Manual

User Manual – Complete

View Orchid's user manual in full here.

Sound Selection & Chords

Orchid comes with a rich and powerful synthesizer engine, offering sounds that range from natural keyboards to ethereal deep space pads. With Orchid, making chords has never been easier!. Each Chord Type represents a different mood, influencing the h

Connections & Setup

Powering On & Rebooting

To turn Orchid on, hold the power button for one second. When you turn on Orchid, you'll see the logo and a short boot sequence. Then your Orchid is ready to play. To do a hard reboot, hold the power button for ten seconds.

Volume

What's in the Box?

Orchid. Looking at Orchid, you'll see:.

Orchid Chord Language

There are lots of different ways to talk about chords:. Major. Minor. Major 7th. Minor 7th. Dominant 7th. Diminished. Half-Diminished. Augmented. The diversity in notation usually reflects genre conventions:. Jazz prefers shorthand and compact symbol

Performance Modes

Once you have learned to play simple and complex chords, you can animate them using Orchid's feature-rich Performance Modes. Strum. Strum 2 Octaves. Slop. Arpeggiator. Arpeggiator 2 Octaves. Pattern. Harp. All timing-based performance modes sync with

Effects & Sound Processing

Orchid has a range of built-in sound effects designed to enhance and shape your sound. These effects allow you to create anything from subtle warmth to dramatic soundscapes. Each programmed sound in Orchid has a combination of FX stored within it. By

Key Mode & Transposition

Key Mode locks in fixed chords for each keyboard note based on the selected key, providing an intuitive way to stay within a musical scale while allowing for creative possibilities. When turned on, Key Mode automatically generates chords based on the

Bass Sound & Voicing

Adding bass to your chords can create depth and richness in your sound. Orchid has a dedicated bass synth engine that operates independently of the main synth engine. By holding down the Bass Dial for one second, you can access a menu to adjust the b

BPM Control & Timing Features

Several features in Orchid rely on a master BPM setting to control the overall pace of time-based effects and performance modes. The BPM Dial serves as the global tempo control, ensuring everything stays in sync. The BPM Dial ensures that all time-ba

Loop Mode & Layering

Effortlessly create and layer musical phrases in real time. Whether you're laying down chords, melodies, or rhythms, Loop Mode helps you capture your ideas and build upon them step by step. The Loop Dial functions differently depending on your curren

Options Menu

The Options Menu contains a variety of settings that change how Orchid operates, as well as system information. To access these options, use the Options Dial. Select different View Modes to customize the display:. Customize how audio is routed when a

Synth Engine

The Orchid Synth Engine is a rich and powerful sound generator, comprising three distinct synthesis methods. These three synth engines have been carefully designed to provide a broad range of sonic possibilities, from warm, analogue-like tones to dig

Battery & Charging

The Orchid contains a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. To ensure safe use and prolong battery life, follow these guidelines:

Safety Warnings & Precautions

Electrical Hazard. Always disconnect Orchid from power before cleaning or performing maintenance. Risk of Hearing Damage. Avoid listening at high volumes for extended periods to prevent potential hearing loss. Do Not Water Your Orchid. Keep Orchid aw

Maintenance & Care

Proper maintenance ensures Orchid remains in optimal condition for years to come. Follow these care guidelines:. Note: If you're reading this in the distant future after finding an Orchid in an antique store – hello! We hope musical technology has ev

Common Issues & FAQs

Turn up the Volume Knob. Check Performance Settings. Check Key Mode and Voicing Settings. Also check Transpose isn’t on. Exit Key Mode or change Key Settings. The Save State Feature will be coming in an update soon. Adjust Voicing Dial or Single Note

How to Update

To update Orchid's firmware version, head to https://firmware.telepathicinstruments.com/ and follow the on-screen instructions.

Getting Started

I have my Orchid. Where do I begin? First, charge your unit (you can use any USB-C charger), and update the firmware here to make sure you’ve got all of the coolest new features. Then… play a chord!