A few days ago, the TENORI-ON, a revolutionary electronic musical instrument, was officially launched in London. This innovative creation is the result of a collaboration between Japanese media artist Toshio Iwai and Yamaha.
The TENORI-ON is more than just an instrument or controller; it’s a new approach to musical performance. The name TENORI-ON roughly translates to “sound in your palm,” reflecting its portable and self-contained design. Unlike many electronic instruments, the TENORI-ON doesn’t require a computer. It can operate on batteries, has built-in sound and effects (albeit limited), and even includes speakers. This makes it an ideal instrument for casual play, whether you’re lounging on the sofa or performing on stage.
One of the standout features of the TENORI-ON is its visual appeal. The instrument consists of a 16×16 grid of LED switches that light up as you play, allowing the audience to visually follow along with the performance. This feature adds a new dimension to electronic music performances, which have often been criticized for their lack of visual engagement.
However, it’s important to note that the TENORI-ON is not a synthesizer or a sampler. While it does come with onboard sounds, these are not editable. You can add your own samples, but the device doesn’t allow for the creation or editing of samples. It does, however, come with a comprehensive PC/Mac sample management software that lets you upload sounds to an SD card. The length of the samples is limited to 1 second, but this constraint can inspire creativity.
Later Developments
At its launch, the TENORI-ON was priced at £599, which is approximately 900 euros or 1200 dollars. Initially, it was only available for sale in the UK as it was in a marketing test stage.
Since its launch, there have been several developments related to the TENORI-ON. Yamaha partnered with social network Allihoopa in 2018, allowing users of the Yamaha TNR mobile music-making apps (the mobile version of the TENORI-ON) to share their work and collaborate. However, support for the TNR-i and TNR-e apps ended in 2020.
Despite its innovative design and unique features, the TENORI-ON has faced some criticism. Some users have pointed out its limitations, such as the inability to edit onboard sounds, the limited number of user sample slots, and the high price. Others have noted that the built-in sounds can become repetitive after repeated listening.
Despite these criticisms, the TENORI-ON remains a unique and innovative instrument that has left a significant mark on the world of electronic music. Its combination of sound and light offers a new way of experiencing music, both for the performer and the audience.
2024 UPDATE: in January 2024 Yamaha launched a new compact desktop instrument with an innovative design, the Yamaha SEQTRAK.
You can download the manual and watch some interesting videos which show the different instrument’s modes.
TENORI-ON and monome side by side
TENORI-ON going global
TENORI-ON article in Italian
