Stylophone BEAT

Beats and basslines – anytime, anywhere: the Stylophone BEAT is a pocket-sized drum machine that you play with a stylus instead of pads or keys. Best of all, you don't need to be a drummer. Tap and slide the attached stylus across the segments of the circular, touch-sensitive beat pad – each one plays a different drum or bass sound. Four sound banks, a loop recorder with click track and a built-in speaker turn this compact unit into a complete rhythm workshop for the bus, the sofa or the studio.

Four worlds, one pad: use the sound switch to choose between the banks ROK, TECHNO, HIPHOP and BEATBOX. Each bank contains its own drum kit and a matching bass sound – 4 drum kits and 4 bass sounds in total, from punchy rock drums to electronic techno kicks and human beatbox grooves. The mode switch decides whether the pad currently controls drums, bass, patterns (PATRN) or transposition (TRNSP); in bass mode the two top segments shift the octave down or up.

Record, layer, play live: tap REC – the click track switches on automatically and sets the tempo. Play a drum pattern over eight beats, switch to bass mode and lay a bassline on top; the loop keeps running and you stack as many layers as you like. Up to four patterns can be stored on pad locations 1–4, copied and recalled live. During playback you can mute single sounds or everything, shorten the pattern length, apply a filter to the loop or transpose the bassline into another key – all directly with the stylus, no menus. The tempo dial takes the groove from laid-back to frantic. Four demo modes show you what's possible when you switch on.

Solo or connected: the built-in speaker with volume control makes the BEAT ready to play straight away. For sessions without an audience, plug wired headphones into the 3.5 mm jack – the same jack sends the signal to an amp, mixer, audio interface or computer so you can record and process your beats. The unit is a «live in the moment» instrument: switching off erases all recordings and clears the stage for the next beat.

Features:

• Compact stylus drum machine for drum and bass loops – ideal for beginners and experienced musicians
• Circular, touch-sensitive beat pad played with the attached stylus
• 4 sound banks ROK, TECHNO, HIPHOP and BEATBOX – 4 drum kits and 4 bass sounds
• Loop recorder: record multiple layers, mute sounds, change the bass octave
• Store, copy and recall up to 4 patterns live; pattern length, filter and transpose in real time
• Click track and tempo dial for a tight groove (tempo lock)
• Built-in speaker with volume control and 3.5 mm jack for headphones or recording
• Compatible with audio interfaces and computers (3.5 mm stereo cable)
• Compact: 18 × 12 × 4 cm, metal and plastic construction
• Runs on 3 × AA batteries (not included), no charging needed
• In the box: Stylophone BEAT with attached stylus

Who is the Stylophone BEAT for? Anyone who wants to build beats without clicking through menus and displays – music fans tinkering with ideas on the train, parents and children discovering rhythm together, producers looking for an unconventional sound source for the studio, and of course anyone who needs an original gift with retro charm. Together with the Stylophone S-1 mini synthesizer it makes a complete pocket studio: the S-1 for melodies, the BEAT for rhythm and bass.

Tips for better beats:

• Switch on the click track first and count in with the first four beats – it makes starting the loop much easier.
• For a typical groove: kick on 1 and 3, snare on 2 and 4, then layer hi-hats on top as a second pass.
• Record the bassline in BASS mode and shift it into another key with TRNSP mode – a quick way to turn one loop into verse and chorus.
• Use the filter (hold the middle pad in PATRN mode) for transitions; let go and the beat snaps back.
• Record via the 3.5 mm jack into an audio interface and keep working on the loops in your DAW.
• To remove the stylus, gently lift it at the right-hand end – never pull on the cable.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Do I need to be able to play drums?
No. The click track sets the tempo, the pattern is laid out over eight beats and the sounds are clearly arranged on the pad – first loops come together within minutes.

Are batteries included?
No, the Stylophone BEAT requires 3 × AA batteries, which are not included.

Are my beats saved when I switch off?
No. The BEAT is deliberately a live instrument: switching off erases all recordings. If you want to keep loops, record them via the 3.5 mm jack on a computer or audio interface.

Can I connect headphones?
Yes, any wired headphones with a 3.5 mm plug will fit; the speaker is muted when headphones are connected.

How many sounds are there?
Four sound banks (ROK, TECHNO, HIPHOP, BEATBOX), each with a drum kit and a bass sound – so 4 drum kits and 4 bass sounds that can be combined in one loop.

What is the difference from the Stylophone S-1?
The S-1 is a melodic synthesizer, the BEAT a drum machine for beats and basslines. They complement each other perfectly and both are available in our shop.

How big is the unit?
The Stylophone BEAT measures 18 × 12 × 4 cm and fits in any jacket or backpack pocket.