# Orba (1) by Artiphon — user reviews > 87 indexed App Store user reviews of Orba (1) by Artiphon by Artiphon Inc., rated 3.26/5 from 35 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orba-1-by-artiphon/id1501846265/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orba-1-by-artiphon/id1501846265.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 13 · 4★ 5 · 3★ 3 · 2★ 6 · 1★ 8 ## 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 ## Newest reviews (15 of 87) ### 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. ### 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 :( ### 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. ### 2/5 — No quantization ?? *2022-05-27, version 0.15.31* No quantization :( ### 2/5 — I NEED HELP *2022-03-10* So I was on the iOS app and I start to get a song but I decide to stop and so I exit out of the app when I was setting up the bass now my Orba is unresponsive PLEASE HELP **Developer response:** Hey there, I'm so sorry your Orba is giving you trouble. Can you drop us an email at support@artiphon.com? We're standing by and are ready to help get your Orba back up and running. Thanks! ### 3/5 — Unique innovation/great potential for disability access *2022-01-27* Wish upgrades could install via ios app. **Developer response:** Thanks for your review. For now, you will need to update your firmware via USB cable and computer. But we're constantly working on improving the updating process. We appreciate your feedback. ### 2/5 — Orba not connecting on iOS 15.1 *2021-11-02* Given the quality of the orba itself, I’m a bit surprised by the app. The interface is a bit clunky, but even beyond that I can’t get my orba to connect to it at all. It says it’s connected in the Bluetooth menu but the app itself doesn’t say it’s connected, and won’t control the Orba. New issue? ### 2/5 — Has potential but needs work *2021-09-19* The ios app version of this is a bit buggy. It said update firmware of orba on pc and when I opened the pc app it told me to download the pc app to update lol. I was able to close the message and go to settings and find a firmware update there, but it should have been possible through the phone app. The software allows me to change sounds per instrument on the pc version but on ios it changes all of them at once. As others have said I would love an option for on the fly quantization. Some more instrument sounds would be great too. I love the hardware and think if the software can be updated I would like it even more. ### 1/5 — IPhone 11 *2021-05-15, version 0.15.18* Does not recognize my Apps either… ### 1/5 — Damn problem *2021-05-13, version 0.15.18* Iphone 8 does not recognize orba .... too bad Orba is really great ### 1/5 — Terrible *2021-04-14, version 0.15.14* All reviews are true. Avoid this product. Doesn’t connect at all - they’ve recommended iPhone upgrade - still doesn’t work. Hoping to return this ### 1/5 — So disappointed *2021-04-10, version 0.15.14* The app doesn’t work period. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work at all *2021-04-06, version 0.15.14* The app is completely unusable. Everything is grayed out, nothing can be selected. Not sure what the point of the app is... firmware updates fail, unsure why. Seems to connect to Bluetooth fine, but that’s about the extent of it. Bluetooth connection does nothing, can’t create a new song, can’t upload songs or sounds, etc. May return this product all together. ### 1/5 — Very restrictive *2021-04-03, version 0.15.14* Does not Allow customize of all instruments and ability to save/create custom packs. The Orba obviously has a lot of internal,sound potential. In its current form it’s more of a toy. Scales: Changing scales does not work Stuck with the same note tuning regardless of any scale selection ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 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 ### 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. ### 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. ### 1/5 — Bluetooth Failure *2022-05-04* Phone shows Bluetooth connected to the device but app doesn’t. Sadly app is effectively pointless iOS 15.4.1 iPhone 12 Pro **Developer response:** Hey there, I'm sorry the app is giving you trouble. Please send us an email at support@artiphon.com and we'll help resolve this issue. We'll be on the lookout for your email. Thanks. ### 1/5 — Download From Their Website *2022-05-02, version 0.15.31* The native app through the App store won't let you update firmware. You have to download the desktop version from the dev's website in order to update on iMac M1 24" ### 1/5 — iOS App doesn’t work *2022-01-08* I have tried everything to connect my Orba to my phone. FireWire has been updated via desktop app. Device shows up in Bluetooth connection, but app continues to show no “no device connected”. Desktop app work just fine. **Developer response:** Hey there, I'm so sorry your Orba isn't connecting. Please drop us an email at support@artiphon.com and we'll be happy to resolve this issue for you. We're standing by and ready to help. ### 1/5 — Horrible interface, zero customization *2021-12-25* Good for maybe a child. **Developer response:** Hey there, thanks for sharing your thoughts on Orba. Our goal with Orba is to spark creativity in someone who might not normally consider themselves creative. If there's something wrong with your Orba please feel free to drop us a line at support@artiphon.com. We're happy to help. ### 1/5 — Useless *2021-11-12* The Orba won’t connect to anything until I download the app on a desktop computer and runs firmware update. Okay, did that. 3 seconds in to the update download the app says it can’t find any such update and then greys out (removes from accessibility) the update option. I still can’t connect my Orba to anything and I am not given an update option that it keeps telling me I need. This means I cannot save songs. So what’s the point? This thing is an expensive paper weight. Do not buy this device **Developer response:** Hey Michelle, I'm so sorry Orba is giving you trouble. Can you drop us an email at support@artiphon.com? We'll make sure everything is working smoothly so you can save your songs. Our support team is standing by and ready to help. ### 1/5 — Doesnt connect to Orba *2021-09-22, version 0.15.25* I have yet to get this app to connect to my Orba. It finds the orba and im able to select it from the menu and it reads connected. However, nothing responds and the app continues as if nothing is connected. Has anyone been able to get this app working? IOS version 14.7 and still does not work. Awesom toy and would love to save some songs and get new sounds but the option just doesn’t exist at this point ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 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. ### 5/5 — Awesome *2022-04-17* Love the app/device pairing. Easy to save/store loops on the app as well! **Developer response:** Hey there, thanks for the review! We're glad to hear you're enjoying your Orba. ### 5/5 — Great, I love it *2021-12-26* Everything is going really good I don’t know what y’all are talking about. 5 stars Thank you for this amazing music maker Merry Christmas and happy new year! ! ! ! ! ! ! **Developer response:** Thanks for your review! We're happy to hear you're enjoying your Orba. ### 5/5 — Single finger chords made easy. *2021-02-19, version 0.14.34* I’ve only just got my Orba and I usually use a small midi keyboard plugged into my iPad with the CCK. I’m not a trained musician, far from it in fact, but I’ve managed to knock up a few songs which I’ve posted to SoundCloud. The best feature I’ve found so far is the ability to play single finger chords on the Orba, and the choice of chord types in the app. The hardware and the app are designed to give people like me the opportunity to make music, without the endless hours of study and practice usually required. I’m old and I never had the opportunity to learn an instrument as a child, and I don’t have years and years in front of me to start now. This probably could be improved and I’m sure it will be, but it does what it needs to and I’ve found it very useful. ### 4/5 — Bluetooth Connectivity is Awful *2021-12-26* Love the Orba but the App is useless until they figure out the Bluetooth connectivity issues. On an iPhone12 with latest OS15.3 and it’ll say it is connected under the app bluetooth menu, but then on the main app screen says no device connected. I can’t change the sounds or anything else without it. Update: Had to update the firmware on the Orba itself by plugging it into a computer and downloading. Would’ve been nice if it had come updated, but it works great now that it has been updated! **Developer response:** Hey there, thanks for your review. We're constantly working on improving the firmware updating process and appreciate your feedback on this. If you run into any more trouble please reach out to us at support@artiphon.com and we'll be happy to help. ### 4/5 — Nice gadget *2021-06-23* App is going well, in an iPad Pro 2017 runs excellent, but I wish I could editing or put more sounds in the repository. Orba has a lot of potential for vocalists who wants to experiment with a synth without sacrifice the stage performance. Works good with other apps like moog’s model D, making a really interesting combo with a lot of possibilities. I hope the company open more to the custom option in the future. ### 4/5 — game changer *2020-12-25* i love the orba on its own as a device, its everything i expected it to be when i opened it and its a kickass midi with many capabilities at a very reasonable price. the only issue i'm having with it is that the bluetooth capabilities fail and randomly disconnect, even when in range and everything is fully charged. i'm hoping its just a bug with the app and not the bluetooth from the device itself, and maybe is something that could be fixed with an update. otherwise, i highly recommend you purchase one and i always recommend artiphons products to every producer i meet. the instrument one and the orba are both game changers and great pieces to add to your collection. i also love the fact that you can use it right out of the box and as a standalone device, if there ever is an instrument 2 i hope it comes like that as well. if the bluetooth failure on this app is fixed i will happily change my rating to 5 stars! **Developer response:** The Bluetooth compatibility issue has been resolved in iOS 14.3. Please update your iOS in Settings>General>Software Update. ### 4/5 — (Updated) Doesn’t stay connected *2020-12-23, version 0.14.28* Update: had to update my phone’s firmware. It connects well now Love the Orba instrument, but connectivity issues on the app make it useless on mobile. It would not stay connected on GarageBand either. It works fine on my Mac connected with a USB cable ### 4/5 — Good but needs improvement *2020-12-19, version 0.14.27* It is a good app that allows you to change or a presets, but sometimes looses connection and the app needs restarting, I’m sure it will be improved later on!! ### 4/5 — Not ready *2020-12-18* App doesn’t not connect most of the time. When it does, the app crashes each time I try to download sounds/save song, etc. Then it doesn’t connect to ORBA and I have to turn ORBA off and then back on and do the same with the App. Also l, app is very limited. There should be more sounds. Finally, we should be able to mix different sounds from different themes and turn this toy into an instrument. ORBA is a cool little machine, though. Fun to play with but too limited until the app is further developed. **Developer response:** The Bluetooth compatibility issue has been resolved in iOS 14.3. Please update your iOS in Settings>General>Software Update. --- *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.*