Teenage Engineering EP-40 Riddim Supertone and EP-2350 Ting: A Dub-Infused Groovebox Takes Center Stage

Teenage Engineering has built a reputation for quirky, minimalist hardware that punches well above its weight. The Swedish design house consistently blends playful aesthetics with serious production capabilities. Their latest release doubles down on that philosophy while targeting a specific musical culture.

The EP-40 Riddim Supertone and EP-2350 Ting bundle arrives as a love letter to Jamaican sound system culture. Released in early November 2025, this isn't just another themed sampler. It's a complete portable production system designed for reggae, dub, and dancehall—complete with handcrafted samples from legends like King Jammy and Mafia & Fluxy.

But does it deliver on the promise? Let's break it down.

Watch It in Action

Check out Teenage Engineering's official demo of the EP-40 Riddim and Ting in action.

What You're Getting

EP-40 Riddim Supertone: The Main Event

At its core, the EP-40 Riddim builds on Teenage Engineering's EP-133 K.O. II sampler foundation. Think of it as an evolution specifically reimagined for reggae production workflows.

The Basics:

• 128MB internal memory (expandable to 256MB)
• 12 stereo or 16 mono voices
• 46kHz/16-bit sampler
• Built-in speaker for on-the-go sessions
• Battery-powered (four AAA) or USB-C
• Stereo I/O, MIDI in/out, sync connectivity

Where It Shines:

The Supertone subtractive synth engine is the star of the show. It's optimized specifically for crafting classic reggae basslines and leads—the kind of warm, dubby tones that defined the genre's golden era. You're not getting generic presets here.

The sound library delivers over 300 curated instruments and samples organized into four categories: drums (01-399), bass (400-499), keys (500-599), and FX (600-699). Everything from multisampled melodica to guitar licks to pressure-sensitive dub sirens.

Eight pre-loaded artist tracks from reggae heavyweights come ready to remix. The grid-synced loop system and punch-in effects (seven core plus 12 reggae-specific ones like echoes and springs) make live performance feel natural. The multifunctional fader handles real-time dub-style manipulation just how you'd expect it.

The EP-40 Riddim features dedicated controls optimized for reggae and dub production workflows.

EP-2350 Ting: The Wildcard Mic

This isn't your typical microphone. The Ting is a handheld lo-fi performance tool that lives somewhere between a toy and a serious creative device.

What It Does:

• Built-in effects: echo, spring, pixie, robot
• Four triggerable party samples
• Shake modulator for parameter control
• Parameter lever for real-time manipulation
• 3.5mm out (connects to Riddim or any sound system)
• Weighs just 90g with belt clip

Teenage Engineering proudly calls it "not hi-fi, but definitely not boring." That's accurate. This is for spontaneous toasting, vocal FX, and dub interjections—not pristine vocal recordings.

The complete Riddim n' Ting bundle combines the groovebox with the handheld effects microphone.

The Good

Genuine Musical Heritage

The collaboration with reggae legends isn't just marketing fluff. King Jammy, Mafia & Fluxy, Mighty Crown, and Mad Professor contributed sounds. The curated library reflects real Jamaican studio culture—not a surface-level approximation.

This matters. The Sleng Teng riddim that revolutionized dancehall in 1985 came from a Casio keyboard. Jamaican producers have always embraced accessible, even toy-like gear. The EP-40 taps into that spirit authentically.

The Synth Engine Makes the Difference

Unlike previous themed editions that essentially repackaged sample libraries, the Supertone engine adds real synthesis capabilities. You can design bass and lead sounds from scratch, not just trigger samples.

For a portable device in this price range, that's significant. You're not locked into the included sounds.

Performance-First Design

The workflow emphasizes live manipulation. Grid-synced loops, real-time effects, pressure-sensitive keys—everything pushes you toward performance rather than menu diving. The onboard speaker means you can jam anywhere without headphones or monitors.

The Ting mic integration is clever. Plug it directly into the Riddim, and you've got a portable sound system for spontaneous sessions or street performances.

Build Quality

Teenage Engineering hardware generally feels solid despite the playful aesthetics. The EP-40 continues that tradition. Controls are responsive, the fader feels sturdy, and the compact form factor doesn't sacrifice functionality.

The Not-So-Good

Theme Fatigue

Teenage Engineering has released several themed editions: Medieval, Rumble, Street Fighter. Some users worry this becomes a pattern of repackaging rather than genuine innovation.

If you already own a K.O. II, the question becomes: is the Supertone engine and curated library worth the upgrade? That's debatable.

Limited Appeal Beyond the Genre

This is explicitly designed for reggae, dub, and dancehall. The sounds, effects, and workflow reflect that focus. If those genres aren't your primary interest, you're paying for specificity you won't use.

You could load your own samples, but then why not just buy the standard K.O. II?

Quality Control Concerns

Previous Teenage Engineering releases have had inconsistent quality control. Some users reported issues with the K.O. II and Medieval edition. The EP-40 is too new for widespread feedback, but the track record raises caution.

Update History

Teenage Engineering's post-release support varies. Some devices receive regular firmware updates. Others (like the Medieval edition) feel abandoned. Whether the EP-40 gets continued development remains to be seen.

Price Consideration

At €349/$399 for the launch bundle (including the Ting mic), you're paying a premium for the curation and collaboration. The K.O. II sits at a lower price point with arguably more flexibility for general production.

For reggae enthusiasts, that premium makes sense. For everyone else, it's harder to justify.

Real-World Workflow

The EP-40 excels in specific scenarios:

Street Sessions and Sound Systems: Battery power, built-in speaker, and the Ting mic create a genuinely portable setup. Perfect for outdoor jams, sound system culture events, or impromptu performances.

Studio Sketch Pad: Quick idea capture works well. The synth engine means you can develop bass ideas beyond just triggering samples. Export via USB to continue production in your DAW.

Live Performance: The performance-focused controls and effects make this viable for live sets, especially in reggae and dub contexts. The Ting adds vocal texture without needing a separate mic and effects chain.

Where It Struggles:

Full production from start to finish feels limited. The small screen, limited memory, and mobile-first design mean this works best as a creative tool or performance device, not a complete studio replacement.

The Verdict

The EP-40 Riddim Supertone and Ting bundle succeeds at what it sets out to do. This is a focused tool for a specific musical culture, built with genuine respect for that heritage.

Buy it if:

• Reggae, dub, or dancehall is central to your music
• You value portable, performance-focused workflow
• You want curated sounds from actual reggae legends
• Teenage Engineering's design aesthetic appeals to you
• You need a fun, immediate creative tool

Skip it if:

• You're not deeply into reggae/dub production
• You already own a K.O. II and don't need the synth engine
• You're wary of Teenage Engineering's QC and update history
• You prefer flexible, genre-agnostic tools
• Budget is tight and you need maximum versatility

Final Thoughts

Teenage Engineering took a risk making such a genre-specific device. In an era of everything-to-everyone gear, the EP-40 goes the opposite direction. It does one thing, and it does it with style and authenticity.

For the right producer, this is an instant buy. The combination of heritage sounds, synthesis capabilities, and portable performance potential hits a sweet spot that didn't really exist before.

For everyone else, it's an expensive novelty.

The bigger question is whether this niche approach represents Teenage Engineering's future. Are we getting more themed editions, or will we see truly new product concepts? Time will tell.

For now, the EP-40 Riddim and Ting prove that focused, culturally grounded design still has a place in music production hardware. In a world of endless options, sometimes constraints breed creativity.

Respect to Teenage Engineering for keeping things weird—and authentic.

Price: €349/$399 (launch bundle including Ting mic); Ting available separately at €59 Availability: Now at authorized Teenage Engineering retailers

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Looking to dive deeper into reggae and dub production? Check out our guide on essential plugins for dub mixing and explore how to recreate classic Jamaican studio sounds in your DAW.