Orpheus bioacoustic playback device

Orpheus

Autonomous Bioacoustic Playback System

Solar-Powered Audio Lure. Autonomous. Built for Wildlife Research.

Overview

Orpheus is a sophisticated bioacoustic playback system designed for ecosystem management, habitat restoration, and wildlife research. Deployed as an autonomous acoustic audio lure at bird ringing stations, ecoacoustic monitoring sites, and conservation reserves worldwide, Orpheus gives researchers precise control over sound playback based on astronomical events, time schedules, and seasonal patterns — all while running on solar power for months without intervention. Available in Basic and Pro versions.

Not sure which approach fits your study design? Read our guide to bioacoustic field equipment — passive monitoring vs active playback, and where Orpheus fits.

Each Orpheus unit is hand-built to order. Pricing and lead times vary based on your configuration and current order queue. Contact us to discuss your needs and get a quote.

4 Intelligent Playback Modes

Orpheus Basic and Pro both feature four powerful playback modes designed for research-grade precision:

Manual Playback

Direct audio control with Play, Pause, and Stop functionality. Perfect for on-demand playback during field observations or controlled experiments.

Interval Playback

Schedule audio at precise time windows throughout the day. Set specific intervals for targeted playback aligned with your research protocol.

Astral Playback

Sun-synchronized scheduling that automatically adjusts to sunrise and sunset times. Ideal for studying crepuscular species and dawn/dusk behaviors.

Seasonal Playback

Natural season-based scheduling (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) with support for custom date ranges. Perfect for migration studies and breeding seasons.

Choose Your Version

Both versions share core playback capabilities. Orpheus Basic is available now and ready to order. The Pro adds advanced monitoring, recording, AI species identification, and automated reporting for comprehensive research deployments. Pricing for both tiers is determined by your configuration and current build queue — reach out for a quote specific to your order timing.

Feature Basic Pro
Manual Playback Mode
Interval Playback Mode
Astral Playback Mode
Seasonal Playback Mode
Solar Power Management
Deep Sleep Scheduling
Remote App Control (Bluetooth)
GPS Location Awareness
Touchscreen Display
Real-Time Solar Monitoring Pro
Environmental Sensors (Temperature, Humidity, Pressure) Pro
Audio Recording (16/24/32-bit) Pro
Playback Logging & Analytics Pro
Power Flow Visualization Pro
AI Species Identification Pro
Automated Research Reports (PDF) Pro
Multi-Device Management Pro

Key Features

  • Astronomical-Based Playback: Schedule bioacoustic playback relative to sunrise and sunset, automatically adjusting to seasonal light changes at any deployment location worldwide
  • Seasonal Programming: Define custom seasons for migration studies or use natural seasons with specific audio schedules for each
  • Location-Aware Scheduling: Latitude/longitude configuration ensures accurate sun calculations for any deployment location on Earth
  • Solar Power Integration: Built-in power management with real-time solar monitoring and deep sleep capabilities
  • Companion App Control: Configure and monitor remotely via Bluetooth with the Orpheus mobile app
  • Environmental Monitoring (Pro): Integrated sensors track temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure with data logging
  • High-Quality Recording (Pro): Capture animal responses with configurable bit depth (16/24/32-bit float) and sample rates
  • Comprehensive Logging (Pro): Detailed playback analytics with timestamps and location data for research documentation
  • AI Species Identification (Pro): Automatically identifies detected species from recordings, visualized in the research portal
  • Automated PDF Reports (Pro): Generate and export research-ready reports directly from your portal dashboard
  • Multi-Device Management (Pro): Monitor and manage multiple Orpheus deployments from a single portal account

Orpheus Companion App

Control and monitor your Orpheus device remotely via Bluetooth. Configure playback modes, adjust settings, sync time, and view real-time status from your phone.

Orpheus App

Android App v1.8.0

Download APK for Android devices

Coming Soon Orpheus App

iOS App

Available on the App Store soon

Applications

Environmental & Research

Wildlife Research

Deploy species-specific bioacoustic playback and audio lures for monitoring and conservation studies with sun-synchronized scheduling

Habitat Restoration

Create auditory landscapes to attract desired species to recovering ecosystems

Bird Ringing Stations

Autonomous acoustic bird lures for capture and population research — schedule playback around dawn and dusk when target species are most active

Migration Studies

Seasonal playback aligned with migration patterns for long-term deployments

Ecoacoustic Monitoring

Deploy sounds and record responses for ecosystem health assessment (Pro)

Human-Centered Applications

Museum Exhibits

Schedule context-sensitive audio content based on time of day or exhibit themes

PA Systems

Automated announcements and sound programs for institutions and public spaces

Technical Specifications

  • Processor: Custom integrated single-board computer with proprietary firmware
  • Power: Solar-powered with dedicated low-power management controller and scheduled wake
  • Current Draw: Optimized to ~50mA (67% reduction from initial design)
  • Sensors (Pro): Environmental (temperature, humidity, pressure) and power monitoring
  • Audio Output: High-quality amplified speaker system
  • Recording (Pro): USB audio device support, 16/24/32-bit float, configurable sample rates
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for remote app control
  • Display: Touchscreen interface with real-time status and controls
  • Storage: Expandable storage for large audio libraries
  • Enclosure: Weatherproof design for field deployment
  • GPIO: Integration for external equipment control (relays, triggers)

Bioacoustic Playback — Designed for Researchers, Built for the Wild

Every Orpheus is hand-built to order. Deploy an autonomous acoustic playback system that runs for months on solar power. Reduce manual work at your audio lure stations, enhance data accuracy, and let nature take its course.

Pricing and lead times depend on your configuration and where you fall in the build queue. Get in touch and we'll work out the details together.