AndertonsKeyboardDept Unboxes Teenage Engineering’s Riddim & Ting: A Sonic Street Fight

In a fittingly chaotic introduction, Jack Tuxbury from AndertonsKeyboardDept dives headfirst into two mysterious boxes. Like finding a dodgy kebab at the bottom of your fridge, these boxes promise the unexpected. He explains that the Teenage Engineering devices, intriguingly named Riddim and Ting, are about to be unboxed with an air of uncertainty hanging in the air.

As they open the boxes, it’s clear we’re in for something peculiar. The Riddim, with its exposed knobs and dub-inspired design, reeks of vintage vibes like a well-worn leather jacket found in the back of a closet. And then there’s the Ting, a small microphone box boasting unusual features like a belt clip and shake sensor.

Jack’s reactions are as bewildered as they are enthusiastic, remarking on the packaging and quirky font design. He doesn’t shy away from expressing how each box feels in hand – a tactile component too often glossed over in an age of digital dominance. The stage is set for a week-long exploration of these curious gadgets.

After taking the Riddim and Ting for a week-long spin, Jack’s back to share his findings. The experience sounds akin to a pub brawl with sounds and specs flying every which way. With no manual to guide him, it’s a case of trial and error, engaging with the devices in a hands-on manner typical of Andertons’ fun, exploratory approach.

Jack shares his discoveries: the Riddim is designed for dub lovers, with its inbuilt sounds ready to kick the doors down. The monophonic nature of its top loops is like a gang of hooligans each having their own turf – never playing together, but essential in their own right. Below these, pressure-sensitive pads stir the pot, offering one-shots and complex synth sounds ready to jazz up any jam.

The Riddim’s sounds are divvied up into neat categories – drums, bass, melodics – like sections at a raucous gig. Meanwhile, its super tone engines spice things up with rich synth sounds, adding a touch of unpredictability to the mix. It’s all about the interplay between top and bottom sounds, creating intricate soundscapes ready for real-time experimentation.

Jack then shifts focus to the Ting, Teenage Engineering’s quirky microphone cum effects unit. It’s both an enigma and a joy, with its build-in effects and unique sample-trigger capabilities – like a magician pulling rabbits out of hats. Jack appreciates its functionality, noting its belt clip for portability.

The Ting’s effects are what you’d expect in a dub-centric device – reverb, delays, and that all-important dub siren. It’s more than just a toy; it offers a playground of sounds, tempting you to press every button just to hear what madness it conjures up next. The shake sensor, however, remains a mystery, adding to its quirky charm.

Its potential makes the Ting a splendid partner to the Riddim. Jack’s intrigue is palpable as he demonstrates how the microphone interacts with the Riddim’s soundscape, adding layers of sonic possibilities. For purveyors of reggae and dub, this combo seems as perfect as a pint of lager after a long day.