What if you could play any sound in the world, everywhere you go? You could make beats over breakfast, strum your favorite song on the subway, or compose a symphony in the park. What if making music became an essential part of your everyday life—a little lunch break distraction, a playful karaoke with a friend, or a relaxing way to unwind at the end of the day?
Chorda builds on Artiphon’s patented multi-instrument technology. Whereas most instruments are designed to be played one way, Chorda allows users to explore multiple instruments like guitar, piano, drums, synths, and more on the same interface.
Users will discover a world of intuitive gestures that capture even the most subtle micro-movements. Chorda has 12 musical pads that react to users’ fingers moving along the playing surface in multiple dimensions. Just as you’d never play the same pluck on a banjo or the same beat on a drum set, Chorda lets you Tap, Press, Radiate, Tilt, and add Vibrato to instantly express yourself with music.
One of the most noteworthy features of Chorda is its new bridge section. Using the bridge, you can play with “Smart Strum” – automatic chords that are always in tune, and just as swipeable as Instagram. It’s never been easier for users to play their favorite songs, even if they’ve never played a single chord on the guitar. And the bridge does a lot more than that: use it with the built-in arpeggiator, speed up or slow down the tempo of the song, change the key, and more.
“We believe musical instruments should adapt to the way you play, to invite creativity every day,” explains Mike Butera, Artiphon Founder and CEO. “We’ve dreamed of allowing anyone to play any sound they can imagine, anywhere they go, without worrying about historical instrument skills or abstract music theory.”
Those familiar with Artiphon may see a resemblance with INSTRUMENT 1 – Artiphon’s first product with a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign. Unlike INSTRUMENT 1, Chorda features built-in sounds, so there’s no requirement to be tethered to a computer. Chorda also has a dramatically-improved playing interface, using capacitive sensing technology just like a phone screen or computer trackpad.
And just like Artiphon’s Orba product line, Chorda includes a revolutionary synth and sample engine. Chorda offers hundreds of sounds built right into the device itself, plus the ability for users to make their own with the cross-platform app. Using this endless library of sounds, users can also layer loops right on the device. Everything needed to make a song is already built into Chorda: no additional screens or cables required.
Even with its immediate playability and minimalist design, Chorda has surprisingly impressive music technology under the hood. Use Chorda to control any MIDI-based software and hardware instruments (via USB-C or wirelessly via Bluetooth MIDI). It works with GarageBand, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase, FL Studio, and any standard MIDI and MPE-compatible mobile app or hardware.
Chorda is available in three colors: black, white, and blue, and is available to pre-order at Koala Audio or a authorised Artiphon Reseller. First shipment is expected in November
About Artiphon
Founded in 2011 and based in Nashville, TN, Artiphon designs smart instruments for the following billion musicians by combining hardware, software, and interactive media apps that anyone can play. The company’s electronics products, Orba, Orba 2, and INSTRUMENT 1, are award-winning handheld smart instruments that let anyone create music wherever they go. Artiphon’s founder/CEO, Mike Butera, holds a Ph.D. in Sound Studies. Artiphon’s investors and partners include Warner Music Group, Snap, Shure Microphones, and other industry leaders.
