Artiphon has unleashed Orba, a new, handheld musical instrument from the same concern that launched the Instrument 1. Orba is billed as a portable synthesizer, looper, and MIDI controller that claims to allow anyone to make music. Its touch sensitivity provides users with the ability to translate gestures from fingers and hands directly into the music creation/playing process.
There really isn’t much to go by aside from the thin promotional materials and a couple of videos, which may give you a better understanding of how exactly the Orba works. Artiphon states that the Orba can switch between multiple modes (Drum, Bass, Chord, and Lead) and use its integrated looper to create songs in seconds. Eight touchpads with multi-color LEDs detect a variety of gestures like tapping, sliding, and vibrato, and motion sensors let players wave, tilt, and shake for more effects. Orba can be used as a standalone synth with a built-in speaker and connects wirelessly to mobile devices and computers via Bluetooth MIDI.
Artiphon Orba Features:
» Play using intuitive methods such as Tap, Slide, Shake, and Wave, to create loops
» Build up a song in four parts using Drum, Bass, Chord, and Lead
» Onboard synthesizer and built-in speaker offer an immediate playing experience
» Connect to the Orba app for additional sounds, songs, and settings
» Use MIDI over Bluetooth or USB to plug into any of your favorite apps
The Orba companion app lets users customize their instrument with new sounds, tunings, and patterns. Users can also share the music they create straight to social media and export to other music-making apps. Orba works with iOS, Mac, Windows, and Android, and is compatible with all major recording software including GarageBand, Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, and FL Studio. It’s embarking on the dreaded Kickstarter route to fund the endeavor, but the company says the Orba will eventually wind up on store shelves.
FutureMusic: In the video we see the Orba attached to a Moog Mother 32 and other gear, can you speak to how Mike sees this integration?
Artiphon: Orba is a MIDI controller that uses USB-C and wireless Bluetooth MIDI. If you’re playing apps on your phone or computer, both USB-C and Bluetooth will work right out of the box, no drivers necessary. To connect to your favorite hardware synth (like the Moog Mother 32), just connect Orba to a USB host and MIDI DIN converter, like a USB keyboard or drum machine. We do it in the office all the time, it’s a blast.
Additionally, Orba has its own built-in synth. This is an innovative new synthesizer engine designed especially for Orba, with a broad range of synth sounds that work seamlessly with various playing gestures. Orba’s embedded looper means you can layer multiple parts without ever looking at a screen. The built-in speaker lets you make sound immediately. In the video, “Johnny” was actually routing sound out of the headphone jack on Orba and using his pedals and synths to control effects––more like what you’d do with an electric guitar.
FutureMusic: Can you elaborate on the MIDI implementation beyond “Bluetooth MIDI?”
Artiphon: Orba is compatible with any MIDI app (including MPE synths and software) and all MIDI-enabled DAWs (GarageBand, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, FL Studio, etc.). Think of Orba as a musical mouse, giving you intuitive control over your synths and samples. Orba can also use USB-C for people who are used to having cables around.
FutureMusic: Are there plans to add any other features with firmware updates in the future? Or will this feature set be it?*
Artiphon: Absolutely. The wonderful thing about a digital instrument is that we can continue to fine *tune* it while our customers sleep. We plan on regular feature updates, and we can’t wait to fold in customer feedback as well.
Artiphon’s Orba costs $99 if you want to buy it on Kickstarter.
Artiphon
