{{Short description|Electronic musical instrument}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox synthesizer | synth_name = Suzuki Omnichord | synth_manufacturer = Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation | image = Omnichord.jpg | image_caption = Omnichord OM-150 front panel | dates = 1981–1996, 1999, 2024 | polyphony = Full polyphony | synthesis_type = OM-27/36/84 – Analog, OM-100/150/300 – Sample-based | filter = None | aftertouch = No | keyboard = Strum plate, chord buttons | ext_control = OM-200M/250M/300 – MIDI out Qchord – MIDI in & out }}
The '''Omnichord''' is an electronic musical instrument introduced in 1981 by the Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation. Conceived as an electronic autoharp, it allows users to play harp-like arpeggios produced through an electronic strum plate, simulating the experience of playing a stringed instrument. The Omnichord found popularity due to its portability, unique timbre, and kitsch value.
The various Omnichord models feature organ-like chords, preset drum rhythms and auto-bass line functionality. A grid of buttons allow the user to select major, minor, and 7th chords to be triggered by the strum plate, chord buttons and bassline accompaniment.
Production ceased with the OM-300 model in 1996. In later years, the Omnichord underwent a resurgence in popularity due to renewed interest in vintage electronic instruments. A new model, the OM-108, was released in 2024.
== Production == thumb|Omnichord OM-27
The Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation released the first Omnichord, the OM-27, in 1981, alongside another instrument, the Tronichord (also known as the Portachord).<ref name="Maymind-2023">{{Cite web |last=Maymind |first=Leo |date=2023-04-11 |title=Blast from the past: Suzuki Omnichord |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/blast-from-past-suzuki-omnichord |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}}</ref> It was aimed at people without musical experience who might be intimidated by traditional keyboard instruments.<ref name=":0" />
The OM-27 featured 27 chord buttons, a strum plate, preset drum machine rhythms, controls for volume, tempo and sustain.<ref name="Maymind-2023" /> It featured only one sound, "harp".<ref name="Maymind-2023" /> In 1984, Suzuki released the OM-36, with 36 chord shapes, and the OM-84, with 84 chord shapes, both with an improved strum plate.<ref name="Maymind-2023" />
The next model, OM-100, repositioned the strum plate to make it more comfortable to play, and added guitar, piano, banjo, jazz organ, flute, chime, brass, vibraphone and synthesizer sounds.<ref name="Maymind-2023" /> The OM-250, introduced in 1989, added a MIDI out port to enable connectivity with other electronic instruments.<ref name="Maymind-2023" /> The OM-300, released in the early 1990s, added a MIDI in port, a chord sequencer, and different sounds. In 1999, the Suzuki rereleased the Omnichord as the Q-Chord, with a redesigned body, additional sounds, an improved speaker, and an expansion slot for song storage.<ref name="Maymind-2023" />
Around the 2020s, interest in the Omnichord grew with the rise in experimental music genres and interest in older electronic instruments.<ref name="Gale-2020" /> In 2024, Suzuki announced a new model, the OM-108, with analogue circuitry, emulations of previous models, new sounds and drum presets, and the ability to play the chord buttons like a keyboard or drum pad.<ref name="Rogerson-2024">{{Cite web |last=Rogerson |first=Ben |date=2024-01-29 |title=NAMM 2024: The new Omnichord has finally broken cover with retro and modern sounds, keyboard/drum pad modes and MIDI Out |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/suzuki-omnichord-om108 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}}</ref>
== Sound and features == {{Listen |pos=right |filename=Omnichord Strummed Sonic Strings.ogg |title=Strum plate arpeggios |description=The 'Sonic Strings' on the Omnichord OM36, played by holding down a chord button and strumming the touchplate |filename2=Omnichord Chords.ogg |title2=Chord button chords |description2=The chords from the Omnichord OM84 |filename3=Omnichord Rhythm Pattern Rock 1.ogg |title3=Rhythm and auto-bass |description3=The Rock 1 rhythm and auto bass patterns from the OM36 Omnichord }}
Omnichords feature preset rhythm patterns with tempo and volume control, as well as an auto-bass line feature, which the player can combine to use as a musical accompaniment. The Omnichord's most unique feature is the Sonic Strings strum plate, that allows the player to 'strum' arpeggios like a guitar.<ref name="Renwick-1989">{{Cite journal |last=Renwick |first=Chris Jenkins writing as John |date=December 1989 |title=Omnichord |url=http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/omnichord/5275 |journal=Micro Music |issue=December 1989 |pages=48–49}}</ref> Several later models of the Omnichord added MIDI compatibility, a greater selection of sounds for the Sonic Strings, vibrato, and chord memory, called Chord Computer.
The Omnichord was primarily designed as an accompaniment instrument instead of a melody instrument,<ref name="Renwick-1989" /> an ideal way to accompany a singer with basic rhythms and the ability to easily play chords<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-23 |title=What is an Omnichord? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/hobart/programs/sundays/omnichord/13600986 |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=ABC Radio Hobart |language=en-AU}}</ref> with little music theory knowledge.
The Omnichord has three main sound generators:<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Ellis |first=David |date=May 1982 |title=Suzuki Omnichord |url=http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/suzuki-omnichord/4271 |journal=Electronics & Music Maker |issue=May 1982 |pages=18}}</ref>
* A percussion section that plays rock, waltz, slow rock, Latin, foxtrot and swing rhythms, with adjustable tempo and volume. * A chord generator providing different triad and seventh chords, either as organ-like chords or walking bass. The original OM-27 was only capable of playing 27 different chords, but later models allow 84 different chords. * A Sonic Strings section producing an arpeggio or isolated notes from a chosen chord over a 4-octave span, played using the touch strip. The notes played on the touch strip are always in tune with the chord button currently selected.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-12-16 |title=Toy Gear that We Love: the Suzuki Omnichord and Casio SK-1 |url=https://reverb.com/uk/news/a-little-something-on-the-side-the-suzuki-omnichord-and-casio-sk-1 |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=reverb.com |language=en}}</ref> Later models featured a selection of different voices for the Sonic Strings, including vibes, brass, organ, guitar and banjo.<ref name="Renwick-1989" />
Later models feature a chord sequencer in a Chord Memory section that would allow the user to record up to 51 chords in sequence and play them back automatically or via a footswitch.<ref name="Renwick-1989" /> In 2023, ''Pitchfork'' wrote that the Omnichord "feels like a toy", with "cheap" sounds.<ref name="Ruiz-2023">{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Matthew Ismael |date=22 June 2023 |title=Meshell Ndegeocello: ''The Omnichord Real Book'' |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/meshell-ndegeocello-the-omnichord-real-book/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Users == The Omnichord's ease of use regardless of musical ability or music theory knowledge of made it popular with a range of users.<ref name="Maymind-2023" /> It was particularly popular in Japan, where it was used in pop and electronic music, advertisements for products such as Coca-Cola and the Walkman, and in music education to create backing tracks for students to play to.<ref name="Maymind-2023" />
The Omnichord was used by 1980s and 1990s pop acts including the Human League, Talking Heads and Devo.<ref name="Maymind-2023" /> Eurythmics used the Omnichord harp sound on their 1982 single "Love Is a Stranger".<ref name="Gale-2020">{{Cite web |last=Gale |first=Dave |date=20 February 2020 |title=Vintage rewind: Suzuki Omnichord |url=https://musictech.com/features/opinion-analysis/vintage-rewind-suzuki-omnichord/ |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=MusicTech |language=en-GB}}</ref> Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois used a slowed-down recording of an Omnichord on "Deep Blue Day" from the 1983 album ''Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks'' to create a "beautiful, deep, jukebox sound".<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 October 2015 |title=Interview: Daniel Lanois |url=https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2015/10/daniel-lanois-interview |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=Red Bull Music Academy |language=en}}</ref> Lanois also used an Omnichord on the U2 song "Trip Through Your Wires" from the 1987 album ''The Joshua Tree'', processed with delay effects and guitar amplifiers.<ref name="mz2506-the-magic-of-daniel-lanois">{{cite magazine |last=Prendergast |first=Mark |date=September 1987 |title=The magic of Daniel Lanois |url=https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/the-magic-of-daniel-lanois/2506 |access-date=2024-02-19 |magazine=Sound on Sound |publisher=SOS Publications Ltd. |location=United Kingdom |page=42}}</ref>
David Bowie used an Omnichord in his performance of the 1968 Simon & Garfunkel song "America" at the 2001 Concert for New York City.<ref name="Maymind-2023" /> Damon Albarn used the Omnichord OM-300's "Rock 1" preset for the 2001 Gorillaz single "Clint Eastwood".<ref>{{cite web |last=Gerber |first=Brady |date=20 October 2020 |title=The best, worst, and weirdest of Gorillaz, according to Damon Albarn |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/gorillaz-best-worst-damon-albarn-interview.html |access-date=6 May 2021 |website=Vulture}}</ref> Meshell Ndegeocello used an Omnichord to compose her 2023 album ''The Omnichord Real Book''.<ref name="Ruiz-2023" /> At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, it became the first winner of the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Jazz Album.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=2024-02-04 |title=Meshell Ndegeocello wins inaugural best alternative jazz album award at 2024 Grammys |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/meshell-ndegeocello-wins-inaugural-best-alternative-jazz-album-award-at-2024-grammys/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> Other users include Jim James, Nick Rhodes and Joni Mitchell.<ref name="Gale-2020" /> At the {{Date|2026-01-01}} inauguration of the New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, the singer Lucy Dacus performed the political song "Bread and Roses" accompanied by Omnichord.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roundtree |first=Cheyenne |date=2026-01-01 |title=Lucy Dacus Performs 'Bread and Roses' at NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani's inauguration |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lucy-dacus-bread-and-roses-zohran-mamdani-inauguration-1235493211/ |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en}}</ref>
== See also == * {{Portal-inline|Music}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} * [http://www.suzukimusic.co.uk/omnichord/suzuki_omnichord.htm Official Suzuki site] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110707043814/http://www.suzukimusic.co.uk/qchord/Q-chord_response.htm Omnichord and Qchord users] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110724025612/http://www.qchord.net/docs/features_over.htm Qchord website]
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Category:1981 introductions Category:1981 musical instruments Category:Electronic musical instruments Category:Japanese musical instruments Category:Musical instruments invented in the 1980s