Everything You Need to Know About Orba Instrument

The Orba instrument is a unique and versatile tool that's perfect for music makers of all levels. It's essentially a miniature synthesizer that can be used to create a wide range of sounds.

Orba is designed to be easy to use, with a simple and intuitive interface that lets you quickly experiment with different sounds and effects. The instrument has a built-in speaker and can be connected to a computer or other devices via Bluetooth or USB.

One of the key features of Orba is its ability to generate sound using a variety of methods, including analog-style oscillators and digital signal processing. This allows for a wide range of tonal possibilities and makes it easy to create unique and interesting sounds.

The Orba's design is quite unique, resembling a hybrid of a gaming controller and a halved grapefruit. It's made of plastic and glass fibers, making it a durable and lightweight instrument.

The Orba features a range of sensors and controls, including eight capacitive sense pads, a built-in accelerometer, and a built-in Gyroscope. These sensors allow for gesture control over sound parameters, making it easy to create expressive and dynamic performances.

Here are some of the key features of the Orba:

The Orba also has a built-in speaker and can be used as an MPE-capable MIDI controller, making it a versatile instrument for musicians and producers.

The Orba's design is a unique blend of form and function, with a shape that's been likened to a hybrid of a gaming controller and a halved grapefruit.

Its intuitive design makes it comfortable to hold and use, with a feather-touch sensitivity that translates your gestures into music with incredible precision.

One of the standout features of the Orba is its integrated looper, which allows you to layer drums, bass, chords, and lead parts to create full compositions in seconds.

You can choose from a vast library of instruments and effects, and the Orba is also incredibly portable, making it easy to take your music studio anywhere you go.

The Orba 2 has eight touchpads with LEDs that control the device's sounds, with a central button used for menu options.

These touchpads and additional sensors allow for gesture control over vibrato, slide, and other sound parameters, making it easy to express yourself creatively.

Here are some of the key features of the Orba:

The Orba also has a built-in 3W active speaker system, making it easy to listen to your music without needing additional equipment.

The Orba 2 is designed to work seamlessly with a range of devices, making it a versatile addition to any music production setup.

To get started, you'll need to ensure your device meets the minimum compatibility requirements. The Orba 2 is compatible with iOS 11 and newer, Android 9 and newer, macOS 10.12 and newer, and Windows 10 (64-bit).

Here's a quick rundown of the compatible operating systems:

It's worth noting that firmware updating requires a cabled USB connection, which can only be done from a desktop computer. Similarly, transferring a sample from your device to the Orba 2 also requires a cabled USB connection.

Orba was successfully funded on Kickstarter, surpassing its goal of $50,000 with almost $1.5 million in pledges.

The campaign, which ran from November 25, 2019, to January 12, 2020, started at a pledge level of $79. The instrument was later released in April 2020 for $99.

Orba has been used as a music education tool by multiple charities and childcare facilities, including the Notes for Notes non-profit, the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory, and Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

The release of Orba was a significant moment for the company, and it's a great example of how a successful Kickstarter campaign can make a product a reality. Pledges for Orba started at $79 and the overall goal was $50,000.

The campaign was a huge success, surpassing its goal by a long shot, with almost $1.5 million raised.

The instrument was later released in April 2020, and its price was set at $99, which is a relatively affordable price point for a unique product like Orba.

The Orba has made a lasting impact on the music world, especially in the realm of music education. It's been used by multiple charities and childcare facilities, such as the Notes for Notes non-profit and the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory.

These organizations have leveraged the Orba's unique features to help kids develop their musical skills. The Orba's accessibility and user-friendly interface make it an ideal tool for music education.

At the 2022 NAMM Show, Artiphon announced the Orba 2, a sequel to the original Orba. The Orba 2 expanded on the original's features, adding sampling and quantization functions.

The Orba 2 also increased the loop length limit to 128 bars, offering more creative possibilities for musicians. This upgrade demonstrates Artiphon's commitment to innovation and user satisfaction.

Here are some examples of the Orba's impact on music education: