Artiphon Orba
Last updated: 19 October 2026
No longer sold in the UK. The Artiphon Orba is a palm-sized synth, looper and MIDI controller that launched in 2020 at $99, about £74. When I checked on 19 October 2026, Artiphon's website no longer had its own shop and pointed buyers to a US retailer, and I struggled to find an Orba for sale new in the UK. Our gift guides below have plenty of presents that are still on sale.
What the Orba is
Artiphon is an American music technology company, and the Orba was its pocket instrument. It is a small dome with eight touch pads that you play with your fingertips, a bit like a games controller for music.
It started on Kickstarter in late 2019 with a $50,000 goal and raised almost $1.5 million, according to Wikipedia. Artiphon followed it with the Orba 2 in 2022, which added sampling and longer loops.
What it does
- Four-track looper: drums, bass, chords and a lead line.
- Gestures: gesture control for effects such as vibrato and slide.
- Built-in speaker and battery: play it anywhere, no laptop needed.
- MIDI controller: it can also drive music apps on a computer or phone.
Can you still buy an Orba?
Not easily in the UK. The Artiphon website now thanks customers for being part of "the Artiphon journey" and links the Orba to Guitar Center in the US. On Amazon UK I found only cases and charging cables for it. If you want one, the second-hand market is the realistic route.
Gift guides to try instead
- Gifts for music lovers: presents for people who live with headphones on.
- Gifts for techies: presents for people who like their gadgets.
- Gifts for kids and big kids: toys and games for all ages.
FAQs
Is the Artiphon Orba still available?
Not from Artiphon's own website, which no longer has a shop. I checked on 19 October 2026 and could not find a UK retailer selling it new.
How much was the Orba?
It launched in 2020 at $99, about £74 at the European Central Bank exchange rate on 19 October 2026.
What is the difference between the Orba and the Orba 2?
The Orba 2 added sampling and longer loops, up to 128 bars.
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