Node Audio releases Tonebank: Afro-Harmonic Sequencer

Node Audio has announced the release of Tonebank (VST3/AU/CLAP). A MIDI effect plugin for generating loops, melodies, basslines and multi-part textures, Tonebank provides an environment for creating harmonically cohesive groove music. Tonebank creates live MIDI output using rules derived from traditional African music, and was developed in collaboration with a professor from the Royal Academy of Music. How it works You start by setting the core parameters: loop length, rhythm, harmonic system, swing, and even micro-tuning. This creates a 'grid,' which is the environment for your musical ideas. From there, Tonebank generates MIDI output that you can manipulate in real time. The plugin is split into two main tabs: The Accompaniment tab is where you'll shape basslines, harmonic arpeggiations, and textures. Controls for density, development rates, range, accentuation, and rhythmic tension give you plenty of sound-shaping power. You can also mute specific areas of the grid or freeze ideas you like. The Melody tab focuses on generating topline ideas. Here, you can control phrase length and space, density, and range, and even define the start and end points of melodic phrases. Just like the accompaniment tab, you can freeze melodic ideas as they come. All of Tonebank's MIDI output can be recorded directly into your project for further editing. What's particularly interesting is that if you use multiple instances of Tonebank in the same project, they will all inherit a shared grid. This ensures that everything works together cohesively, even if you don't have a deep understanding of music theory. A core concept built into the plugin is 'musical conversations.' Tonebank has built-in modes that range from tight question-and-answer exchanges to looser dialogues, allowing instruments to interact rather than just being layered on top of one another. Each element can be assigned a role: lead, response, timekeeper, or commentary. The result is grooves that feel more alive and less mechanical. While its principles are rooted in a specific musical tradition, Tonebank is designed to adapt to any style, whether you're making techno, jazz, or experimental music. It focuses on organizational principles rather than genre-specific patterns, allowing you to apply new structural ideas to your own sound. It also makes concepts that are often complex to set up in a DAW—like non-standard swing, different tunings, or clave-based rhythmic cycles—much more accessible. Pricing and Availability Tonebank is out now from Node Audio for £59 in VST3, AU and CLAP formats. YouTube/oMTiQdVmavA Read More