TP-7 as a Live Performance Instrument

Most people think of the TP-7 as a recorder. For this performance, I wanted to explore a different idea: what if the TP-7 could become part of the instrument itself?

Instead of simply recording audio, I used the TP-7 as a tool for manipulating, reshaping, and performing a sample in real time.

Starting with a Vinyl Sample

The process began with a sample taken from a Daft Punk vinyl record.

After recording the audio into the TP-7, I used the loop function to isolate a small section that could serve as the foundation for a new musical idea. Rather than treating the sample as a finished phrase, I approached it as raw material for experimentation.

From Sample to Instrument     

The looped audio from the TP-7 was sent directly into the OP-1 field. Using the Vocoder engine, the original sample became a playable sound source. By performing chords on the keyboard, I could generate entirely new harmonies and melodies while still preserving some of the character and texture of the original recording.

      This transformed a simple loop into a playable instrument.

Endless Chords, Changing Loops

To keep the harmonic movement flowing, I used the Endless sequencer on the OP-1 field to create a repeating chord progression.

With the progression running continuously, I was free to focus on manipulating the sample itself. Throughout the performance, I changed loop lengths, playback positions, and timing on the TP-7, creating subtle variations and new textures from the same source material.

Performing with the TP-7

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this setup was using the TP-7 wheel during the performance.

By moving the wheel manually, I could scratch through the audio, jump to different parts of the sample, and create transitions between ideas. Sometimes I listened directly to the original sample, while other times I routed the sound through the Vocoder, allowing the same gesture to produce very different musical results.

The TP-7 became less of a recorder and more of a performance controller.

Key Ideas

• Sample a small musical phrase.
• Create a loop on the TP-7.
• Send the loop into the OP-1 field.
• Use the Vocoder to generate harmonies and melodies.
• Build a progression with the Endless sequencer.
• Manipulate the loop and scratch in real time.
• Transform one sample into many musical possibilities.