In a world of sleek synths and futuristic DAWs, Teenage Engineering has decided to take us on a journey back in time. Way back. The Swedish audio company, known for its quirky and innovative instruments, has just dropped the EP-1320 – a medieval-inspired electronic instrument that’s about to make lutes and hurdy-gurdies cool again.
Dubbed the “instrumentalis electronicum,” the EP-1320 is essentially a time machine disguised as a sampler. It’s 2024, but Teenage Engineering wants you partying like it’s 1424. Forget about EDM; it’s time to get down to some serious Gregorian chant beats and thundering medieval drums.
The EP-1320 comes loaded with a vast library of medieval sounds, from the dulcet tones of citoles and gitterns to the less-than-dulcet sounds of “rowdy peasants.” Yes, you read that right. Teenage Engineering has gone all-in on the medieval aesthetic, even including sound effects for witch cackles, farm animals, and – because why not – a dragon.
Customize your sound
But the EP-1320 isn’t just about pre-programmed sounds. It features a line input and internal microphone, allowing users to sample their own medieval-inspired creations. Want to record yourself banging two coconuts together to simulate horse hooves? The EP-1320 has you covered.
The device’s “demus” mode lets users choose from nine pre-set songs, providing a backdrop for medieval remixing. Activate some punch-in sound effects, and suddenly your quiet evening becomes a full-blown tavern brawl – aurally speaking, of course. Or not. Up to you and your crew.
In true Teenage Engineering fashion, the EP-1320’s design is a perfect blend of form and function. The medieval-inspired font and imagery (including a main image that looks like it was lifted straight from an illuminated manuscript) make this device as much a conversation piece as it is an instrument.
Wait. What?
The EP-1320 comes with a “torture chamber” reverb setting. We’re not entirely sure what that means, but it certainly sounds… atmospheric. There’s also a “dungeon echo” effect, for when you want your tracks to sound like they’re coming from the depths of a castle keep.
Perhaps the most intriguing (and perplexing) feature is the claim that the EP-1320’s pads are “cocoa-scented.” We can’t help but wonder if this is Teenage Engineering’s way of adding another sensory dimension to the medieval experience, or if they’re just messing with us. Knowing Teenage Engineering, it could easily be both.
Medieval Specs
The EP-1320 runs on four AAA batteries or USB-C power, making it portable enough for impromptu jousting tournaments or Renaissance fairs. It also includes an integrated speaker, so you can annoy your roommates with bagpipe samples without any additional equipment.
At just under $400 US, the EP-1320 isn’t cheap, but can you really put a price on being the only DJ in town dropping 15th-century beats? Plus, it comes with a quilted hardcover case, t-shirt, keychain, and vinyl record, so you can fully commit to the medieval musician aesthetic.
In a world where electronic music often feels like a race to the future, Teenage Engineering’s EP-1320 is a refreshing – if utterly bizarre – step back in time. Whether it will spark a medieval music revolution remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the EP-1320 is the most interesting anachronism we’ve seen in a long time.
Tim Albright is the founder of AVNation and is the driving force behind the AVNation network. He carries the InfoComm CTS, a B.S. from Greenville College and is pursuing an M.S. in Mass Communications from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. When not steering the AVNation ship, Tim has spent his career designing systems for churches both large and small, Fortune 500 companies, and education facilities.
