Teenage Engineering EP-136 K.O. Sidekick

I always find TE so original, funny and with beautiful design. And EP 136 is no exception. I love it!
I found it quite immediate and funny to use once I learned the buttons combinations and the functions hidden under the cover of the battery compartment.
The screen is very nice and so the effects’ control.
Usb works like a charm.
So basically it is both a good audio interface and a mixer.
It is quite limited on the hardware inputs, but you have 8 ins and 4 outs available on the usb, which expand a lot the capability and the use of the EP 136.
Be aware that the menu to activate usb IO is from the button under the cover of the battery compartment.
The usb IO are easily recognized also by the ipad apps (for example AUM).
The main reasons I purchased it was the possibility to connect on the fly 1 or 2 synths and to add some effects from the ipad, with mixer hardware controls as well.
Besides, there are the onboard effects of the EP 136 that are very funny to use. Tremolo and loops are my favorites, very nice and playable.
The audio quality is surprisingly good for the price and I even got 30% TE discount! Of course, you cannot expect the quality of high-end audio interfaces or mixers, but it does a good job if you do not need professional results.
Personally I use it to have more fun, while when I need to go more seriously, I use my RME. Both moments are important though…

Ground loops may happen when connecting multiple devices to the same source (especially ipad and desktop synths powered from usb), so when it is too noisy, a different wiring is required.

If I have to find some flaws or missed functions:
- Batteries are not used when the EP 136 is connected to the usb. Since my ipad is old and with lightning port, I’d rather have the choice to run on batteries. Further, this option would have improved the management of ground loops.
- Inputs jacks are very close, and you may need to replace some of your cables if they have big connectors. Honestly the EP 136 is not so small (like TX-6), so maybe the ports could have been designed in an alternative way.
- It is not exactly built like a tank, so I hope it will last. BTW, I read that TE designed it using shelf components and not customized ones, so this should improve the repairability.
- One mic input would have been a killer, even if at higher cost.

My conclusion is that it is a very good mixer/audio interface for the price and very funny to play.