EP-1320 Medieval Sampler, Drum Machine and Sequencer with Built-in Microphone and Effects

Insanely useful for arrangement, incredibly fun effects, a total fun time investment. Only one qualm with this thing, the medieval, you have to use all the samples in the same key if you plan on using them together. There’s no way to change the starting pitch I don’t think. It’s very frustrating. However a midi keyboard can obviously solve this, but it would still be a math problem dealing with what key you’re composing in and what key it says it is. Silly TE, real musicians want a way to solve this without paying for a 200$ midi keyboard. If I’m wrong I’d love to be, regardless for the price this piece of gear is just a BLAST to use and that’s why I still give it 5 stars

Impulse bought this thing after Christmas. I really can't emphasize enough how entertaining it is to get your hands on this thing. It's like a sketchbook for musicians. I was blown away by how powerful it's functionality was. With a few days to learn the controls and reasonable and intentional limitations, you can really make anything you might want to on a regular DAW. I do wish you could have different effects on different tracks, or perhaps a few options for the punch in effects pads (which let you sort of dj the thing) but for 4 triple a batteries it's a dream. Really is just the greatest toy for musicians.

Confusing, very confusing. I’ve spent probably 15 hours with this thing so far and it’s very cool but it’s difficult to learn, and the fact that you have to translate everything from English to medieval words to buttons makes it a bit more of a headache than it needs to be. Super portable though.

Simply awesome

Bought this for my daughter. She likes it.

Did not work at all. Company would not replace.

The Teenage Engineering EP-1320 Medieval is easily the most absurd piece of gear I’ve put on my desk in years, and I mean that as a high compliment. While the rest of the industry is fighting over who can make the most sterile "studio-in-a-box," Teenage Engineering decided to build a dedicated Middle Age beat machine with weird Latin labeling and foley samples of clashing swords. The "Instrumentalis Electronicum" Essentially, this is a reskinned EP-133 K.O. II, but calling it a "reskin" undersells how committed they were to the bit. The interface is covered in Latin (think Ignito for power and Pocus for effects), and the segment display has been tweaked to fit the medieval aesthetic. The real draw here is the 96MB of hardwired ROM. It’s packed with expertly recorded hurdy-gurdys, lutes, Gregorian chants, and "punishing" percussive foley like farm animals and rowdy peasants. If you’ve ever wanted to make a boom-tap beat that sounds like it was produced in a 14th-century dungeon, this is your only option. Workflow and Playability • The Sequencer: It’s snappy and high-res, just like the K.O. II. You’ve got 12 tracks per pattern and the ability to automate the fader, which is great for adding movement to those dusty string samples. • The Arpeggiator: A new addition specifically for this model, and it works beautifully with the plucked instrument samples. • Punch-In FX: This is where the fun is. The "Pocus" effects include things like Dungeon Echo and Torture Chamber Reverb. They are velocity-sensitive, meaning you can "perform" the effects live as you sequence. The Limitations (The "Dark Ages") The most polarizing aspect is the storage. Out of the 128MB total memory, 96MB is locked for the factory medieval sounds. You only get 32MB for your own samples. In 2026, that feels intentionally restrictive—but then again, the whole device is a creative exercise in working within constraints. If you want a general-purpose sampler, get the standard K.O. II. You buy the 1320 specifically because you want that "bubonic beat" palette. The Verdict The EP-1320 is niche, weird, and arguably overpriced for what is essentially a themed sampler. But it’s also one of the most inspiring "toy-pro" instruments out there. It forces you out of your comfort zone and into a world of bagpipes and chainmail. Pros: • Incredibly unique, high-quality medieval sound library. • The "Latin" aesthetic is executed perfectly. • Fantastic, portable form factor (runs on AAA batteries). • The new arpeggiator is a huge win for melodic work. Cons: • Only 32MB left for user samples. • The "bit" might get old if you aren't actually into folk, dungeon synth, or weird experimental textures. • No internal rechargeable battery. Final Thought: It’s a collector's item that happens to be a very capable instrument. Perfect for anyone who thinks their music needs more dragons and fewer 808s.

One of the favourite toys in our household. The look is deceiving, the device is actually amazingly powerful

Fun device! As mentionned in other comments, not so « user friendly » and finding instructions is not easy. Really specific use related device, but was perfect for my son who was looking for medieval sounds.

J’avoue, la collectionneuse que je suis ne pouvais que craquer pour son design mélangeant minitel et livre d’heure. L’objet est de belle facture et le packaging est à tomber ! Comme toute la série des EP, il se transporte hyper facilement, ne consomme quasi rien en énergie, et j’aime beaucoup le workflow. Mais en toute honnêteté, à ce jour il vaut mieux se tourner vers l’EP-40, car le 1320 a de gros points faibles : - manque de mémoire dispo, sur les 128M annoncés, 3/4 sont occupés par les sons natifs impossibles à effacer et pour bcp inutilisables concrètement (coucou les cris d’animaux), - pas de mode « song » contrairement au Riddim (donc obligation de tout jouer en live), - quasiment pas de mises à jour. L’EP-40, sorti il y a à peine quelques mois, en a déjà plus que le 1320 ! Teenage Engineering donne l’impression de ne pas respecter les acheteurs du 1320 et c’est bien dommage… Bref, à moins d’être un passionné absolu de musique médiévale, tournez vous plutôt vers l’EP-40, et samplez vous-même chalemie, cromorne et vielle à roue !

Increíble samplera para iniciarse en este mundillo, sobretodo destacar su facilidad de uso.