K.O. II · guide

How to use MIDI on the EP-133 K.O. II

The EP-133 K.O. II is a surprisingly capable little MIDI hub. It speaks MIDI two ways, over USB-C and over a 3.5mm TRS jack (Type A), so you can play its pads from a keyboard, sequence an external synth from its own step sequencer, and lock everything to one clock. Here is every part of it, step by step.

Ways to connect

You have two physical options, and you can use them at the same time:

USB-C is class-compliant MIDI. Plug the K.O. II into a computer or a USB MIDI host and it shows up as a MIDI device, no drivers needed.
3.5mm TRS (Type A) carries MIDI in and out for hardware. Use a Type A TRS-to-MIDI adapter to reach gear with standard 5-pin DIN sockets.

USB is the quickest path to a DAW. The TRS jack is how you wire up the other boxes on your desk.

Play sounds from a MIDI keyboard

Connect a keyboard and it plays whichever pad is currently selected.

1
Connect the keyboard over USB-C or the TRS jack.
2
Select a pad. Incoming notes trigger that pad's sound.
3
Press KEYS for chromatic mode, so the keyboard plays the sound across a full octave.

Sequence external gear (MIDI out)

The K.O. II's own sequencer can drive an external synth or drum machine. Each pad can send MIDI instead of, or alongside, its internal sound.

1
Press SHIFT + SOUND to enter sound edit.
2
Use minus / plus to page over to the MIDI settings.
3
Turn knob X to choose the MIDI channel (1 to 16).
4
Turn knob Y to set the root note the pad sends.
5
Record a pattern as usual. The K.O. II sends those notes out the selected channel.

tip

Hold SOUND and set a pad to 000 to make a silent trigger pad that sends MIDI out with no internal sound of its own.

The pad-to-note map

By default each group sends on its own octave, so a four-group kit lines up neatly across a keyboard:

Group A: C2 to B2 (MIDI notes 36 to 47)
Group B: C3 to B3 (MIDI notes 48 to 59)
Group C: C4 to B4 (MIDI notes 60 to 71)
Group D: C5 to B5 (MIDI notes 72 to 83)

You can override the root note per pad in sound edit with knob Y, so nothing is locked to these defaults.

MIDI clock and sync

MIDI clock keeps the K.O. II and your other gear running at the same tempo. Press SHIFT + ERASE to reach the clock page, then pick a mode:

100: clock off (default)
101: clock in (follow an external clock)
102: clock out (be the master)
110: receive on all channels, send on channel 1
111 to 126: lock to a specific channel (1 to 16)
127: send only when a channel is assigned in sound edit

If the K.O. II should be the master clock, use 102. If it should follow your DAW or another box, use 101. Both ends have to agree on who is the master.

Which MIDI messages it supports

It sends and receives: clock, start, stop, continue, song position, notes, and CC.

It only receives: pitch bend, program change, polyphonic key pressure, and channel pressure.

questions

Does the EP-133 support MIDI over USB?

Yes. The USB-C port is class-compliant MIDI, so it works with any computer or USB MIDI host without installing drivers.

Can I use the K.O. II as a MIDI controller?

Yes. The pads send MIDI notes, and you can make a pad silent by setting its sound to 000 so it triggers external gear with no internal sound.

Why won't my external synth stay in time?

Check the clock mode under SHIFT + ERASE. Use 102 to make the K.O. II the master clock, or 101 to follow an external clock. Both devices have to agree on who is the master.

What MIDI channel does each pad use?

Set it per sound in sound edit (SHIFT + SOUND, then knob X). Different pads can send on different channels.

Does it work with a 3.5mm TRS MIDI adapter?

Yes. The TRS jack uses the Type A pinout, so a Type A TRS-to-MIDI adapter connects it to 5-pin DIN gear.

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