Stylophone Theremin Review - a hybrid synth/theremin for $110... but is it any good?

[@Stylophone]

Thanks for spreading the word!

[@atomusbliss]

Looks great, very interesting!

[@annebokma4637]

found the pre order page, watching the rest of this video first 😂

[@themaryveils5960]

Need one!

[@mancoogameer3415]

Where can find it.? .. I NEED IT...

[@ocean_monster1]

@Stylophone Please start shipping soon...ready to order two 😂

[@JohnnyTakeAll]

Stylophone absolutely nailed this. A fresh take on a classic instrument, greatly improving its usability and for a great price. I mean…hats off to them.

[@BoBeats]

I hope you don’t mind but Im borrowing this for the title of the vid! So well said

[@JohnnyTakeAll]

@@BoBeats I would be honored! Love you Bo!

[@andyloveskeyboards]

Their drone synth looks impressive too, really happy to see their new stuff hitting well with folks.

[@gigglybeast]

@@BoBeats- Why didn’t you use this comment in the title?

[@Divuar]

I'm gonna grab both theremin and drone machine from them. That new direction is amazing!

[@returnofthegoth2220]

I have all of Stylophone's instruments and not a single one of them disappoints. This looks absolutely on point for their brand and I cannot wait to play it! Thanks for showing it to us!

[@JNico444]

You seriously managed to collect all of them? I was wondering some weeks ago if it was possible to collect all of their products….then i found put some vintage and very rare to find ones (Also very expensive ones). Congrats man 👍🏻

[@bob-rogers]

The slider is essentially an electro-theremin (the instrument used on Good Vibrations). So it's really two instruments in one!

[@gilivatios]

That is exactly why I am interested

[@darrelldourte9455]

​@@gilivatiosslider mod - first investigation.

[@jazzad]

The slide is directly inspired from Ondes Martenot. That's 2 antique synth devices in a single cheap box. Lovely. NIce test too.

[@jansonrawlings8169]

Pretty much, but more like the electro-theramin used on songs like good vibrations back in the 60s. The major difference being the slider vs the ring device. Martenot was for sure first though.

[@gabrieldt5755]

​@@jansonrawlings8169 also German Trautonium had a similar way of producing the notes ( glissando)

[@jansonrawlings8169]

@@gabrieldt5755 I’ll look into that! Thanks

[@themoonandhelvetica195]

Stylophone is killing it. This and the ds-2 are the type of things that get me excited about gear again; lets hope they keep making cool stuff!

[@CookinBeatloaf]

Have you used either? Curious how they are in practice, not just demo

[@SteveOuimette]

Saw this at NAMM last month and it was my favorite piece of gear at the show. Instantly inspirational, cheap and so cool! I'll be getting one as soon as they're available.

[@anjah.9508]

Wow! I played the theremin for several years and have a synthesizer, but it's really interesting to see them combined in one device. Cool sounds!

[@InnerVisions68]

A Theramin IS a synthesizer. But I think I know what you mean.

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

Wow...I'm really diggin' that first tune. I want a full length version! I've pre-ordered the synth. Can't wait for it to be available.

[@Si-ew3ff]

Do you know when it will be available?

[@kstudios8706]

@@Si-ew3ffIt is announced for may 2024.

[@ocean_monster1]

​@@kstudios8706 Still not out...hopefully soon! I could use this for an ufo themed party in August

[@seaweedgirl23]

What a fantastic video! My friend just bought this unit when she attended NAMM to compose music. I was intrigued and grateful to find your detailed video! ❤

[@Bigwhoopiedingdong]

I went to a fishbone concert and there was a theramin solo that felt like an eternity which takes about 3 minutes . I would love one but I have a feeling no one else would be happy about my purchase

[@michaelshultz2540]

OH My ! That's even more reason to get one. Just to fly in the face of those that would try to put a muzzle on someone else's need to live create and and explore lifes pleasure and purpose for themselves. Trump & DeSantis people all are that kind of crazy that just want to shut up creativity , personal identity and growth. I am free to be me. I will not surrender to fascisisim or tyranny. Rock on dude 😎🤙👽🖖

[@christhesmith]

Getting ready to be evicted after my stylophone arrives!!

[@andrewgobel4936]

Stunning! Great demo, Bo. So much character in those tones. It looks crazy to play

[@stratuspei9405]

Why did I have to see this?!! Now I want one 😂 The thoughts of ghosts and Addams Family seems inescapable too 😁

[@FrancisMaxino]

A way around the volume/amplitude could be solved by having a basic foot pedal volume controller

[@snejkie7477]

The tune in the beginning is just pure melancholic beauty!

[@rubylouh7849]

I cannot wait to experiment with this bit of kit! Always liked the idea of a theremin but they were out of my price range, so happy I've pre-ordered this after watching this video. I've just been showing my teenage nephew the Stylophone Beat box this last week and he loved it. I'm sure he's going to love this box even better though, that's if I allow him to play with it! Thanks for the video!

[@landonewts]

Thanks for the great breakdown. I’ve owned both a vintage Stylophone and a couple of different kinds of theremins. This synth looks like a perfect mix of the two, and the price point is insane. Theremins are both alluring and very difficult to play, this instrument gives that classic theremin sound along with more variety, and tools to create a more musically controllable experience. Genius.

[@Lanooski]

having now gotten acquainted with the brand, it's pretty cool how identifiable they've made their signature tone. it's VERY retro, and no matter how contemporary the hardware is, there's little doubt in its humble roots as a toy that Bowie and the Beatles tinkered with in the late 60s.

[@N0Camping4U]

No evidence of Beatles or Bowie using one. However, Beach Boys did.

[@PocketUnv]

Absolutely love the raw sound of it, I could see this being used to do all sorts of madness!

[@Tiger.Arcade]

👋Well structured video and demos Bo. It’s gonna be something new for most of us but a great affordable way to get into a theremin. The design reminds me of an EMS Synthi AKS. Anyone else?

[@BoBeats]

Yes only batteries

[@landonewts]

YES!

[@TooSlowTube]

It needs a playable volume control, even if it's only a 1/4" jack input for an expression pedal. It would also benefit from a level knob (attenuator) to feed the signal to the delay section, so it's a choice whether or not you overload it.

[@Vapor3D]

I think that this and the connection to a power adapter to avoid using batteries will be the first "home-made" modifications to be made to this interesting instrument!

[@landonewts]

I have an old volume pedal in my studio, that will be a good workaround

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

Just use a volume pedal in line with the output cable.

[@lowlowseesee]

ive been in love with the sounds of the theremin for many decades. this might be the one lol

[@donaldwatson3801]

Incredible! So ready for this to ship

[@DannyFiver-m9k]

It’s got a good sound will definitely be looking into this one cheers Bo for a great show and channel

[@misterholiday8669]

I think you did very well. Great demo👍🏾

[@crazyquilt]

This product is for me, that's who. I am really excited to hear folks get their hands on these. I preordered this and the drone synth module they announced around the same time without a second thought. I'll try hooking up a volume pedal to get some amplitude control. But I'm all about those mad scientist vibes. Quirky is my middle name; my favorite synth is Lyra

[@BoBeats]

A pedal is an interesting workaround!

[@EchoKraft]

😮😮😮😮😮😮❤❤❤❤❤👍🏻 can’t wait to get my hands on this! great demo Bo !

[@BoBeats]

Thanks buddy!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Holy smokes that's awesome. Now I'm even more excited for this to arrive, gave me goosebumps! 😄 Re: amplitude control, a guitar pedal with a rocker control for volume could be a good substitute and you'd still be able to play the antenna and slider with both hands

[@MikPeterRasmussen]

Great demo Cheers 👏 Charming little gem and crazy good value 👌

[@camerakungfu]

Currently I own a couple Theremins and will absolutely add this one to the fleet. At least once I hear back on their odd "pre-order" situation.

[@dimitrispapadimitriou5622]

That's cool! Not only 50's sci-fi, but for experimental sounds"also! And it looks like a miniature VCS3 !

[@The_artist_called_The_Engineer]

Ok I’ve listened to five minutes of the video and I want one 😊 Paired with my new Behringer Pro VS would make for some killer ambient soundscapes. I play fretless bass so I’m thinking a similar approach to pitch. I am now on the preorder mailing list.

[@henriknykvist]

I'm curious how it'd be for ambient music with a ton of reverb.

[@TannerGr8rix]

I literally want one just to make "spooky soundtrack" noises 😅

[@glormymcglorm]

oooo i wonder how hard itd be to modify the trigger with a force sensitive potentiometer..theyre cheap now (like under 10 bucks) then use it to control the attack....combined with the slider you'd basically have a Ondes Martenot (the instrument radiohead uses a lot...how to dissapear completely, national anthem, etc...) edit: pretty sure the force potentiometer could just be wired to the volume! ha!

[@Bleaksigilkeep]

From what I've seen so far this thing is begging to get modded

[@caballorojo]

That mod should work, another suggestion is to wire an LDR (Light Dependant Resistor) [aka: a Photoresistor] up to the volume switch, then you can wave both hands around in the air. Agree with the Bleak, this thing is going to be circuit bent to oblivion. Also the simplest thing to do would be to just put a volume peddle between the line out and your amp, this would free your hands to play slider and antenna, and have amplitude control.

[@hellogreg1973]

@@caballorojovolume pedal is a great idea

[@DankePlace]

When a company shows Behringer how to make cheap affordable products, that still look expensive.

[@Reprobus3]

Original too

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Well i mean Behringer's Behremin is STILL only a paper tiger concept without any final prototype... Have no idea what takes them so long with THAT thing... i'm still waiting for that thing and would definitely get it too. Because i no way i'd buy an Moog Etherwave for what Moog demands....

[@patrickmcmanus5373]

Behringer must of heard because they released metal enclosures pedals from the sixties ❤

[@jeanbonnefoy1377]

Can't wait to get mine... (As a deducated collector/user of the whole stylophone range since thd first one some 45 years ago!). Already love this original mix of a simple pitch-only Theremin (like the Distant Voice or those cheap Japanese ones) and a Trautonium (or a Persephone) in the guise of a vcs3 like box - s-cat flavoured on the destroy-cross-mod front. A tip: using a volume pedal (and even better an old korg traveler vca-vcf one) goes a long way to help expression and playability: even with a regular two antenna Theremin like the Moog ones... Even if I started using my first Moog one in the mid 2000s, I'm not Clara Rockmore, far from it, and more than once, the volume pedal helped me save the day on stage🤗. And second tip: don't use the whole hand to play notes but your fingers - and flex the arm with your elbow to change octaves... The trick being to learn to articulate each fingertip as if you were picking strings on a neck.

[@boywithoutaparachute]

This is going on my wish list. I was just trying to make up my mind on getting stylophone's gen x-1 or the Douk mini theramin. Now i dont have to. Thanks BoBeats 👍🏼

[@mikethemachian6542]

it seems a filter would have been handing on that. I know it's not the classic Theremin sound, but i feel this would be great at lower pitched sounds, or without that high end squeal.

[@BoBeats]

A filter would have been fun!

[@kalabiband]

@@BoBeats Wah pedal perhaps? The original Stylophone through a Big Muff and a CryBaby wah is a lot of fun :)

[@mikethemachian6542]

@@kalabiband that does sound fun

[@aileenadler9203]

I'm a professional theremin player and this looks fun. Although theremin is easier to control with volume control/antenna as well. Your prounciation is how the inventor, Leon(Lev) said his name!

[@floconductor9090]

Awesome! ❤ Send one piece to Carolina Eyck - i think she will show what this Theremin can do :) I also see some DIY stuff like inserting a big volume potentiometer so you can play it in the way of a classic Theremin.

[@Tripwelleverday]

Best review you’ve ever done 😮

[@kengruz669]

Wouldn't running a volume pedal between line out and an external speaker be a viable substitute for the lack of a volume antenna to control by hand?

[@BoBeats]

Yeah I think it could work

[@lostsauce0]

Immediate preorder! Incredible deal

[@RichardRamsey-su7he]

Still waiting

[@jimwrightpepperkittypawcas991]

Can’t wait for this to be available!

[@user-rv8wb1nl1b]

i expect it on BAD GEAR episode immediately

[@NEKRWSPHERE]

Can you use it as a MIDI output device? Such as connect it to a DAW-based synth? If so - it's worth every penny.

[@rhtaft]

My favorite things about this - the growl of the cross mod, and the design nod to the EMS VCS3

[@DavidFell]

This interests me mostly due to the slider. I have a very high-end theremin already. However, the slider is very much like the “Electro-theremin” also known as a Tannerin, which isn’t a theremin at all. This is what was on Beach Boys records like Good Vibrations. It had a slider and was not controlled with antennas.

[@DavidFell]

Wikipedia on the Electro-theremin: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro-Theremin?wprov=sfti1#

[@AdamsOlympia]

Your song with the Repro Pad was dope! ; it was off the chain when you brought in the drums and everything else. I’d love to hear a version with some pro vocals , maybe even some rap lines, ala Twenty One Pilots.

[@GhostpainOG]

Sorry, late to the game and just off the top of my head, would adding a meter-ish of yarn between you and the antenna (tied to the antenna and maybe looped around your shoulder) and with the help of a tuner, add knots to signify whole/half tone distances? Also, is there any kind of MIDI implementation for it?

[@scott_glasgow]

Very cool! If I can get one I will use in on my new film! Thanks for sharing

[@ocdmusic]

I can't wait to get one of these!!

[@samsanimationcorner3820]

I love how retro it looks. Like something you'd find in a 1960s nuclear power plant.

[@IanWaugh]

Hey Bo - That demo tune is one of the best I've heard gor any synth 👍 Re the crackles - did you have a pre-production unit?

[@BoBeats]

Hey Ian, what crackles? Glad you like the song demo!

[@IanWaugh]

@@BoBeats You mention it at 8:34

[@BoBeats]

Ah yes! I dont think my unit is pre-production as it came in the real box and everything. The noise seems to be heard more when you push the delay and have the output volume to high. Some combination of those two things.@@IanWaugh

[@IanWaugh]

​@@BoBeats OK, thanks Bo

[@picoterramusic7242]

2:15 Väntade på sång: ”På panelen ser jag lamporna som lyser…” 😅 Great demos and walkthrough 👍

[@ElixifyMusic]

The volume/amplitude issue can easily be solved by connecting the output to a foot pedal volume controller then to your amp. . .

[@bertokleine280]

Got the moog theremin for 12 years and love it…..and that’s difficult to play took me 5 years….nice u give some love to this lovely beasty

[@CrazyLazyDave]

They should add a jack for a volume/expression pedal for volume. Or at least put the volume wheel on the left side. So you could control amplitude with your left hand while you play with your right hand.

[@leewightman8619]

Sounds awesome...Iv always wanted one ever since seeing Jean-Michel-jarre playing one

[@TechTronix01]

This is just a no brainer, great on so many levels

[@dfpguitar]

The amplitude control for live performance could easily be found through a volume pedal like you would use on a guitar. For recording you could just add it in DAW.

[@mahusonicstorytelling8693]

Nice seeing this special little instrument :) Playing with the slider is exactly how I play the Dreadbox Typhon: create a 1 note sequence, press play, and use the slider :)

[@wendelynmusic]

I am glad someone is covering this. I was hoping for a preliminary review or 3. Thank you. I realize now if I want a theremin I may want to go for the moog theremini. I am not really impressed by the sound. Looks fun but Not what I am looking for I think.

[@Deaddinoproductions]

Very cool. Jumped right over to sign up for a preorder. Kind of annoying that they didn’t incorporate a nicer tactile volume control to make up for the lack of an amplitude antenna, but I’m sure it will work well with a volume pedal.

[@doordedeur]

Very cool. It opens up a lot of new ideas.

[@asbjrnandersen4222]

It’s a shame they ditched the amplitude modulation. It adds more nuance to the theremin. They could have made the button velocity sensitive. Sounds cool, though!

[@chrisjenkins6687]

Just got mine, great fun if a bit overpriced. Lack of mains power is galling, as is lack of volume control - could use a volume footpedal? I'm sure people will do interesting things with the theremin, though the drone synth maybe has more potential.

[@reiztrigger]

it would have been nice to have a mode that let's you use the slider as a volume control for the antenna osc..!

[@nickademuss42]

got mine last week, you can ad external power easily, the board next to the battery already has a space for the connector to be soldered in, you will also need a diode and drill a hole in the side plate. Can't understand why it wasn't there from the start?

[@jonwalley4628]

Love it ! Nice demo. I'm in. 🙏

[@christhesmith]

The people living above me can't wait for mine to arrive!!!!

[@BoBeats]

🤣🤣🤣

[@sodiumlights]

You rocked it, ace!

[@orchidoklast]

I'm mainly interested in their drone synth but this thing must be nice too and for the price offered I think it's worth it

[@CameronClarkeOG]

could maybe get around the lack of amp control by plugging it into a euro vca and controlling that with a doepfer theremin or something like an expression pedal. the fact that this isnt just a regular theremin makes it extra appealing to me. dubreq is on fire. i knew within the first 10 minutes of playing around with my gen-r8 that they were going to go on to make more amazing synths. this and the drone synth are instant buys

[@Medniex]

Nice demos. To see this gear in action is a must, because the idea of new theremin released doesn't sounds so exciting by itself

[@robertusmaximus1911]

Cant' wait to try it out!

[@billytsekeris5817]

Hey thanks for the great video. I have an open theremin and the stylo part would be awesome to implement since you can have the note you want. Was wondering if there is something similar i can link with my theremin by any chance ? I saw the Dubreq Stylophone Gen X-1 but not sure if it will be able to connect with it... also When you play the song was that sound created just from the stylophone theremin or was there something else there ? Thanks in advance

[@OmenAhead]

I can't help with the first part, but his song didn't have only Theremin sounds. He used the Theremin for the main melody, one time using the Slider thing and the other time using the Slider plus the Antenna for FM modulation, and then a siren effect with the Antenna. The other instruments, bass and stuff, were something else. Well, I really can't wait to make songs with only Theremin sounds myself haha.

[@5ch3nk]

Yeah. Sold. On the pre-order list now. This Theremin is the piece of gear that's going to set my tracks over the edge........

[@w4tkn]

Pre-order go live of August 8th

[@rickr.mortis4821]

I found myself back in my old favorite animation, Fantastic Planet for a short while there. Cool!

[@syntheticpulse5291]

Does anyone know if there is a pdf of the manual anywhere? I've got one on order and I'd just like to pick through it a bit while I'm waiting.

[@prokesuk]

I'm reminded of some 1970s experimental synth stuff, such as the electronics on Hawkwind's Space Ritual.

[@gepardek]

Does it have midi? It would be a sick controller

[@BoBeats]

No midi

[@stuffnuns]

Without a second antenna for volume, it is not a Theremin. It’s a cute little portamento instrument, but it is NOT a real Theremin without the volume control antenna.

[@Beorninki]

Nice. This is machine I love to try!

[@theothertonydutch]

When will it be released? I never pre-order anything because I think paying for something that doesn't exist yet is stupid.

[@jonmarbach1]

Hey @BoBeats - On your unit, does the metal front panel act as an extension of the antenna? I just got mine and touching the metal panel (or even getting my hand near it) is just like touching the antenna. It makes it kind of impossible to play the slider and the antenna at the same time. (It is super fun though!)

[@BoBeats]

I did not have this issue and could be solved by fine tuning it. The tuning is not that easy to set up and if not tuned properly it will react when u don’t want it to.

[@666THEMARK666]

Why wouldn't you try and use the volume adjustment wheel with the antenna since on a real theramin has the ring for volume.

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

Great Demonstration. Will have to admit, I feel a bit funny, liking this silly thing, as much as I do. I'm a grown ass man, and I want this toy, in my living room, and at my next gig. Don't judge me man 😅 This would tick off the Theremin, on my bucket list. Here is a suggestion, use a volume pedal for expression, and maybe a wawa pdl, too. Thanks for posting this, and have a great day 🎶🌎☮❤

[@johnrobinson5672]

The slider is without doubt the cherry on the cake. Who doesn’t love a slider? It sounds like you could actually get some usable sounds out of this thing and looks wise, it couldn’t be much nicer. Maybe the addition of some wooden cheeks would really finish it off. I think I’d probably do that. Not seen a UK price yet but It might just be a future purchase. God damn that gas!!

[@davidjazay9248]

Could be worth running it through a volume or swell pedal. Or even a wah.

[@-Deena.]

I would be fantastic it were MIDI (like the much more expensive Moog) and could attenuate any VSTi I have a two antenna theramin. REALLY not easy to play in tune!

[@timswink7505]

Can you change the modulation speed? Thanks Bo!

[@BoBeats]

In a way… if you see the section where i modulate the sound the overall pitch seems to be mostly controlled by the slider (mod 1 or mod 2) and moving the hand closer to the antenna increases modulation and speed of modulation (because pitch goes up). But the vibrato is fixed.

[@RDHamel]

How come you’ve got one and I haven’t? Do I have to be a ninfluenza to get one?

[@pulymarc]

Is there only Battery use or can it be wired? Exscuse my English...😅

[@symbiat0]

I suddenly had this image of OB-1 Kenobi waving his hands while saying “this is not the synth you’re looking for” 😂 🤣

[@turquoisecapricorn]

I want this but Musicstore here in Europe has not yet have it. I just ordered the Behringer Kobol. Still wating on it. In March I will have it. I am very happy Stylophone comes with this and gives the money wolfs of Moog a middle finger up! :-)

[@TheeBawdyMonkey]

You will likely have better control of your pitch if you focus on adjusting the angle and shape of your hand rather than drastic movements in position - subtlety seems to be the key. The theremin is a fun instrument, but a pain to learn (at least based on my attempts!)

[@stephenp515]

This looks great! Can the slider move past the labeled E to an F? I'm looking to play Good Vibrations, and it has octave slides of Db, Eb, and F.

[@MreenalMams]

Is it only battery powered? No power plug way?

[@BoBeats]

Correct

[@MreenalMams]

@@BoBeats that is kinda sad.. hope batteries last

[@BoBeats]

Seems to last OK! I used the same batteries all thru my testing. So many hours.

[@machinemademan]

i wonder if the tuner in ableton can pick it up or even an inline hardware tuner would make it easier to learn?