Stylophone Mini Synthesizer

A metal stylus, a printed keyboard and that unmistakable buzzing analogue tone: the Stylophone S-1 is the original pocket synthesizer from England – the instrument David Bowie used to give «Space Oddity» its space-age character in 1969, later picked up by Kraftwerk, Jack White and countless other musicians. This reissue brings the cult sound of 1968 faithfully back – small enough for a coat pocket, with a built-in speaker, headphone output and a three-octave range.

How the Stylophone works: instead of pressing keys, you tap or slide the tethered stylus across the metal keyboard. Every segment is a note – the bottom row corresponds to the white piano keys, the top row to the black ones. Tapping produces single notes, sliding creates the signature glissando. All keys are numbered, so you can play songs from simple number tabs without reading music. In short: easy to learn, hard to put down.

Sound with character: the monophonic analogue oscillator delivers exactly the raw electronic timbre that made the Stylophone famous. The three-way octave switch lets you choose a low bass register, the classic middle register or a high lead register – three octaves in total. The vibrato switch adds a floating modulation to every note, and a tuning control on the base lets you match the instrument precisely to other instruments or a song.

Solo or in your setup: play straight away through the built-in speaker. Plug in headphones for quiet practice, or use the 3.5 mm output to send the signal to an amp, mixer, audio interface or computer – so the Stylophone sound ends up in your own recordings. The additional 3.5 mm input lets you feed in music from a smartphone or player and play along.

Features:

• Original pocket synthesizer by Dubreq – reissue of the 1968 classic
• Monophonic analogue sound, played with the stylus on a metal keyboard
• Three octaves thanks to the three-way octave switch (bass / classic / lead)
• Vibrato switch for floating modulation
• Tuning control on the base (tuned to concert pitch at the factory)
• Built-in speaker with volume control
• 3.5 mm output for headphones, amp or audio interface, 3.5 mm input for playing along
• Numbered keys – play songs from number tabs, no music reading required
• Compact: 18 × 12 × 4.5 cm, metal and plastic construction
• Runs on 3 × AA batteries (not included), no charging needed
• In the box: Stylophone S-1 with attached stylus in retro packaging

A piece of music history: in 1967 London engineer Brian Jarvis was repairing his niece's toy piano and decided to replace the keys with electronics – a simple oscillator controlled by a metal keyboard on a printed circuit board and played with a stylus. From 1968 the Stylophone became a bestseller, David Bowie made it immortal with «Space Oddity», and more than four million units have been sold worldwide to date. The S-1 is the faithful reissue of that classic – a gift that delights music fans, retro lovers and synth nerds alike.

Tips for the perfect Stylophone sound:

• Use octave 1 for basslines, octave 2 for the classic Bowie tone and octave 3 for melodies and leads.
• For the typical glissando, slide the stylus flat and evenly across the keys; for staccato, just tap briefly.
• If the Stylophone sounds out of tune or weaker, the batteries are usually due – fit fresh batteries and readjust with the tuning control.
• If it crackles while playing, clean the keyboard and stylus tip with a soft cloth or a non-abrasive metal cleaner.
• Run it through a 3.5 mm cable into an effects pedal or audio interface – with delay and reverb the pocket synth becomes a serious studio instrument.
• Switch off after playing and put the stylus back in its holder; never pull on the cable.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Do I need any musical experience?
No. The keyboard is laid out like a piano and every key is numbered. With the free number tabs the manufacturer offers online, even beginners play their first songs within minutes.

Are batteries included?
No, the Stylophone S-1 requires 3 × AA batteries, which are not included.

Can I connect the Stylophone to headphones, an amp or a computer?
Yes. Use the 3.5 mm output to connect headphones, an amp, a mixer or an audio interface and record the sound directly.

What is the note range?
Three octaves: the octave switch shifts the keyboard into a low, middle or high register.

Is the Stylophone a toy or an instrument?
Both – it is simple enough for children and beginners, yet sounds so distinctive that it has featured on albums and stages for decades.

How does the S-1 differ from the Stylophone BEAT?
The S-1 is a melodic synthesizer for tunes and melodies; the Stylophone BEAT is a drum machine for beats and basslines. Together they make a complete pocket studio – you will find both in our shop.

How big is the instrument?
The S-1 measures 18 × 12 × 4.5 cm and fits in any coat pocket.