Stylophone GEN X-2 Expands on its Predecessor

 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.


QUICK TIP

* 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.

MicroKits goes retro-future with the Synth-A-Sette

MicroKits makes a fun little theremin electronics kit for kids that I recently featured on the Theremin 30 podcast. After that interview, MicroKits founder and designer David Levi let me try out the company's second product, the Synth-A-Sette. As of this writing, the first batch of Synth-A-Settes are already sold out, but more will available soon.

This cool little keyboard shares some characteristics with the Stylophone, so I thought I should feature it here.

The Synth-A-Sette is a monophonic keyboard instrument built with a form factor nearly identical to an audio cassette tape. (Remember those?) In fact, it is packaged inside a plastic cassette box. The non-moving keyboard is part of the circuit board. There is one full octave of touch-pad keys, but an octave jump button raises all the pitches to give you a second octave. 

The range of the instrument can be transposed with a tuning wheel in one corner. It has about two octaves of adjustability, so you can set up the instrument to play in just about any major or minor key (or most of those weird modes you learn about in music theory class.)  This is particularly handy when you want to jam with other musicians and keep your Synth-A-Sette in tune with their instruments.

Another rotary control adjusts the volume. One switch turns the power on and off. Another toggles a vibrato effect. There's also a headphone jack for private listening or to connect to external audio gear.

It's cool to see all the tiny electronic components on the bottom. Some of them are labeled so you can know what they do. A pair of AAA power the instrument for portable play. There's also a USB C jack for AC power. To save on batteries, there is also an automatic shut-off feature.

The little obround holes along the edges of the keys are meant for use with alligator clip cables. A set of cables is included in the package. With them, you can connect the eight "white" keys (think of a piano here) to everyday household objects. For example -- eight bananas, or whatever fruit you have handy.  Then with another cable connected between the grounding hole and your own body (don't pinch yourself with an alligator clip!) you can touch each banana in sequence to complete the circuit and play a melody. Metal objects will work best, of course, but experiment with other objects or eight of your best friends to see what else will make beautiful music.

And how does this instrument sound? Well, its analog tone generating circuit sounds similar to an electronic organ or a classic Stylophone. There is only one patch available, but running the headphone output signal through some guitar effects pedals could create some wild new timbres!

You can learn more about the MicroKits Synth-A-Sette, hear some sound samples, and get on the waiting list for the next batch of instruments at https://microkits.net/products/synth-a-sette.

Stylophone Gen X-1 Portable Analog Synthesizer

The newest addition to the Stylophone Museum is the Gen X-1, a fun little analog synthesizer that sells for about $70 USD.

The Gen X-1 is true to its heritage, retaining much of the quirky, awkward charm of the standard model Stylophones.  It can be played with a wired stylus, has the distinctive 1960s visual design of the original, and can make similar (some would say irritating) electronic organ sounds if you tweak the knobs just so.  But the Gen X-1 does a lot more. With 16 knobs and switches to dial in pitches and timbres, it can produce a surprisingly wide range of analog bloops, bleeps and more conventional musical tones. It is especially good at producing Moog-like analog bass and sustained lead synth patches, sci-fi sound effects like sirens, flying saucers, and noisy outerspace drones. The built-in speaker isn't very loud or hi-fi, so plug in a pair of headphones or an external amplifier to get the full effect.

With the built-in ribbon controller, the Gen X-1 can be played a bit like a theremin, a trombone or a fretless string instrument. The ribbon allows for playing the pitches between the standard notes of western scales. It's especially useful for more experimental, sci-fi style patches that sweep smoothly from high to low frequencies, or vice versa. A wiggle of the fingertip will generate some subtle vibrato, too.

Another cool feature is the analog delay circuit. It can be tweaked to simulate the release stage that the included envelope generator doesn't have. (It only has attack and decay.) Or the feedback level can be cranked up to generate cascades of interesting noises.

I find the tuning knob on the bottom of the instrument to be particularly useful.  Rather than allow only fine-tuning of the instrument's pitch (to match A440 or to be in tune with other instruments, for example), this knob can shift the keyboard up or down the full frequency range of the oscillator.

One funky and probably unintended feature of the Gen X-1 is that the instrument will function as a very weak microphone.  If you hook up the headphone output to an amp or recording device and really crank up the amplification, you can tap on or slap the plastic cabinet and hear the corresponding sound at the output.  It can even be manipulated by the delay circuit to produce some weird, noisy, percussion feedback.

Is the Gen X-1 perfect?  No.  It's still basically a toy, although this model is bigger and seems to have a more sturdy build than the classic models or the S1 reboot. The metal keys can be a bit frustrating. Accidentally resting the stylus between notes will produce an unintended pitch in a higher octave. The stylus wire seems as restrictive as ever.  And, as with all Stylophones, it can be a challenge to play the right notes unless you constantly keep your eyes on the keyboard and tip of the stylus. But at about $70, the Gen X-1 really is a great value with a ton of musical potential. Its feature set and playability far exceed its nearest competitor, the Korg Monotron pocket synthesizer range.

I like the Gen X-1 so much that I have three of them: one to play now, one as a backup, and one as a backup to my backup!