Teenage Engineering’s KO Sidekick is a mixer with fun performance effects

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FollowSee All GadgetsTeenage Engineering’s KO Sidekick is a mixer with fun performance effectsThe two-channel mixer brings some of TE’s punch-in performance effects to any audio input. The two-channel mixer brings some of TE’s punch-in performance effects to any audio input. by Terrence O'Brien Terrence O'BrienWeekend EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

Technical Details

FollowSee All by Terrence O'BrienMay 8, 2026, 4:24 PM UTC If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. The EP-136 KO Sidekick sandwiched between two KO-II samplers.

Image: Teenage Engineering Terrence O'Brien Terrence O'BrienPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. FollowSee All by Terrence O'Brien is the Verge’s weekend editor. He has over 18 years of experience, including 10 years as managing editor at Engadget.

The EP-136 KO Sidekick is Teenage Engineering’s stylish new two-channel mixer, clearly designed to connect two of its KO-II samplers for live performances and DJ sets. Though, it can connect any two audio sources, not just TE gear. The mixer leaked a couple of times, but what those leaks didn’t show was that it’s also a robust effects processor that brings some of TE’s beloved punch-in effects to any instrument in your arsenal.

Industry Implications

The EP-136 by default supports two stereo ins, but can also be switched to four mono inputs using split audio adapters. In addition, it supports two stereo channels over USB-C, so you can actually use it to control DJ apps on a phone or tablet if you want. Each channel has a simple three-band EQ and a built-in compressor with three different modes.

While the Sidekick uses the same design language as the KO-II and even connects directly to it using pegs, it thankfully eschews the EP-133’s cryptic icon UI for a small, but high-res color LCD screen. The most interesting part of the KO Sidekick is its channel effects. There are six in total: a DJ filter, tremolo, delay, tape, loop, and siren.

You can dial in the amount with the mod stick or, just like on the KO-II, use the pressure-sensitive pad. The harder you press, the more dramatic the effect. You can even automate an effect so it changes over time, without you having to keep your hand on the pad.

This advance offers important signals about the future of the sector, and the tech world is watching closely.