Question 1

Repair Costs to fix an Omnichord?

Accepted Answer

Typical Omnichord Repair Costs:
 ◻️ $150-$300 (includes parts & labor) + shipping

Additional Mail-In Repair Details:
🌧️ Additional fee for severe corrosion damage repairs
📦 Customer pays initial shipping cost to Blaine, MN 55434

Question 2

Care and Handling of your Omnichord

Accepted Answer

Here are some helpful hints to keep your Omnichord working for a long time to come!

All Models:
 • #1 RULE - Remove batteries when not in use for more than 1 month.  This will help prevent the ever too common acid leak, which can destroy your Omnichord permanently.

• Use only 12VDC (- tip) power supplies rated to at least 500 mA for best results.  Contact us for recommended replacements.

• Unplug the DC adapter when not using to avoid accidently damaging the DC jack.  One foot step onto this cord/jack mating area can lift the DC jack off the PCB, causing damage and a no power condition.

• Using the car lighter socket in vehicles provides unregulated power that could damage the electronics.

• Wipe strum plate with clean cloth.  Do not use isopropanol alcohol, nail cleaner or other solvents or the finish may be damaged.

• Tune your Omnichord to Cmaj using a known-good tuning source such as an in-tune piano, guitar or tuning key.  Use a non-conductive screwdriver to avoid magnetic interaction with the tuning device for best results.

• Review the owners manuals for your model.  The OM-84 memory section is quite difficult to figure out without it.  If you get a continuous beeping sound for instance, the manual will tell you how to clear the full memory condition causing this error noise.

• Owners Manuals available here (free): http://www.suzukimusic.co.uk/omnichord-heaven/owners_guides.html (http://www.suzukimusic.co.uk/omnichord-heaven/owners_guides.html)

• Play more complex chords on the OM-84, OM-100, OM-150, OM-200m, OM-250m and OM-300 by pressing down multiple keyboard keys simultaneously.  Experiment and find some new chords to add to your songs!

• The "m" in OM-200m and OM-250m stands for MIDI enabled.  You can control external instruments using this feature which is unique to these models and the OM-300 only!

Question 3

Omnichord Help - No Power

Accepted Answer

1) Do Not Use + tip DC supplies, they will damage the Omnichord!

2) If battery contacts are corroded, try using external 12VDC (-tip) adapter instead.  If DC adapter works, you've narrowed your issue down to the battery contacts.

3) If external 12VDC (-tip) adapter doesn't power unit on, try C batteries instead.  If batteries work, you've narrowed your issue down to DC Jack area.  Check the DC Jack for cracked solder joints on the PCB.

4) If using C batteries, replace with brand new ones and try again if you encounter odd behavior from your Omnichord.

6) Check the PCBs for corrosion damage.  Please do not remove corrosion which will make the failure area more difficult to determine.  Cleaning up corrosion will not correct the issue, typically PCB components have now been damaged due to shorting and need to be repaired.

7) Inquire with Notch Audio LLC at notchaudiollc@gmail.com (notchaudiollc@gmail.com)for all other issues or corrosion damage advice.

8) A common misconception is that the large 1000uF/35V electrolytic capacitor on the back side of the OM-84 has leaked onto the board.  This can happen if the wrong polarity power supply is used, since there is no reverse polarity protection on these instruments.  The capacitor will appear to be bulging at the top or even have ejected it's contents onto the surround board area if this has occurred to a fatal degree.  However, when you see a hard, darker brown substance underneath the side of the capacitor this is glue from the factory that has dried up and is no longer holding the capacitor to the board for mechanical support.  You can easily measure the capacitor and determine if it is actually good or not using the right tools.  Apply a small amount of fresh silicone adhesive to the old or replacement capacitor and clamp or apply weight while the adhesive sets.

9) While monitoring power supply current, ideally with a current limiting feature set to 500 mA, power on no power Omnichord and look for high-current draws (over 500 mA) which indicate an internal short somewhere.  Find the short, repair the issue and recheck.  If no current draw at all, look for an open component in the power section.

Question 4

Will you buy (or trade-in) my broken Omnichord?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  We buy limited quantities of non-functioning Omnichords of various models for repair and resale or for parts.  Contact us at notchaudiollc@gmail.com (notchaudiollc@gmail.com)and let's see if we can work something out.

Thanks!

Notch Audio LLC

Repair - Sales - Development

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