MarketOmnichord
Company Profile

Omnichord

The Omnichord is an electronic musical instrument introduced in 1981 by the Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation. Conceived as an electronic autoharp, it allows users to play harp-like arpeggios produced through an electronic strum plate, simulating the experience of playing a stringed instrument. The Omnichord found popularity due to its portability, unique timbre, and kitsch value.

Production
The Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation released the first Omnichord, the OM-27, in 1981, alongside another instrument, the Tronichord (also known as the Portachord). It was aimed at people without musical experience who might be intimidated by traditional keyboard instruments. == Sound and features ==
Sound and features
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. 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, with little music theory knowledge. The Omnichord has three main sound generators: • 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. Later models featured a selection of different voices for the Sonic Strings, including vibes, brass, organ, guitar and banjo. == Users ==
Users
The Omnichord's ease of use regardless of musical ability or music theory knowledge of made it popular with a range of users. Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois used a slowed-down recording of an Omnichord on "Deep Blue Day" from the 1983 album Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks to create a "beautiful, deep, jukebox sound". Lanois also used an Omnichord on the U2 song "Trip Through Your Wires" from the 1987 album The Joshua Tree, processed with delay effects and guitar amplifiers. David Bowie used an Omnichord in his performance of the 1968 Simon & Garfunkel song "America" at the 2001 Concert for New York City. Meshell Ndegeocello used an Omnichord to compose her 2023 album The Omnichord Real Book. Other users include Jim James, Nick Rhodes and Joni Mitchell. == See also ==
tickerdossier.comtickerdossier.substack.com