - adjust the length & colour (filter hi&lo frequencies) with the X/Y knobs

DST distortion  - adjust the drive & colour (filter & resonate hi&lo frequencies) with the X/Y knobs

CXO chorus - adjust the modulation & feedback with the X/Y knobs

FLT filter - adjust the cutoff & resonance with the X/Y knobs

CMP compressor - adjust the drive (loudness)  & speed with the X/Y knobs

Punch-in FX

If you hold down the FX button & press buttons 1-9 you can add super fast punch-in effects.
Its a quick way to add variations in live performances.

The effects are pressure sensitive and can be combined.

+ KO II online sample tool / editor

This is one of the quickest and easiest waveform editors Ive ever used.

Connects to your computer via USB C.

Perfect for managing samples on your K.O. II. use it to upload, download and delete samples from your device, as well for editing and quick assignment of samples to pads.

The max sample length is 20 seconds/pad.

The default Sounds/samples 

are arranged as follows:

kick 1-99

Snare 100-199

Cymb 200 - 299

Perc 300 - 399

Bass 400 - 499

melody 500 - 599

loop 600 - 699

User 1 700 - 799

User 2 800 - 899

SFX 900 - 999

There is a waveform editor in the app.

Press SHIFT & Edit.

Use the +/- button to get to TRI (trim)

Now you can use the X/Y  knobs to change the start/end points of your sample.

the ep sample tool currently supports any sample format that is supported by your browser, as well as aiff files. you can find detailed information here.

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SOUND EDITING

You can edit these sounds by pressing Shift + SOUND

Within this menu you can then navigate through 5 edit modes which are further divided into sub categories:

1. SOUND MODE

2. TRIM

3. Envelope

4. TIME

5. MIDI     

 

Teenage engineering - They have gone modular

I was surprised and delighted to see this today.
I'm a big fan of this Swedish company.

The teenagers have got a new series of synths out.
Beautiful Scandinavian designs.
Their website describes this as the poor man's modular but I can see these being sold in art galleries.

The System 400 (as my friend Justin pointed out) harks back to the EMS Synthi E
And I think the similarities are more than just its colour

The Synthi E was designed for education, and I feel that these new TE synths will open up the world of modulars to a much wider audience.

The flat pack idea reminds me of  IKEA. Another Swedish company... who are known for selling good, minimalist designed products at affordable prices.

As far as I can tell from the manual, the patch cables are 3,5mm but the module size is their own format (not Eurorack).

The 400 has  3 OSCILLATORS, NOISE, RANDOM GENERATOR, 2 ENVELOPES, 2 VCA'S, LFO, FILTER, MIXER, SPEAKER BOX, POWER PACK AND A 1–16 STEP SEQUENCER.

THE COMPLETE KIT COMES WITH CHASSIS,16 MODULES, 15 PATCH CABLES.

It doesn't look like you can move these modules around within the system.
The kit comes with a flat metal face (reminds me of my old Meccano set) where you bend (the edges) to make the case...

The modules are then screwed onto the back of the face ??

The other two synths released are the 170 & the keyboard

The 170 is a analog monophonic synth with step sequencer. It costs $349USD and includes a chassis, nine modules and eight patch cables.
The modular membrane keyboard has tuneable keys and a step sequencer. It seems to be designed for use with the 400 & 170 model... and hopefully will conform to Eurorack CV/ gate standards

The module dimensions are here.

The TE system uses M2 screws., 5mm spacing mount holes. Module dimensions are 30x90 for a 6HP module. ie the height is 90mm which is approximately 2U

Euro specs are M3 screws, 5.08 mm spacing mount holes, and a 3U height.

But the PSU  is compatable ... both +/-12V

I hope this is the first of many future module additions. Maybe a case that allows for free placement of the modules..... I can see this system expanding 

Links:
Teenage Engineering

Teenage Engineering OP-Z battery

  OP-Z, the battery specifications are:

• Li-Ion 740mAh
• 3.7V-740mAh-2.74Wh
• 6 hour battery life
• 1 year stand-by time
• user replaceable

The battery is hard to find.

If  The OP z hasnt been used for a while it may just have to be woken up.

Apparently this is common with Li-ion batteries 

 

From the support pages this worked:

 

 

• connect OP-Z to a computer or usb charger, using the usb-c cable, and power it on.
• while still connected through usb-c, turn the unit over, loosen the four yellow screws and remove the back panel.
• remove the battery from the OP-Z.
• press the screen index button on OP-Z.
  a red led will light up, confirming no battery is present. this will reset the battery indicator.
• Leave the OP-Z connected to the USB cable/power
  
• turn OP-Z off and reinsert the battery back in the unit.
• Leave the OP-Z connected to the USB cable & power
• Let it charge up to at least 1 hour
• Disconnect the USB cable
  
• turn OP-Z on and you should be good to go. 
• seal the back panel and continue to charge the battery.

 

USB connections

 THere are lots of different types of USB connectors and jacks.

In the synth world they are used for a wide variety of applications ... from simple power to data transfer

The jacks can be confusing

 

These were the first types

 

B is commonly called a printer USB cable.

A is still the most widely used type of jack. 

 

USB-B micro is commonly found on lots of synths made in the past 5 years 

though it seems to be fading out of popularity in favor of type C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This Expert Sleepers FH-1 is a midi host

It uses a Type-A USB connector for MIDI

This is a 2HP midi module

It uses a USB-B micro socket

The Roland JUo6A boutique synth also uses a USB port: MicroB type for Audio, MIDI.

Older android mobile phones like my Samsung galaxy note 5 used this connector.

 

 THis has the advantage that you can plug your cable any orientation.

Most android mobile phones like my Samsung Galaxy 9 use this type of connector.

Many of these connectors supply power to your module.

It's handy to know what is what

The first two connectors (A + B) had just

four connections.

 

1 = +5V

2 = Data -

3 = Data +

4 = GND

The Mini & Micro cables added a 5th connector called

"ID". This helped distinguish cable ends.

 

 

 

 

So for the Mini/Micro USB A & B

 

1 = +5V

2 = Data -

3 = Data +

4 = ID

5 = GND 

This is the Teenage Enginering OP-z

It uses the Type-C connector

The OP-1 used type B-micro

Endorphin.es - Shuttle Control - choosing a USB controller

 Some of the midi controllers that work with the Shuttle Control

The old Korg Nano Control

 

 The Teenage engineering OP-1

The OP-z is particularly interesting as it has 16 midi tracks.

The online editor was a bit tricky at first to decipher, but these settings seem to 

work OK with the OP-Z

I decided to use jacks 5,6,7,8, & 13,14,15,16.

These correspond to midi channels 5, 6, 7, 8 which the OP-Z uses

for its Bass, Lead, ARP & Chords tracks.

I'm still experimenting with the rest of the jacks.

They could be sources of random voltages, LFOs, envelopes, Sync clocks, etc

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To add a "analog clock" set one of the channels to

Omni       syncronization         PPQN+ 24 (1/4)

This is great for driving a sequencer

 

To divide the clock in half just use a PPQN +48 setting

 

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My Personal presets

Page 1 : OP-Z

Page 2: Abelton Live

Page 5 : 16n faderbank