Stylophone GEN-X1 portable analog synth demo and review

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  • Опубликовано: 22 окт 2018
  • This is a demo/tutorial/review of the Dubreq Stylophone GEN-X1 which is a portable analog synth that you play with a little stylus. Is this just a toy or can it be a serious tool? Let's find out!
    Stylophone GEN-X1: amzn.to/2R4pTO2
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Комментарии • 261

  • @gnarlysoundscapes7210
    @gnarlysoundscapes7210 5 лет назад +584

    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.

    • @mini-botco.4364
      @mini-botco.4364 5 лет назад +34

      So does this redeem my playing of the toy pianos at Walmart?

    • @jaxorgate
      @jaxorgate 5 лет назад +37

      Mini-Bot Co. yes

    • @99xara99
      @99xara99 5 лет назад +31

      Agree. I get dumb smiles for playing ukulele, melodica, kalimba. "That's not a real instrument duh" 😒😒 While they are, and they're very useful and sound very legit for the stuff I do with them. Same goes for this thing.

    • @jeevesdfector3686
      @jeevesdfector3686 4 года назад +17

      Exactly. A children's keyboard can be implemented as a studio instrument as long as it's got a headphone jack. I use a $50 lofi Casio keyboard frequently when making beats

    • @DarkAvatar1313
      @DarkAvatar1313 4 года назад +17

      Hell, people turn buckets, brooms, and such into music (search for STOMP) so anything can really be an instrument...

  • @bobz1736
    @bobz1736 5 лет назад +353

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

  • @jnkmal9519
    @jnkmal9519 3 года назад +215

    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.

    • @vijayjayaram606
      @vijayjayaram606 3 года назад +9

      Right tuned ear can pick music even from an exhaust note
      🤘

    • @rookmaster7502
      @rookmaster7502 2 года назад +3

      If all one imagines from this instrument is a toy, then all one will get from it is a toy.

    • @jumpstar9000
      @jumpstar9000 2 года назад +5

      It was a great demo, but the dude clearly has no clue what he is dealing with here. This thing is a monster.

    • @KitsuNoir
      @KitsuNoir 2 года назад +2

      It was made as a toy for children. He says that, and so does the stylophone creator.
      That's why he keeps saying "really good for a toy".

    • @Yimpa_Joy
      @Yimpa_Joy Год назад +1

      Well, our current society heavily judges based on looks, so this should come as no surprise

  • @MisterHughes
    @MisterHughes 5 лет назад +128

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

    • @theEpicFailSquad123
      @theEpicFailSquad123 2 года назад +1

      I've been trying to replicate that setting on my stylophone but I can't for my life figure it out. I can't make it out what he's got in the video too.

    • @pahwraith
      @pahwraith 2 года назад

      @@theEpicFailSquad123 you need to add a digital reverb.

    • @kosherwinespiritreview7772
      @kosherwinespiritreview7772 Месяц назад

      @@pahwraith which one it THIS!?

  • @HotStrange
    @HotStrange 5 лет назад +74

    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.

  • @SelBoi
    @SelBoi 5 лет назад +106

    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.

    • @randrants1024
      @randrants1024 Год назад +2

      yeah, maybe he was comparing this gadget with all the other professional ones which cost hundred or even thousand dollars.
      but here, with gen x-1, you can have awesome sounds with such a nice price.
      definitely not a toy yup :)

  • @lecliche8849
    @lecliche8849 5 лет назад +7

    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.

  • @davidledoux1736
    @davidledoux1736 2 года назад +4

    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.

  • @deathstrike
    @deathstrike Год назад +5

    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.

  • @danbutorovich246
    @danbutorovich246 4 года назад +34

    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.

  • @wilhelmmusic241
    @wilhelmmusic241 5 лет назад +14

    Definitely worth having one, they sound awesome!

  • @danimations80
    @danimations80 4 года назад +1

    Thanks for the thorough walk-through of the instrument's character and features! A fun little box.

  • @jackehaus265
    @jackehaus265 2 года назад +1

    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 :)

  • @ghostinng274
    @ghostinng274 Год назад +1

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

  • @smithfield06
    @smithfield06 2 года назад

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

  • @rockstarjazzcat
    @rockstarjazzcat 5 лет назад +32

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

  • @OmarLuna1981
    @OmarLuna1981 3 года назад +3

    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!

  • @ralphclark
    @ralphclark 5 лет назад +2

    Very nostalgic sounds!

  • @NickRamos
    @NickRamos 5 лет назад +13

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

    • @ex35240sx
      @ex35240sx 5 лет назад

      How does it compare to the korg kaosilator

    • @OTLCellartapes
      @OTLCellartapes 5 лет назад

      @@ex35240sx different idea, more focussed on varying a single sound,.,.,. kaossillator is more varied, much less of a toy

  • @musicauthority7828
    @musicauthority7828 Год назад +4

    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.

  • @tonicez0154
    @tonicez0154 5 лет назад +125

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

    • @Ailgadem
      @Ailgadem 3 года назад +1

      whooooo aaaaare youuuu

  • @evang2881
    @evang2881 5 лет назад +44

    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

    • @crasheffort
      @crasheffort 5 лет назад +6

      I agree. I have both korg apps for the 3ds, and the plus version for the dsi/ds, and they are great for getting ideas out on a sequencer. The second screen can be used as XY pad that you can set to musical scales, as well as a keyboard.
      I also have the original stylaphone and it is just fun to play around with when watching tv. I am seriously considering this version because the biggest drawback of the original is the lack of parameters to vary the sound.

  • @Spacecookie-
    @Spacecookie- 4 года назад +3

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

  • @BrandoNoCaps
    @BrandoNoCaps 5 лет назад +53

    This sounds like it's from a classic horror movie

  • @theTerribleFamiliar
    @theTerribleFamiliar 5 лет назад +8

    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.

    • @onceuponasynth
      @onceuponasynth  5 лет назад +4

      Yeah I'm not sure why it was so quiet and muffled. I'm gonna have to try some different sound sources and maybe different cables.

  • @JohnMassari
    @JohnMassari 2 года назад

    So simple so beautiful.

  • @theowlhouseseason3213
    @theowlhouseseason3213 2 года назад +1

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

  • @Avy4
    @Avy4 3 года назад +22

    got my boyfriend this for x-mas

  • @fnglert
    @fnglert 4 года назад +3

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

  • @churchofaggressiveaudio6498
    @churchofaggressiveaudio6498 5 лет назад +4

    Thanks! Great detailed demonstration. 👍

  • @en16ma_music
    @en16ma_music 2 года назад +5

    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.

  • @sleepydogz1022
    @sleepydogz1022 3 года назад +1

    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

  • @davidlewis1787
    @davidlewis1787 5 лет назад +7

    That filter is delicious

  • @savanaviolenta
    @savanaviolenta 4 года назад +1

    Alright getting one. Can't skip that for the money.

  • @RetroPlus
    @RetroPlus 5 лет назад +8

    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.

    • @TooSlowTube
      @TooSlowTube 4 года назад +11

      You could do that, but the original was just a square wave generator. The Gen-X1 has more of the elements of a real subtractive analog synth.
      There's a tweakable filter, an ADS envelope (with no R, and no knob for the level of S), an LFO section, plus a sub oscillator and a sub-sub oscillator.
      The delay section is useful too. You can use it on short settings to get that ghostly synth brass effect, or add a pseudo release to the envelope.

  • @edrosa3485
    @edrosa3485 5 лет назад

    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.

  • @madrednome
    @madrednome 2 года назад +2

    Man this has some great potential for dungeon synth.

  • @Xottapchenko
    @Xottapchenko 5 лет назад +42

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

    • @OTLCellartapes
      @OTLCellartapes 5 лет назад +2

      probably meant "you'll have to use mostly other sounds, or else be sounding gimmicky"

  • @craigdavidson4378
    @craigdavidson4378 2 года назад +2

    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..

  • @AndreyLuizDev
    @AndreyLuizDev 4 года назад +1

    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?

  • @billytsekeris5817
    @billytsekeris5817 3 месяца назад

    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

  • @jpmcglynn
    @jpmcglynn Год назад

    Awesome vid and review. What is the name of the digital reverb unit? Thanks!

  • @dotwashere4498
    @dotwashere4498 3 года назад +2

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

  • @spartaninvirginia
    @spartaninvirginia 4 года назад +5

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

  • @borisundercover
    @borisundercover 2 года назад

    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 🙏🏻

  • @TheRealestApex
    @TheRealestApex 4 года назад +5

    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

  • @adamzimmerman2464
    @adamzimmerman2464 3 года назад

    I just ordered one of these and its coming in a few days. I think I could do some pretty cool K-Pop covers on it.

  • @Sasch94
    @Sasch94 3 года назад

    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😌

  • @treesmaofficial3873
    @treesmaofficial3873 2 года назад +1

    Ooooo a fellow ace!!🖤🤍💜

  • @danielfulop
    @danielfulop Год назад

    Hey, can I connect this directly to my laptop's jack to record the sound on it, or do I need some kind of amplifier?

  • @bluedragon3657
    @bluedragon3657 3 года назад +1

    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 :/

  • @beefuton1
    @beefuton1 4 года назад

    what is the reverb hardware u are using?

  • @robertobonani4631
    @robertobonani4631 2 года назад

    Stars of the lid at one point

  • @fentanyljones6956
    @fentanyljones6956 2 года назад +2

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

  • @samuelzuleger5134
    @samuelzuleger5134 3 года назад +9

    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.

    • @joborion
      @joborion 2 года назад +2

      This

    • @musicauthority7828
      @musicauthority7828 Год назад +2

      This would be good little instrument to have along side a guitar. for sound effects for recordings.

  • @rifaisaiful3777
    @rifaisaiful3777 4 года назад +2

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

  • @pongtrometer
    @pongtrometer 3 года назад

    Wonderful. CLOCK WORK ORANGE box

  • @Joe-sc8fu
    @Joe-sc8fu 4 года назад

    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

  • @andrewkotcher5704
    @andrewkotcher5704 3 года назад +1

    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.

  • @Alpha_7227
    @Alpha_7227 2 года назад

    I'm here because I saw it on the Get Back movie by Peter Jackson. I didn't even know it existed. Is this how they made all those cool effects in early Sci Fi movies?

  • @The_Haha_Man
    @The_Haha_Man 3 года назад

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

  • @mvb_music
    @mvb_music 2 года назад

    What kind of device do you use from 8:54?

  • @waternosuka
    @waternosuka 2 года назад

    mine doesn’t work and does not make any sound unless i open the cut off button. Is it normal?

  • @FatGuyWithAKatana
    @FatGuyWithAKatana 4 года назад +6

    So it's the logan's run soundtrack pretty much

  • @user-ht6qt6zv1c
    @user-ht6qt6zv1c 4 года назад +5

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

  • @davidkodama8653
    @davidkodama8653 3 года назад

    It sounds great, but where do I get music for it.

  • @binface9
    @binface9 5 лет назад +1

    Any plans to make a track using this?

  • @mixflame9078
    @mixflame9078 5 лет назад

    Fun!

  • @danielletch
    @danielletch 3 года назад +1

    Sounds like the score to the movie Forbidden Planet!

  • @SnifferRiffle
    @SnifferRiffle 3 года назад +4

    I'm getting strong Earthbound vibes from this thing

  • @davidg1612
    @davidg1612 4 года назад

    I need to get my hands on one of these.

  • @MattGreerMusic
    @MattGreerMusic 5 лет назад +1

    Little thing has a bit of character doesn't it? I like it.

  • @timothy6966
    @timothy6966 3 года назад +2

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

  • @sarasuarez5529
    @sarasuarez5529 3 года назад

    yuh i don't watch this guys other vides but is that an ace ring? :D

  • @benjaminkovacs5034
    @benjaminkovacs5034 3 года назад +1

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

  • @leondesplenter6742
    @leondesplenter6742 Месяц назад

    Can it be connected to other synths?

  • @bobafruti
    @bobafruti 5 лет назад +14

    It's a toy, but you could use it on a "hit" record if you wanted...
    But let's be honest, most hit records are made on computers these days and could be made on a phone if you wanted...
    So whatever, it looks like good fun so I'd buy one :-D

  • @malyitmayer7771
    @malyitmayer7771 2 года назад +1

    Спасибо.

  • @collinsrijayanta4199
    @collinsrijayanta4199 5 лет назад +1

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

  • @JC-es5un
    @JC-es5un Год назад

    Bowie initially wrote the song “Space Oddity” on a Stylophone, according to an interview he gave.

  • @subscribetobanbasstabs2599
    @subscribetobanbasstabs2599 5 лет назад +3

    Anything can do anything if youre creative enough

  • @zooblestyx
    @zooblestyx 4 года назад +3

    The -2 sub sounded like, legit-legit.

  • @LostStylus
    @LostStylus 3 года назад

    Is the delay analog in it?

  • @enl1600
    @enl1600 3 года назад

    I need it.

  • @monumento.f.501
    @monumento.f.501 4 года назад +1

    For more polyphony try an electric heater.

  • @Pr0jectFM
    @Pr0jectFM 5 лет назад

    I have a Korg Volca Keys and a regular Stylophone. Would this stand out enough to be worth buying?

  • @reinopirttijarvi2487
    @reinopirttijarvi2487 3 года назад

    Man that black and white face cam looks so good

  • @davidfarmer2193
    @davidfarmer2193 3 года назад +1

    1:22 Sounds like Sweep from Sooty! lol

  • @nefariouspreludev2.046
    @nefariouspreludev2.046 3 года назад

    Just one word describes the sound. BLADE RUNNER!

  • @therealmodernwalking9695
    @therealmodernwalking9695 4 года назад

    How many channels does this thing have, like can you push more that one sound at the same time??

    • @KRAFTWERK2K6
      @KRAFTWERK2K6 4 года назад +4

      i think it's monophonic.

    • @will-dd7ou
      @will-dd7ou 4 года назад +1

      Reltih Floda you can use it as a speaker and play it at the same time

  • @sandmanbub
    @sandmanbub Год назад

    Is this what Prince used in his song Delirious?

  • @davidg1612
    @davidg1612 4 года назад +9

    10:08 is the start of seriously sweet sounds.

  • @jaysxeast
    @jaysxeast 8 месяцев назад

    I WANT ONE!!!!

  • @liamfoskett5220
    @liamfoskett5220 5 лет назад

    Just like the minimoog
    Just like it

  • @foxglove9
    @foxglove9 5 лет назад +7

    I have this and never realized you can apply the delay on the input source as well. A shame the filter cutoff muffles the sound so much.

    • @onceuponasynth
      @onceuponasynth  5 лет назад +5

      yeah it's too bad. I realized after that I was using a TS patch cable (not TRS). I'm not sure if this has any impact on the sound. I'm gonna have to try with a different cable and maybe another sound source later, because when the synth is playing the filter sounds pretty open so I'm not sure why it was so muffled with the aux in. If you end up trying it with something else lmk if yours also sounds muffled.

    • @foxglove9
      @foxglove9 5 лет назад +8

      I tested mine with a TRS cable and, although the gain was a little weak and noisy, the audio was not muffled at all!

    • @onceuponasynth
      @onceuponasynth  5 лет назад +3

      Oh awesome that's good to hear! Thanks for testing it out.

    • @derekfrost8991
      @derekfrost8991 5 лет назад

      Does it stay in tune?

  • @Tiger.Arcade
    @Tiger.Arcade Год назад

    Be perfect for a 70s b film sound effects.

  • @wertdeg
    @wertdeg 2 года назад +2

    That thing is pretty badass for a “toy”

  • @bivotarshamble3672
    @bivotarshamble3672 10 месяцев назад

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

  • @c.morgansparkman1454
    @c.morgansparkman1454 4 года назад +1

    What is the second thing you hooked this up to

    • @robertparkside2571
      @robertparkside2571 3 года назад

      Yeah. What is the digital reverb unit you hooked up?

    • @TheUnofficialMaker
      @TheUnofficialMaker Год назад

      @@robertparkside2571 OTO MACHINES - BAM Space Generator only $700

  • @stickyfox
    @stickyfox 4 года назад +1

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