Playtronica - Orbita

The Orbita looks like a crude record player and behaves like a sequencer. Place colored magnets on a rotating disc, and as they spin past a sensor arm, they trigger MIDI notes. Each of the twelve colors corresponds to a different pitch, and the distance from the center determines which of the four concentric tracks you're addressing. Simple concept, but with surprisingly amazing results.

Playtronica designed this device to make sequencing tangible. Instead of clicking around on a grid, you physically arrange your notes and watch them circle back around. The speed knob gives you analog control over tempo, and you can scratch the disc, reverse it, or nudge magnets mid-rotation for happy accidents. Four tracks can run simultaneously — assign them to different MIDI channels for multi-instrument arrangements, or keep everything on one channel across four octaves. Mute buttons let you drop tracks in and out, and a looper mode also makes it possible to record those mute gestures.

Connection is via USB-C, sending MIDI to your DAW of choice or Playtronica's browser-based synthesizer if you want immediate sound without much of a setup. There's also a 3.5mm MIDI output for controlling hardware synths directly. Advanced features include probability settings for each track (letting chance decide which notes actually fire), MIDI CC mode where colors control parameters instead of pitches, and velocity randomization for a more "humanized" organic feel.

Orbita offers a screen-free, playful, and very hands-on approach to live sequencing.

Features:

• Tactile MIDI sequencer with spinning disc and colored magnets
• 12 colors corresponding to 12 chromatic notes
• 4 concentric tracks for simultaneous melodic/rhythmic loops
• Analog speed control via rotary knob
• Track mute buttons (R, B, I, T)
• Looper mode for recording mute/unmute gestures over time
• Per-track probability settings for generative variation
• MIDI CC mode for parameter control instead of notes
• Velocity randomization option
• USB-C for MIDI connection to computers, tablets, phones
• 3.5mm MIDI OUT for hardware synthesizers
• Works with all major DAWs and Playtronica's online synth
• Disc can be scratched, reversed, and physically manipulated
• Dimensions: approx. Ø 220mm (disc), base 250 × 50 × 250mm
• Includes magnet set, USB-C cable, quick start guide