You move wooden tokens around a grid to build your beats. Tembo looks like a toy—an elegant wooden one you might find at Crate & Kids—not some cheap plastic. Yet it functions as a full drum machine and sampler. Instead of using buttons and screens, you create beats by placing wooden checkers on the board, designed to be accessible to music enthusiasts of any age or skill level.
At its core, Tembo is a simple five-track step sequencer. Magnets hold wooden tokens in place, allowing you to position them for the desired beat. It includes eight sample packs, with options to sample using the built-in mic or a line-in jack at the back.
Tembo features built-in effects and a basic looper for backing tracks, offering playful performance possibilities. You can slide pieces to vary sequences dynamically and apply basic mutes, though it lacks advanced features like probability or automation. It’s not an Elektron device, but it emphasizes fun and immediacy.
Tembo is currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter, with early-bird pricing at $369, rising to $550 retail. As with any crowdfunding, usual cautions apply.