# Orphion

> Virtual musical instrument with unique string/percussion sound for expressive melodies. (iPhone/iPad app by Bastus Trump.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orphion/id495465097 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Bastus Trump](https://appshunter.io/developer/495465100)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: $3.99 with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 31 App Store ratings · 111 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 7.0 · 27 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), European Portuguese, Russian, European Spanish
- Released: 2012-01-21
- Data updated: 2026-08-02
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orphion/id495465097/reviews.md

## What is Orphion?

## Featured by Apple as "Band in your Hand" and 'Explore your creativity' ##

Orphion is a musical instrument with a unique sound between string instrument and percussion. Everyone can play expressive, wonderful sounds and easy or virtuosic melodies on it just by moving fingers on virtual pads.

This video shows you more: https://vimeo.com/35131490

What can I do with it?

• Express the sounds you feel
• Play polyphonic music very expressively
• Crazy drumming
• Dream and relax
• Create soundscapes and melodies without musical knowledge
• Visually explore music and music theory

Features:

• Different articulations from soft to plucked to hardly slapped
• Natural interaction
• Extend your ways of expression as a percussionist, guitarist, pianist or other musician
• 15 transposable pad layouts with different tonalities from easy to complex 
• 8 individual voices for 8 fingers
• MIDI support: Play your favorite synth with the revolutionary Orphion interface
• Audiobus support: Stream live audio from Orphion directly to other Audiobus-compatible apps
• Orphion Editor (availible as upgrade): Create and share your own custom pad layouts. Download new pad layouts from Orphion Universe

What others say about Orphion:

"We love this instrument! So cool. Great for Deep House, IDM, Ambient, and whatever!" - iPadloops
"A simple but profoundly beautiful and expressive music app" - Evolutionaryarts.org
"Orphion is very customizable and flexible — truly functioning as a full-fledged electronic instrument" - Harrison Weber, The next web

Follow on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Orphion
or Twitter:
https://twitter.com/OrphionApp

## Key features

- Unique string and percussion sound
- Expressive polyphonic music
- Intuitive finger pad interaction
- Customizable pad layouts
- MIDI and Audiobus support
- Multiple articulations

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: $3.99.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Orphion Editor | $0.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Orphion?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🎵 Unique and expressive musical instrument design
- 👍 Intuitive touch interface for playing music
- 🎛️ Customizable pad layouts and configurations
- 🔌 Works well as MIDI controller for other apps
- 🎨 Beautiful, simple, and elegant user interface
- ⚡ Responsive and fast pad response
- 🎼 Multiple pre-built scale and layout options
- 💪 Highly expressive velocity and touch sensitivity
- 🎹 Suitable for both musicians and non-musicians
- 🌟 Unique sound character (koto-like tones)

**Cons**

- 🐛 Audio crackling and distortion issues on recent iPadOS versions
- ❌ App crashes and fails to launch on newer devices
- 📱 UI rendering problems on iPad mini and newer iPad models
- 🔧 Abandoned by developer - no updates or support
- 🚫 Incompatible with latest iPadOS (18+)
- 🔌 MIDI functionality broken in some configurations
- 🎵 Limited sound variety (one-trick pony sonically)
- 📞 Developer unresponsive to support requests
- ⚠️ Forced Apple restrictions crippled original features
- 🔊 Audio output issues over connection ports
- 📡 Bluetooth connectivity problems with headphones
- 🎛️ Sensitivity and control issues after updates

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Audio crackling and distortion on iPadOS 18 and M4 devices
- App crashes on startup with recent iPad OS versions
- UI elements out of place on iPad mini
- MIDI not working in AUM and other DAWs
- Virtual MIDI instruments not detected when loaded as IAA
- App stops playing audio when iPad is closed
- Bluetooth headphone connectivity issues
- Orientation stuck on iOS 11+
- Pad sensitivity issues after iOS 8 update
- Velocity feature removed after forced Apple update
- App crashes intermittently even after reboot
- Incompatibility with newer iPad models (10.5 inch)
- SoundCloud upload function non-functional
- Forum support page returns errors

**Most requested features**

- Recording and export functionality
- Additional sound patches and voices
- Custom scale and layout editor
- Pitch bend and modulation wheel controls
- AudioCopy/Paste support
- AirPlay support for wireless speaker output
- More velocity increment options
- Adjustable timbre per touch type
- Finer sensitivity slider adjustment
- Support for different scales (Dorian, Hijazkiar, etc.)
- Sequencing and arranging features
- iPhone version of the app
- More pad layout options
- CC support for different synths
- Mono output option

## Recent user reviews (10 of 111)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orphion/id495465097/reviews.md

### 4/5 — It does still work with workarounds, mostly

*2026-06-04, version 1.9.1*

Really cool sounding fun app but what other reviewers say is true - the sound is now distorted (I’m using IOS26) and works inconsistently in AUM. I just tried it in AUM and it played but couldn’t bring up the settings menu or change anything, and previously I recall there were other odd things that made it unusable in AUM. However I did find consistently if you load any other random app in AUM then open Orphion outside in standalone it works fully with no distortion on IOS26. I have also used it to control other midi apps in standalone without AUM. However I have never been able to connect to the “Orphion Universe” to download whatever is available there. So in standalone mode in conjunction with AUM it still is a cool usable app.

### 5/5 — The best iOS Instrument - No Longer Works

*2026-04-27, version 1.9.1*

I have loved Orphion since its inception many years ago. It is one of my favorite instruments I’ve ever played. Sadly, it no longer works. It became problematic a few years ago where it would have cracking audio using audio over the connection port. Now with latest iPadOS updates, Orphion just stopped working. On occasion it will work for a bit after a full iPad reboot, but then falls apart. It also renders weird with UI elements out of place especially on iPad mini. Ive tried so many times to get in touch with the developer. Emails, Social, Forum posts but, it seems to be abandon-ware. This is my last resorts attempt to plead for an update to give this incredible instrument life again. Would be a dream to have it load up again and play in a host like Loopy Pro. In happy to beta test if its helpful! I’d want to help keep this alive in any way I can. May be with an update we could get the “special playing option” in there again.

### 2/5 — crackles

*2025-01-04, version 1.9.1*

Crackles on iPad 9 with iPad OS 18. I see another user reports same on an M4 device, so it's not just the hardware. This was a fun and useful app, have used with all of my iPad going back to second generation. Hope output quality can be improved!

### 2/5 — Crackles on M4 OS 18

*2024-10-11, version 1.9.1*

I really love Orphion. It’s a wonderful touch instrument. However, I am experiencing crackling on my M4 iPad with iPadOS 18.

### 5/5 — Beautiful instrument

*2024-02-25, version 1.9.1*

Expressive control and unique sound make an evocative instrument.

### 2/5 — Another broken app (yawn)

*2022-09-19, version 1.9.1*

Does not work in AUM. Virtual MIDI cannot find instruments when loaded as IAA. Workaround before I delete? Its not a good sign when the forum web page brings up an error.

### 5/5 — The iPad Classic

*2021-05-11, version 1.9.1*

I’ve used Orphion since the beginning on an original iPad. It’s still great!

### 5/5 — Amazing piece of iPad gear . . .

*2020-09-13, version 1.9.1*

Bastus Trump built this years ago. As a musician Orphion is as valuable to me owning a set of redwood marimbas. It's an amazing piece of equipment in my arsenal. It helps me make meditational pieces. At this point the program is totally customizable. I love it. Spend some time with it -- you will love it too . . .

### 4/5 — InvokeMusicINVK

*2020-04-09, version 1.9.1*

Love using this app. It brings a new and fresh idea to my tracks when producing. I wish more additional sounds would be added.

### 3/5 — Sounds nice but

*2019-12-29, version 1.9.1*

I can’t use my power beats pro with this app for some reason I restarted it reinstalled it re paired my headphones and nothing as soon as I leave the app the headphones connects

## Frequently asked questions about Orphion

### What is Orphion?

Orphion is a virtual musical instrument that offers a unique sound combining elements of string instruments and percussion. It allows users to create expressive melodies and sounds by simply moving their fingers on virtual pads, making it accessible to everyone.

### What are the key features of Orphion?

Key features include a unique sound, expressive polyphonic music capabilities, natural finger pad interaction, and various articulations from soft to percussive. It also supports MIDI and Audiobus for integration with other music apps and offers customizable pad layouts.

### How much does Orphion cost?

The base Orphion app is free to download and use. Additional features, such as the Orphion Editor for creating custom pad layouts and downloading new layouts from Orphion Universe, are available as in-app purchases or upgrades.

### Can I use Orphion with other music software?

Yes, Orphion supports MIDI output, allowing you to play your favorite synthesizers and virtual instruments with its unique interface. It also features Audiobus support, enabling you to stream live audio directly to other compatible music applications.

### Who is Orphion designed for?

Orphion is designed for anyone who wants to explore their creativity through music. Whether you are a seasoned musician looking for a new expressive tool or someone with no prior musical knowledge wanting to create beautiful sounds and melodies, Orphion is suitable for you.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.9.1 — 2018-08-13

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

bugfixes

### 1.9 — 2017-04-02

Support for Audiobus 3 with MIDI

### 1.7.2 — 2015-08-30

Now supports Audiobus remote triggers
Fixes crashing on iPad Air, Air 2 and mini 2

### 1.7.1 — 2015-08-29

Now supports Audiobus remote triggers

### 1.7 — 2014-09-24

Optimized for iOS 8
New interactive tutorial
Support for Audiobus 2 with state saving

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## More apps by Bastus Trump

- [orphinio](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orphinio/id685961117)
- [Pudel Felix](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pudel-felix/id949272791)

All apps by Bastus Trump: https://appshunter.io/developer/495465100

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*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 2026-08-02.*