HiChord vs Orchid ORC-1 vs Minichord: three portable chord synths compared

There’s an emerging trend in modern portable chord synthesisers — often handheld devices which can provide musical inspiration by offering easier ways to create harmonies and chord tracks. They’re often of interest to both beginner and experienced musicians, as they can help to teach some music theory fundamentals as well as offering inspiration to more advanced users’ compositions.

Three of the current crop are the HiChord, the Orchid ORC-1, and the Minichord (inspired by the ’80s Suzuki Omnichord).

Search Amazon for the Omnichord or search eBay

Arguably they extend a concept which has been around for decades — providing easy ways to create chords without having to play every note on the keyboard itself. Since the ’70s and even before, we’ve had the Autoharp, reed organs, simple home keyboards and other instruments which took away some of the required knowledge and dexterity in favour of easy chords. The difference now is the advancement in number of features, accompaniment styling and portability.

Here we take a look at how the HiChord, Orchid ORC-1 and Minichord compare, and which might best fit your needs.

Feature Comparison

HiChord Features

The HiChord is almost a mini groovebox disguised as a chord instrument.

Its seven chord buttons automatically produce harmonically compatible chords, but that’s only the beginning. It includes:

• over 30 instrument sounds
• drum machine
• six-track synchronized looper
• arpeggiator
• sequencer
• lead mode
• drone mode
• effects
• sampler
• vocoder
• USB audio interface
• MIDI controller functionality

It feels closest to something like a tiny Novation Circuit whose interface happens to revolve around chords rather than pads. Firmware updates have continually expanded its capabilities. 

Best for:

• songwriting
• portable sketchpad
• making complete pieces away from a computer
• users who enjoy exploring features

Buy: on Reverb or eBay

Orchid ORC-1 Features

The Orchid is much less about “lots of features” and much more about musical intelligence.

Designed with input from Kevin Parker (Tame Impala), its defining feature is an advanced chord engine that automatically performs sophisticated voice leading. Rather than simply outputting block chords, it chooses inversions and note movements that sound as though an experienced keyboard player were arranging them.

In this sense it’s quite akin to some of the modern arranger workstations, plus plugins and other functions found in advanced DAWs, but in a more portable package.

Other highlights include:

• 16-voice polyphony
• multiple synthesis models (virtual analogue, FM, reed piano etc.)
• expressive touch strip for strumming
• dedicated voicing control
• chord extensions
• inversions
• high-quality onboard effects

It is aimed less at beginners than at musicians who want instant harmonic inspiration without manually constructing every chord. 

Best for:

• composers
• ambient music
• cinematic textures
• sophisticated harmonic exploration

Buy on Reverb or eBay

Minichord Features

The Minichord sits somewhere between an Omnichord and a toy synth—in the best possible sense.

It deliberately keeps things simple:

• dedicated chord buttons
• touch-sensitive strum plate
• built-in sounds
• battery operation
• USB MIDI output

The charm comes from its immediacy. Unlike the HiChord, there are few menus or deep editing options. Pick a chord, strum, and you’re making music within seconds.

Many owners describe it as relaxing rather than technical. Community comments often compare it to carrying a tiny musical notebook rather than a production workstation. 

Best for:

• casual playing
• travel
• relaxing on the sofa
• people who love the Omnichord concept

Buy on Amazon | on eBay | on Seeed Studio

Best of the Three For…