We received a sample in exchange for a honest an
unbiased review.
We received a Stylophone GEN X1
to facilitate a review
for Dubreq .
The Stylophone is a miniature analog stylus-operated keyboard,
invented in 1967 by Brian Jarvis. The Stylophone entered production in
1968, manufactured by Dubreq. In the mid 1970's, a new model appeared
which featured pseudo-wood on the speaker panel and a volume control.
This was shortly before the Stylophone ceased production altogether in
1975. 32 years after the original had ceased to be manufactured, The
toy company Re:creation, in conjunction with Dubreq Ltd re-launched
the Stylophone in October 2007. Debreq re-formed in 2003 by Ben
Jarvis, the son of the original inventor.
The Stylophone was played by touching a metal keyboard with a stylus.
Each note being connected to a voltage-controlled oscillator via a
different-value resistor thus closing a circuit. Other controls on the
Stylophone were a power switch and a vibrato control on the front
panel beside the keyboard, and on the rear a tuning control. Three
million Stylophones were sold, mostly as children's toys, but were
occasionally used by professional musicians.
The Stylophone was available in three variants: standard, bass, and
treble, the standard one being by far the most common. There was also
a larger version called the 350S with more notes on the keyboard,
various voices, a novel 'wah-wah' effect that was controlled by moving
one's hand over a photo-sensor, and two styluses.
Now that you have the history of the Stylophone I'll explain to you
what we received. The Stylophone Gen X-1 is Debreq's new portable
analogue synthesizer. From quirky beats to haunting melodies, you can
twist and warp every note in the palm of your hand. The Stylophone is
packed with features that will amaze you. Whether you are a beginner
or a music pro, if you like the synth sound you’ll love this. From the
makers of the iconic Stylophone.
David Bowie is credited with playing the Stylophone on his 1969 debut hit song Space Oddity and also for his 2002 album Heathen track titled "Slip Away.
This Stylophone is battery operated with a built in speaker, which makes it
portable. You can take this with you anywhere. There is an audio line out
for headphones or you can use the external speaker. Some new features
have been added to enrich the sound, an LFO with square and triangle waves.
Also low pass filter for cutoff/resonance and an Envelope for attack and decay.
It also features an analog delay feature that adds space to your sound with
delay time, level and feedback. Some other added features are sub
octaves -1 & -2 switch, this enriches your sound by adding a second
frequency below your source sound, and a Pulse Width Modulation button
which can be used to create a chorus effect. There are two ways to
make sounds with the stylus.
The keyboard to make distinct notes and the sound strip above the
keyboard to slide between notes on a scale.
My teenage son was excited about the Stylophone. He has been checking it out. He's really into music and singing, he thinks this
will be a really cool thing to play around with. He makes a sound that drives me crazy, hopefully this will change as he becomes accustomed to the Stylophone! These are affordable
and if you have music lovers in your family you might consider this
for the holidays. There was a lot about it my son understood and I
didn't but I find with technology that happens a lot these days.
You can connect with Dubreq via
Facebook ,
Instagram ,
@the_stylophone ,
and
Dubreq Website
Cool I would love this for my kid. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is really into music too. I think she'd be excited to get one of these for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI think my daughter would love this. She has been really getting into music.
ReplyDeleteWow this would be perfect for my 3 year old niece. She loves music and we love helping her make it!
ReplyDeleteI love how the interest and love for the past is coming back full circle, this look like a lot of fun and should imagine would take some practising to get it just right.
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