As I’m clearly not fully attuned to Teenage Engineering‘s promotional methods, I’m not sure exactly when the “Life Is Fantastic” (so the email told me) EP-35 amplifier dropped, but there were rumours and leaks a week or so ago, and now it’s in their store.
With the company already saying it’s moving away (possibly stopping?) the production of synths, could this be one of the non-synth but audio-related products they’ve been working on?
Now, amps are important, and guitarists and bassists in particular will be well-informed and knowledgeable about their favourite gear (likely vintage) but is this something Teenage Engineering was expected to push out?
Because, on the other hand, an amp’s an amp. It amplifies stuff. That’s its job.
Well anyway, EP-35 is a multi-input amp with line, mic (XLR) and guitar inputs, Bluetooth audio and USB. It can be run off an internal rechargeable battery or else via a beefy USB supply.
MIDI can be used to control the levels of each input via an external controller.
You get eight effects on both the microphone and guitar inputs:
Guitar:
- Clean
- Twang
- Blues
- OD
- Indie
- Env
- AG
- B
Mic:
- Clean
- Radio
- Pop
- Rock
- Bass Synth
- Robo Choir
- Frog
- Megaphone
Plus… a storage compartment. Yes, that’s a feature. Useful, true. Groundbreaking. Not so much. And a camp light with disco mode. Oh, and that frog effect (mentioned it again, do people really want that?)
Apparently, you can wirelessly connect multiple EP-35s together for a more immersive audio experience.
There are lots of detailed specifications in the online manual.
Perhaps I’ve been unnecessarily harsh on this. It seems as if it will be in some weird middle ground between those who want a cheap and cheerful amp, and those who don’t need the cutesy stuff and want proper, recognised amp heft for their guitar playing.
Pricing is around $399 if you want it.
