One of the coolest things for me this year was a company called “OMB Guitars” and we had to stop by and see the product for ourselves.  The OMB is a MIDI-compatible, app-connected attachment for your guitar that allows guitarists to make our guitars sound like any instrument we choose. It also has a backing track mode which makes this a new tool for the singer/songwriters that may spark new ideas. OMB also gives players a toolkit that lets them play other instruments and/or play along to backing tracks.

OMB also can convert your guitar’s signal into MIDI, so in theory you can use this device to control synths, MIDI hardware and plug-ins in your DAW of choice. The system comes in two versions for acoustic and electric guitars but you may say “What about latency issues?” and OMB says they have that covered. According to their Website the OMB’s patented technology detects the signals from the strings and coverts them to digital data without any latency.  The signals are detected when holding any note, without even strumming the strings.  An App on a smartphone or tablet picks up the signals enabling you to choose features like auto accompaniment, solo playing, record and more.

OMB can be used at home for practicing, live shows and everything in-between.  The App enables guitarist to add auto accompaniment by choosing styles, rhythms and tempos from basic Rock to Pop to Salsa to custom branded styles that can be downloaded from the OMB online store or work with any MIDI auto accompaniment device.  The App also enables playing solo with a wide selection of instruments, shows the chords that are being played, records what you are playing and more.  All these features provide you with a great new and unique playing experience.  The App can be controlled hands-free by using the OMB’s foot pedal.

Being a guitarist myself I like the ability to play whatever I want and have the OMB add the accompaniment that follows along with my thoughts and ideas as they come to me.  I am positive that this small device with inspire many guitarist to expand their own playing and songwriting ideas.  Check out our Interview with OMB’s founder and CEO Benzi Thee below.

Booth: “OMB Guitars”

Venue: “NAMM 2018”

Reviewed by: Storm@Backstage360.com

OUR INTERVIEW with BENZI THEE: