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Omnichord

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Suzuki Omnichord
Omnichord OM-150 front panel
ManufacturerSuzuki Musical Instrument Corporation
Dates1981–1996, 1999, 2024
Technical specifications
PolyphonyFull polyphony
Synthesis typeOM-27/36/84 – Analog, OM-100/150/300 – Sample-based
FilterNone
Aftertouch expressionNo
Input/output
KeyboardStrum plate, chord buttons
External controlOM-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.[1] It allows users to play distinctive harp-like arpeggios produced through an electronic strum plate, simulating the experience of playing a stringed instrument. Originally conceived as an electronic Autoharp,[2] the Omnichord found popularity due to its portability, its unique timbre, and its value as a kitsch object.

The various Omnichord models feature a touch plate that the user strums, 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 bass-line accompaniment.

Although production of the original Omnichord line ceased with the OM-300 model in 1996,[3] the instrument has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years due to renewed interest in vintage electronic instruments.[4] A new Omnichord model called the OM-108 is due for release in 2024.[5]

History

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Suzuki Omnichord OM-27

The development of the Omnichord started with a request from an overseas sales company[which?] to make an electronic musical instrument like an auto-harp.[citation needed] Suzuki started with the Tronichord 'PC-27', renamed the Portachord on some units, followed by the first Omnichord 'OM-27', which featured improvements to the interface, such as the chord buttons.[4] The OM-27 and PC-27 and were both released in 1981, but the latter never reached full production.[4][6]

The OM-27 was capable of playing 27 chords, and early models required a rubber plectrum to play, though later models featured an updated strum plate. The OM-27 was a commercial failure,[6] so Suzuki released the OM-36 and OM-84 in 1984, also called the System One and System Two, respectively.[6] The naming convention was originally meant to convey the number of chord types the model can produce, with OM-36 prototypes only able to play 36 chords; however, the OM-36 and OM-84 production models can both play 84 chord types. The OM-84 was the first model to feature an onboard Chord Computer, a feature that allowed the user to record a sequence of chords which could then be played back as accompaniment.[7]

In 1989, Suzuki released the OM-100 and OM-200M, which replaced the OM-36 and OM-84, adding updated sounds, an angled strum plate for more comfortable playing, and an optional strap for standing performances.[8] The OM-200M additionally introduced a MIDI output port, allowing the user to control other MIDI-equipped devices using the Omnichord.[8] The OM-150 and OM-250M offered refreshed sounds,[9] and the OM-300 released in 1995 offered the features of the OM-250M but with further updated sounds.[10]

Suzuki released the Qchord QC1 in 1999; it features more modern versions of the original Omnichord's features such as PCM sampled sounds, and more rhythms.[11] The Qchord additionally features both MIDI input and MIDI output ports. In February 2023, Suzuki announced a new Omnichord model to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the company,[12] called the OM-108, available for pre-order and shipping sometime in mid-2024.[5]

Sound and features

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Strum plate arpeggios
The 'Sonic Strings' on the Omnichord OM36, played by holding down a chord button and strumming the touchplate
Chord button chords
The chords from the Omnichord OM84
Rhythm and auto-bass
The Rock 1 rhythm and auto bass patterns from the OM36 Omnichord
Problems playing these files? See media help.

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.[13] 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,[13] an ideal way to accompany a singer with basic rhythms and the ability to easily play chords[14] with little music theory knowledge.

The most basic method of playing the instrument is to press the chord buttons and swipe the strum plate with a finger in imitation of strumming a stringed instrument. The strum plate may also be touched in one place to create a single note, or touched rhythmically to produce rhythmic patterns.

The Omnichord has three main sound generators:[15]

  • 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.[16] Later models featured a selection of different voices for the Sonic Strings, including vibes, brass, organ, guitar and banjo.[13]

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.[13]

Notable uses

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Suzuki Omnichord OM-200M

Eurythmics used chords and Sonic Strings from an Omnichord OM-27 on "Love Is a Stranger" from their 1983 album Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).[17]

Canadian producer Daniel Lanois has used Omnichords throughout his career; he used one on "Deep Blue Day", from the 1983 album Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks by Lanois, Brian Eno and Roger Eno, saying "It mimics strings and has a little built-in bass element: almost one-stop instrument that provides a whole sound of an entire band. We found that by recording this thing and slowing it down, we were able to get this very beautiful, deep, jukebox sound."[18]

Lanois later used an Omnichord on U2's "Trip Through Your Wires" from their 1987 album The Joshua Tree,[19] which was also co-produced with Brian Eno. It was plugged it into The Edge's echo effects amplifiers to create the organ chords and "jangling" sound in the background. Lanois referred to the Omnichord as a "toy instrument" with a "beautiful bell-like sound".[20] He has also used Omnichord's in his solo work, such as on his 1989 debut album Acadie.[21] Eno played an Omnichord in a live performance of "Miss Sarajevo" with U2 and Luciano Pavarotti in 1995.[22]

Joni Mitchell played an Omnichord on "The Only Joy in Town" from the 1991 album Night Ride Home,[23] and David Bowie played an Omnichord in his live cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "America" for The Concert for New York City in 2001.[24] Damon Albarn of Gorillaz used the Omnichord OM-300's "Rock 1" preset for the drum beat of "Clint Eastwood", which was included on the 2001 album Gorillaz.[25][26]

Meshell Ndegeocello's 2023 album The Omnichord Real Book became the first recipient of the newly created Grammy Award for Best Alternative Jazz Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.[27] Ndegeocello explains "The Omnichord gave me a way to work out melodies and ideas without having to look at a screen."[28]

Models

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Model Released Notes
OM-27 1981[29] Original model with 27 chord types.[30]
OM-36 1984[29] also called System One. Can play 84 different chord types.[7]
OM-84 1984 also called System Two. Can play 84 chord types and first to feature onboard Chord Computer.
OM-100 1989[29] Entry model replacing OM-36.
OM-200M 1989 Premium model replacing OM-84. Adds MIDI Out (denoted by the 'M').[8]
OM-150 1993[29] Replaces OM-100 with an updated sound engine.
OM-250M 1993 Replaces OM-200M with an updated sound engine.[9]
OM-300 1996[29] Replaces OM-250M with updated sounds.[10]
Qchord QC1 1999 Contained new digital sounds and featured MIDI In and MIDI Out.
OM-108[29] 2024 Rerelease commemorating the 70th anniversary of the founding of Suzuki.[31]

References

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  1. ^ Hills, Bruce (2 June 1982). "Device converts the musically illiterate into instant maestros". The Deseret News.
  2. ^ "Suzuki products | Suzuki Musical Inst. MFG". suzukimusic-global.com. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Make Your Own Kind of Music OMNI CHORD OM-108 ｜ SUZUKI MUSICAL INST .MFG. CO. ,LTD". Make Your Own Kind of MusicOMNI CHORD OM-108 ｜ SUZUKI MUSICAL INST .MFG. CO. ,LTD (in Japanese). Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Maymind, Leo (11 April 2023). "Blast from the past: Suzuki Omnichord". MusicRadar. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b Rogersonpublished, Ben (29 January 2024). "NAMM 2024: The new Omnichord has finally broken cover with retro and modern sounds, keyboard/drum pad modes and MIDI Out". MusicRadar. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Exploring the toylike world of the Suzuki Omnichord". faroutmagazine.co.uk. 13 February 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Suzuki Omnichord OM36 and OM84". suzukimusic.co.uk. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  8. ^ a b c "Suzuki Omnichord OM100 and 200m". www.suzukimusic.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Suzuki Omnichord OM-150 and 250M". www.suzukimusic.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Suzuki Omnichord OM-300". www.suzukimusic.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  11. ^ Orensten, Evan (20 December 2007). "Suzuki Omnichord". Cool Hunting. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  12. ^ "Suzuki products | Suzuki Musical Inst. MFG". suzukimusic-global.com. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d Renwick, Chris Jenkins writing as John (December 1989). "Omnichord (MIC Dec 1989)". Micro Music (Dec 1989): 48–49.
  14. ^ "What is an Omnichord?". ABC Hobart. 23 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  15. ^ Ellis, David (May 1982). "Suzuki Omnichord (EMM May 1982)". Electronics & Music Maker (May 1982): 18.
  16. ^ "Toy Gear that We Love: the Suzuki Omnichord and Casio SK-1". reverb.com. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  17. ^ "Vintage Rewind: Suzuki Omnichord". MusicTech. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  18. ^ "Interview: Daniel Lanois". daily.redbullmusicacademy.com. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  19. ^ "The Joshua Tree". albumlinernotes. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  20. ^ Prendergast, Mark (September 1987). "The Magic of Daniel Lanois". Sound On Sound. United Kingdom: SOS Publications Ltd. p. 42. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  21. ^ Daniel Lanois - Acadie Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 23 February 2024
  22. ^ "Suzuki Europe Ltd". suzukimusic.co.uk. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  23. ^ "Joni Mitchell – Night Ride Home". jonimitchell.com. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  24. ^ "When David Bowie took on a Simon & Garfunkel classic". faroutmagazine.co.uk. 13 March 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  25. ^ Gerber, Brady (20 October 2020). "The Best, Worst, and Weirdest of Gorillaz, According to Damon Albarn". Vulture. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  26. ^ Yopko, Nick (27 February 2023). "Damon Albarn of Gorillaz Reveals "Clint Eastwood" Instrumental Is an Omnichord Preset". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  27. ^ "Meshell Ndegeocello Wins Inaugural Best Alternative Jazz Album Award at 2024 Grammys". Pitchfork. 4 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  28. ^ "Album of the Week: The Omnichord Real Book by Meshell Ndegeocello".
  29. ^ a b c d e f "Suzuki products | Suzuki Musical Inst. MFG". suzukimusic-global.com. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  30. ^ "Suzuki Omnichord OM27". www.suzukimusic.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  31. ^ "The Omnichord will be re-produced to commemorate the 70th anniversary of our company". 17 October 2023. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024.[dead link]
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