Suzuki

The Suzuki Omnichord OM27 is a unique electronic instrument that is really unlike any other instrument that I've used before. It can be likened to an electronic version of an auto harp. Basically you've got the option to play a number of different chords in either major, minor, or 7th form. You can actually strum on it like a guitar, giving you sort of an arpeggio of the chord that you're pressing down. It also has a slew of a parameters to work with to control the chord sounds, as well as for different beats and rhythms, so in this respect it's like a little keyboard. UTILIZATION I haven't found that using the Suzuki Omnichord OM27 is too difficult, as I felt I actually caught on pretty quickly with it. While it's definitely got unique features, the controls are generally self explanatory and are easy to get accustomed to. It's really just the strumming that took me a little while to get used to, but even this isn't very difficult. The best way to get used to using something like this is just with practice, although I can definitely see how the manual might be handy if you can find one for this. OVERALL OPINION While I can see how some people might look at the Suzuki Omnichord OM27 as a novelty, I actually think that this is a really awesome and useful instrument. I first became aware of the Omnichords because I know producer Daniel Lanois has used them on a few different records. I just so happens that the studio that I just started working at has one of these, so I was definitely excited to give it a whirl. It's hard to describe the sound of this, but it's really bright and dreamy sounding. I'd encourage those interested to check out some of the videos of this on YouTube to get a better idea of what it sounds like. There are many different versions of the Omnichord, but the OM27 is the only one I've used. These can be found used at a pretty reasonable price if you're interested enough in picking one up...

The Suzuki Omnichord OM100 is an electronic instrument unlike many others out there. It's essentially got three parts to it - a drum machine, a section of buttons for playing chords with your left hand, and a strumming strip for controlling the sound with your right hand. It's got a 1/4" output and can run on batteries or a power supply. UTILIZATION In general it's not too hard to operate the Suzuki Omnichord OM100, although I personally haven't gotten too in depth with this one as of yet. It's easy enough to use it's basic features, but as with any instrument the more in depth you get, the harder it can become to use. I don't think that anything about the OM100 is too hard to use, it just will take some time to get used to playing it, controlling the drum machine, and using all of the parameters they give you for controlling the sound. I haven't had a look at the manual for the OM100... OVERALL OPINION The Suzuki Omnichord OM100 can produce some sounds that I haven't heard on any other instrument. Much of this has to do with the make up of Omnichord's in general, as this one isn't too much unlike the other one that I've used, a OM27. The sounds are dream like and quite awesome when used appropriately. It's also great that you can use this as a one man band since it has the built in drum machine as well. However, when I've used it it has been for overdubbing spacey and dreamy parts. I'd love to have this at home as it's really a lot of fun to play, and shouldn't cost all that much money if you can find one. If you're looking to get started with an Omnichord, the OM100 is as good as any of them!