Artiphon Instrument 1 and Orba Users Sub-Forum

joegrant413

Thanks McD.

So I do have a 2A power supply coming in tomorrow. Sounds like the safer choice from what i have is to go with that.

McD

@joegrant413 said:
Thanks McD.

So I do have a 2A power supply coming in tomorrow. Sounds like the safer choice from what i have is to go with that.

To really nerd out… I’d like to insert a DC Amp-meter into the power line path and see how much current the Instrument 1 actually is using. I suspect it’s a very low power device and could well be under 1A.

The pragmatic guy says: try the 1A unit and see it it gets hot… that’s what happens when the device is forced to provide more current than it was designed/rated for.

But that 2A unit is a safe and sane choice.

joegrant413

Follow-up question. What exactly could get hot before burning out? The power supply or the Instrument 1? I can live the power supply dying a death for the cause of trial-and-error. Not the I1.

Also, would I feel the heat right away? Or would I have to hang around for a few minutes at least to monitor it?

joegrant413

BTW, a summary of this thread would make a good PSA to all gearhounds. I'm generally happy with the Reverb seller, but he pointed me to a 1000mA power supply. Methinks the salient points on this subject aren't well known, even by used music gear providers.

McD

@joegrant413 said:
Follow-up question. What exactly could get hot before burning out? The power supply or the Instrument 1?

The power supply will get hot. The most extreme example of asking for too much current is a short circuit which can create an IED.

But err on the side of protecting your expensive instrument and never take support advice from
a forum know-it-all. Still… fun to be had today, right?

I can live the power supply dying a death for the cause of trial-and-error. Not the I1.

Yes. I, of course, have no skin in the game.

Also, would I feel the heat right away?

Only if the Instrument 1 has a hardware fault… otherwise, I’ll would warm up slowly if it’s plugging close to that 1.5A spec. 18Watts is a lot of energy so the power supply is probably over specced to be safe.

Or would I have to hang around for a few minutes at least to monitor it?

Just touch it an after a minute or two of playing.

McD

I’m curious if you like it as a controller. I was gifted an Orba 1 and it made an excellent little MPE controller… I went crazy writing Mozaic scripts to re-purpose the MIDI output.

There’s a new Artiphon device called the Chorda that looks interesting as a small, portable MIDI controller.

joegrant413

You bet, I'll get back to this thread with my early thoughts. FWIW, I've used MIDI Guitar 2 on iOS off-and-on over the years, but never had a MIDI guitar per se. My main use case is to see if I1 helps me with initial ideation of song ideas. I'm not a super guitarist, but have years of playing baked into my fingers. Not so with keys. And I'd rather be using a "real" instrument than poking around with a MIDI piano roll from start to finish.

In other words, my main use case is not "performance" but song sketching.

Masanga

The Instrument 1 is a gorgeously versatile and expressive device, but it's not really a MIDI guitar; full barres are nigh-impossible and the rubber bridge triggers that simulate strings under the right hand are only really usable for strumming, not picking. It's with solo lines in tap mode that it really sings; I think of it as an MPE keyboard in the form of a highly customisable guitar fretboard that frees your natural left-hand technique from the tyranny of right-hand coordination and physical string pressure.

I hope we haven't seen the last of the Instrument 1. The Chorda isn't a particularly playable instrument in comparison, but if they were to swap the capacitative fingerboard on the Chorda for the I1's haptic 6-string version they'd have a next-generation cord-cut I1 Pro with Bluetooth MIDI and onboard sounds. It seems like a no-brainer and must surely be part of the roadmap; they already have all the elements and just need it to be viable in the market and business model.

joegrant413

Quick thoughts w/o taking time to deeply learn yet:

• The tap and grid capability could be more useful than the traditional guitar simulation. I don't have to fuss with any finesse.
• The setup isn't too bad so far. Got going quickly with Reaper on Macbook and with AUM on iOS
• Frankly impressed by the little stereo speakers! It's cool
• Usable in a parked car. Sounds quirky, but I enjoy writing stuff in car after dropping off a family member to work. The morning mind is more creative.
• My Traveler guitar is surprisingly going to be competition for the I1. The Traveler goes anywhere (duh), is easy to pickup and just playing, and with MIDI Guitar 2 on iOS also serves as quick pseudo-guitar with MIDI for song sketching.
• I really doubt I will ever think of I1 as anything close to a guitar substitute. The interface works for me, but the tactile feel of a real guitar and strings makes a difference.

In other words, I1 will have to stand on its own as cool and worthy MIDI interface to be a keeper. We'll see. Glad to have it.

McD

I took my new Orba 2 out of the box today and used it as a Midi Controller in AUM.
I ran the Orba 2 MIDI through some Mozaic Scripts I created with the Orba 1 and
pointed the output at 2 instances of Roli Noise. I got lost in play and 8 minutes later I had this:

TheMozaic script converts the Orba MIDI to a SamChillan (Intervalic PAD keyboard like the Misha has). It also has a RECORD/PLAY feature and that’s why the ostinato wood drum melody repeats for most of the session:

https://patchstorage.com/orba-rig/