Oops! I did it again. I bought a piece of musical gear that I wanted but really didn't need. This time it was the new Stylophone GEN X-2 portable analog synthesizer, which replaces the apparently discontinued GEN X-1.
Why didn't I need it? For a couple of reasons: I already have the Stylophone GEN X-1, which is mostly identical in both form and function to the GEN X-2. And because the most significant new features of the GEN X-2 are its CV (Control Voltage) capabilities.
If you aren't familiar with CV, it is a simple system that allows synthesizers and related analog electronic components to control each other remotely. For example, pressing a key on a CV keyboard can send two voltage signals to a modular synthesizer. The pitch CV signal instructs the synth to play a specific pitch or note, and the gate CV signal controls when to activate or deactivate the sound. A third CV signal can also be used to adjust the value of a corresponding knob, such as modulation depth or filter cutoff.
CV control is 1960s technology, but it still works, and it's still pretty cool. CV is essential for communication and interaction between most of the current Eurorack synthesizer modules. And that's why I didn't really need the GEN X-2. I've been trying to downsize my life over the last year or two, getting rid of things that no longer felt essential. In the past, I definitely suffered from Gear Acquisition Syndrome, buying far more stuff than I ever learned to use properly. So last year, I sold the vast majority of my Eurorack equipment. Now, I only own a few standalone synth items that have CV connectivity. And really, I don't even need those because I am not a professional gigging musician or recording artist. I am mostly a hobbyist, and I play my synths to amuse myself occasionally. So, I don't need an elaborate setup like I once had.
I bring this up because I want to emphasize that if you already have the GEN X-1 and love it, but don't have other CV-capable synthesizer products, then the additional features of the GEN X-2 will be of little to no benefit. However, if you do want to get into Eurorack, then the GEN X-2 can definitely be part of your introduction to that whole world. Just keep in mind that the CV features of the GEN X-2 require some other piece of compatible gear. Unlike the Stylophone GEN R-8, the GEN X-2 is not designed for self-patching* between components within a single instrument. So, you will need a sequencer, a semi-modular synthesizer, a keyboard controller, or a Eurorack system to take advantage of the GEN X-2. When you do have it patched up with another compatible product, you can play the GEN X-2 keyboard with the stylus to control the sound of the other gear. Or you can do the reverse, and use the other product to play the sound of the GEN X-2.
I did some experiments to see how well the CV connectivity performed. (This required a few 3.5mm TS mono audio patch cables, not included.) As a controller, the GEN X-2 definitely can be used to play other synths, but I found the same challenges associated with any stylus instrument. I had to look at the metal keyboard surface as I played to make sure I was hitting the right notes, and I had to make a conscious effort to firmly press down on the stylus for a good electrical connection. I much preferred using the GEN X-2 as the sound source controlled by other gear. It performed well with the Korg SQ-1 sequencer. And I could control it effectively with the Stylophone GEN R-8 with both the touch keyboard and the on-board sequencer.
Results were less satisfactory with a Behringer Swing controller keyboard. At least with my particular Swing and GEN X-2, there seemed to be a mismatch with the CV Gate voltage. The sound was not stopping when I stopped pressing a key. To fix this, I had to route the CV Gate signal through an attenuator module on my Behringer Neutron semi-modular synthesizer and adjust the corresponding knob until everything seemed to work correctly. I have not been able to find the voltage rating of the Swing's CV Gate output, so I don't know exactly what is causing the problem when connecting directly to the GEN X-2, but the attenuator did fix it. (FYI - There is more than one standard voltage for CV gate signals. So this is always a risk if you don't know the specs of your instruments before you buy them.)
I also had an expected problem when using a Moog Werkstatt-01 as a keyboard controller for the GEN X-2. In this case, it was the pitch CV signal from the Moog that was an issue. For some unexplained reason, the Werkstatt was not designed to output the more-or-less standard 1 volt per octave pitch CV signal. There is a note about this in the Werkstatt owner's manual that says an attenuator is required to get it to play pitches correctly with other gear. So, once again, I had to route through the attenuator on my Neutron to get the GEN X-2 to play an in-tune chromatic scale. (Gate CV, by the way, worked just fine when patched directly.)
As you can imagine, patching three portable or standalone synths to get something musical out of them can be rather cumbersome and not very portable. So, I see the CV capability of the GEN X-2 as an introduction to CV control and a tool for experimentation, but probably not something that will serve as your primary controller or sound generator in a large Eurorack setup or as part of your traveling gear for performing on-stage.
Still, the Stylophone GEN X-2 is a fun, but limited, analog synthesizer that you can throw into a purse or backpack with a pair of headphones to compose, jam, or just make funny noises almost anywhere. If you don't already have a GEN X-1, I think it's worthy of your consideration.
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* One self-patch that does seem to work is to connect a cable between the GEN X-2 pitch out jack and the filter in jack. The filter cutoff frequency will shift up or down as you play different pitches across the keyboard.
