Using Artiphon Orba With a DAW, Live and in the Studio

To use an Artiphon Orba with a DAW, connect it by USB-C data cable, enable it as a MIDI input in your DAW, and arm a software instrument track. From there it works as a compact, expressive MIDI controller in the studio and on stage. This guide covers setup, recording, live performance and combining Orba with other instruments.

Step-by-step DAW setup

1. Update the Orba firmware in the Artiphon app.
2. Connect the Orba to your computer with a USB-C data cable (charge-only cables will not work).
3. Open your DAW’s MIDI preferences and enable the Orba as an input device.
4. Create a software instrument track and arm it for recording.
5. Play a pad. If the track meter moves, you are connected.
6. For expressive control, enable MPE on synths that support it, or use MIDI learn to map tilt and pressure to filter, volume or effects.

Artiphon lists support for major DAWs including Ableton Live, Cubase and FL Studio. Orba 2 can also connect over Bluetooth LE MIDI, which is convenient but adds a little latency.

Orba vs a traditional MIDI controller

Many producers use both: the Orba for sketching ideas and adding expressive parts, a keyboard for detailed editing.

Recording Orba in the studio

• Record MIDI, not just audio. MIDI lets you fix timing and swap sounds later.
• Record the Orba’s own sounds too. Take the headphone output into an audio interface line input.
• Low buffer while tracking. 64–128 samples keeps latency unnoticeable.
• Add space in the mix. Reverb and delay on a send make Orba leads sit naturally.

Live performance setup

1. Run the Orba headphone output to a DI box or mixer line input, never rely on the built-in speaker.
2. Charge fully and bring a power bank with a USB-C cable for long sets.
3. Use USB rather than Bluetooth when triggering a laptop on stage for a reliable connection.
4. Prepare songs in the app and practise loop transitions so you mute and unmute parts rather than recording everything live.

A compact stand or phone mount keeps the Orba visible and steady: desk mounts and stands.

Orba in a multi-instrument setup

• Play guitar or keys while an Orba drum and bass loop runs in the background.
• Sync tempo by setting the same BPM on Orba and your other gear or DAW.
• Use the Orba as an expressive lead controller for a synth plugin while other parts run from the DAW.
• In collaborative jams, give the Orba the rhythm role so other players can solo freely.

Solo performance and content creation

Orba suits short-form video: visible gestures, instant loops and on-device sampling (Orba 3) make “turn this sound into a beat” clips easy to film. Record audio from the headphone output rather than the phone microphone for clean sound.

Troubleshooting and next steps

• Not detected or MIDI misbehaving? See Orba troubleshooting.
• Want better loops? See Orba looping and sound design.
• Choosing a model? See Orba 2 vs Orba 3.