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 is a revolutionary new concept, and is not only a very useful and versatile tool for professional musicians and producers, but also a fantastic instrument for those who never thought they could play anything, due to it's "visible music" interface.
You can also apply for our new Credit Scheme and spread the cost of the Tenori-On.
TENORI-ON “Modes”
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.
LAYERS
TENORI-ON layers can be thought of as “performance parts” or “recording tracks.” The TENORI-ON has a total of 16 layers. Separate notes and voices can be assigned to each layer, and all layers can be played together in synchronization.
The 16 layers are divided into six performance mode groups as shown in the illustration below. The six modes have different note entry methods and operation. Up to 16 layers created using different modes can be combined for rich, complex musical expression.
BLOCKS
One complete set of 16 layers is called a “block.”
The TENORI-ON can store up to 16 programmed blocks (16-layer groups) in memory, and you can switch from block to block instantly during performance.
You could, for example, create a musical composition in one block, then copy that composition to another block and edit it to create a variation of the original composition. Or you can load a number of previously-created compositions into separate blocks from an SD Memory Card and switch between them to create variation during playback.
Additional Images (click to enlarge):
WATCH TENORI-ON VIDEOS:
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.
SCORE MODE PERFORMANCE | Watch Video
Press an LED button briefly to play the sound assigned to it. At the same time the lights will flash outward from the played sound. If you hold the LED button a bit longer it will remain lit and will become an active note that will play repeatedly. Press and hold an active note to de-activate it. The loop indicator will be continuously cycling from the left to right edge of the LED button matrix. Active notes will play when the loop indicator coincides with their positions on the matrix.
RANDOM MODE PERFORMANCE | Watch Video
If you press an LED button long enough to enter an active note in the Random Mode, the active note will play back repeatedly. If you then enter a few more active notes, the lights will "travel" from note to note, in the order entered, and the active notes will sound when the traveling light passes over them. The Random Mode thus produces a totally different type of loop from the Score Mode.
You can even spin loop-shapes you create in the Random Mode by holding the [L4] button and running a finger around the matrix in the direction and at the speed of the desired spin. The pitches of the notes will change accordingly as the shape spins, producing loop sound effects. To stop rotation, press and hold the LED button or press the same LED button twice while holding the [L4] button.
DRAW MODE PERFORMANCE | Watch Video
In this mode you can press individual LED buttons or draw lines or curves on the matrix, and those actions will be played back and repeated. You can keep adding to your "composition" during playback to build up thick sonic textures.
In the Draw Mode you cannot clear only a part of the performance. The entire layer can be cleared by pressing the [CLEAR] button.
BOUNCE MODE PERFORMANCE | Watch Video
Press an LED button and the light will "drop" from that button, bounce back from the bottom of the matrix, and repeat. The corresponding note will sound when the light bounces at the bottom row. The higher the entry point, the longer the interval between the sound. In the Bounce Mode the pitches are arranged horizontally, like a piano, with the lowest pitch on the left and the highest on the right.
PUSH MODE PERFORMANCE | Watch Video
In this mode if you press and hold an LED button the sound of the corresponding note will begin to change gradually while the flashing surrounding that button gets brighter and wider. If the button is held briefly the note and flashing will stop when you release it, but if you hold the button for longer the note and flashing will continue even after the button is released.
SOLO MODE PERFORMANCE | Watch Video
Press an LED button and the corresponding note will repeat until the button is released. In the Solo Mode the pitches are arranged horizontally, like a piano. You can change the interval between repeats by pressing or sliding your finger to a lower (longer) or higher (shorter) LED button in the column. If you press the lowest LED button in a column the note will sound once without any repeats.
SPECIFICATIONS
Sequencer
- Note Resolution ô = 96clocks
- Gate Time 10 ms ~ 9990 ms
- Octaves -5 ~ +5
- Tempo (BPM) 40 ~ 240
- Scales 9 types
- Transpose -7 ~ +8
- Performance Modes 6 types: Score, Random, Draw, Bounce, Push, Solo
- Other Functions Clock, power-save, synchronized performance with two instruments, recording, TENORI-ON song playback
- Maximum Active Notes Push Mode: 64
- Random Mode: 64 points
- Draw MMoode: 64 points
Tone Generator
- Tone Generator Type AWM2
- Maximum Polyphony 32 notes
- Preset Voices 253 (239 normal, 14 drum kit)
- Effects 2 processors
- Reverb: 10 types
- Chorus: 5 types
- Sampling 3 voices (Raw audio with a maximum length of 0.97 sec., up to 16 samples per voice)
- * Using the supplied TENORI-ON User Voice Manager software.
Card
- Save: Song / Block / Layer / Setting / Sampling
- Load: Song / Block / Layer / Setting / Sampling
- Rename: Song / Block / Layer / Setting / Sampling
- Delete: Song / Block / Layer / Setting / Sampling
- Format
Controller & Display
- LED Buttons 256
- Rear LED Display Points 256
- Function Buttons 10 (L1 ~ L5, R1 ~ R5)
- CLEAR, OK, CANCEL Buttons 1 each
- Jog Dial
- Display 122 x 32 dot graphic LCD device (yellow-green backlight), 20 characters x 4 lines, monochrome
Sound
- Stereo Speakers 1-watt output power
Connectors
- Line Out / Phones Stereo mini phone jack x 1
- Mini DIN MIDI IN: for synchronized performance using two TENORI-ON instruments
- MIDI OUT: for external device control
- Card Slot SD Memory Card compatible
- DC In Connector for PA-3C, PA-130 or equivalent Yamaha AC adaptor
- Power Supply 6 “AA” alkaline batteries Approx. 5 hours continuous playback.
- AC Adaptor PA-3C, PA-130 or equivalent Yamaha AC adaptor
Dimensions & Weight
- Dimensions 205 x 205 x 32 mm
- Weight 650 grams (without batteries)
- Supplied Accessories Mini DIN cable, CD-ROM x 1, AC Adaptor (PA-3C, PA-130 or equivalent Yamaha AC adaptor), Quick Guide,
- Installation Guide, Precautions, Warranty
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