Artiphon Orba

Not the best for intense use

We use 3 ORBAs in our workshops for children. ORBAs frequently get stuck into DFU mode and then we need to reinstall the firmware to recover them. Headphone outputs get loose after sometime and makes glitches which is pretty annoying. Other than that everything is fine, and actually its one of the most attractive instruments that children find them interesting.

Amazing sound device - experience and interface

We bought Orba in preparation for workshops with people with intellectual challenges. Having experiences with designing, creating and building our own synths, guitar pedals and sound devices, we were absolutely amazed by Orba. The product is so versatile and yet easy to use. It has great features and sounds we can all relate to. We have many similar devices in our collection, but this is so far the most advanced. It can be used separately or connected with the sound system, it could be used as MIDI interface or solo. The fact that you have a polyphonic synth and a looper, that you can feel the vibration via motors while playing drums is just great. It has a great potential in the spheres of inclusive and assistive music technology, as well when informally working with children and developing their music skills from the earliest stage. And it is designed so organically to fit in the hand of the player. The most interactive music device we haven't seen in a long time. We bought first two, and when we got it, we ordered 2 more because we realised it will be in frequent use. Orba could be a great present for everyone from a small child to seniors, as well as to be used in education and on workshops.

MY NIECE LOVES IT!

ANY MUSICAL ITEM WILL BE LOVED BY MUSICIANS AND THIS SO THIS WAS A HIT - SOUNDED GREAT TOO! COOL MACHINE BOUGHT TO HAVE A BIT OF FUN ON AND TO GET A BETTER SOUND THAN WHEN PLAYING ON THE TABLEI BOUGHT THE SILICON SLEEVE AND THE CASE, BUT CASE TOO SMALL FOR IT WITH THE SLEEVE ON - SO 1 HAS TO BE RETURNED, A SHAME AS WANTED AND NEEDED BOTH. i THINK THE CASE WILL BE RETURNED BECAUSE A LARGER SIMILAR ONE CAN BE SOURCED, WHEREAS THE SLEEVE IS A PERFECT FIT.

Nice toy..

I bought this with an idea of being an actual sound designing/composing/MIDI controller do. On paper it does all that, but once you into the ecosystem, you'll find out it's not really there, yet. The community is great and it's fun to interact in. But it's more of a gimmick at this point. At least for me..

It will be vibrating on every key press very loudly

I like it... but...

You cannot switch vibration on every key press.

App settings has no option to switch this off.

Makes it useless

Leuk instrumentje, gemakkelijke bediening, alleen de software op de PC of smartphone werkt niet goed. Heb ervoor gemaild en het blijkt dat ze de hele software gaan vernieuwen. Afwachten dus.

It's a toy, but a nice one

Orba is very limited in terms of what you can do with it and what kind of sounds come out of the box. WIth the app, the situation is much better, but this defeats the purpose of having an isolated standalone system.

My main annoyance is the vibrating motor that informs you of every press you make. It's noisy and really irritating.

But overall the experience is pleasant, and it's great for fidgety people.