OM-108
2023 - and Suzuki celebrate their 70th anniversary. What better way to do this than revisit a few of their most popular musical instruments. Included is the Omnichord! Although Suzuki missed the deadline, it was shown for the first time on January 25th 2024 at the NAAM Music Conference, USA.
Read our full Omnichord OM-108 review here
Rather than produce an evolution of the Qchord, Suzuki have opted to 're-imagine' the Omnichord series and include favourite features from earlier models along with new.
New Chords and Rhythms
For the first time since the 1980s,
Suzuki expand the chord pallet from 84 chords to 108, with newly
added Sus. 4 and Add 9 chords. Rather than full arrangements, as per
OM-100 to QC-1, we see the return of the timeless OM-27/36/84
approach to rhythm and accompaniment. Familiar patterns, along with
a Trap Beat (Hip Hop) and tasteful Disco Funk are included for those
who are 'Gettin' Jiggy wit It'.
Dual Strumplate Voices
The OM-108 brings back a strumplate
feature only ever included on the OM-84: Dual Strumplate Voice.
OM-84 owners could blend two voices (straight and modulated)
together, a really clever way of adding colour to the strumplate.
The OM-108 has a variety of primary and secondary voices, including
the original OM-84 tones. In addition the 'Omnichord' voicing on
OM-108 uses true analogue circuitry - quite an achievement in 2024
The Shape of Things To Come
Suzuki teased us with the shape of the
OM-108 for a year. It is slightly smaller and lighter than previous
models making it more 'travel friendly and easier to handle on a
gig. Layout is similar to the OM84, but with a wider strumplate,
fully sensitive across 100% of the surface.
| OM-108 | |
| SonicStrings Strumplate | Main Voice: Omnichord 1,
Omnichord 2, Harp,
Celeste, Acoustic Piano Guitar, FM Piano, Organ, Vibes, Banjo Sub Voice: Omnichord (+ vibrato), Mellow Synth. Synth. Strings, Orch. Strings |
| Strumplate Range | Four Octaves |
| Chord Buttons | 38 soft touch buttons, 108 chords (Ma, Min, 7th, Maj 7th, Min 7th, Aug., Dim., Sus4., Add9. |
| Keyboards | C to G (19 Keys). Range: Three Octaves (selectable) |
| Chord Transpose | 1 Octave (6 semitones down and 6 up) |
| Rhythms | Rock I, Rock 2, Slow Rock, Country, Swing, Disco, Hip Hop, Funk, Bossanova, Waltz |
| Rotary Controls | Master Volume, Chord Volume, Main Voice Volume, Sub Voice Volume, Sustain, Rhythm Volume, Tempo |
| Switch Buttons | Power, Chord, KEYBOARD ON/OFF, Voice Select,
Rhythm Select, Chord-Manual/Auto, Chord Hold, Rhythm-Start /
Sync Start Other Functions: Instant OFF, Transpose, Octave Shift, ON/OFF SPEAKER, Master Tuning |
| Tuning | +6/-6 |
| Jack | DC inlet, LINE OUT (monaural standard), headphone output (Stereo mini), MIDI OUT |
| Speaker | 10cm round |
| Body Colour | |
| Power | AC adapter, 8 AA alkaline or Ni-MH batteries
(all sold separately). Power consumption: 3.7W Continuous battery operation time: Approximately 8 hours |
| Output | 4.3W |
| Net Weight | 1.2kg(2.65lb) |
| Dimensions | W: 45.7 x D: 25.0 x H: 5.18cm (17.99 x 9.84 x 2.04 in.) |
| Inc. Accessories | Melody keyboard overlay |
Accessories
 OMA-1
Adapter. |
 OGB-108 Gig
Bag. |
 OSB-10 Strap
Button |