Tenorion Orange

Reviews | Yamaha Tenori-on Orange
84
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remiered back in 2005,
Yamaha’s Tenori-on,
designed in collaboration
with Toshio Iwai, represented
a breakthrough in its approach to sound
production and sequencing.
Its 16x16 matrix of playable LEDs
let users create intricate, multi-timbral
performances for its internal sounds, or
over MIDI to any sound source desired
via ‘buttons of light’. A simple press of
any LED triggered a note and the
internal sequencer did the rest, playing
single notes or chords as the step
sequencer cycled round. The concept
has proved popular, particularly for
performers keen to draw attention to
the unit. Bill Bailey famously featured a
Tenori-on on his comedy tour and the
unit also features prominently in Little
Boots’ live sets and her Remedy video.
Fast-forward fi ve years and
Tenori-on Orange now greets us. With
most of the original’s functions carried
over, this represents a more economical
way to get your hands and fi ngers on
Yamaha’s concept, but there are some
crucial differences between the two
models, so it’s well worth a second and
closer look.
What’s new?
The principal differences between
Tenori-on Orange and its big brother
(which remains available) are physical.
Whereas the original Tenori-on features
a brushed aluminum construction, its
sibling uses a tough white plastic
surround instead. Perhaps more
signifi cantly, the new unit features no
battery power option, with mains power
instead supplied via a bundled
wall-wart that connects, somewhat
inconveniently, via the front bottom left
hand corner. Also, as a cost-cutting
measure, the rear LEDs which feature
on the back are removed, leaving a
blank white panel in their place.
While these LEDs aren’t ‘active’ on
the original Tenori-on and simply refl ect
the pattern playing to the rear, they do
represent an eye-catching performance
tool that is lost on the new unit. On the
upside, Tenori-on Orange gets its name
from the new LEDs that ditch the
original ‘white’ lights in favour of
orange ones instead, which are really
pleasing on the eye and show up nicely.
The sound engine at the heart of
Tenori-on remains the same – 253
AWM2 generated tones (including 14
drum kits), capable of producing 32
notes of polyphony, with the option to
WHAT Is IT?
A cheaper Tenori-on aimed
at studio use providing
classic Tenori-on
sequence control
cONTAcT
Who: Yamaha UK
Tel: [phone]
Web: tenori-on.
yamaha-europe.com/uk
HIGHLIGHTs
1 A unique approach to
sequencing and track
creation
2 A cheaper way to get
onboard with the Tenori-on
concept
3 Brighter, clearer LEDs
Tenori-on
Orange | £599
Can the new Tenori-on Orange model capture a wider
audience? Jono Buchanan ponders…
ON THE DVD
FMU226.rev_yamaha 84 30/3/10 5:48:23 pm