WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Latest Portable Music Keyboards, Synthesizers and Music News

With so many of your credit and debit cards available digitally these days, you might be wondering if you still need a physical wallet, but if anything’s going to convince us to hold on to ours, It is MakerProducts’ MIDICard.

MakerProducts makes tools for Makers based in Los Angeles, California, United States has introduced MidiCard, a credit card-sized USB C PCB Midi controller.

Said to be ‘the world’s smallest MIDI controller,’ this 18-note keyboard is barely any bigger than your Visa or Amex, but with its class-compliant USB-C connectivity, can be plugged into pretty much any device you like (iPad, iPhone, Android, PC and Mac) and play anywhere.

The tiny 3.5 x 2 x 0.25 inch footprint has been achieved by putting the keys and other controls directly onto a PCB board. As well as being able to play notes you can also trigger modulation and sustain, as well as choose from three different velocity levels. Should you need to extend the range, there are octave up/down buttons. This is truly a full MIDI keyboard in your wallet.

MIDICard V1 generates MIDI information to use with any DAW such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, or Garage Band. MIDICard V1 does not generate sound on its own.

The first batch of MIDICards has already sold out, but another batch is expected to land on 26 February. You can pre-order now for £50 (£60 if you want the Lightning cable version) via the MakerProducts Etsy page.

As we approach the end of the year, the time has come not only to celebrate some of the best new synths, drum machines and Eurorack gear of 2023, but also to question the whereabouts of the products we were told would be released before the end of December but haven’t yet materialized.

Which brings us to Suzuki’s new version of the Omnichord. We were initially told that this was “scheduled to be released around the Autumn/Fall of 2023” in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of Suzuki Musical Instruments Manufacturing.

Unfortunately, this time slot has been missed: in fact, in a recent statement on its website, Suzuki confirmed that the Omnichord OM-108, the name given to the new instrument, has officially been postponed. “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers who have been eagerly looking forward to the release,” the company adds.

Not to worry, though, because the good news is that the OM-108 is on track to be exhibited at the 2024 Winter NAMM Show, which takes place between January 25 and 28, 2024. The company says that it will also confirm a new release date at the event.

Played using a combination of chord buttons and a touch-sensitive strum plate that you can either tap or slide across, the Omnichord made its debut in 1981, and various different models were released up until 1999. The instrument was thrust back into the spotlight earlier this year when Gorillaz’ Damon Albarn revealed that the beat for Clint Eastwood, one of the band’s biggest hits, is powered by one the machine’s auto-accompaniment presets

The OM-108 looks set to feature this and other classic Omnichord beats, and also to revisit some of the original sounds. There will be new ones, too, and it will be possible to layer two sounds on the strumplate for additional expression. New sus4 / add9 chord options will be here, too.

Check out some audio-only preview videos of the Omnichord OM-108 below in preparation for ‘setting your plates to strum’ early next year.

Suzuki is marking its 70th anniversary by releasing a new version of the Omnichord.

The Suzuki Omnichord was already having a moment, and it’s now been confirmed that this quirky electronic instrument is coming back.

To celebrate the Suzuki’s 70th anniversary, the company has announced that a reissue of the Omnichord is coming in the fall of 2023:

“In the 1980s, the electronic musical instrument ‘Omnichord’ gained tremendous popularity among gadget-loving music lovers for its quirky look and tone.

We have been receiving requests to resurrect the Omnichord for a long time. And this year, 2023, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Suzuki Musical Instruments Manufacturing, we will reproduce the Omnichord!

It is scheduled to be released around the fall of 2023.”

Between 1981 and 1999 there were multiple iterations of the Omnichord, starting with the OM-27, so Suzuki has plenty of inspiration to draw on. Whether its reboot will be a faithful emulation of a specific model, a ‘greatest hits’ package that includes the best bits of various models or a completely new design remains to be seen.

That’s all we know at this stage – we are still waiting on specs and a potential price.

It was originally intended to be a folk instrument – an electronic take on the auto-harp. It’s been used notably by musicians ranging from Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois to Damon Albarn of Gorillaz.

The Omnichord was thrust back into the spotlight last month when Gorillaz’ Damon Albarn revealed that the beat for Clint Eastwood, one of the band’s biggest hits, is powered by one the machine’s its auto-accompaniment presets.

Now a new generation of musicians will get the chance to experience the Omnichord, which is played using a combination of chord buttons and a touch-sensitive strum plate that you can edit her tap or slide across. It was originally designed for musical novices and people who struggled with traditional instruments, but has become a cult favourite.

Details on the Suzuki Omnichord anniversary reissue are to come. Suzuki says that it will periodically add more information to its Omnichord page in due course.
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