Yamaha Tenori-on Orange Gets More Affordable

By Geoff Duncan November 9, 2009

A couple years ago, Yamaha turned heads with its Tenori-on, a new type of electronic musical device intending to provide a new type of interface to interacting with electronic instruments…and anything else those instruments can control, including things like computers and lights. The Tenori-on has proven a hit with musicians and performance artists who favor the device’s unique interface…however, it’s high price tag hasn’t made it many friends in the consumer marketplace. To that end, Yamaha has just announced the Tenori-on Orange (or TNR-O), eliminating back panel LEDs and replacing the expensive magnesium case with more-affordable plastic.

Yamaha Tenori-on Orange — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Unlike may electronic instruments, which usually attempt to emulate a traditional instrument like a keyboard or, say, a wind instrument, the Tenori-on features a matrix of 256 LED buttons that light up when a user presses them, enabling users to literally “draw” sounds they want the device to make in an interactive manner. The device features its own voice manager, and can also be used as a gateway device to other electronic instruments like sample libraries, synthesizers, and computers. The Tenori-on has caught on with many live performers and DJs, and it’s not unusual to see Tenori-ons at high-profile shows.

The Tenori-on Orange doesn’t detract from the device’s capabilities, but aims to make the device more affordable in three primary ways: it eliminates a back panel set of 256 LEDs that were there mostly for show (so people watching a Tenori-on performer could have something to see), changes the chassis from magnesium to plastic, and removes the capability for the Tenori-on to run on batteries: Tenori-on Orange users will be sipping power over a cable. And the Tenori-on Orange features orange LEDs…so hip observers will immediately know whether someone opted for the cheap version.

The original Tenori-on retails for about $1,000. How much cheaper with the Tenori-on Orange be? Yamaha isn’t saying yet, allowing only that the device will be on sale in Europe in December and final pricing will be announced later this month. Yamaha is also promising a completely revamped operating system for the Tenori-on devices in early 2010.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Emerging Tech

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Digital Trends Live

Digital Trends Live: Uber loses London, Cybertruck pre-orders, and more

episode 263 figure1

On this episode of Digital Trends Live, hosts Greg Nibler and Adrien Warner break down the biggest trending stories in tech, including Uber losing its London license, more on the foldable Razr, Cybertruck pre-orders, eyeball-tracking driving monitors, Instagram’s A.I. process, and more.

Charlene Marini, Arm's vice president of strategy, IoT Services Group, discusses the Internet of Things and how they are at the forefront of a billion connected devices.

Emerging Tech

Watch this foldable drone get fired out of a cannon before flying away

SQUID-caltech-nasa-jet-propulsion

Design of a Ballistically-Launched Foldable Multirotor

Firing a drone out of a cannon isn’t just a really cool way to put it into flight. There are some sound reasons for the design, which means it could become a real-world product at some point in the future.

Emerging Tech

Here’s how to get a free Beyond Breakfast Sausage at Dunkin’ in November

Beyond Breakfast Sausage

Now you can get Beyond Meat somewhere entirely new: Dunkin’. The doughnut chain announced the nationwide rollout of a new Beyond Sausage sandwich today.
The new meat-free menu item was first introduced in July in Manhattan, where it quickly became the location’s top-selling sandwich.
If you’re not in Manhattan, you’ll be able to snag one of the sandwiches starting November -- and you’ll be able to get one for free. From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday, November 8, and Saturday, November 9, guests at participating Dunkin’ U.S. restaurants are invited to enjoy a complimentary sample of the Beyond Sausage Sandwich, while supplies last.
“We are extremely proud of our partnership with Beyond Meat and thrilled to be the first U.S. quick-service restaurant to offer Beyond Breakfast Sausage nationwide,” said Dave Hoffmann, Dunkin’ Brands CEO and Dunkin’ U.S. president. "Dunkin’ is the brand that democratizes trends for America, and this latest addition to our menu gives consumers more choice to meet their evolving needs. As we continue to transform our brand, we’re proud to use our platform to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great taste and benefits of plant-based protein.”
Dunkin' has joined fast-food chains across the country in offering plant-based "meat."
In addition to being better for the environment, the Beyond Meat sausage sandwich is also better for you, according to its founder. In August, KFC tested Beyond Chicken, which it hopes to roll out nationwide. Burger King has introduced an Impossible Whopper, and White Castle also now sells an Impossible Slider, both based off the Impossible Burger.
“We're excited to introduce the Beyond Sausage Sandwich nationwide and, in doing so, offer an option with fewer calories, less total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, while delivering more protein and iron than a comparable pork sausage sandwich,” said Ethan Brown, Beyond Meatfounder and CEO. “We are excited that everyone who runs on Dunkin’ now has the option to make a delicious plant-based sausage sandwich part of their day."
Like many other breakfast sandwiches, the sandwich is a “sausage” patty served on an English muffin with an egg and a slice of American cheese. The sandwich has 10 grams of plant-based protein and 29% less total fat and 33% less saturated fat than a traditional pork sausage breakfast sandwich from the chain. It also has fewer calories, cholesterol, and sodium than the traditional version.
Customers can also order a sandwich without cheese and egg in order to have a vegan-friendly breakfast option.