# Orba (1) by Artiphon > Companion app for a handheld synth, looper, and MIDI controller. (iPhone/iPad app by Artiphon Inc..) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orba-1-by-artiphon/id1501846265 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Artiphon Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1029202918) - Category: Music, Music - Price: Free - Rating: 3.26/5 from 35 App Store ratings · 87 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 11.0 · 79 MB - Released: 2020-08-07 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orba-1-by-artiphon/id1501846265/reviews.md ## What is Orba (1) by Artiphon? This is the companion app for Orba by Artiphon that lets you: • Connect wirelessly using MIDI over Bluetooth • Load Presets with new sounds, keys, and tempos • Record loops with Drum, Bass, Chord, and Lead parts What is Orba: Orba is a handheld synth, looper, and MIDI controller that lets anyone make music immediately. Play notes and beats on its touch-sensitive surface, add effects with movement, and layer your ideas into songs with the built-in looper. Connect to the Orba App to customize your instrument and explore new sounds. It’s never been easier to make music, anywhere you go. Who is Artiphon: Artiphon is dedicated to making smart, playful instruments we can all enjoy. The INSTRUMENT 1 was our first step, and Orba is our second big experiment in rethinking the musical interface. ## Key features - Wireless MIDI over Bluetooth - Load custom presets - Record loops (Drum, Bass, Chord, Lead) - Customize instrument settings - Explore new sounds ## What do users think of Orba (1) by Artiphon? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🎵 Fun and engaging hardware device - 🎹 Intuitive single-finger chord playing - 🎧 Works well as MIDI controller - 📱 Bluetooth connectivity (when working) - 🎨 Cool product design - 💾 Easy sound/loop saving to app - 🔌 USB connection works reliably **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent Bluetooth connection failures - 🐛 App crashes regularly - ❌ Limited preset/sound library - 🚫 App shows connected but doesn't function - ⚠️ Poor app stability overall - 🎵 Limited customization options - 📉 Abandoned support for Orba 1 - 🔧 Firmware updates difficult via mobile - 🎚️ Missing quantization feature - 📱 Inconsistent iOS/iPad performance - 🎛️ Limited instrument customization - ⏱️ Laggy recording functionality **Commonly reported bugs** - Bluetooth shows connected in settings but app shows disconnected - App crashes when loading presets - Bluetooth randomly disconnects mid-use - App becomes unresponsive after connection - Firmware update fails or loops - Presets fail to load despite animation showing success - Recording doesn't save or has no save option - Grayed out interface elements - Scale selection doesn't work - Instrument switching fails - Battery indicator not showing - App freezes after firmware update - Choppy/jerky video playback in tutorials - Connection drops when changing presets - App requires constant restart to reconnect **Most requested features** - Quantization/quantize on-the-fly - More preset sounds and regular updates - Custom sound pack creation - Save/record songs functionality - Scale settings independent of song - Firmware updates via mobile app - Better looping and timing controls - Scale changing functionality - Ability to mix sounds from different themes - Improved preset organization and filtering - Settings accessible from single page - Wired connection option for mobile - Octave control via app ## Recent user reviews (10 of 87) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orba-1-by-artiphon/id1501846265/reviews.md ### 2/5 — Terrible *2023-02-22* Artiphon has some cool designs for their products but the software is barely functional. Orba crashes often. **Developer response:** Hi there, thanks for leaving a review. We're sorry to hear that you're having trouble using the Orba app. Please send us an email at support@artiphon.com with details about what you were doing in the app at the time of the crash, and we'll be more than happy to look into this. ### 1/5 — No Bluetooth connection *2023-01-21, version 0.15.31* No matter how I tried,still could not connect with Bluetooth even it shows it connected but in middle of top bar of app still shows that It was not connected ### 3/5 — Hmmm. *2023-01-17, version 0.15.31* Just received an Orba first generation as a gift. I hope this version of the app is maintained and receives every possible feature available in the version that is confusingly specific to the Orba2. I mean I just got this brand new yesterday (Jan 16 2023) and it feels like I am already dealing with an abandoned control app. Time will tell I suppose. ### 2/5 — Sub Par app *2022-10-07, version 0.15.31* Love the Orba, hate the app. Told me to update firmware now it won’t even connect to my Orba. Even when I could use this app it left a lot to be desired. Too bad they’ve moved on to Orba 2, can’t expect much support or updates for this going forward :( ### 5/5 — Create, produce, Record Music *2022-10-05, version 0.15.31* I got my Orba 1 the other day and I can’t put it down. It’s fun to play with. The app don’t have a lot of presets but the ones they have are cool. Just Bluetooth to the app and download sounds straight to the Orba. You Might have to watch some youtube videos to learn how to use it, for instance my lead button would only vibrate when pressed but I found out you can turn down any preset sound by holding the A button and the sound you want to turn down at the same time and turn up or down the volume. I’m excited to learn this complex studio in my hand that I can take anywhere I go. Now I want to get the Orba 2 and the Instrument device they have. Thank you Orba don’t listen to all the negative comments because it’s definitely a product that once you pick up you can’t put down. And my Bluetooth works on mine so maybe these comments by other people had a faulty phone. ### 1/5 — Two years later, basically no presets... *2022-09-17, version 0.15.31* So.its been a couple.of years and we have under 20 presets... Are they so hard to make??? Why are there not hundreds??? ### 1/5 — App does not work *2022-07-21* The app will not connect properly. It says connected under the Bluetooth but on top it still says not connected so I can’t use the app at all. Very disappointing. The orba is fun and has potential to make some fun stuff but the app not working prevents any actual song making and saving. **Developer response:** Hey there, I'm sorry the app is giving you trouble. Please send us an email to support@artiphon.com and one of our support team members will help resolve this issue. Thanks. ### 2/5 — Abandonware *2022-06-24* Artiphon appears to have dropped support for the Orba app along with apparently giving up on fulfilling its promises to update features on the Orba device. It’s a shame because the Orba really had potential. Count me out on the Orba 2. I foresee a similar level of support for it as well. **Developer response:** Hey there, I'm happy to address your concerns. We are still supporting Orba 1 and will continue to do so via firmware and app updates. We have been working on bringing some feature requests to life on Orba, like quantization and sample playback. Some of these features require more processing speed than Orba 1 allowed. Because of this, we had to make changes at the hardware level. Orba 2 is a significant hardware upgrade with a completely rebuilt sound engine to allow sample playback and quantizing. It has a 3x faster processor, 32x more RAM, and gigabytes more storage for your songs, samples, and presets. If we can help resolve any issues your Orba 1 is having please reach out to our support team at support@artihpon.com. Thanks. ### 1/5 — Don’t buy. Horrible company, bad toy *2022-05-31, version 0.15.31* Wow just wow!!! So Antiphon has just abandoned this orba and Just announced a new orba 2 that has the basic features they PROMISED with This Orba!!! Except sampling. But the other features they’ve added are all features they promised us for this ver 1 orba. Shame on them. I backed orba on Kickstarter and it took forever to get them a little more than a year later they still haven’t delivered the updates they promised me and apparently others, like quantizing, a simple software fix, but now you have to buy a new orba to get what they were supposed to deliver in the first place!! I have emails from Antiphon promising quantizing for example. Now it’s a selling point on their new orba?!!! Wow. I will NEVER buy not support Antiphon again. I’m selling my other Instrument 1 and giving this orba Away and ordering the OddBall today. Shame on you Antiphon. Corporate greed at its best I mean it’s worst. Btw I have the Oddball got from Amazon. So much fun. The orba dreams of growing up and being this good an instrument. Never again Antiphon. Shame shame shame. I’m disgusted with this company and it’s mediocre products. ### 2/5 — No quantization ?? *2022-05-27, version 0.15.31* No quantization :( ## Frequently asked questions about Orba (1) by Artiphon ### What does the Orba app do? The Orba app is a companion for the Orba handheld instrument. It allows you to connect wirelessly via Bluetooth, load new sound presets, and record musical loops with different instrument parts like drums, bass, chords, and leads. It helps you customize your Orba and explore new sonic possibilities. ### What are the key features of the Orba app? Key features include connecting to your Orba wirelessly using MIDI over Bluetooth, loading presets with new sounds, keys, and tempos, and recording loops with distinct parts for drums, bass, chords, and leads. You can also customize your instrument and explore various sounds. ### Is the Orba app free to use? Yes, the Orba app is free to download and use. The provided information indicates that it does not have in-app purchases or ads, suggesting a completely free experience for users. ### What devices is the Orba app compatible with? The description does not explicitly state compatibility with specific operating systems or device models. However, it is designed to work with the Orba by Artiphon, which is a physical musical instrument. ### How can I use the Orba app to make music? You can use the app to connect to your Orba instrument wirelessly. Once connected, you can load different sound presets to change the instrument's voice, adjust tempo, and record your musical ideas into loops. You can layer drum, bass, chord, and lead parts to build complete songs. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 0.15.36 — 2023-02-02 There’s a new Orba app in town with three new song templates (that’s four new presets each!) “Lifelike” is inspired by real-world instruments. For instance, you’ll find an electric guitar-like Lead preset. There’s a tuba too. It’s “tu” much fun. “Back, Forth” includes a Drum preset with automatically rgepeating sounds. You’ll find that the snare, hats, and toms all have this experimental effect — something to keep you on your toes. Finally, craft something bouncy and bright with “Pieces.” It’s an energetic set of presets that sounds unlike anything else we’ve released. Don’t forget; you can mix and match these presets to make a song that is uniquely your own! Aside from these additional sounds, a new notification will pop up if you accidentally connect an Orba 2 to the Orba 1 app. For now, Orba 2 and Orba 1 use different apps, which should help people get to where they need to go. ### 0.15.31 — 2021-10-20 Minor bug fixes ### 0.15.27 — 2021-10-01 We’re pleased to present two new Chord presets, including: - Soul Chords: Beautiful chords that include a lot of 7ths, 9ths, and 11ths – giving this organ-like sound a soulful feel. - And “Passage Chords,” inspired by vintage pop progressions and featuring a soft, breathy synth tone. ### 0.15.25 — 2021-07-22 Two new sets of presets, “1981” and “All Out,” are now available in the Orba app! To take them for a spin, you can load the new “Songs” for each, located in the Songs tab. You can also mix and match with your other favorite sounds by loading the individual presets for Drum, Bass, Chord, and Lead. - “1981” is a blast from the past. If Orba were a time machine, and it only went to one very particular decade, it might sound something like this. - For “All Out,” we went all out. It's a collection of presets that are loud, a little impolite, and way too much fun to play. ### 0.15.23 — 2021-06-22 UI improvements Minor bug fixes ## Apps similar to Orba (1) by Artiphon | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Roland Zenbeats](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roland-zenbeats/id1473380367) | 3.7 (253) | Free | Music | | [BLEASS Monolit](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bleass-monolit/id1589410030) | 4.8 (58) | Free | Music | | [VHS Synth \| 80s Synthwave](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vhs-synth-80s-synthwave/id1615208667) | 3.9 (115) | Free | Music | ## More apps by Artiphon Inc. - [Instrument 1](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instrument-1/id1029202919) - [Orbacam – Musical Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orbacam-musical-camera/id1506030954) - [Artiphon Connect](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/artiphon-connect/id1580767032) - [Minibeats - AR Musical Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/minibeats-ar-musical-camera/id6446599244) All apps by Artiphon Inc.: https://appshunter.io/developer/1029202918 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*