A New Way to Play Music
Tembo is a playful magnetic drum machine + sampler that lets you jam and create amazing loops in a matter of minutes. Add effects, sample your own sounds, record your sessions.
No set up, No rules. Just play.
as seen in
Made for Beginners
Endless options, endless creativity.
Loved by Musicians
@carolcleveland
@cloudchord
@zeale
@damiankulash
@taetro
Tembo is Featured in Abbey Road Studios
Jack Lintorn
And Loved by Legends
Victor Wooten
Damian Kulash
Intuitively Playable.
Tembo is ready to play the moment you are. No app to install, no settings to configure. Just turn it on and play.
Built To Grow With You
Tembo sounds good from the very first touch. As you explore, it grows with you, revealing endless depth and creative possibilities.
Crafted To Last
Crafted for hands-on play, Tembo feels as natural as it looks. Every button, dial, and surface invites you in.
A Perfect Synergy with Your Instruments
Your beats are just the beginning. Plug in guitars, mics, or any instrument to jam together and turn Tembo into the heart of your musical home. Explore new musical landscapes and create core memories with awesome collaborations.
Tembo Features
Simple on the surface, smart under the hood.
We Are All Musical Beings
You Were Built for This
We believe musicality isn’t rare, it’s human. When nurtured from the beginning, anyone can unlock the rhythm that’s already inside.
Play to Learn
You don’t have to get good at music before it gets fun. Play builds confidence, creativity, and the instinct to keep going.
Tech, Humanized
We believe technology should amplify the human experience, not replace it. While our technology is sophisticated, your experience stays tactile, intuitive, and human.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tembo a “serious” musical instrument?
Tembo is a real musical instrument designed to be intuitive and beginner-friendly. Made for beginners, loved by professionals. Tembo is used in studios including Abbey Road and loved by Grammy-winning musicians.
Is Tembo only for kids?
Not at all. Tembo is a playful musical instrument, not a musical toy. While it’s a natural fit for younger learners (we’ve had users as young as five), it’s equally engaging for adults of any age — our most senior player is 87!
Do I need any musical background to use Tembo?
No. Tembo is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, even for complete beginners. No prior musical experience is required.
How can I learn using Tembo?
Tembo is very intuitive, and you’ll learn a lot through play. We also offer video tutorials and the Musical Beings Academy with interactive lessons and gamified challenges.
What comes in the box?
Tembo, 30 magnetic Beat pieces, and a USB-C cable.
Is it really made of wood?
Yes. The playing surface and body are made of real wood. Internal components are metal and plastic.
Does Tembo have 16 steps?
Yes! The 8 columns each have 2 sub-steps — place a Beat for the first 16th note, flip it for the second, or stack two for both. There’s also swing control to add groove and feel.
How many sounds does it come with?
Tembo comes with 8 factory kits, each containing 5 sounds, plus additional kits in the content library. Each channel can hold 2 switchable samples.
Can I load my own sounds?
Yes. You can upload your own samples via the companion app or USB. Tembo is sample-based — drums, melodic sounds, or anything you like.
Does Tembo have a built-in speaker?
Yes. It also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo output, and USB audio output.
How long does Tembo’s battery last?
3+ hours of playtime on a single charge via USB-C. You can also play while charging.
Is the battery replaceable?
Yes. Details about the replacement process will be shared closer to production.
What if I lose the Beat pieces?
The Beats stick magnetically to Tembo’s surface when not in use. Replacement Beats can also be ordered separately.
What about backing tracks?
Each kit includes samples and backing tracks. There are 4 dedicated backing-track channels — use the included ones, replace them, or record your own.
Can I record on Tembo?
Yes. You can record samples and loops using the onboard mic or the combo input. There’s also a one-button session recording that captures everything you play.
Does it support different time signatures?
Yes — 3/4, 6/8, 7/8, 5/4, and more. The grid is flexible via software, so you’re not locked into 4/4.
Can I control pitch and velocity?
Yes. Each channel has its own pitch control (±24 semitones) and volume control. Per-step velocity and per-step pitch control are features we’re working on, but they’re not yet confirmed.
Can Tembo be used for live performance?
Yes. Tembo can be used for live performance, looping, and real-time music creation.
Does Tembo work without a computer or tablet?
Yes. Tembo is fully standalone — no screen or external device required.
Can I connect other instruments to Tembo?
Yes. Tembo has a combo input that accepts mic, line, and instrument signals. It was designed to jam with your instruments.
Does Tembo have Wi-Fi / Bluetooth?
Yes to both. Wi-Fi is used for cloud sync and updates. Bluetooth is used for data transfer (not audio, due to latency).
Will there be an app?
Yes. A companion app is in development for uploading samples, configuring effects, and accessing the content library.
Do I need a subscription to use the app?
The app will be free to use. We may offer premium content in the future. Kickstarter backers will receive lifetime access.
When will you launch on Kickstarter?
March 11, 2026. Early Bird tiers are limited, so being early matters.
When will it be delivered?
The delivery timeline will be shared on the Kickstarter page when we launch on March 11.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship worldwide. Shipping costs will be detailed on the Kickstarter page. Import duties and VAT depend on your local regulations.
Who is behind Musical Beings?
We’re lifelong friends passionate about music, with years of experience at companies like Google and Waves Audio. We’ve shipped hardware, software, and audio products used by millions.