This futuristic LED panel from Yamaha is called TENORI-ON and is designed by Japanese media artist Toshio Iwai. The company describes it as a “16×16 LED button matrix performance instrument with a stunning visual display”.

The idea is that you shall be able to use the touch screen to “draw” your own music, using samples and MIDI. There are six different performance and sound/light modes which can be combined and used simultaneously.

Here’s a video demonstration:

Yamaha TENORI-ON will be available in the UK some time this month.

(Via Freshpilot)

The sound of people doing drum rolls on their knees all of a sudden got even more annoying. Tyler Freeman, aka odbol, is the creator of DrumPants – a pair of pants that enable the wearer to produce drum sounds by hitting various parts of the pants with his hands.

In order to make a pair of DrumPants, you need:

• A MIDI Trigger Converter, such as the Roland TMC-6, to convert audio to MIDI
• A General MIDI instrument and amplifier and speakers (I gutted my cheap Yamaha PSR-200 keyboard).
• Piezo transducers as contact mic triggers, wired to 1/4 plugs for the Roland.
• Pants (I used some HUGE Dickies shorts to facilitate easy-access drumming.)

Here are two more demonstration videos of the DrumPants:

Tyler Freeman demos his interactive DrumPants at Maker Faire 2007.

A performance with the DrumPants combined with a LoopStation, for the Two Heads Are Better Than One competition. All of this was played live, showing how the DrumPants can be used to make a beat, but also used for melodic elements to create a complete piece of music.

More information about the DrumPants on odbol’s webiste.

(Fresh Creation via GadgetVenue)

The Yamaha BODiBEAT ($299) digital audio player monitors your pulse with a wired ear-clip and your rate of speed with an accelerometer. This information is then being used to dynamically match the music to your pace.

jkOnTheRun has some more information about the device.

(Via Prylfeber)