Artiphon Avis 265

I got my kickstarter Orba way too late. Weeks after I bought another one online. About the same price.
The software is very bad (no save/load). Not suitable for serious stand-alone use.
It can be used as a midi controller via a USB-cable. But there are better and cheaper solutions for that.
Artiphon constantly promises improvement. Nothing.
I wouldn't buy it until Artiphon has the software in order ...
PS:
Yes, this is Artiphon's standard response. Translation:
- temporary = 4 months already
- it's our top priority = apart from selling cool stuff with bad software without a decent warning
- we are perfecting this feature = not possible because it is no longer there.

My review is in regards to the Orba. I ordered this innovative little device for my daughter as a Christmas present. I figured that with her I retest know music and her Autism and ADHD, this would serve as a wonderful stim device, as well as creative exploratory device for her.

She has had the Orba for a little over a month now and I have to say it meets the expectations set for the device. With the Orba app allowing for quick sound changes and a growing variety of different instruments available, my daughter has used her Orba to make some pretty interesting tunes.

Now the process of getting the Orba was not the smoothest, but to be fair, Artiphon is a small company that has had to deal with trade embargoes, and pandemic fueled logistical nightmares in order manufacture and distribute their product. So when I ordered the Orba in the beginning of October 2020, I did so expecting certain delays. What
I did not expect was a local of response from Artiphon to my early inquiries regarding my order and it’s delay. After grabbing the company’s attention on social media, I finally established a dialogue with a representative at the company. A new position had created at Artiphon to help handle customer inquiry, and responsiveness to communication now doing great. The representative was also open to my honest feedback, and when I mean feedback I mean constructive feedback not just complaining.

All in all , while my experience could have been smoother, this is a small startup company and bumps in the road are to be expected. What stands out to me is for one, the imagination that went into making the Orba. For real, if you are thinking about buying one just do it. It’s worth the wait, and I’m sure cool stuff is in the works for it as far as updates. The other thing that really stands out to me is the company’s willingness to adapt to new needs without making excuses.

Keep up the good work guys.

Ah, the Orba.

Do I dare order this amazing looking musical instrument for a loved one for Christmas? That was my question.

I was assured by the Customer Service Rep at Artiphon that all supply and shipping issues had been resolved, that most of them had been associated with the Kickstarter phase of the Orba.

The Rep told me that orders would ship in approximately 2 weeks, with an additional week for shipping. Three weeks, then. Was I brave enough to chance it? With her reassurances, yes!

When the Orba became available at an online music store two weeks in, I almost caved, but again she reassured me they could see when orders were shipping, there were no worries. And, guess what?! She was absolutely correct! My Orba gift was, in fact, early! It arrived 3 days prior to tracking information predicted.

Now the Orba itself. It was a gift, so I’ve been waiting for an honest review from the recipient or his wife. The fact that he is “sneaking off to play with it,” speaks volumes! It’s a hit! He adores it. It will be exciting to see what he can do with the Orba!

I’m glad to have supported the small business itself, rather than buying from a huge company, especially this year when small companies are a bit more in danger of closing. And the Rep was pleasant every time I contacted Artiphon, which was at least twice a week for three weeks.

It’s a success story! Thank you, Artiphon, for making my son in law’s (and thus, my) Christmas so very happy!

First of all, let me tell you, that I am far away from this modern mindset, that i, as the paying customer, have all rights to bash and smash around, because I am impatient and emotional.

Worked a decade in the front and back dealing with thousands of customers, gives me a clarified and real picture and also a neutral observed behaviour when it comes to such things.

Yes, artiphon was backed, yes they had issues and troubles, yes they delayed, yes it took way longer than expected. Instead of ranting around, I got in contact and from my first reply i got, i was informed clear and open.

I received the orba a few days ago.I am happy!

Backed them on kickstarter for the Orba. It's been over a year now and I still didn't receive anything. They are now selling the product in the shops where I live. I asked them for my money back in a chat on facebook, they pasted multiple pre-prepared texts to me.

Messages below if you care to read them.

My advice, just avoid them. Their kickstarter was a sham, and the final product doesn't live up to expectations from what I have been reading on the forums.

=== me ===

Hi artiphon,
I'm one of your Orba backers. The Orba I ordered didn't arrive in Switzerland as of yet. This is rather frustrating because I could actually get one in the shops here now. I can cancel my "backer" order and get a refund as it seems like you just can't deliver to me at all.

=== them ===
Hi, I can understand how frustrating it must be to see Orba in stores when you haven't received your pledge yet. We will be addressing this in a backer update that will be posted early this week along with some shipping updates for backers in Switzerland. However, while I have you here I can let you know that your order is out for pick/pack and will be leaving the warehouse soon. More specifics will be shared in that update.

=== me ===

This is so late now I really don't want the instrument anymore. That coupled with the disappointment of seeing how the whole campaign has turned out has just soured the whole thing for me. Because of this I'd rather just have my money back.

=== them ===

I totally understand your disappointment and I sincerely apologize, Darren. Unfortunately, we can't grant refunds on Kickstarter pledges. Please understand that we are an early-stage company and the pledges raised through Kickstarter provide much-needed funding to continue to keep the lights on for daily operations. Kickstarter is not a store in a typical sense, and your pledge is a commitment to support the project. I hope this clarifies things a bit, and I hope you understand our position.

We really value and appreciate your support.

Backed kickstarter project.
No email, no information bout when the Orba will be send out.
No update, no feedback

How can a backed up product from 2019 be still in transit, without ever leaving the factory?

Artiphon is a great scammer...got me fooled there.

Backed the Orba project on Kickstarter. After more than a year of waiting I have still not received a tracking number or estimate for delivery time. Apparently there are still hundreds (if not thousands) of backers who have not received the unit, while it is already commonly available in shops. Based on comments there were also problems in the previous Kickstarter project. Avoid.

I participate to the kickstarter for the orba
and i did not receive my orba.
I saw that some stores in my country already have the orba... i feel I feel betrayed

I backed the Orba project on Kickstarter.
After a year the product is in retail at a lower price than my early bird backing up and I still have not received it !!!!
That is in total breach of the early backing of projects.

I am an original backer.
after 1 year waiting, hundreds of emails sent and reseller already having access to the product, Me, a backer, didn't receive my Orba.

Look come for a scam

I haven't received my Orba yet. I can be patient about it due to the pandemic (1 year waiting), but I'm feeling cheated as a backer finding out the Orba is already available to buy on retailers and a cheaper price? Seriously? I'm feeling like my money and time has been used by a company to make profit and sell a product for more than its value, giving preference on logistics and customer service to big corporate retailers than to the people who initially believed and backed their project I regret this, and I definitely won't be backing projects of this company any more.

Shame on you Artiphon, This is a scam!

I'm also a Kickstart backer of this project; and after more than one year, I've got NOTHING, not even an explanation for this delay. But, oh surprise!: You can buy one of those devices in Amazon, and get it in no time.
What a scam!!

Not a trustable company at all.

Like many others I backed the Orba in most likely 2019, don't remember even more. While they told me in their usual answer they send the product in big piles so it can ned some time they already sent it to retailers of my country. Also they don't answer my mail anymore. Really disappointed of the company

I backed ORBA Kickstarter project in the end of 2019 with the promise that I will receive my device in April 2020. Long story short it is January 2021 and I still haven’t received anything. Tracking number I was sent months ago expired, week after week we get the same update that is obviously a lie and finally I found out that ORBA is available to buy from a number of online retailers and even on Amazon!!! So, I as an early backer was lied to and cheated out of my money. Artiphon don't answer their support emails and if they do, it is always the same no news copy-paste email. I requested I either get my money back or my ORBA - no answer. There are hundreds of comments with the same problem on Kickstarter.

Backed ORBA on kickstarter a year ago, in January 2020. Now, a year later, not a trace of the product I've paid for, and no money back either. Very disappointed in Artiphon, my lawyer is looking into the issue right now.

I'm backer number 4741 having pledged over 200 us dollars for 2 ORBAs waaaaay back over a year ago.
Other than excuses and apologies I have received NOTHING !!!
SADDENED AND DISAPPOINTED

Delays, lack of communication and a product that I can't use fully due to severe limitations with software. The app won't run properly on my Windows 10 laptop. My 8 year old Mac Mini can't install the app as the OS is 'too old' and the Android app is a total waste of time. Tested the app on two Sony phones and an Honor phone. The Bluetooth connection gets dropped after a few seconds and the app itself, even if it worked, is pretty poor. So I have an Orba, running the default sounds, I can't change them, I can't change the key and I can't update the Orba. I emailed Artiphon about the issue and other than receiving a message that dodged most of my problems, was told to update the Mac... I can't unfortunately. So the Orba has great potential, but software issues and poor customer service let's it down badly.

Worst kickstarter ever. They send it to stores MONTHS before fullfulling all backers, they kept using the pandemic excuse when it was obvious that they wanted to serve stores and other customers before backers who funded their project and paid in advance. The worst thing is the lies and the fact that they did the same thing with their first campaign. They also tried to charge extra shipping to american backers so they use an air shipping, but then they used air shipping on everyone, so they had to refund that money, only AFTER multiple complains... In the campaign they also promised no extra fees for delivery, like custom taxes and so on, but guess what? They tried to charge custom fees for Indian and Switzerland to the backers... All that while the product was available in online retailers for a similar price than the backers paid, and without any customs extra cost.

Also, the orba is not a finished product yet, multiple firmware errors and promised features that are not working yet. I hope this works when I recieve mine, whenever that is, but I feel insulted as a backer anyway.

I ordered my Artiphon as a contributor via Kickstarter over a year ago and seem to still being messed around with no product received. Despite the pandemic this is just too long.
I can actually order the same product directly via their retail partner in the UK and receive it tomorrow.
Their communications seemed honest but now I'm beginning to wonder as the keep messing me about.