Suzuki Music Omnichord OM-108

Suzuki Music Omnichord OM-108 — Auto-Accompaniment Synthesizer With Harp Sensor

The Suzuki Music Omnichord OM-108 revives a 1981 favorite, inviting players of all backgrounds to create accompaniments within minutes. Choose a chord button, glide across the strumplate, and arpeggios emerge—notation skills are optional. For those seeking a tactile, expressive instrument with vintage charm and modern workflow, this model delivers.

What Sets the OM-108 Apart

Among the ten onboard voices, "omni1" and "omni2" feature real analog circuitry for the legendary OM-84 sound. Drum pad mode, new to the series, assigns percussion to both chord buttons and the strumplate. Players can use MIDI OUT to send chord, strumplate, and drum data on two channels, perfect for integrating with MIDI-equipped hardware or software instruments.

Ten Tones With Layered Main and Sub Voices

Each sound preset combines a Main Voice and Sub Voice, with independent volume knobs for blending on the fly. While "omni1" and "omni2" rely on analog circuits, the other eight tones use PCM sound sources.

• Tones: omni1, omni2, harp, celeste, A.piano, guitar, FM piano, organ, vibes, banjo
• Octave Range: 4 octaves across the strumplate
• Real-time adjustments are easy, thanks to separate controls for Main and Sub Voices.

108 Chords and 10 Updated Rhythm Patterns

The expanded chord library now includes sus4 and add9 types, which inspired the OM-108 name. Performers can switch instantly between free-tempo strumming, bass accompaniment, and drum intros without interrupting their flow.

• Chord Buttons: 38 buttons yielding 108 chord types — major, minor, 7th, major7th, minor7th, augmented, diminished, sus4, add9
• Rhythm Patterns: 10 patterns — rock1, rock2, slow rock, country, swing, disco, hip hop, funk, bossanova, waltz
• Performance controls such as Master Tuning, Transpose, Octave Shift, Sustain, and Chord Hold provide flexibility for any musical context.

Battery-Powered, MIDI-Equipped, Stage-Ready

Quiet stage monitoring is possible by muting the built-in 10 cm speaker, while the line out connects to PA or audio interfaces. Expect around eight hours of playtime from eight AA batteries. The included melody overlay for keyboard and detailed owner's manual round out the package.

• Outputs: MIDI OUT, 6.3 mm mono line out, 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack
• Power: 8 AA batteries or AC adapter (sold separately) — approximately 8 hours of continuous battery operation
• Dimensions & Weight: 457 x 250 x 52 mm, 1.2 kg — backpack-portable

From First-Time Players to Studio Producers

Beginners appreciate instant results with no need to read notation, while songwriters find inspiration in its unique chord textures. As a portable MIDI controller, the OM-108 stands out for its vintage character and compact size. The headphone jack and battery power suit home use; on stage, the speaker and MIDI OUT enable versatile connections. Artists like David Bowie, Brian Eno, and Gorillaz have all relied on this tactile sound.

The Return of the Omnichord, 40+ Years On

The original Omnichord from 1981 featured automatic bass/chord accompaniment and a harp sensor, designed for accessibility with just chord names. The OM-84 achieved cult status before the series ended after OM-300 in 1996, with second-hand demand growing as musicians such as Bowie, Eno, Gorillaz, Sean Lennon, and Tom Novembre adopted it. In June 2024, Suzuki responded to years of requests with a long-awaited revival.