InstrumentKit Selector
BeatsStacked Beats
Flipped BeatsSample Flip
Sampler
Play/PauseDisplay
Record SessionLoops
EffectsFilterMute
TempoSpeakerVolume
Back Panel
Power On/OffMic/Line InInput Select
USB 2 (Midi)USB 1 (Power/Data)
Line/HP Out
A New Way To Make Music
Tembo is a magnetic, grid-based drum machine and sampler. Arrange wooden Beats on an 8x5 board to sequence notes, add effects, sample sounds, and play through built-in speakers—no setup required.
Featured In
Sold Out on Kickstarter In Just 6 Days
Tembo's pre-sale on Kickstarter exceeded all expectations, with 5,000+ pre-orders. For us it was more than launching an instrument, it was about building a community. Slapping on the 'sold-out' sticker in less than a week was only the beginning. Now we're focused on bringing Tembo to your homes and studios.
Made for
beginners.
Loved by
musicians.
@zeale
https://s3.amazonaws.com/webflow-prod-assets/69b688cfeed3eb70897a8d30/69b97540bfc400cdde0c106b_%40zeale.mp4
@gingerandcarmit
https://s3.amazonaws.com/webflow-prod-assets/69b688cfeed3eb70897a8d30/6a44df9f68ced4eff5c54b81_Carmit%20%26%20Ginger%20.mp4
@assa
https://s3.amazonaws.com/webflow-prod-assets/69b688cfeed3eb70897a8d30/6a44df4c49120a3d10c03cd9_Asa.mp4
@taetro
https://s3.amazonaws.com/webflow-prod-assets/69b688cfeed3eb70897a8d30/69b973abe3c93e1713f234c1_%40taetro.mp4
@damiankulash
https://s3.amazonaws.com/webflow-prod-assets/69b688cfeed3eb70897a8d30/69b974a2d3818133a91e12d5_%40damiankulash.mp4
@cloudchord
https://s3.amazonaws.com/webflow-prod-assets/69b688cfeed3eb70897a8d30/69b973a1fc3188b5762a4b21_%40cloudchord.mp4
@carolcleveland
https://s3.amazonaws.com/webflow-prod-assets/69b688cfeed3eb70897a8d30/69b9739d0394f0f47f5b575c_%40CarolCleveland.mp4
Made for beginners.
Loved by musicians.
@carolcleveland
@cloudchord
@zeale
@damiankulash
@taetro
@gingerandcarmit
@assa
@dexime
What a creative idea, absolutely LOVE it!
@neurotransmission6825
This is an absolute work of art.
@MeditatedStateofMind
So awesome. I'm definitely getting one and maybe one for my kid too.
@ChaseBlissAudio
I'm not sure I've ever wanted something so bad in my dang life.
@clayxaviermusic
This would be such a phenomenal teaching tool! Get kids into sequencing and music production with a super low barrier and a tactile non screen based interface. I hope to get one for my school!
@korywesterhold
Need this in my life (and in my studio)
@paulbeattie1182
Wow! That is a beautiful thing!
@dexime
What a creative idea, absolutely LOVE it!
@neurotransmission6825
This is an absolute work of art.
@MeditatedStateofMind
So awesome. I'm definitely getting one and maybe one for my kid too.
@ChaseBlissAudio
I'm not sure I've ever wanted something so bad in my dang life.
@clayxaviermusic
This would be such a phenomenal teaching tool! Get kids into sequencing and music production with a super low barrier and a tactile non screen based interface. I hope to get one for my school!
@korywesterhold
Need this in my life (and in my studio)
@paulbeattie1182
Wow! That is a beautiful thing!
@IsaiahGrande
This is brilliant! My ADHD would be in heaven
@gnowtheself
This is the coolest DJ like music creation controller i've ever seen SUPER intuitive and the tech that uses magnets that you can STACK for subdivisions!? My mind is blown! I want one NOW
@cathiemarvellous
Nice idea but i can't get one because i would NEVER leave the house again
@overcasual
I'm pretty sure this is the coolest thing I've ever seen
@fuzzyd2121
...I'm a music maker for almost 40 years and this may be the most organic beat making device I have ever seen... Can't wait to get one in my studio! Guaranteed to be creating and tracking with it straight away!
@guido69x
This looks pretty amazing and perffect for live perfformances!!!!
@IsaiahGrande
This is brilliant! My ADHD would be in heaven
@gnowtheself
This is the coolest DJ like music creation controller i've ever seen SUPER intuitive and the tech that uses magnets that you can STACK for subdivisions!? My mind is blown! I want one NOW
@cathiemarvellous
Nice idea but i can't get one because i would NEVER leave the house again
@overcasual
I'm pretty sure this is the coolest thing I've ever seen
@fuzzyd2121
...I'm a music maker for almost 40 years and this may be the most organic beat making device I have ever seen... Can't wait to get one in my studio! Guaranteed to be creating and tracking with it straight away!
@guido69x
This looks pretty amazing and perffect for live perfformances!!!!
Our Legendary Endorsers
Jack Lintorn
Abbey Road Studios
“Everyone I’ve shown it to in the studio becomes obsessed. It invites instant creation, a real game changer.”
Jack Lintorn
Abbey Road Studios
Damian Kulash
OK Go
"If you want to teach kids music the OK Go way, this is your tool. Curiosity and play lead the way. I like it as a human. I like it as a musician. I like it as a dad."
Damian Kulash
OK Go
Victor Wooten
Grammy-winning bassist
"It’s not a tool or a toy, it’s both. The best toys teach you something. Kids are learning whether they realize it or not."
Victor Wooten
Grammy-winning bassist
A World Of Sound
Tembo connects to a growing Content Library of sample packs. Following Musical Beings’ approach, these packs are more than collections of samples and loops. Each one reflects the story behind the instruments, cultures, and musical movements that shaped it. Each pack capturing a small musical world inside Tembo.
TR-808
acoustic drums
LINN DRUM
UK CLUBS
HEAVY METAL
TABLAS
DUB
TR-808
acoustic drums
LINN DRUM
UK CLUBS
HEAVY METAL
TABLAS
DUB
Indian Rhythms
Sounds of Cambodia
Roda de Samba
Balkan Beats
Caribbean Flow
DISCO
ELECTRO SOUL
Indian Rhythms
Sounds of Cambodia
Roda de Samba
Balkan Beats
Caribbean Flow
DISCO
ELECTRO SOUL
Alongside the core library, we’ll release exclusive artist packs, created in collaboration with musicians and producers who bring their own sonic worlds into Tembo.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/webflow-prod-assets/69b688cfeed3eb70897a8d30/6a44e31958ad22521bdd60c3_Bongo%20Herman.mp4
https://s3.amazonaws.com/webflow-prod-assets/69b688cfeed3eb70897a8d30/6a44e31ec060c3326fcde40a_Kumina%20.mp4
Together, these collections turn Tembo into a living library of rhythms, instruments, and musical cultures. Always growing, always inspiring new play.
Bringing Tembo to Life
Production is officially underway! We’re moving fast to deliver Batch 1, while adding a few final touches to the design and functionality of Tembo.
Missed out on the Kickstarter?
Get early access when Batch 2 drops.
Get early access when Batch 2 drops.
01
Good to Go
Intuitively Playable.
Tembo is designed to be understood right away. There are no apps to install, no menus to navigate, and no setup rituals to learn. Turn it on, place a Beat, and start exploring sound.
02
Designed for the Long Run
Built to Grow With You
Tembo sounds musical from the first interaction, giving you a strong foundation as you play. Over time, new patterns, techniques, and ideas naturally emerge as your curiosity and confidence deepen.
03
The Nature of Music
Crafted To Last
Tembo is thoughtfully constructed with durable materials and a tactile layout meant for hands-on play. Every detail is considered so it feels solid, inviting, and built for years of use.
Your Jamming Station
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.
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 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.