The Null Device blog: TNR-O

A few years ago, Yamaha released the Tenori-On, a radically designed electronic musical instrument in the shape of a tablet covered with a grid of lighted buttons. The problem with was the price: at US$1,200 (or around £700), it was only affordable to those with deep pockets.

Now, Yamaha have announced a more affordable Tenori-On. The TNR-O (the 'O' is for 'orange') differs from the premium model in that it lacks the grid of lights on the back (so your audience can't see the nifty patterns of light it's making), and the magnesium casing has been replaced by a moulded orange plastic case; otherwise, it does exactly the same thing.

How much more affordable it will be is not yet known, though rumour has it that it may not be much cheaper. Perhaps someone can persuade Yamaha to port it to the iPhone or some similar gadget (the rumoured Apple tablet would be a natural platform), in the way that Korg have ported their MS-10 modular synth to the Nintendo DS.

There are 1 comments on "TNR-O":

Posted by: ctime Fri Nov 13 21:39:00 2009

I saw this at my local music store and never really paid much attention to it (probably because I saw the price tag). After reading this post and checking out some of the more "interesting" videos (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6tLRCDqJ2c), I really want one of these now.. the new one isn't really going to be as interesting (esp. on stage) so I may have to spring for the more expensive older variety. Thanks for the interesting info (as always).