First released in 1981 and only recently resurrected in an updated form, the Omnichord OM-108 Musical Instrument from Suzuki is an electronic musical instrument with an auto accompaniment function that provides automatic bass or chords and a sensor that functions like a harp. When you press a chord button and slide your finger along the strumplate, the Omnichord creates an arpeggio that corresponds to the chord you selected.

Musicians from David Bowie to Devo to Joni Mitchell are said to be fans and have used the Omnichord in recordings and performances. Now its vintage 1980s sound is back, and instantly recognizable. This new release also delivers new tones. Whether you’ve been excited to get your hands on a vintage Omnichord or you’re looking to jump right into making music on your own, this isn’t just a musician’s instrument — it’s an instrument that turns everyone who touches it into a musician.

Features of the Omnichord OM-108 Musical Instrument include:

• Use real time control to switch the way chords and rhythms are played, even in the middle of a performance: for instance, add bass accompaniment or start with a drum prelude.
• Ten tones include both retro and new harp tones. The sound of the original OM-84 is produced with analog circuits.
• Two electronic harp tones can be layered and played using the Main Voice and a Sub Voice. To control each layer, simply turn the appropriate volume knob.
• Updated rhythm section with popular drum beats like rock, disco, hiphop and more.
• Now includes 108 chord types, including sus4 and add9 chords that are often used in popular music and were not included in the original Omnichord.
• Sensitive strumplate ensures that every corner of the plate responds sensitively to light touch, facilitating intuitive, expressive play.
• Press the keyboard to play a melody using the chord buttons, which can be played as a 20-key melody keyboard with one octave shift up and down. Tones can also be layered in this mode.
• A new drum pad on both the strumplate and the chord buttons allows for the creation of interesting beats.
• MIDI out jack lets you send chords, drum performance and strumplate data 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.
• Turn the Omnichord into a vintage drum machine by using a “power-on” switch to change rhythm tones from OM-108 to the OM-84 drum kit. The OM-108 includes rhythm voicing from the OM-84, which is extremely popular for its early 1980s retro sound.
• Line out jack lets you connect to an external amplifier or headphones.
• In response to user requests, the built-in speaker can now be turned on or off regardless of line out connections, lending the option of using it as your monitor during a performance.
• Small, lightweight and powered by 8 AA batteries (not included) or a dedicated AC adapter.
• Measures 2h x 18w x 9.85"d.