Suzuki Omnichord OM-108

Introducing the Suzuki Omnichord OM-108

The Omnichord is an innovative electronic musical instrument, combining classic automatic accompaniment features with clever strumming sensors to allow anyone to easily accompany all kinds of songs.

Omnichord does not require any previous musical experience with instruments, or even knowledge of staff notation - all you need to know are the relevant chord names for each song and you're good to go!

An impressive selection of instrument tones, encompassing both new and retro styles, makes the Omnichord a joyous tool for musical exploration, and its portability and tactile nature have ensured its popularity among beginner musicians worldwide.

For more information, manuals and regular news updates, visit Omnichord Heaven, the official Suzuki Omnichord resource library.

A perfect musical starting point

To play your first chords, simply plug in the Omnichord, press a chord button and slide your finger on the strumplate. It really is that easy! With this method you can play accompaniment to almost any song on the very same day you first try the Omnichord. The OM-108's interface is so clearly laid out that even on first use, players can make rapid progress on the instrument and start composing their own songs.

A timeless selection of tones

The OM-108 offers a selection of 10 timeless instrument tones that blend retro charm with modern technology. Classic sounds like “celeste,” “harp,” and “acoustic piano” return from previous models, while the newly introduced “FM piano” pays tribute to the iconic electric sound that helped define 1980s music, when the Omnichord was originally released! The OM-108 also features “omni1” and “omni2,” which utilise real analogue circuitry for an authentic, expressive feel. Other tones, including guitar, organ, vibes, and banjo, are reproduced using PCM sound generation.

Layer function for nuanced expression

The orignal Omnichord model (OM-84) was equipped with two electronic harp tones, allowing the tones to be layered - mixed together at different volumes in a nuanced way. OM-108 reproduces this function, allowing you to layer multiple sounds by assigning one as a "Main Voice" and another as a "Sub Voice". To control each layer, simply turn the appropriate Volume knob for real time control changes.

Updated rhythm selection

While many of the rhythms in the OM-108 share names with previous models, they have been updated with fresh, contemporary patterns. For the first time on an Omnichord, a trap-style Hip Hop beat has been included, expanding the instrument’s versatility. In total, the OM-108 features a carefully curated selection of 10 rhythms designed to complement a wide variety of songs.

Now with sus4 and add9 chords too!

The “sus4”' and “add9” chords, often used in popular music, are now playable on the Omnichord by using different combinations of chord buttons. So, you can now play major and minor triads and 7th chords, diminished and augmented triads, and sus4 and add9 chords. That makes for a total of 108 chords (giving the OM-108 its name), a comprehensive harmonic selection for songwriters.

Sensitive strumpad, with drumpad mode included

The OM-108 features a wide-type strumplate, similar to models from the OM-100 onward, offering a highly responsive touch across its entire surface. This ensures a smooth and effortless playing experience, allowing musicians to focus on the details. For the first time, the OM-108 introduces a drum pad mode, assigning percussion sounds not only to the chord buttons but also to the strumplate. This innovative feature enables the creation of dynamic and unique beats using the OM-108’s retro drum kits, expanding its rhythmic possibilities.

Adding a melodic element

Pressing the "KEYBOARD" button transforms the chord buttons into a 20-key melody keyboard, with the ability to shift octaves up or down for extended range. Use the included melodic overlay sheet to transform your buttons into an intuitive keyboard setup. This feature also allows for layering tones, adding extra depth to your sound. Furthermore, when the “omni1” tone is selected, the keyboard operates in monophonic mode, while all other tones enable polyphonic play for a more complex texture.

Level up your songwriting with MIDI OUT

The OM-108 not only transfers chord, strumplate and drum performance data via MIDI OUT. Strumplate information can be sent on two MIDI channels, allowing you to layer tones with external MIDI sound sources, or to layer the OM-108 internal sounds with external sound sources. The OM-108 has evolved into an instrument that invites you to explore more varied sounds using MIDI.

Switch to the OM-84 drum kit

The OM-108 features rhythm voicing from the beloved OM-84, known for its iconic early 1980s retro sound. With a special power-on operation, users can seamlessly switch between the OM-108’s updated rhythm tones and the classic OM-84 voicing, offering great flexibility and a healthy dose of nostalgia.

Play anytime, anywhere

Although it has a built-in speaker, the Omnichord is small, lightweight, and battery-powered, making it easy to carry around and play on the go. Connect an external amplifier or headphones and you can perform anywhere: the studio, a live venue, or just your bedroom!

Real-time control

Using “REAL TIME CONTROL”, the OM-108 integrates multiple functions to switch the way chords and rhythms are played. Whether you want to add bass accompaniment or start with a drum prelude, you can easily switch in real time, even during a performance.

Built-in speaker

The Omnichord's built-in speaker is great for personal use, but when connecting to an external speaker you might choose to turn it on or off, depending on whether you want to monitor your own sound during live performances. This is yet another useful, precisely thought-out feature of the OM-108.