Tonebank

Tonebank: Afro-Harmonic Sequencer is an intelligent MIDI note generator that helps you create and evolve melodies, basslines and multi-part textures with built-in groove and structural strength.

Rather than relying on simplistic arpeggios or random generation, Tonebank improvises inside rhythmically patterned harmonic loops — bringing logic derived from traditional African music to the modern producer’s workflow.

Tonebank was developed in collaboration a professor at the Royal Academy of Music, drawing on decades of research and direct collaboration with master musicians from across Africa. The plugin encodes principles found in the music of xylophones, harps, kalimbas and vocal polyphony: solid rhythmic formulae, symmetric harmonic sequences, complex swing patterns and alternative tuning systems.

Multiple instances of Tonebank share a common harmonic and rhythmic grid, so every instrument in your project plays within the same musical structure. This creates the kind of conversational interplay — call and response, complementary roles, groove coherence — that is fundamental to many African musical traditions, and that makes tracks feel alive.

With the ability to define custom harmonies, Tonebank brings harmonic coherence to all styles of music.

Tonebank is currently an AUv3 plugin only.

Key Features: • 16 built-in harmonic systems (pentatonic, hexatonic, heptatonic and overtone-based) plus custom user-defined harmonies • Loop mode — intelligent arpeggiator with control over density, pitch variance, rhythmic tension and velocity • Melody mode — generates phrases mimicking spoken and sung language patterns with natural phrasing and rests • Custom Harmony editor — add your own chords and harmonies into Tonebank • Pitch Sliders — direct visual control of every note in a sequence, fully automatable • MIDI Tonic control — change key in real time via MIDI input • Tie notes — create slides, glides and portamento effects • Custom Clave editor — define your own rhythmic frameworks • Multiple clave and swing patterns including asymmetric metres and micro-timing variations • Alternative tunings — EDO, just intonation and harmonic tunings with MPE support • Multi-instance synchronisation — build musical conversations between instruments • Generate / Freeze — lock patterns you love, or let them evolve • DAW sync with selectable tempo ratios • Record MIDI output for editing in your project