Yamaha - Tenori-On Sequencer /Controller /Sound Module

Yamaha
Tenori-On Sequencer /Controller /Sound Module

product description

- 16 Step Hardware Sequencer
- Onboard Sound Generator
- Unique User Interface
- Memory Card Slot For Loading User Samples

Quite a hard unit to put into words, the Tenori-On is the most "hands on" and addicitve instrument we've seen round this way in a long time! Essentially it's a 16 Step Sequencer with a built in sound generator and the ability to play back up to 48 User Samples (1 Second per sample so best for percussive and short glitchy noises).

It's main interest really lies in the many ways you can get each of the onboard voices or instruments to bounce off each other and the different ways it can tie notes and sequences together, producing a pertty unique way of generating patterns- quite simply, you come up with more interesting material within 5 minutes of switching it on that you would normally get in a day's messing about with a software sequencer!

The Tenori-on can also control external instruments through it's MIDI output so you are not constrained by the on board sound generator. To give you an idea of how cool it is, the master of all things cutting edge, Ritchie Hawtin, was spotted using one in his recent DJ set at Pressure here in Glasgow!

The build quality has been commented on in some reviews but we really don't know what these people are talking about! It's made from a very solid brushed Tungsten surround, has enough weight to stop it moving about on a tabletop and the control buttons/lights have taken a constant bashing from interested punters here in the shop for the last couple of months and are still in tip top condition!

It is a hard instrument to put into words but the people who have taken the plunge and bought one have been mailing us and raving about how great a piece of kit it is- here's the official press release from Yamaha:

"Media artist Toshio Iwai and Yamaha have collaborated to design a new digital musical instrument for the 21st century, TENORI-ON. A 16x16 matrix of LED switches allows everyone to play music intuitively, creating a "visible music" interface.

The TENORI-ON 16 x 16 LED button matrix is simultaneously a performance input controller and display. By operating and interacting with the LED buttons and the light they produce you gain access to the TENORI-ON's numerous performance capabilities.

The TENORI-ON provides six different performance and sound/light modes for broad performance versatility, and these modes can be combined and used simultaneously for rich, complex musical expression."