The Suzuki Omnichord Alternative That’s Under $200
The Omnichord is an electronic instrument introduced by the Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation in 1981. It’s easy to pick up and lets people create music with a unique vibe. Owning one is a dream for a lot of people, but the price is just too high for most.
Buying a brand‑new Suzuki Omnichord OM‑108 from an authorized music store will set you back close to $1,000, and even used OM‑27, OM‑36, or OM‑84 models usually go for around $350 to $700.
That’s why today I want to introduce an Omnichord alternative to you — the Minichord Synthesizer, an instrument under $200 that closely mirrors the Omnichord in both design and function. More than just affordable, the Minichord preserves the original Omnichord’s signature charm while adding a modern synth engine and full MIDI integration, all in a truly pocket‑sized form.
What is Minichord Synthesizer?
Minichord is a little synthesizer inspired by the Omnichord, designed by Benjamin Poilvé and manufactured and sold by Seeed Studio
It features 21 chord selector buttons for easy chord selection, a unique harp touch zone for triggering different notes, and supports custom presets for endless music creation possibilities. It also functions as a MIDI instrument via USB connection. Most importantly, the minichord is a fully open-source project, allowing users to freely access, modify, and share its source code and design.
When the Minichord first dropped, the announcement video drew a surge of positive attention, and many people said they would buy it instantly.
Why the Minichord is the best alternative to Omnichord?
1. More affordable with excellent value
Original Omnichords, whether vintage models or newly reissued versions, are often quite expensive. In some regions, players even face significant markups or high import costs, and the Minichord offers a much more accessible option.
Prices differ slightly by shipping warehouse, but they’re all under $200 when purchased from the official Seeed Studio site:
- $169 when shipped from the China or Germany (DE) warehouse
- $173.99 when shipped from the United States warehouse, import duties included！
2. Impressive sound engine and capabilities
Some experienced players believe that the Minichord is far more than a simple imitation. Its synthesis engine can produce surprisingly rich, expansive sounds.
As noted by renowned synthesist and YouTuber Hainbach in his review video “Minichord – A Tiny DIY Omnichord With a Big Sound”, he described it as ” It’s a fantastic little synthesizer that goes beyond what was and is possible with its venerable Japanese ancestors. “
3. Compact and highly portable
Just as its name suggests, the Minichord is a pocket‑sized instrument like omnichord. It brings together a digital autoharp, a synthesizer, and a MIDI controller in a very compact form, making it comparable to a miniature version of the Omnichord.
image credit: HAINBACH
4. Fully Open-Source & Customizable
Unlike closed commercial products, the Minichord is a fully open‑source project. On the hardware side, players can customize their own cases, such as creating transparent versions through 3D printing, and they can easily hot‑swap and replace different touchplates or strumpads.
On the software side, it is built on the powerful Teensy 4.0 microcontroller, allowing users to adjust synthesizer engine parameters comprehensively through a web‑based interface.
5. Highly praised by those who have played it
Here are some of their impressions:
the famous music producer L.Dre:
It is an affordable chord synth that actually sounds really good. A lot of people are comparing it to the omnichord which is just like this seems like it’s modeled. It’s affordable and it’s open-source people are making these at home. So for all the people out there that don’t quite have the budget to afford the High Cord or the Orchid and stuff like that this might be right up your alley.
I looked for a way to import the omnichord to my country but the price rose to 1,300 usd. Very happy with my new minichord. So tiny and cute!
shared on YouTube by @placebodomingo3277
This thing showed up yesterday and has provided me with more inspiration in 24 hours than most of my recent music gear purchases combined. 🤯
This thing is so simple but fun and easy to play. It’s an open source project and available on the seeedstore. Very soothing and relaxing sounds that’s programmable on a computer
Pick up the Omnichord‑inspired Minichord now
As the manufacturer and distributor of the Minichord, Seeed Studio’s official website is currently the best place to purchase it at the lowest price. Plus, for a limited time only, you can use the promo code Q74S44XG to get 3% off.
Buy now 👉 https://www.seeedstudio.com/Minichord-Synthesizer-p-6414.html
Seeed works hard to maintain stock in its overseas warehouses, but with demand running high, the Minichord may sometimes be unavailable in the US and EU warehouses. Don’t miss the chance to get one while it’s in stock.
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