Can the Suzuki OM-108 be powered by USB-C?

No. The OM-108 does not use USB-C for power. It uses a 12V 1A switched mode DC power supply with a 5.5 x 2.1 mm barrel plug and centre-negative polarity.

Can batteries be left inside the OM-108 while using the adapter?

Yes. Plugging in the DC adapter operates a switch inside the DC socket that disconnects the battery circuit, so leaving batteries fitted will not damage the instrument.

How should the OM-108 be cleaned?

Use a soft dry cloth, or a tightly wrung damp cloth. For stubborn dirt on plastic parts, use a cloth with neutral detergent and then wipe with a soft dry cloth. Do not use benzine, paint thinners or alcohol.

Is the OM-108 firmware user-upgradable?

The OM-108 contains a USB port and PLAY/UPDATE switch in the battery compartment for future expansion or firmware service use, but no public firmware update tools are currently released. The switch should be left in the PLAY position during normal use.

Official Omnichord Heaven OM-108 Guide

Q: What power supply does the OM-108 need?

Use the official OM-108 adapter where possible. The required supply is 12V DC, 1A, switched mode, with a 5.5 x 2.1 mm barrel plug and centre-negative polarity. Older transformer-style supplies may create excessive noise or fail to work correctly.

Q: Does the OM-108 have MIDI input?

No. The OM-108 has MIDI OUT only. It can send performance data to external MIDI equipment or software, but it does not receive MIDI input.

Start here

The OM-108 is the current Suzuki Omnichord. It keeps the familiar chord-and-strum idea while adding an expanded 108 chord layout, dual voices, MIDI OUT and a modern power arrangement. This guide gathers the practical questions people ask before buying, setting up or caring for one.

Short version

Use the correct 12V centre-negative switched mode adapter, do not power it from USB-C, do not clean it with alcohol, leave the battery-compartment switch in PLAY, and remember that MIDI is OUT only.

Power and batteries

Can I power the OM-108 using USB-C?

Short answer: no. The OM-108 does not support USB-C power.

The OM-108 uses a dedicated DC input. Suzuki chose a standard barrel socket because it is robust, familiar to musicians and less likely to be made obsolete by changes in computer or phone charging standards.

What adapter does the OM-108 need?

The OM-108 requires a 12V DC, 1A switched mode power supply with a 5.5 x 2.1 mm barrel plug and centre-negative polarity. The centre pin is negative.

Where possible, use the official OM-108 adapter. Older transformer-style adapters can introduce excessive noise and may not work correctly. Do not experiment with random adapters as a test.

Can I leave batteries in while using the adapter?

Short answer: yes. It will not damage the instrument.

The DC socket includes a switch that disconnects the battery circuit when the adapter plug is inserted. As with any battery-powered instrument, remove batteries if the OM-108 will be stored for a long period.

Cleaning and care

How should I clean the OM-108?

Use a soft dry cloth, or a damp cloth that has been wrung out tightly. For stubborn dirt on plastic parts, use a cloth lightly moistened with neutral detergent, then wipe clean with a soft dry cloth.

Do not use benzine, paint thinners or alcohol. These can cause deformation or discolouration, and they are not suitable for the OM-108 case or printed surfaces.

Can I service the chord or panel buttons myself?

Short answer: not during the warranty period, and not casually.

The OM-108 chord buttons use the familiar conductive pad design used from the OM-36 through to the Qchord era. On the OM-108, the panel buttons also use this style of contact rather than older tactile switches.

Skilled repairers can clean internal contacts, but the instrument must be completely disassembled. Owners should not attempt this during the warranty period, and contact sprays should never be sprayed into the instrument.

Voices and playing features

How do the layer and sub voice controls work?

The OM-108 has 10 preset voice selections. Each preset contains two factory assigned voices, so the layer and sub voice behaviour is built around those preset combinations rather than a free voice-mixing system.

Omni 1 blends the original OM-84 straight voice with the OM-84 vibrato voice. Omni 2 blends the original OM-84 straight voice with a richer modern orchestral string sound. Omni 2 is the preset that combines the analogue Omnichord character with a modern digital voice.

What does 108 chords mean?

The OM-108 expands the classic chord-bank idea to 108 chord options, adding sus4 and add9 choices alongside the familiar major, minor and seventh chord families. This gives players more songs within easy reach without losing the immediate Omnichord playing style.

MIDI and firmware

Does the OM-108 have MIDI IN?

Short answer: no. The OM-108 has MIDI OUT only.

It can send performance data to external MIDI equipment or software, but it cannot receive incoming MIDI to automate chords, drums or patterns. We will add a more detailed MIDI mapping note once it has been checked against the development and owner-manual notes.

What is the USB port in the battery compartment?

The battery compartment contains a USB port and a small PLAY/UPDATE switch. This was left in place for future expansion or firmware service use.

At present there are no public firmware files or user update tools. During normal use, leave the switch in the PLAY position.

Useful links

Current model

The Official Omnichord Heaven OM-108 Guide.