Orba 2 : A Nifty Little MPE Controller

I’m always interested in an unusual and interesting ‘musical instrument’ and the Orba 2 has turned out to be a standout example of a “Good Buy”. I bought it thinking it had potential as a portable sampler and that if I didn’t get on with it then the kids would have fun with it.

On checking out the Mac app I discovered that along with a multitude of patches combining various sets of sounds for the 4 voices there was one that was specifically set for use with GeoShred’s GeoSax instrument implementing MPE. I easily set up to ‘talk’ to my iPad (running the GeoShred app) via Bluetooth and discovered that I instantly had an untethered, one handed, expression controller capable of a 2 octave range that worked with my GeoCello patches.

I’m an absolutely awful musician who loves to explore (play with) the technology but thanks to the Orba’s ability to communicate with my iPad I’m flying!! There are so many possibilities yet to explore such as Scale change and Key setting both of which are available in this little ‘ball’. What I thought would be a great and amusing toy for a family Christmas has turned out to be so much more. The Orba 2 is CERTAINLY NOT A TOY!!

If you are the kind of person, highly skilled musician or fumbler like me this is a worthy addition to the ‘tool bag’ - check it out.