Artiphon

Artiphon, Inc. operates as a developer and manufacturer of smart musical instruments, aiming to make music creation more accessible to a broad audience, from hobbyists to professional musicians. The Nashville-based company was founded in 2011 by Mike Butera and Jacob Gordon. Butera, the CEO, holds a Ph.D. in Sound Studies and conceived of a universal instrument after observing friends awkwardly using mobile phones to make music. His research into the relationship between technology and music laid the theoretical groundwork for the company's design philosophy.

Artiphon's business model centers on the direct-to-consumer sale of its hardware products through its website and retail partners like Sweetwater and Guitar Center. The company has successfully leveraged crowdfunding to launch its products, with its first instrument raising over $1.3 million on Kickstarter. This was followed by subsequent successful campaigns for its other products. Artiphon has also secured venture capital, raising a total of $2.73 million over five seed rounds, with notable investors including Warner Music Group, Steve Case (co-founder of AOL), and Swiftarc Ventures.

The company's product line is designed around principles of approachability and multiplicity, allowing one device to be played in various ways. Their first product, the INSTRUMENT 1, is a versatile MIDI controller that can be played like a guitar, violin, piano, or drum pad by connecting to software like GarageBand. It was named one of TIME Magazine's Best Inventions of the Year in 2015.

Subsequent products include the Orba and its successor, the Orba 2. These are palm-sized, portable synthesizers, loopers, and MPE MIDI controllers. The Orba 2 features a sound engine that allows for sampling any sound via a companion app, a built-in looper with up to 128 bars of recording time, and gestural controls like Tap, Vibrato, and Shake. Their latest product, the Chorda, builds on this technology, offering a different form factor with 12 touch-sensitive pads and a bridge for strumming chords. Unlike the INSTRUMENT 1, both the Orba 2 and Chorda have built-in sound engines and speakers, enabling standalone use. Beyond hardware, Artiphon is exploring augmented reality music experiences, partnering with Snap to create interactive AR lenses.

Keywords: music technology, smart instruments, MIDI controllers, electronic instruments, music creation, digital instruments, portable synthesizer, looper pedal, MPE controller, music hardware, Mike Butera, Instrument 1, Orba, Chorda, crowdfunding, Kickstarter, music sampling, creative technology, augmented reality music, Nashville startup