YouTube Published on Aug 9, 2012 by squidfanny
squidfanny (RSS)
"Mega-modded Omnichord Synthesizer.
Hacked, Circuit Bent, Modded & Stuffed full of funky new circuitry.
Similar mods to my previous 'Steam-Punk' Omnichord, but with this one I also went a bit mental with additional circuitry - there's a Filter with LFO, Space Echo (analog delay), a comprehensive Rhythm Patch-Bay & an integrated Step-Sequencer....
The Step Sequencer can be used to generate custom rhythms, or just add additional beats to the preset rhythms.
It also has a row of switches, dedicated envelope generator (sonodrome's 555 envelope generator) and Knob to allow sequenced Pitch Modulation. Yes, can now program tempo Synced Pitch twisting :)
Best of all, the sequencer can be used to twist & Modulate the ECHO, in the same way as the pitch modulation!!!
Check out the mental astral sounds that a Twisted Echo can produce..............
Cool eh?
This Omnichord has been another epic project, the machine was in a very bad way when I got it - power-amp & logic clock were both busted, and there was heat damage to the board too. All these faults were caused by a combination of wrong polarity power supply, and suzuki's decision to omit a polarity diode on the machine :(
I mean seriously man, a diode costs about 1 penny....
Perhaps Suzuki were cashing in on the repair business too?
Anyway, I replaced an IC to make the chord generator chips work again, repaired the heat damage on the board, and replaced the busted power-amp with an array of transistor amps to retain the vintage sound.
Also gave it a new set of caps, and added about 30 little caps to remove the unwanted triggering Clicks / Pops.
It's still a bit noisy, but certainly an improvement on the original.
There are metal touch points dotted around this machine that will generate bleepy tones, and modulating squarewaves. Depending on which touch-points are used, you can generate pleasing clean tones, dark bass or varying types of distortion. Combine this with the Glitch Controls to prodcuce bleepy arpeggios, some lovely techno-scrobber sounds and de-tuned discord.
I think this will be my final Omnichord OM-27. Reckon I've exhausted the circuit bending potential for this machine, so next Omnichord's gonna be a different model."
Update: two pics and additional details via this auction.
"Internal Speaker & Battery compartment have been removed to make way for various new Knobs, Switches, Metal Bolts, Metal Touch-Points, Buttons & Flashing Lights. The machine is powered with a standard 12 volt adapter. Audio is provided by a 1/4" Jack Socket on the front of the machine. I do not have the Rubber Pick for this machine - to use the harp-plate you'll need to press quite hard or just lick your finger. Apart from this, the machine functions just as a standard Omnichord OM-27, with no functions or features affected. Inside the machine is an arsenal of funky new circuitry, this includes a Filter & LFO, an Analog Delay (SPACE ECHO) and an Integrated STEP-SEQUENCER for creating original Rhythms, or adding to existing rhythms. The Step-Sequencer can also be used to program Pitch-Modulation, AND also to Modulate the ECHO RATE. Both the Sequencer-Pitch Mod and the Sequencer-Echo Mod have a dedicated envelope generator and an 'Amount' Knob for Pitch-Up or Pitch-Down."
