Suzuki OM-108 Omnichord Electronic Instrument

Released in 1981, the Suzuki Omnichord is an electronic musical instrument with an automatic accompaniment function (auto bass/chord) and equipped with a harp sensor. By pressing a chord button and sliding your finger on the harp sensor (strumplate), an arpeggio corresponding to the chord is heard, allowing anyone to easily accompany a song. Omnichord does not require any previous musical experience with an instrument, or even knowledge of staff notation. All that is needed are the chord names required to play a song which is a method commonly known as 'tab'. Combined with its portability, Omnichord became extremely popular, especially in Europe and America as a new musical instrument that anyone can enjoy anywhere.

In addition, due to the unique electronic sounds that are reminiscent of the 80's, and the tactile way musical expressions are achieved, Omnichord has developed cult status around the world. It not only appears in recorded music, but also publicity photos, and has featured in the titles of songs and albums. The Omnichord name was discontinued after the OM-300 (released in 1996), but its popularity as a unique musical instrument has endured the test of time, and now, over 40 years later the Omnichord returns with the OM-108.
Immediate accompaniment possible with simple playing techniques. Omnichord is an electronic musical instrument with an automatic accompaniment function (auto bass chord) and is equipped with a harp sensor (strumplate). Simply press the chord… read more button and slide your finger on the strumplate. It's as simple as that! With very little practice, you can play accompaniment to a song almost instantly.

Immediate accompaniment possible with simple playing techniques.
Omnichord is an electronic musical instrument with an automatic accompaniment function (auto bass chord) and is equipped with a harp sensor (strumplate). Simply press the chord button and slide your finger on the strumplate. It's as simple as that! With very little practice, you can play accompaniment to a song almost instantly.

Play anytime, anywhere.
Although it has a built-in speaker, the Omnichord is small, lightweight, and battery-powered*, making it easy to carry and play. Connect an external amplifier and headphones and you can perform anywhere! Perfect for when you're practicing in the studio, performing at a live venue, or just playing a favorite song in your bedroom.
*Powered by 8, AA batteries or dedicated AC adapter (both sold separately.)

For those with zero musical experience and professional musicians.
The OM-108 does not have a display like many electronic musical instruments, and the settings made using the buttons and knobs will sound as they are. It is an interface that is intuitive and easy to understand for those with no experience with musical instruments. At the same time, these tactile controls allow professional musicians and song writers to perform and compose in real time, while creating sounds on the panel. It can be used like a keyboard or rhythm machine, and you can also expand the tones with MIDI OUT. The attractiveness of an Omnichord is that whatever your ability or interest, you can make your own kind of music!

KEYBOARD
When this button is turned on, you can play selected chord buttons like a keyboard or drum pad. At the same time, a new feature has been added allowing drum pads to be assigned to the strumplate and auto-off touch pad.

VOICE
Equipped with 10 strumplate tones. In the reproduction, the tones of "omni1" and "omni2" are the same as those found on the OM-84, reproduced using analog circuitry. In addition, it is equipped with the electric piano "FM piano", which was all the rage in the 1980s, while carefully selecting "celeste", "harp", etc. from multiple models from the past. We carefully selected 10 tones which represent popular instruments from the past, and still resonate in today's music scene.
Tone: omni1/omni2/harp/celeste/A.piano/guitar/FM piano/organ/vibes/banjo

RHYTHM
Equipped with a selection of 10 rhythm patterns that correspond to a variety of music styles. For the first time on any Omnichord, the OM-108 features a trap beat (hip hop). In addition, although some rhythms share the same name as the past models, we have updated many, by incorporating a rhythm pattern that is more current.
Rhythms: rock1/rock2/slow rock/country/swing/disco/hip hop/funk/bossanova/waltz

CHORD
You can play 108 chords just by pressing 1 to 3 chord buttons. "Sus4" and "add9'' chords, which are often used in popular music, have been added to the OM-108

MAIN & SUB VOICE VOLUME
Each of the 10 tones can be layered with a second tone: Main Voice and Sub Voice, and these can be controlled with individual knobs. For example, when "harp" is selected, "harp" is assigned to the Main Voice, and "Synth Strings" is assigned to the Sub Voice. Create your own sound by adjusting each volume control, thus changing the balance between the two voices. Each Main Voice is pre-assigned with a tone as a Sub Voice that will resonate beautifully when layered.

STRUMPLATE
The strumplate is one of the Omnichord's major features. If you slide your fingers on the strumplate while holding down a chord button, the chord and corresponding arpeggio will sound, similar to a harp, across four octaves.

SPEAKER
When connecting to an external speaker etc., you can turn on/off the sound produced by the speaker of the instrument. We listened to the request of Omnichord players who wanted to monitor their own sound during live performances.

REAL-TIME CONTROL
It integrates multiple functions that allow you to change the way you play chords and rhythms, such as playing at free tempo, adding bass accompaniment, or starting with a drum prelude.

MIDI OUT
You can send chords, strumplate, and drum performance information via MIDI OUT. Strumplate tones can be sent on two separate MIDI channels, allowing for the layering of tones using external MIDI sound sources.

Features:

- You can play accompaniment straight away, even if you have never played a musical instrument before.
- The sound of the classic OM-84 is reproduced with analogue circuits.
- Equipped with both retro and new tones.
- Layer function that creates expression of sound.
- Updated rhythm selection with popular drum beats.
- Adding sus4 and add9 allows OM-108 to play 108 chords
- Sensitive strumplate that fully expresses light touch playing.
- Possible to play a melody using the chord buttons.
- Drum pad on both chord buttons and strumplate.
- Expand sound with MIDI OUT
- Can be switched to OM-84 drum kit.

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