Odd Studio Odd Ball review

Odd Studios ODD Ball: What is it?

The ODD Ball is a rubber ball that can be bounced, and as it does, it sends messages via a dedicated iOS app or via Bluetooth MIDI DAWS on a computer. It feels like a refreshing change from using backlit pads for everything!

ODD Ball ships in a cardboard box, and within that box is a groovy-looking padded tin to be placed for storage and transportation. It also includes a compact printed manual and a USB cable. The ODD ball is bigger than we estimated, measuring 7.5cm and weighing 200g. It’s quite mysterious, has a sphere with a small hole in it, and a discreet ODD ball logo.

The first step is to charge it, during which a faint flashing LED can be seen. A six-hour initial charge is recommended a little buzzy if you’re the impatient type. The USB cable has a regular ‘A’ connection on the computer end, while the other end has a circular power connector that goes deep into the hole we mentioned – it couldn’t be easier to replace if lost Is.

Odd Studios ODD Ball: Performance and Verdict

The fastest way to go is with the free iOS/Android app, where sounds can be assigned to the ball, and backing tracks can be launched, including disco, grim, and rock.

You can also record samples, and trigger them, using your mobile device’s microphone. A looping section is included, where the pass can be overdubbed with various sounds. Note that we bounced at a safe distance from our studio setup and other breakable items!

Also read: Apple AirPods Pro vs Beats Studio Buds: Can Beats Beat the Pros?

Also consider…

(image credits: Artiphone)

, artiphone orba
A MIDI controller, looper and synth controlled by gestures including Touch, Wave, Tap, Glide.

, Enhancement Neova Ring Controller
Can send up to four parameters at once based on Vibrato, Tilt, Pitch Bend and Roll.

We were looking forward to trying the ODD Ball with Ableton Live; Enabling it requires the Korg Bluetooth MIDI app and the ODD Pro application, through which the ODD Ball can be configured to send MIDI notes or CC. There’s also an arpeggiator with user-definable notes, and direction controls, and sensitivity controls, which respond from a full boom to a gentle tap.

The ODD Ball will trigger Ableton’s MIDI effects instruments, filters, anything you can imagine, and it can work especially well with arpeggiators, and randomization tools, where each bounce is a different note, Triggers the effect or clip. It’s probably not something you’d use for an entire live set (well, you never know), but it certainly offers a different perspective. We’ve paired the ODD Ball with the Akai Force (which supports Bluetooth MIDI), and had a chance to use it with the Force’s pads, knobs, and of course the xy touch screen. Somehow it sounded even better than using it with a DAW – getting this unlikely pairing to work together was a real treat.

It would be even more stimulating if a bunch of ODD Balls were left loose – it would be like a real-world version of the infamous Bouncing Balls in the old Lemur app! It will also be a fun sight to see what action a good juggler can do with this device.

Being able to assign only one parameter at a time is limiting, though we’ve seen a software update that’s supposed to add more control via spinning and shaking, so that’s likely to open things up somewhat.

ODD Ball is like a toy, but we don’t mean it in a derogatory sense. This can be great in educational or therapeutic environments, as well as having a unique control interface for curious electronic musicians.

MusicRadar’s verdict: ODD Ball is fun, and it’ll get you out of a creative rut. Looking forward to adding new features.