Quick answer
The Otamatone NEO is the redesigned version of the classic otamatone: same tactile neck, same singing mouth, same mechanism as always. What changes is the more modern design, a new colour palette and a slightly improved speaker. If you already know the Classic, the NEO is basically the same experience with an aesthetic refresh. Approximate price: 40–60 €. If you want extra electronic features, look at the Techno; for the easiest to tune, go for the Deluxe.
What is the Otamatone NEO?
The otamatone is the Japanese electronic instrument created by the collective Maywa Denki: a musical note with a face and moving mouth that generates a unique synthesised sound when you slide your finger along its tactile neck. The NEO model is the contemporary update of the classic: same guts, new outfit.
Specifically, the NEO brings:
- Modernised design with cleaner lines and updated finishes.
- New colour palette: the NEO introduced variants that the original Classic didn’t have, including more vibrant tones and pastel colours.
- Slightly improved speaker: the internal sound is marginally more powerful than in the basic Classic model.
- OTM Link phone connection: a real functional extra the Classic lacks — plug the included 4-pole 3.5mm cable into a phone or tablet and use the free Otamatone Studio app to switch between 9 instrument voices (otamatone, e-guitar, alto sax, violin, flute, synth, trumpet, drums, cat).
- Octave switch and power LED: a Low/Mid/Hi octave selector plus a power indicator light — small extras the basic Classic doesn’t have.
In short: the NEO keeps everything that makes the otamatone special and adds real extras — modern looks, new colours and phone connectivity via OTM Link — without the price jump of the Techno or Deluxe.
Comparison: Otamatone NEO vs the full range
To choose well, it helps to see where the NEO sits against the other main models:
| Model | Size | Key difference | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melody | ~15–20 cm | Most compact and affordable | 20–45 € | Budget gift, portability |
| Classic | ~27–30 cm | The original | 30–45 € | First classic experience |
| NEO | ~27–30 cm | Redesigned look, new colours + OTM Link app | 40–60 € | Those wanting modern style without extra cost |
| Techno | ~27–30 cm | Effects, rhythms, mixer | 45–85 € | Experimenting with electronics |
| Deluxe | ~45 cm | Long neck, 3.5mm jack, louder | 70–110 € | Playing songs with more precision |
The NEO sits between the Classic and the Techno: better aesthetics than the former, without the extra features of the latter. It’s the logical choice if design matters but you don’t need additional effects.
How to play the Otamatone NEO
Since it uses the same mechanism as the Classic, the technique is identical. Here’s the basic process:
- Install 3 AA batteries in the rear compartment.
- Turn the power/volume switch right until it clicks — the power LED lights up.
- Set the octave switch (Low / Mid / Hi) to the pitch range you want.
- Hold the body with your non-dominant hand, neck pointing up.
- Slide a finger of your dominant hand along the tactile neck: up = high notes, down = low notes.
- Squeeze the head (the mouth) to add vibrato and modulate expressiveness.
- Practise slow glissandos first, then try simple melodies.
Check our list of songs for otamatone to practise easy melodies from day one.
Full otamatone playing lesson: note positions on the neck, mouth vibrato and basics that apply to the NEO too.
OTM Link: connect the Otamatone NEO to your phone
OTM Link is the feature that most clearly separates the NEO from the basic Classic. Plug the included 4-pole 3.5mm stereo cable between the NEO’s jack and your phone or tablet, open the free Otamatone Studio app (iOS App Store / Google Play) and you can:
- Switch the sound between 9 instrument voices: otamatone, e-guitar, alto sax, violin, flute, synthesizer, trumpet, drums and cat.
- Adjust volume with the on-screen fader for each mode.
- Unlock extra voices through in-app purchases if you want the full set.
A couple of caveats straight from the official manual: not every Android phone works with OTM Link, and devices without a 4-pole 3.5mm jack need a microphone-input adapter (a plain audio-only adapter won’t work). Mouth vibrato is also disabled while headphones are plugged in. It’s a nice bonus, but if built-in effects and rhythms without needing a phone are what you want, the Techno is the better fit.
Available Otamatone NEO colours
The NEO’s big novelty is its colour palette. Maywa Denki designed the NEO to appeal to a wider audience with new finishes and colour combinations that the Classic didn’t have:
- White: the classic look, now with a more modern finish.
- Black: elegant and minimalist; one of the most popular.
- Yellow: vibrant and eye-catching; perfect as a gift.
- Pink: favourite for collectible editions and kawaii fans.
- Blue / Green / Orange: seasonal variants depending on availability.
Note that not all colours are always in stock; check current availability on Amazon.
| Colour | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White | High | Most common |
| Black | High | Popular with adults |
| Yellow | Medium | Very eye-catching |
| Pink | Medium | Kawaii favourite |
| Other colours | Variable | Seasonal |
Who is the Otamatone NEO for?
| Profile | Is the NEO right for you? |
|---|---|
| First-time otamatone player | Yes — just as easy as the Classic |
| Want the most modern design | Yes — that’s exactly it |
| Need the easiest model to tune | Better the Deluxe (longer neck) |
| Looking for extra effects and rhythms | Better the Techno |
| Want the cheapest option | Better the Melody |
| Maywa Denki model collector | Yes — the NEO is a well-differentiated edition |
| Nice gift with lots of colour options | Yes — the colour variety makes it ideal |
Otamatone NEO price and where to buy
The Otamatone NEO costs between 40 and 60 euros depending on the retailer and colour. Amazon is the most convenient option, though some colours may have limited stock as a Japanese import.
Before buying, check:
- It is the official Maywa Denki model (not cheap imitations).
- The specific colour available at that moment.
- The voltage: Japanese models work in Europe without issue (batteries, no mains power).
As an affiliate, Otamatone.club may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases. No extra cost to you.
The NEO within the evolution of the otamatone
Since Maywa Denki launched the original otamatone in the late 1990s, the instrument has gone through several generations. The NEO represents the updated aesthetic line: same nonsense machine philosophy, same brilliant mechanism, more contemporary presentation.
Other Japanese instruments with a similar philosophy you might enjoy: the kazoo (perhaps the world’s easiest instrument) or the Stylophone (pocket analogue synthesiser used by David Bowie).
Otamatone NEO: pros and cons after the redesign
Compared with the original Classic, the NEO changes more than just the paint job. Two details matter most for how it actually plays:
- Wider stem. The neck is slightly broader than the Classic’s, which gives fingers more surface to land on and makes it easier to find the same note twice in a row.
- More sensitive touch strip. It responds to lighter pressure, so glissandos and sustained notes feel smoother — useful once you move past the first beginner songs.
- 3.5 mm headphone jack included. Unlike the Classic, the NEO lets you practise privately with headphones or route the sound to a small speaker — the same jack doubles as the OTM Link connection to the Otamatone Studio app.
What it still doesn’t have: the dedicated effect buttons, built-in rhythm loops and voice mixer of the Techno — those work without a phone at all. If you want extra sounds but don’t mind using the OTM Link app, the NEO is simply the most comfortable and best-connected version of the Classic experience to actually hold and play.
Frequently asked questions about the Otamatone NEO
What is the Otamatone NEO?
The Otamatone NEO is the redesigned version of the classic otamatone by Maywa Denki: same tactile neck and singing mouth, with updated design, new colours, a slightly improved speaker and OTM Link connectivity to the Otamatone Studio phone app.
What distinguishes the NEO from the Classic?
The core mechanism is the same, but the NEO isn’t purely cosmetic: it adds an octave switch, a power LED and OTM Link, which connects to the free Otamatone Studio app to switch between 9 instrument sounds. Design-wise it also has more modern finishes and a new colour palette.
How much does the Otamatone NEO cost?
The price is between 40 and 60 euros. It’s somewhat more expensive than the basic Classic but more affordable than the Deluxe.
Is the Otamatone NEO easy to play?
Yes. Like the Classic, you slide a finger along the neck to change pitch and squeeze the mouth for vibrato. No musical knowledge required.
What colours does the Otamatone NEO come in?
The main colours are White, Black, Yellow and Pink. Seasonal variants (Blue, Green, Orange) exist depending on availability.
Does the Otamatone NEO have a headphone jack or app support?
Yes to both. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack, and that same jack is used for OTM Link: plug in the included cable and use the free Otamatone Studio app to switch between 9 instrument sounds. It doesn’t have the Techno’s built-in effect buttons and rhythm loops, which work without a phone.