Bottom Line
Arrange a song around samples and recorded parts.
SmplTrek combines ten sequencer tracks with three global audio tracks, making it a songwriting option rather than simply a pad sampler. Those thirteen internal tracks share two physical input jacks and 2-in/2-out USB audio.
Mechanism
What you will work with.
- Ten sequencer tracks plus three global audio tracks; SD card required for sampling.
- Two physical input jacks: L line/guitar/dynamic mic and R line/dynamic mic; USB audio is 2-in/2-out.
- Six AA or included AC adapter; maker rates alkaline cells at approximately 4h.
Decision
Choose the workflow before the specification.
- Choose it when assembling audio, loops and MIDI into songs is more valuable than instantly triggering a short loop. Budget for the required SD card.
- Skip it if you expect thirteen simultaneous recording inputs or the quickest pad-performance workflow; the track count describes internal arrangement capacity.
Edge Cases
Check the ownership constraints.
- Thirteen internal tracks do not mean thirteen recording inputs; song construction needs more setup than immediate sample triggering.
Comparison ladder
Five ways to solve this buying decision.
Editorial buying jobs, not sales rank or a universal quality ranking. Battery estimates use unlike manufacturer conditions. Historical reviews are labelled and do not establish current firmware or stock.
| Product | Buy for | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Teenage Engineering EP–133 K.O. II 128MB (TE032AS002) | Choose a general-purpose sample palette and fader-based performance without a genre-specific library. | Older 64MB hardware is still listed by Amazon; firmware does not turn that unit into the 128MB revision. |
| Teenage Engineering EP–1320 Medieval | Choose the medieval instrument library when that built-in palette is the reason to buy. | Only 32MB is user sample space; total memory is not freely replaceable sample capacity. |
| Teenage Engineering EP–40 Riddim | Choose synced loops, dub effects and an onboard bass/lead synth for reggae-oriented performance. | The themed library is a workflow choice; a historical free Ting microphone offer is not an included-accessory guarantee. |
| Roland SP–404MKII | Choose sample chopping, resampling and performance effects with substantially more internal storage. | SD is transfer/backup storage, not extra internal sample RAM; battery results depend on cells and use. |
| Sonicware SmplTrek | Choose sample-based songwriting and audio clips rather than primarily finger-drummed effects performance. | Thirteen internal tracks do not mean thirteen recording inputs; song construction needs more setup than immediate sample triggering. |
Evidence
Comparison facts and their sources.
Source IDs below resolve to the full source list. Fit and tradeoff judgments combine those sources; published specifications are not head-to-head tests.
| Product | Dimension | Value | Sources | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teenage Engineering EP–133 K.O. II 128MB (TE032AS002) | Choose it for | Choose a general-purpose sample palette and fader-based performance without a genre-specific library. | mh-ep133; mh-te-community | Editorial judgment |
| Teenage Engineering EP–1320 Medieval | Choose it for | Choose the medieval instrument library when that built-in palette is the reason to buy. | mh-ep1320; mh-ep1320-review | Editorial judgment |
| Teenage Engineering EP–40 Riddim | Choose it for | Choose synced loops, dub effects and an onboard bass/lead synth for reggae-oriented performance. | mh-ep40; mh-ep40-review | Editorial judgment |
| Roland SP–404MKII | Choose it for | Choose sample chopping, resampling and performance effects with substantially more internal storage. | mh-sp404; mh-sp404-review | Editorial judgment |
| Sonicware SmplTrek | Choose it for | Choose sample-based songwriting and audio clips rather than primarily finger-drummed effects performance. | mh-smpl; mh-smpl-review; mh-sampler-community | Editorial judgment |
| Teenage Engineering EP–133 K.O. II 128MB (TE032AS002) | Workflow and architecture | 128MB current revision; 12 stereo or 16 mono voices; scene chaining and resampling. | mh-ep133; mh-ep-family | Manufacturer specification |
| Teenage Engineering EP–1320 Medieval | Workflow and architecture | 128MB total, split into 96MB ROM and 32MB user samples; 6 stereo or 12 mono voices. | mh-ep1320 | Manufacturer specification |
| Teenage Engineering EP–40 Riddim | Workflow and architecture | 128MB system memory; subtractive synth and grid-synced loops; 12 stereo or 16 mono voices. | mh-ep40 | Manufacturer specification |
| Roland SP–404MKII | Workflow and architecture | 16GB internal storage; 32 voices; 16 pads plus sub pad; real-time and TR-REC patterns. | mh-sp404 | Manufacturer specification |
| Sonicware SmplTrek | Workflow and architecture | Ten sequencer tracks plus three global audio tracks; SD card required for sampling. | mh-smpl | Manufacturer specification |
| Teenage Engineering EP–133 K.O. II 128MB (TE032AS002) | Power and battery conditions | Four AAA cells or USB-C; runtime not established here. | mh-ep133 | Manufacturer specification |
| Teenage Engineering EP–1320 Medieval | Power and battery conditions | Four AAA cells or USB-C; runtime not established here. | mh-ep1320 | Manufacturer specification |
| Teenage Engineering EP–40 Riddim | Power and battery conditions | Four AAA cells or USB-C; runtime not established here. | mh-ep40 | Manufacturer specification |
| Roland SP–404MKII | Power and battery conditions | Six AA: approx. 2.5h alkaline or 3.5h NiMH under continuous use; USB-C or AC also supported. | mh-sp404 | Manufacturer specification |
| Sonicware SmplTrek | Power and battery conditions | Six AA or included AC adapter; maker rates alkaline cells at approximately 4h. | mh-smpl | Manufacturer specification |
| Teenage Engineering EP–133 K.O. II 128MB (TE032AS002) | Connections and storage | Stereo input/output, MIDI and sync in/out; OS2.5 adds USB-audio recording/monitoring. | mh-ep133 | Manufacturer specification |
| Teenage Engineering EP–1320 Medieval | Connections and storage | Stereo input/output, MIDI and sync in/out; OS1.5 adds USB audio. | mh-ep1320 | Manufacturer specification |
| Teenage Engineering EP–40 Riddim | Connections and storage | Stereo input/output, MIDI and sync in/out; OS2.5 USB-audio recording/monitoring. | mh-ep40 | Manufacturer specification |
| Roland SP–404MKII | Connections and storage | Two line-input jacks form a stereo pair; separate mic/guitar jack; USB audio/MIDI; SD import/export/backup. | mh-sp404 | Manufacturer specification |
| Sonicware SmplTrek | Connections and storage | Two physical input jacks: L line/guitar/dynamic mic and R line/dynamic mic; USB audio is 2-in/2-out. | mh-smpl | Manufacturer specification |
| Teenage Engineering EP–133 K.O. II 128MB (TE032AS002) | Main tradeoff | Older 64MB hardware is still listed by Amazon; firmware does not turn that unit into the 128MB revision. | mh-ep133; mh-te-community; mh-ep133-amazon-old | Editorial judgment |
| Teenage Engineering EP–1320 Medieval | Main tradeoff | Only 32MB is user sample space; total memory is not freely replaceable sample capacity. | mh-ep1320; mh-ep1320-review | Editorial judgment |
| Teenage Engineering EP–40 Riddim | Main tradeoff | The themed library is a workflow choice; a historical free Ting microphone offer is not an included-accessory guarantee. | mh-ep40; mh-ep40-review | Editorial judgment |
| Roland SP–404MKII | Main tradeoff | SD is transfer/backup storage, not extra internal sample RAM; battery results depend on cells and use. | mh-sp404; mh-sp404-review | Editorial judgment |
| Sonicware SmplTrek | Main tradeoff | Thirteen internal tracks do not mean thirteen recording inputs; song construction needs more setup than immediate sample triggering. | mh-smpl; mh-smpl-review; mh-sampler-community | Editorial judgment |
Review Signal
What independent evidence can tell you.
- Sound On Sound describes SmplTrek as a portable songwriting and recording tool that combines clips, live recording and sequencing, but finds its interface takes patience. Its review unit used firmware 1.4.99.
- Owners comparing SmplTrek with SP–404MKII report that short-loop work can feel less immediate on SmplTrek. This is subjective, firmware-dependent feedback rather than a measured speed comparison.
- AMAZONA’s February 2023 test finds automatic slicing effective but describes editing a loop in the sample pool and reloading it into a scene as cumbersome. Those observations concern early firmware, not a verified limitation of the current release.
Offer Caveats
Match the exact unit before checkout.
Exact-model Amazon identities are retained where verified. Other options link to the manufacturer or named retailer because a reliable exact Amazon product page was not established. Firmware, warranty, condition, seller and current supply still require checking.
Receipts
Claim table
| Where | Claim | Confidence | Source | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence | 128MB storage; 12 stereo/16 mono voices; OS 2.5 USB audio and auto-chop; four AAA or USB-C. | High | teenage.engineering | Dated source observation; not a live offer or common laboratory test. |
| Evidence | Useful workflow distinctions, but old memory and firmware statements superseded by current official pages. | Low | reddit.com | Anecdotal and firmware-dependent; not a failure rate or controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | 128MB total: 96MB ROM and 32MB user memory; six stereo/12 mono voices; OS1.5 USB audio; four AAA or USB-C. | High | teenage.engineering | Dated source observation; not a live offer or common laboratory test. |
| Evidence | Enjoyable themed sound library; restricted user memory and learning friction. | Medium | musicradar.com | Review observations apply to the reviewed generation and firmware. |
| Evidence | 128MB system memory, subtractive synth, synced loops, 12 stereo/16 mono voices, OS2.5 USB audio; four AAA or USB-C. | High | teenage.engineering | Dated source observation; not a live offer or common laboratory test. |
| Evidence | Performance-oriented reggae/dub effects and presets; reviewed bundle is a historical promotion, not current included mic proof. | Medium | musicradar.com | Review observations apply to the reviewed generation and firmware. |
| Evidence | 16GB internal storage; SD backup/import/export; stereo line pair plus mic/guitar input; USB audio/MIDI. Six AA cells: approximately 2.5h alkaline or 3.5h NiMH, conditional on battery and use. | High | static.roland.com | Dated source observation; not a live offer or common laboratory test. |
| Evidence | Effects-focused performance and sample triggering; historical firmware. | Medium | soundonsound.com | Review observations apply to the reviewed generation and firmware. |
| Evidence | Manual confirms ten sequencer plus three global tracks, two physical inputs, 2-in/2-out USB audio, six AA or included AC adapter, approximately four hours alkaline; SD required. | High | sonicware.co.jp | Dated source observation; not a live offer or common laboratory test. |
| Evidence | Frames SmplTrek as a songwriting machine including audio/MIDI/loops, versus SP performance emphasis. | Medium | soundonsound.com | Review observations apply to the reviewed generation and firmware. |
| Evidence | Some owners find short-loop workflows less immediate on SmplTrek; subjective and firmware-dependent. | Low | reddit.com | Anecdotal and firmware-dependent; not a failure rate or controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | Current EP–133 has 128MB only on paper-foam SKU TE032AS002; earlier hardware remains distinct. | High | teenage.engineering | Dated source observation; not a live offer or common laboratory test. |
| Evidence | 128MB total, split into 96MB ROM and 32MB user samples; 6 stereo or 12 mono voices. | High | teenage.engineering | Manufacturer specification; battery estimates are not a controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | 128MB system memory; subtractive synth and grid-synced loops; 12 stereo or 16 mono voices. | High | teenage.engineering | Manufacturer specification; battery estimates are not a controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | 16GB internal storage; 32 voices; 16 pads plus sub pad; real-time and TR-REC patterns. | High | static.roland.com | Manufacturer specification; battery estimates are not a controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | Ten sequencer tracks plus three global audio tracks; SD card required for sampling. | High | sonicware.co.jp | Manufacturer specification; battery estimates are not a controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | Four AAA cells or USB-C; runtime not established here. | High | teenage.engineering | Manufacturer specification; battery estimates are not a controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | Four AAA cells or USB-C; runtime not established here. | High | teenage.engineering | Manufacturer specification; battery estimates are not a controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | Four AAA cells or USB-C; runtime not established here. | High | teenage.engineering | Manufacturer specification; battery estimates are not a controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | Six AA: approx. 2.5h alkaline or 3.5h NiMH under continuous use; USB-C or AC also supported. | High | static.roland.com | Manufacturer specification; battery estimates are not a controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | Six AA or included AC adapter; maker rates alkaline cells at approximately 4h. | High | sonicware.co.jp | Manufacturer specification; battery estimates are not a controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | Stereo input/output, MIDI and sync in/out; OS2.5 adds USB-audio recording/monitoring. | High | teenage.engineering | Manufacturer specification; battery estimates are not a controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | Stereo input/output, MIDI and sync in/out; OS1.5 adds USB audio. | High | teenage.engineering | Manufacturer specification; battery estimates are not a controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | Stereo input/output, MIDI and sync in/out; OS2.5 USB-audio recording/monitoring. | High | teenage.engineering | Manufacturer specification; battery estimates are not a controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | Two line-input jacks form a stereo pair; separate mic/guitar jack; USB audio/MIDI; SD import/export/backup. | High | static.roland.com | Manufacturer specification; battery estimates are not a controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | Two physical input jacks: L line/guitar/dynamic mic and R line/dynamic mic; USB audio is 2-in/2-out. | High | sonicware.co.jp | Manufacturer specification; battery estimates are not a controlled comparison. |
| Evidence | Title explicitly says 64 MB; rejected for the selected 128MB hardware. | High | amazon.com | Dated source observation; not a live offer or common laboratory test. |
| Review Signal | Sound On Sound describes SmplTrek as a portable songwriting and recording tool that combines clips, live recording and sequencing, but finds its interface takes patience. Its review unit used firmware 1.4.99. | Medium | soundonsound.com | Attributed finding; historical firmware and individual owner limitations are stated in the claim. |
| Review Signal | Owners comparing SmplTrek with SP–404MKII report that short-loop work can feel less immediate on SmplTrek. This is subjective, firmware-dependent feedback rather than a measured speed comparison. | Medium | reddit.com | Attributed finding; historical firmware and individual owner limitations are stated in the claim. |
| Review Signal | AMAZONA’s February 2023 test finds automatic slicing effective but describes editing a loop in the sample pool and reloading it into a scene as cumbersome. Those observations concern early firmware, not a verified limitation of the current release. | Medium | www.amazona.de | Attributed finding; historical firmware and individual owner limitations are stated in the claim. |
Sources
How this was built
| Publisher | Source | Type | Accessed |
|---|---|---|---|
| teenage.engineering | EP family comparison | Official | 2026-10-18 |
| teenage.engineering | EP–1320 Medieval | Official | 2026-10-18 |
| musicradar.com | EP–1320 review | Review | 2026-10-18 |
| teenage.engineering | EP–133 K.O. II current store | Official | 2026-10-18 |
| amazon.com | EP–133 K.O. II 64MB Amazon identity | Merchant | 2026-10-18 |
| teenage.engineering | EP–40 Riddim | Official | 2026-10-18 |
| musicradar.com | EP–40 and Ting review | Review | 2026-10-18 |
| reddit.com | SP–404MKII / SmplTrek owner comparison | Community | 2026-10-18 |
| sonicware.co.jp | SmplTrek User Manual rev3 | Official | 2026-10-18 |
| soundonsound.com | SmplTrek review | Review | 2026-10-18 |
| static.roland.com | SP–404MKII v5.50 specifications | Official | 2026-10-18 |
| soundonsound.com | SP–404MKII review | Review | 2026-10-18 |
| reddit.com | EP family owner discussion | Community | 2026-10-18 |
| sonicware.jp | SmplTrek product | Official | 2026-10-18 |
| www.amazona.de | SmplTrek hands-on test | Review | 2026-10-18 |