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!
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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     

 

3-Boat Buchla Modular System — In-Depth Look

...

good intro video if you're getting into buchla.

Dejima Island 2 - Nagasaki

 The tiny artificial island was Japans most impt point of contact with the outside world during the period of isolation (1641 - 1859)

This was a special place for both Europe & Japan. ... called a "sliver of Europe in Japan"

The Dutch resided here for more than 2 centuries.

The exchanges went far beyond trade

The porcelain trade between Japan and the West, particularly during the Age of Discovery and the subsequent centuries, had a significant impact on both regions. This trade, often involving Japanese porcelain, played a crucial role in shaping cultural, economic, and artistic exchanges.

Japanese porcelain, known for its delicate craftsmanship and intricate designs, captivated European markets. European potters were inspired by Japanese aesthetics, leading to the development of new styles and techniques.

The popularity of Japanese porcelain influenced European ceramics, textiles, and other decorative arts. Chinoiserie, a Western style reflecting Chinese and East Asian artistic elements, became fashionable in Europe.

tHESE ARE COPPER ingots

One of the primary exports from Japan

The export of Japanese porcelain contributed to the trade balance between Japan and Western countries. Porcelain, along with other goods, became a sought-after commodity in the burgeoning global trade network.

Economic Prosperity: The revenue generated from porcelain exports helped support the Japanese economy, providing financial resources to the ruling authorities.

The trade in Japanese porcelain led to a greater appreciation of Japanese art and culture in the West. Collectors and enthusiasts valued these items not only for their utility but also as works of art.

The porcelain trade also played a role in diplomatic relations. It served as a means for cultural exchange and contributed to the development of diplomatic ties between Japan and Western countries.

While the porcelain trade was just one aspect of the broader interactions between Japan and the West, it exemplifies how economic exchanges can have far-reaching cultural and artistic impacts. The trade in porcelain facilitated a dynamic cross-cultural pollination that left a lasting imprint on the artistic and economic landscapes of both regions.

For more travel postcards click here:

http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/travel-postcards-index-my-travel.html

Nagasaki - Dejima Island 1

 This pic is just outside Dejma Island, 

Dejima is a historic artificial island located in the bay of Nagasaki, Japan. 

The name "Dejima" translates to "protruding island." This artificial island played a significant role in Japan's history, particularly during the country's period of sakoku, which refers to its policy of isolation from the outside world.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), Japan adopted a policy of seclusion to limit foreign influence and control the spread of Christianity. However, the Tokugawa shogunate established a trading post on Dejima to maintain some degree of contact with the outside world, particularly with the Dutch, who were allowed to engage in limited trade with Japan.

Dejima served as a confined trading post for Dutch merchants and was designed to prevent direct contact between the Dutch and the Japanese population. The Dutch East India Company was the only European entity allowed to trade with Japan during this period. Dejima became a unique cultural and economic bridge between Japan and the Western world.

The Dejima Tree -- Transplanted from Jakarta (Batavia) in the mid 19th century.

A living testament to Japanese - Dutch exchange.

After Japan opened up to foreign trade in the mid-19th century, Dejima lost its importance, and the land between the island and the mainland was reclaimed, integrating Dejima into Nagasaki's urban landscape. In recent years, there have been efforts to restore and preserve Dejima as a historical and cultural site, providing visitors with insights into Japan's isolationist period and its early interactions with the Western world.

This is a name card case

..

For more travel postcards click here:

http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/travel-postcards-index-my-travel.html

WBC - westpac

 WBC

14-07-26

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Over the last five years, ASX:WBC has traded near a 52-week high around \(\$43.32\) AUD. While the bank maintained strong structural profitability and balance-sheet discipline, revenue growth has been slow due to intense mortgage competition. [1, 2, 3]

Profitability

• Net Income: Hovering around \(\$7.01\) billion AUD in profit annually over the trailing twelve months, with the bank’s 1H 2026 results showing a further 3% increase in net profit to \(\$3.41\) billion AUD. [1, 2]
• Net Margin: Sits at a robust ~31%, with an impressive operating margin above 50%. [1, 2]
• Net Interest Margin (NIM): Currently sitting at roughly 1.93%, outperforming the major bank average despite narrowing margins industry-wide. [1, 2]

Debt & Balance Sheet

• Capital Health: Westpac’s balance sheet remains highly liquid, with a Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio of 12.4%, well above regulatory requirements. [1]
• Bad Debts: Provisions for bad and doubtful debts have been tightly managed, with credit impairment charges staying remarkably low as household financial stress eases. [1, 2]

Return on Equity (ROE)

• ROE: The Return on Equity has averaged around 9%–9.8% over the period. While deemed solid by traditional banking standards, it sits modestly below the 10%–12% target often achieved by some of its peers. [1, 2, 3]

Shareholder Returns

• Dividends: Westpac maintains a consistent 1H 2026 interim dividend of 77 cents per share, fully franked, providing an annual dividend yield of approximately 4.2%. [1, 2]

............................

The share price hasn't really kept up with inflation over the decades.

Over the years, only the dividend & franking credits have kept it in my portfolio... I bought this decades ago.

If it dropped to $20 It would probably be a buy. Current price is $36

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Charlie Munger (01/01/1924 - 28/11/2023)

 The great man passed today (Nov 28).

Aged 99. 

This post has nothing to do with synths, but I just wanted to take a moment to reflect 

on a life of someone who I respect deeply and have tried to emulate in m own small way.

His death passed without much fanfare. He didn't make the 7pm news and probably only people

in the investment community would know who he was.

Most will remember Charlie either as an investor or for his great wealth and philanthropy, but

I think of him as a philosopher and as someone who was ethical & honest.

Munger survived a depression, and two world wars. He spent his life “avoiding traps,” — for instance he lived in the same modest home for 70 years. “In practically every case, [fancy houses] make the person less happy, not happier,” he told CNBC. 

Luxuries (like expensive cars, jewelry & ostentatious  houses) make you less free if you let them dominate your life. Even owning too many synths can be a problem. The old saying "less is more".

I think, the the other "traps" Charlie may have been referring to were avoiding people he didn't respect.

Munger lived modesty stating I "don't have a lot of envy" and "don't overspend (my) income".

He (and his friend Warren B) set an example of how to live a good life.

Some of my fav quotes. 

(Though many of these quotes relate to the investing community, I think they are relevant to everyone. 

Investing really is just applied psychology).

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People calculate too much and think too little. Remember that reputation and integrity are your most valuable assets—and can be lost in a heartbeat. Go to bed smarter than when you woke up. Envy is a really stupid sin because it's the only one you could never possibly have any fun at.

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“There is no better teacher than history in determining the future... There are answers worth billions of dollars in 30$ history book.”

― Charles T. Munger, Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger

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To get what you want, you have to deserve what you want. The world is not yet a crazy enough place to reward a whole bunch of undeserving people."

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“How to find a good spouse?

-the best single way is to deserve a good spouse.”

― Charles T. Munger, Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger

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"I constantly see people rise in life who are not the smartest, sometimes not even the most diligent, but they are learning machines. They go to bed every night a little wiser than they were when they got up and boy does that help, particularly when you have a long run ahead of you."

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“Acquire worldly wisdom and adjust your behavior accordingly. If your new behavior gives you a little temporary unpopularity with your peer group…then to hell with them.”

― Charles T. Munger, Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger

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“In my whole life, I have known no wise people (over a broad subject matter area) who didn't read all the time -- none, zero. You'd be amazed at how much Warren reads--and at how much I read. My children laugh at me. They think I'm a book with a couple of legs sticking out.”

― Charles T. Munger, Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger

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"The great investors are always very careful. They think things through. They take their time. They're calm. They're not in a hurry. They don't get excited. They just go after the facts, and they figure out the value. And that's what we try to do."

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"If you want to be a good investor, you have to have a long-term perspective. You have to be willing to be very patient and wait for the right pitch. And when you get the right pitch, you have to be ready to swing hard. You can't just take a little teeny tiny swing. You have to swing with all your might."

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“It takes character to sit with all that cash and to do nothing.

I didn't get top where I am by going after mediocre opportunities.”

― Charles T. Munger, Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger

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"I always laugh when people talk about how they're going to learn how to invest. It's not a subject you learn in a few weeks. It takes a lifetime to learn how to invest properly."

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"The big money is not in the buying and the selling, but in the waiting."

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“We all are learning, modifying, or destroying ideas all the time. Rapid destruction of your ideas when the time is right is one of the most valuable qualities you can acquire. You must force yourself to consider arguments on the other side.”

― Charles T. Munger

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"I don't have to be an expert on every company, or even many. I only have to be able to evaluate industries and the leaders within them."

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"You're not learning anything if you're not making mistakes."

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“The best armour of old age is a well spent life perfecting it.”

― Charles T. Munger, Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger

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"I believe in the discipline of mastering the best that other people have ever figured out. I don't believe in just sitting down and trying to dream it all up yourself. Nobody's that smart."

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“If something is too hard, we move on to something else. What could be simpler than that?”

― Charles T. Munger, Charlie Munger: The Complete Investor

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