At the 2020 NAMM Show, Artiphon introduced the Orba instrument and MIDI controller.
Orba is a $99 portable synthesizer, looper, and MIDI controller that’s designed to let anyone to make music immediately. They describe its minimalist design as “a cross between a gaming controller and half an orange,”.
Here’s a quick demo from Artiphon founder Mike Butera, who shows how it can be used as a synth, a sequencer, a looper and more.
Artiphon Orba Features:
- Eight capacitive-sensing pads for feather-touch control
- Accelerometer and gyroscope capture a range of gestures
- Center menu button accesses four presets, the looper, and other functions
- Onboard synthesizer and built-in speaker offer an immediate playing experience
- Connect to the cross-platform Orba app for more sounds, songs, and settings
- Use MIDI over Bluetooth or USB to plug into any of your favorite music apps
- Use the 1/8? (3.5mm) output to listen on headphones, speakers, and amps
- Multicolor LEDs respond to the way you play
- Embedded haptics offer vibration feedback
- USB Rechargeable battery
Pricing and Availability
Production of the Orba is being funded via a successful Kickstarter campaign; 12,377 backers pledged $1,442,181.
The Orba is expected to be available soon for about $100. See the Artiphon website for more information.
People on Synthtopia are always demanding more originality and creativity in synth design, and then when it appears they don’t express any support for it. This looks like a very innovative little device at an irresistible price point. I hope that the cheese factor of onboard sounds don’t cause it to be overlooked, it has great potential as a musical sketchpad, especially for dance-oriented styles.
it is neat – I just hope that you can set a portamento on the lead mode, being able to use like an in tune theramin would be really cool
Not convinced it’ll be more interesting than something like Figure on your phone but seems a clever little product. And holy smackeral at setting a project goal of $50,000 and pulling in almost 1.5 million bucks! Congrats.
i would like a midi vibraslap and midi guiro to go along with my midi egg shaker
Do the people at synthtopia not know that a 3.5 mm jack is 1/8 inch? That’s nuts.