MusicRadar Tech Unleashes the EP-40 Riddim & Ting: Dub Dreams or Genre Gimmick?

Teenage Engineering’s latest duo, the EP-40 Riddim sampler and the EP-2350 Ting microphone, crash onto the scene with the subtlety of a sound system at 3am. MusicRadar Tech wastes no time – this isn’t just another plastic toy, it’s a battery-powered, genre-bending box that comes bundled with a quirky lo-fi mic for free (for now, anyway). The Ting isn’t just a throw-in; it’s got its own samples, push-button effects, and a gain knob that begs to be cranked.

The reggae and dancehall influence is obvious, but don’t let the themed packaging fool you – there’s more here than meets the eye. The onboard sounds, LED feedback, and that ever-essential Dub Siren make it clear this box is built for fun. If you’re after instant vibes and a bit of chaos, you’re in the right place. But as always with Teenage Engineering, the question is: does it go deeper than the surface hype?

Here’s where things get spicy. The Supertone engine isn’t just a marketing buzzword – it’s a proper synth engine baked right into the Riddim. That’s a first for Teenage Engineering’s mini-samplers, and it opens up a whole new world of sound design for those willing to get their hands dirty.

MusicRadar Tech points out that the samples themselves are expertly crafted, with contributions from a host of artists. But it’s the synth engine that gives this box its edge, letting you go beyond the preset reggae loops and start mangling sounds your own way. If you want to break out of the genre box, this is your ticket.

No dub box is complete without delay, and the EP-40 delivers in spades. MusicRadar Tech is clear: the delay is the star of the show, slathered all over the presets and ready to send your beats into outer space. Reverb, distortion, chorus, flanger, compressor, and phaser round out the effects arsenal, with high-pass and low-pass filters for extra tweakability.

It’s not just about quantity – the effects are punchy and easy to punch in, giving you that classic space echo vibe. If you want to get silly, there are even pixie and robot modes. But let’s be real: the delay is what makes this box a dub weapon. For the full effect, you’ll want to see (and hear) the video – words don’t do the echo justice.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Teenage Engineering box without a few quirks. MusicRadar Tech calls out the naming – saying ‘Riddim & Ting’ out loud is enough to make anyone cringe. Thankfully, you can just call it the EP-40 and keep your dignity intact.

More importantly, the workflow isn’t exactly plug-and-play. You’ll need the cheat sheet to get started, and the interface can be a bit of a toaster-fight until you get the hang of it. On the plus side, the new case design is a big step up from the fiddly KO2 packaging, and the build feels solid. If you’re willing to wrestle with the learning curve, the rewards are there – but don’t expect instant mastery.