I first saw the Yamaha Tenori-On at the Pacific Northwest Synth-DIY in Renton, WA on 10/25/08.  It looked like a lot of fun so I decided to buy one.  If you don't know what a Tenori-On is, there is a  write-up on Wikipedia.  Yamaha has released one software revision and it was simple to update the Tenori-On to V2.0 firmware.

This Tenori-On document was presented at the 2006 International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME06), in Paris, France.

The paper The Light Matrix was also presented at NIME06 but does not represent the technology used in the Tenori-On.  It covers using a light matrix for musical expression and performance.

One drawback with the Tenori-On is that it is a performance show instrument designed to be held so you can see the LEDs on the backside.  I wanted some type of stand to be able to integrate it into my music setup.  I decided to weld a frame out of 1/4" steel rod that would attach to a microphone stand for a base.

Here is my Tenori-On next to my Moog Etherwave.  I use it to setup basic patterns to practice the theremin with.

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