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I like weird musical instruments.
And the Suzuki Omnichord OM-108 is one of those weird instruments I just found out about and immediately decided to do a deep dive into.
And man… now I really want one. Not that I didn’t want one the first time I saw it in a video…
So… the Suzuki Omnichord OM-108 is a reissued and expanded version of the original OM-84 — a cult electronic instrument that first appeared in 1981 and inspired songwriters, experimental musicians, and curious non-musicians for decades.
Unlike modern digital recreations, the OM-108 features all-analog circuits, enabling a genuine experience of the original OM-84 with rich analog tones.
This is what makes the core sound of this instrument warmer and more alive despite it still being a digital emulation because as we all know, emulators have always struggled to fully replicate warm, analog sounds.
What is it and How Does it Work?
The Suzuki Omnichord OM-108 has a physical interface called the strumplate. It’s basically a touch-sensitive surface you slide your fingers across while holding down one of 38 chord buttons.
If you slide your fingers on the strumplate while holding down a chord button, the chord and corresponding arpeggio will sound, similar to a harp, across four octaves.
That’s it.
That’s how you play it.
No music theory required, no years of practice needed to get something that sounds genuinely musical out of it immediately.
Although a bit of practice won’t hurt you…
With the addition of sus4 and add9 options, you now have access to 108 different chords — enough harmonic depth to write complex songs.
The original OM-84 had 84 chords.
The expansion to 108 specifically through sus4 and add9 additions gives the OM-108 the kind of harmonic vocabulary that serves modern songwriting rather than just beginner chord progressions.
Specs
Chords – 108 total via 38 chord buttons (inc. sus4 and add9)
Timbres – 10 total — 2 analog (Omni 1 & 2) + 8 PCM (harp, organ, guitar, banjo, celeste, piano, FM piano, synth strings)
Rhythm Patterns – 10 patterns including rock, country, swing, bossa nova, waltz, disco funk, hip-hop trap
Voice Layering – Main Voice + Sub Voice — each with individual volume control
MIDI – MIDI Out — sends chords, strumplate data, and drum performance
Modes – Standard / Keyboard Mode / Drum Pad Mode
Output – Built-in speaker · Line out · Headphone compatible
Power – Battery-powered · Portable
What You Can Actually Do With It
Now weird for the purpose of just being weird is just… meh…
I mean what’s the point if you can’t use it for creating music right?
So here’s what you can do with it.
- Instant chord-based songwriting — press a button, strum the plate, and you have a harmonic and melodic idea immediately. Sus4 and add9 chords mean you’re not limited to basic major/minor territory.
- Layered timbres for complex texture — the OM-108 features a voice layering function so a Main Voice can be layered with a Sub Voice, with each assigned a preselected pairing that resonates well together. Adjust the balance between the two to create custom tones.
- Keyboard mode for melody — flip a switch and the chord buttons transform into a melody keyboard, allowing you to play lead lines and solos on top of your backing tracks.
- Drum pad performance — in Keyboard mode, both the chord buttons and the strumplate can trigger drum sounds, letting you tap out beats manually.
- MIDI controller use — connect to your DAW or hardware synths and use the strumplate workflow to control external instruments. It functions as both a unique MIDI controller and a standalone synth, making it a versatile addition to any production setup.
- Arpeggiator and note repeater — the strumplate-controlled note-repeater/arpeggiator opens territory from custom grooves to experimental breakcore.
- Rhythm backing with auto-bass — 10 rhythm patterns with tempo and volume control plus an auto-bass function give you an instant backing arrangement for practice, performance, or songwriting.
The OM-108 is one of those instruments that makes you feel creative even when you’re not trying to be.
Putting in a few hours of practice will definitely catapult your songwriting abilities to the stratosphere.
I firmly believe that the Omnichord rewards curiosity immediately and then keeps giving you more to explore the longer you sit with it. And the ease of use and the level of creativity you can achieve with it is, in theory, limitless.
Want One?
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