Tembo is a playful drum machine that thinks it's a checkerboard

"Rather than a bunch of buttons and a screen, you build beats on Tembo by placing what are essentially wooden checkers on a board. The point is to be approachable to would-be music makers of any age or skill level."

"The core of Tembo is a pretty straightforward five-track step sequencer. Wooden tokens are held in place with magnets, and you just put them where you want the hit to land. There are eight sample packs built in, but you can also sample using the built-in mic or through the line-in jack on the back."

"There aren't any advanced features, like probability or automation. This isn't an Elektron box, after all - it's meant to be fun and immediate."

Tembo is a drum machine and sampler designed with an approachable, toy-like aesthetic using wooden construction and magnetic tokens. It features a five-track step sequencer where users place wooden checkers on a board to create beats. The device includes eight built-in sample packs, sampling capabilities via microphone or line-in jack, built-in effects, and a looper for backing tracks. Performance features allow users to mute tracks and rearrange sequences by sliding pieces around the board. Tembo prioritizes simplicity and immediate creative expression over advanced features like probability or automation, making it accessible to musicians of all skill levels.

Read at The Verge