Stylophone GEN-X1 portable analog synth demo and review 

Anything can become an instrument in the right hands. If you're one of those judgmental people who scoffs at anything cheap, dirty, or limited in capabilities, you don't have the right hands.

9:07 Thought we were going to get into some Vangelis Blade Runner stuff there. Definitely surpasses being just a toy.

I don't think this is a toy. Actually, with all the options the X1 have and the paired to a whammie, it can do REALLY impressive sounds. I'd like the way they used to make (or try at least) music funnier and kind of easier. Absolutely not a toy.

Although this is 3 years later, I managed to find an original Dubreq 1968 Stylophone in near cosmetically perfect condition. I did have to recondition the board by replacing the little button capacitors and reflowing the solder to give the device a better ground. Also I replaced the original headphone jack with a spare one I had from an old Radio Shack intercom system (70s mono sound). But other than that, it's a perfect little Stylophone that sounds amazing and is a work of genius. I HIGHLY recommend both the vintage (if you have soldering and basic electronic skills) or the modern Dubreq Stylophone in all its variants. It a fun, somewhat useful device for basic music and really shines for originality. The music is pure 70s analog synth cheese and will put a smile on your face and wish toys were made this original and this high a quality. And it fits well for collectors of analog synthesizers like the original Roland Juno, vintage Korg and even vintage Yamaha FM synthesizers and old Casio.

Best Stylophone video I've seen yet! Demo and review? This is more like a tutorial and I sub'd before having seen any of your other content. Just learned today about the Stylophone and am really enjoying it. Thinking of getting one for myself as an entry-level introduction to synths now that you've covered everything so well. I can tell you've been doing this for a very long time.

This sounds like it's from a classic horror movie

That's so old-timey sci-fi sounding there. It's great.

That's pretty cool, I've always loved the stylophone. $70 seems a bit steep though, I'd rather circuit bend and modify an original stylophone as you can get them for really cheap nowadays.

That is pretty cooI, have heard of these little toy like sinths over the years. but this is the first time I have seen a full review and demo of one of them. I definitely like it. Greg Hawks of the Cars used a kazoo as a sound effects instrument in a few of their songs. so it would definitely be useable for sound effects in most any kind of recording. and a bonus is it's completely portable. so you could take it anywhere with you. and goof off with its parameters to get some interesting effects. it really is more than a toy. for people who enjoy techno music it would be a must have. and it can be useable for sound effects other than musical sounds. I'm going to have to check into getting one for sure.

When you mention David Bowie, play the song of Space Oddity on Spotify and wait for 30 seconds he was using Stylophone on that song

Dude. All of your videos have such a homey feel. Like I haven’t watched your channel in about a year or so and yet the vibe is still the same. The whole aesthetic is perfect for what you make. It reminds me of the perfect version of the Beatles I have in the back of my head. It was when I first thought of them like that that I found your channel. Thanks sooo much :)

My first guitar was a toy. My second guitar was a tool/toy mix. My third guitar is a tool that I use for fun. Sure, there was a price difference, but the real difference came with how serious I became and how far my playing had progressed.

I'm getting strong Earthbound vibes from this thing

I could listen to you mess around with those sounds for hours

You can be a DJ, only use that tool, a million sound effects in one, super awesome....

Great review, very impressed with the analog filter sounds for its budget it’s a good buy

Ooooo a fellow ace!!🖤🤍💜

The next step up would be the Dubreq Stylophone S2. Mari Dangerfield (here on youtube) made an entire song with this and and another youtuber Synthmania sampled this unit and built an entire track.

Stars of the lid at one point

Are you related to Ariel Helwani? Anyway, definitely sounds like something Boards of Canada probably used.

David Bowie rocked this thing, like in Heroes. Or if your German, Helden. Just look up the song and listen for it, it’s a great song

MOM! I WANT EVERY SOUND IN THE WORD! Here it is!

For more polyphony try an electric heater.

That thing is pretty badass for a “toy”

Any plans to make a track using this?

Is this what Prince used in his song Delirious?

Maybe it’s a stupid question but is it possible to record from this to your MacBook ? Id like to do some music / sound design myself for short movies. Thx a lot for the demo and your time 🙏🏻

It sounds similar to an alien invasion... filled with flying saucers.. like in an old science fiction movie.

7:33 yo... hear them sirens? I know you hear 'em... don't get scared...

Great Video, thank you! How would I connect it to my pc to record what I'm playing? Through the 3.5mm? Ordered one a few days ago cause why not😌

Run it through all kinds of things... So, fun 🧑‍🎤🎶🕺 It's just for fun dude...

4:45 mars attacks! ACK ACK ACKACKACK

Спасибо.

3:40 reminds me of the 2112 opening. Cool!

Does anyone know if the music at 10:30 is an actual song or is it something that he made up on the moment?

9:42 gorgeous.

Could be wrong but I don't think Queen ever used a Stylophone on a track.

Just about anything can be a toy in the hands of a child, and just about anything can be an instrument in the hands of a musician

I WANT ONE!!!!

does anyone know where I can buy one? I've been trying to find one here in our country but I can't seem to find one. I'm international so amazon isn't really an option. I tried looking on amazon and the shipping is much more expensive than the stylophone itself :vv

It reminds me of old Russian movies

What do I need to set this synth up

I'd love to buy one but my question is this. Are there any songbooks made for these ? I'd want to make good use of it by learning how to play songs with it but without any instructions how to I'd be lost

bro hope you can help me, i bought the same model of stylophone and when I tried to rec something connecting it to my pc i find out it makes a lot of static sound and i can't understand if the problem it's mine and i'm doing something wrong or if it's my one that is broken. Does it ever happend to you? Did you solve it?

welp now i know how DyE made one of there songs

Its pritty good to be fare

It lost me at no line out

>Adjustable LFO waveform >Doesn't let it go into audible freq What the actual fuck Dubreq?

The BBC Radiophonic Workshop would have died for one of these...

perfect for G-Funk

Man that reverb is FAT.

I dislike it. It constantly cuts out and doesn't sound anything like the cheap one. Plus it has more keys, so I can't learn any music, I have to make it from scratch. Not worth the 70 bucks for me.

Someone plz tell me, do i need to buy some extra thing to play with the Gen-x1 stylophone, or can i play everything with just the stylophone, i always see some machine connected with the stylophone, im worried if i have to pay more than i really have too.

i hear early devo

Why does this guy playing the EarthBound Soundtrack

0:00- 5:00 looks like the sound of 70's movies

Did anyone else buy this and can't figure out how these people make it sound good? I feel i've wasted 70 bucks

Land of the Lost. Chaka🐵

No offence, but I feel you are being fooled by its looks.

Why is this chaps face in frame

synthoy

Stop talking and play it!

Some surprisingly rich sounds. Not bad for 70 bucks...

I’ve got one and I love it. The lofi delay mixed with a mad decent filter, 2 sub oscillators, a unique envelope design, PWM, a nice LFO, plus the touch strip make for a unique sound making machine. Surprisingly good basses and leads. Also works great as an delay pedal. I run my guitar, vocals, other synths, etc through it. Mixed with a Gakken SX-150 it can get them both into some truly gnarly territory.

Not for making solid tracks? LOL, listen to Russian group GROMYKA, they use a bigger version and it sounds quite interesting.

got my boyfriend this for x-mas

do people hear with their eyes? why is it, every small synth is compared to toys? throw this same hardware in a big heavy wood box and it's an instant classic. consumers are stupid.

It is a good intro level option. Some may call it a toy but I think it is just as valid as any other analog, especially with a hack to add an external keyboard or in conjunction with other synths and pedals. It sounds good with some reverb. Maybe crack it open and use the board as part of a modular. Lot of possibilities.

This is no "toy"

Picked one up today in celebration. I like to think of 1968 as an excellent vintage. :)

At 5:27 it sounds like it says "WALL-E"

If you have a 3ds you can get the korg dsn 12 which is this but on a 3ds and has a visual oscillator. And even uses a stylus

Definitely worth having one, they sound awesome!

This is surprisingly feature rich for something that costs 75 buckaroos. I ordered one just for fun and portability but it should be a serious consideration for anyone as a first synth.

Hey great video appreciate it , do you think this would be able to go theough a theremin with a pedal as well ? Or would tou recommend something better ? I would like to just make effect with a theremin and this would also help in keeping a note you want o. The theremin and want to accentuate the sound with theremin . Thank you in advance

I couldn't hear anything coming through the Volca Beat during the section on the Auxiliary input. Still a great review. I kind of want one of these things now.

I have one of these and man, what a fun synth to play Great review!

Nice video. You get better and better at this! I’ve had this little synth for a while and really love the sounds it makes.

Reminds me of the early pioneers of analogue synth music. Fond memories of growing up with Jean Michel Jarre's music.

I just subscribed as soon as you said aomething about "the fine line between a toy and a tool"... I wish I had a toy like that as a kid! I will buy some of them now I am 40. Greetings from Argentina!

This. Is. The. Most. Badass. Thing. Ever. Period.

That filter is delicious

3:30ish sounds like some stuff from the early LPs by Air.

Is it possible to put 3 of these in a chain to create a triple oscillator synth ?

Paired with battery powered multiFX, looper, and portable modern busking amps like the Blackstar Superfly, could be quite a strong addition to a street busker..

Maybe less feature rich but w/ all the ‘budget analog’ synths out there today, this sounds better than many 200 dollar options.

The -2 sub sounded like, legit-legit.

Toy? Synth? Mini-Synth!

the sounds remind me so much of earthbound it's unreal. I want to get this thing

Nice Atari gameplay but seriously cool video I have had recent love for synthesizers thanks to NMH and Radiohead I think I'll pick one up sometime

Man this has some great potential for dungeon synth.

Hi, nice review!!! Could you send me a sample of aprox 3 seconds of the central C? I would need a straight saw with full open filter and no resonance. I would really apreciate it. I can give you my e-Mail Adress if it is allright for you. Thanks for the video!!! Regards

Thank you Mingi from infinity train for introducing me to this cool thing

david bowie used the plain stylophone on his major tom song, also all but the s-1 is sold out so it must be a good instrument.

Luke: R2! Turn off the trash compactor! R2: 5:15 Luke: Dammit R2! How about BB8? Can he help us? BB8: 5:30

I was used to making music in virtual tools like FL Studio. Is it a good choice for who is getting started with physical synthesizers?

I really want a stylophone, but I don't know if I should get this one, or if the simpler Standart one would be fine for me too :/

Mines showing up today. I can't wait for it

Calling the Stylophone a toy is like calling a flute or an ocarina a toy. Neither of these is a toy.

Sounds like the score to the movie Forbidden Planet!