Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $430
Budget/Beginner
$500
$1501+
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Description
Meet the Suzuki Omnichord OM-27, a distinct blend of tradition and innovation from the early 80s. This pocket-sized powerhouse, often likened to an autoharp, revolutionized electronic music with its portability and unique features. Its appealing aesthetics, available in brown, ivory, and red, are complemented by a layout of 27 chords categorized into major, minor, and seventh. The Omnichord's signature feature, the Strumplate, offers the ability to modulate synthesized tones, giving musicians a wide range of expressive capabilities. Despite its toy-like appearance, this instrument houses a highly simplistic, yet captivating drum machine, setting it apart as a synth with a character of its own.
Key Features:
- Compact and portable design for on-the-go music creation
- 27 chords divided into three categories: major, minor, and seventh
- Strumplate for modulating synthesized tones
- Simple drum machine presets for rhythmic accompaniment
- Available in three eye-catching colors: brown, ivory, and red
Product specs
| Brand | Suzuki |
| Model | OM-27 Omnichord |
| Finish | Brown, Ivory, Red |
| Year | 1981 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Analog Synths, Desktop Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Analog |
FAQs
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What type of sound can I expect from the Suzuki Omnichord OM-27?
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The Suzuki Omnichord OM-27 produces unique, electronic tones with its analog sound engine, characterized by its auto-bass/chord accompaniment and harp-like strumming capabilities.
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Is the Suzuki Omnichord OM-27 easy for beginners to play?
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Yes, the Omnichord OM-27 is beginner-friendly, featuring simple chord buttons and a touch-sensitive strum plate that make it accessible for musicians of all levels.
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Does the Suzuki Omnichord OM-27 have MIDI capabilities?
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No, the Suzuki Omnichord OM-27 does not have MIDI capabilities, as it was designed in 1981, prior to the widespread adoption of MIDI technology.
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What is the primary function of the Suzuki Omnichord OM-27?
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The primary function of the Suzuki Omnichord OM-27 is to serve as an electronic instrument that combines chord accompaniment with a strum plate, allowing for easy chord progression and melody creation.
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Is the Suzuki Omnichord OM-27 suitable for live performances?
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While it can be used for live performances, the Omnichord OM-27 is best suited for intimate settings due to its unique sound and limited volume output.
Videos
Patrick Hunter
Suzuki Omnichord OM-27 [Demo]
Reviews
PROS
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Easy to create or learn songs with auto chord function
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Can be connected to an amp for enhanced sound
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Balances organic and non-organic sounds beautifully
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Unique strumplate function mimics an auto-harp with smooth tone
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Offers a range of tonal capabilities with reverb and EQ
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Features a drum machine with analog drum sounds
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Auto-bass follows rhythm for cohesive sound production
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Notably shimmery and pleasant lo-fi strumplate sounds
CONS
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Limited to 27 chords, less than later models
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Early models require a rubber plectrum for optimal strumplate use
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Some may find it challenging to find uses for its unique sound
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Suzuki Omnichord OM-27.
Features and functionality
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The OM-27 is limited in versatility, feeling archaic compared to newer models. It cannot play more than one chord simultaneously, unlike some later models.
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Value and pricing
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$400 is considered too high for an OM-27 unless it's a rare red model. In the US, prices can drop to $300 or less with negotiation.
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Software and compatibility
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Virtual Omnichord apps exist for Android and Windows, offering a cost-effective way to explore the instrument's features before purchase.
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GarageBand on Mac is a recommended DAW for recording Omnichord sessions; ensure your audio interface is Apple-compatible.
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Focusrite interfaces like the Solo model are praised for compatibility, but ensure two combo inputs for flexibility.
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User experience
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Owners enjoy integrating the OM-27 with pedalboards, enhancing its sound despite its basic functionality.
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Setup and maintenance
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 15 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
At the 7:00 Tom Ogden says he used the Omnichord on Blossoms second album
In this photo posted on Instagram on July 19, 2023, we can see an Omnichord made by Suzuki.
Taken from his book, Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This: A Life In Music, Dave Stewart discusses buying the Suzuki Omnichord and using it on the song, Love Is A Stranger.
Pomme's album Les Failles was accompanied by the 'Dans ma tête' series of short YouTube videos providing some background on each track. In #6 she mentions her use of the Omnichord to record the song "Pourquoi la mort te fait peur".
Shown very briefly in the studio with her and Albin de la Simone (source picture is a screenshot taken at 00:52 in the video), it looks like an OM-27 model based on the graphics around the chord buttons. Her explanation in French translates as:
I absolutely wanted Omnichord on there. It's like an autoharp but electronic, and it has a toy sound. I imagined it like a rain of flowers on the chorus. It's very corny but it works well.
At the 10:58 mark of the video titled "Ween 2003-07-25 Pittsburgh PA Club Laga" on YouTube, Glenn McClelland can be seen using a Suzuki Omnichord OM-27, which is positioned next to his keyboards. This video was filmed by Carl Sylvester and edited by Brain Dowling.
"One of the most interesting instruments ever is the Omnichord. I love using its harp sound while adding reverb and delay"
Album Usage
The Suzuki Omnichord OM-27 has been featured on the following albums:
Gleichgewicht
Von Wegen Lisbeth (2025)
Foolish Loving Spaces (Deluxe Edition)
Blossoms (2020)
Lieferandomann
Von Wegen Lisbeth (2019)
Wide Awake!
Parquet Courts & Parquet Courts (2018)
Der Untergang des Abendlandes
Von Wegen Lisbeth (2016)
69 Love Songs
The Magnetic Fields (1999)
Original Soundtracks 1
U2 & Brian Eno (1995)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Suzuki Omnichord OM-27, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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