Omnichord vs Q-Chord (and the Minichord): Which Chord Strummer to Buy

The Omnichord, the Q-Chord and the minichord all work the same way: press a button for a chord, brush a touch strip, and it ripples out like a harp. That shared idea is why people search them side by side. But one is a new $900 instrument, one has not been made in years, and one is a $175 open-source pocket version with no speaker. Here is how they really compare, with US prices, so you can pick the right one.

1. Omnichord, Q-Chord and minichord: one family
2. The Omnichord, from OM-27 to OM-108
3. What is the Q-Chord (Suzuki QC-1)?
4. What is the minichord synth?
5. Q-Chord vs Omnichord vs minichord, side by side
6. Which one should you buy?
7. Or something smaller
8. FAQ

Omnichord, Q-Chord and minichord: one family

All three split the job between your hands. One hand holds a chord button, so you never have to know where the notes are. The other hand sweeps a touch strip (Suzuki calls it a strumplate), which plays the notes of that chord from low to high, like running a finger across harp strings. Suzuki made the first two. The minichord is a modern, independent take on the same idea.

The Omnichord, from OM-27 to OM-108

Vintage Omnichords

Suzuki released the first Omnichord, the OM-27, in 1981, with 27 chord buttons and a strumplate. The OM-84 followed in 1984 with 84 chord shapes, and it is the sound most people picture. Later models such as the OM-100 widened the strumplate and added sounds like piano and guitar, MIDI models such as the OM-200M followed, and the OM-300 added MIDI in and a chord sequencer. Production of the original line stopped in 1996. Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois and Damon Albarn of Gorillaz are among the players who made it famous (history on Wikipedia).

Vintage prices swing a lot with condition and model, so check recent sold listings rather than asking prices before you buy one.

The Omnichord OM-108 (new)

The OM-108 is Suzuki's 2024 reissue and the only Omnichord sold new today. According to Suzuki:

• 108 chord types by combining buttons, now including sus4 and add9.
• A wide strumplate, like the OM-100 and later, that responds across its whole surface.
• 10 voices, including two "omni" voices that recreate the OM-84 sound with analog circuits.
• 10 rhythm patterns, from rock to bossa nova and waltz.
• Keyboard mode: the chord buttons turn into a 20-key melody keyboard or drum pads.
• MIDI out (no MIDI in), a built-in speaker and a headphone output.
• Runs on 8 AA batteries or an AC adapter, both sold separately.

At Musician's Friend it was $886.48 (list $899) and backordered when we checked, so expect to reserve one. Suzuki also released a limited red version in early 2026.

What is the Q-Chord (Suzuki QC-1)?

The Q-Chord, model QC-1, is Suzuki's late-90s follow-up to the Omnichord, released around 1999 after the original line ended. It is shaped more like a small guitar body with a strap, and it leans toward playing along with songs. From its owner's manual:

• 36 soft-touch chord buttons giving 84 chord combinations (major, minor, 7th, major 7th, minor 7th, augmented, diminished). The bottom two rows also work as a melody keyboard.
• A strumplate with a four-octave range.
• 100 instrument voices for the strumplate.
• 10 built-in rhythm styles, with more on an optional rhythm cartridge.
• A Q Card cartridge slot for Suzuki song cartridges, so you can play along to preloaded songs.
• MIDI in and out, an internal speaker, and a 1/4 inch headphone and line output.
• Runs on 8 C batteries or a 12 V adapter.

Is the Q-Chord still made? Q-Chord for sale

Suzuki's current lineup lists only the OM-108 and its accessories under Omnichord, and we found no new Q-Chords at US stores. So a Q-Chord today means buying used. In October 2026, Perfect Circuit had a used, tested Q-Chord for $599, and another used one was listed on Reverb at $445. Look for one that comes with its power adapter and, ideally, a song cartridge or two, and check that the strumplate responds along its whole length.

What is the minichord synth?

The minichord is a pocket-sized, Omnichord-style synth designed by Benjamin Poilve and made with Seeed Studio. It is open source: the software is under a BSD license, and the hardware design is under a Creative Commons non-commercial license, so you can study and change it but not sell copies. From its user manual:

• 21 chord buttons in 7 columns (major, minor and 7th rows) plus a sharp button. Pressing two or three buttons together gives major 7, minor 7, diminished and augmented chords.
• A harp touch zone of 12 sections that you strum with a finger.
• 12 presets you can replace with your own, and an arpeggiator.
• USB MIDI, so it can play sounds on a computer.
• A rechargeable battery, about 7 hours per charge, charged over micro USB.

It is $174.99 and listed in stock at Seeed Studio's store, which is where the maker sends buyers.

Q-Chord vs Omnichord vs minichord, side by side

The short version: the Omnichord is the real sound, new, with a warranty. The Q-Chord has the most features on paper (more voices, song cartridges, MIDI in) but every one is now secondhand. The minichord gives you the button-and-strum feel for a fifth of the price, as long as you are happy to plug it in. For more strum-style instruments, see our Omnichord alternatives guide.

Which one should you buy?

Or something smaller

If what draws you to these is "press one thing, sound good", a few newer instruments do that without a strumplate. Prices checked in October 2026.

Telepathic Instruments Orchid

Songwriting chord synth

Not smaller (it is a tabletop instrument), but a different take: a one-octave keyboard picks the root and buttons pick the chord type, with stereo speakers, drum beats, a looper and MIDI out. $649 at Telepathic Instruments. See our Orchid alternatives guide.

Honest take: if the strum is the whole point, get an Omnichord or a minichord. If you want chords and melody in your pocket that sound good from the first press, you can try GLIDE in your browser at the bottom of this page.

FAQ