I would love to see more companies like Artiphon. Hardware startups have a knack for bringing their ideas to market. In November 2020, I spent some time with the company's handheld instrument. It didn't turn me into Wendy Carlos, but it helped pass a few dark hours by making music.
The device's strength lies in its low barrier of entry. There is no need for lessons or musical skills, just a desire to play with sound. The Orba 2 is a sequel to the device. The product is similar to its predecessor with a round base and eight touch-sensitive pads.
The image is called Artiphon.
The device functions the same as the Orba 1, but has a new sound engine. You can modify the sound through talking, shaking and spinning the device with built-in sensors. There are nine gestures. Users can sample and loop on the connected Orba app.
Mike Butera says in a release that they want people to express themselves musically in their everyday lives. Orba 2 makes that possible.
The device can record up to five minutes/128 bars on the device, with a new feature that helps snap playing to a beat. The end game is making the system as useless as possible. For more advanced users, it can also be used as a MIDI controller for apps such as GarageBand, Ableton Live, Logic Pro and Pro Tools.
Artiphon has a handheld synthesizer. The image is frommockups-design.com.
The Orba 2 is $50 more expensive than its very accessible predecessor. Artiphon has added a number of new features since the release of the first Orba, including the ability to use the device as a video editor.
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