AudioThing Orbita: a Euclidean drum machine for desktop and iOS

AudioThing Orbita is a new 8-track sample-based Euclidean drum machine plugin for macOS, Linux, Windows, and iOS.

Classic drum machines use so-called XOX-style sequencers. These are inspired by vintage Roland instruments and are usually programmed step by step using 16 hardware buttons.

Things get more complex with a Euclidean-based sequencer that uses a mathematical formula to spread a set number of notes or hits as evenly as possible across a fixed number of steps. AudioThing has released Orbita, an easy-to-use drum machine that follows this concept.

AudioThing Orbita

Orbita is a new Euclidean rhythm drum machine plugin for macOS, Linux, Windows, and iOS. AudioThing says the new Orbita plugin is designed to create, evolve, and interlock grooves with ease.

It’s built around a circular sequencer powered by eight sample-based tracks. Each track can hold a sample you can shape with its own multimode filter (2-pole/4-pole), perfect for removing unwanted frequencies or adding character.

Alongside the filter, each track has its own AD envelope for the sample, with a reverse option and a multi-wave LFO you can send to pitch, pan, volume, cutoff, or resonance. A parameter that lets you easily add movement to your tracks.

The engine uses samples you can choose from the internal sound library, with various ready-to-use factory banks. It includes acoustic but also many drum machine-based kits: 808, CR-78, DD-10, DR-220A, Elsita, LELL UDS, SR-LP-88, Super Drums, Super Percussions, Ult-Sound DS-2, and more.

Alternatively, you can import your samples into the bank editor, rearrange them with drag-and-drop, and save them as custom banks.

Euclidean Sequencing 

AudioThing Orbita’s key feature is its circular sequencer, which differs significantly from a traditional XOX machine. It lets you distribute beats across eight tracks and instantly explore polyrhythms. 

On the left side of the UI, you can sync the rhythm freely or to your host tempo, adjust its tempo, set its reset point, and control the sound engine’s volume.

Things get interesting on the right side, where you can immerse yourself in the Euclidean world. Each track comes with its own set of sequencer parameters.

First, you can define the number of steps distributed on the Euclidean field from 0 to 16, which is the length of this specific track. Yes, each track can have its own length. 

Then you need to trigger these sounds. The Hits parameter does this and adds triggers. Not manually, but they are automatically spread as evenly as possible across the cycle. For extra dynamics in the track, you can also use accents to make certain hits louder. 

One look further, AudioThing Orbita also has an “offsets” parameter that rotates the pattern around the cycle without changing its set number of steps or hits.

This gives you instant new variations on how it interacts with the other tracks. Swing shifts the timing feel, adding groove and an organic feel. Plus, you have more sound-related parameters: pitch, pan, and volume. Neat, each track also has dedicated mute and solo buttons.

First Impression

At first glance, Orbita looks like a lovely drum machine cross-platform plugin. To me, it’s well suited as an entry-level drum machine for exploring the Euclidean world easily.

AudioThing Orbita is now available at an introductory price of 39€, down from 69€. It runs as a VST, VST3, AU, CLAP, and AAX plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel), Linux, and Windows. The iOS version is out now on the Apple App Store for $9,99.

More information here: AudioThing 

Available from my partner 

Plugin B.

Plugin News