Prototype Dubreq Stylophone S2 SN 8P3G1P

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via this auction

"This is a very rare pre-production version of an obscure, but amazing-sounding 2-VC0 analogue synthesizer that was handmade in very limited quantities in Hastings in the UK. There's no box, but has a downloaded manual and is in very good condition.

This prototype has the beautiful metal ends that were replaced on the production version by not so nice white thermo-moulded plastic. This means the end cheeks are not labelled on this machine, but the controls there are just CV; gate; tuning; volume; external input; and power input.

This may appeal more to a collector given its somewhat eccentric design, but capable of very raw and powerful sounds, particularly if you like Radiophonic-style music or vintage EMS-style sounds. See Cuckoo and Automatic Gainsay clips on Youtube for a good demonstration of what it can do.

The S2 can be played from its own Wasp-like keyboard (by hand or stylus, included) or controlled via CV/gate. I ran it with a Roland A-01 for MIDI control, but any standard MIDI-CV converter such as a Kenton would do the job."

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Dubreq Stylophone S2 Synth Boxed

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via this auction

"The synth is quirky being Analogue -it takes time to warm up and settle down but produces an amazing analogue FAT sound. It runs on Power Adapter supplied or 4 AA Batteries ( also supplied ) It needs playing like most analogue synths ( and like the old stylophones did ) rather than sitting in a drawer like this one has been."

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New Dubreq Stylophone Gen X-1 Coming to NAMM?

Stylophone GenX-1 Published on Jan 8, 2017 Stylophone

"The Stylophone GEN X-1 is the latest portable analogue synthesizer by Dubreq."

Update: It's real. Video above and some details via the Dubreq website:

"The Stylophone GEN X-1 is the latest portable analogue synthesizer by Dubreq.

Estimated retail launch date is May 2017 with an anticipated RRP of (no more than) £59.99.

Register your interest now by simply completing the form below and Dubreq will give you:

20% off the purchase price

the first units off the production line

when the the GEN X-1 hits the market.

(Don’t worry there’s no commitment to buy but just a thank you for being interested before the general public! We’ll email you when it is ready to purchase)"

This one appears to be making the rounds. A new classic Stylophone with knobs. Note the design is more of of a throwback to the original compared to the more sleek and modern design of the Stylophone S2.

No details yet, but if you you can clearly see controls for the following:

Envelope Attack, Amount, and Decay.
LFO Wave (square & triangle), rate, and depth.
Delay Time, Feedback, and Level
Filter Cutoff and Resonance

Thoughts considering the S2?

Stylophone S2 analogue synthesizer

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via this auction

"Stylophone S2 analogue synthesizer. Manufactured in the UK by Dubreq this professional two-oscilator analogue synth packs the features of a much larger and more costly keyboard synthesizer into a portable and very stylish package.

Rugged metal case (powder coated extruded aluminium body with precision white plastic end-caps and turned aluminium details)

Portable, only 308mm X 120mm X 26mm and less than 1kg

37 note (3 octave) keyboard, with +/-2 octaves of octave shift

Monophonic keyboard works with wire-free stylus (included) or finger touch

All analogue signal path.

Classic British 12dB/octave state-variable filter.

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Name that tune! Road to Innovation raffle Stylophone song #6

Published on Sep 5, 2014 moogfoundation

"A Dubreq Stylophone S2 is just one of the prizes offered in our Road to Innovation raffle. One grand prize winner chooses a new Subaru or a Korg MS-20 Mini, and other winners will receive other prizes (awarded individually) including a Stylophone S2, SampleMoog® virtual synth software, and a signed copy of Mark Vail's "The Synthesizer." Raffle open internationally: http://bit.ly/Road2Innovation"

All parts here.

BMF's Name that tune! Road to Innovation raffle Stylophone Tracks

Published on Sep 4, 2014 moogfoundation

"A Dubreq Stylophone S2 is just one of the prizes offered in our Road to Innovation raffle. One grand prize winner chooses a new Subaru or a Korg MS-20 Mini, and other winners will receive other prizes (awarded individually) including a Stylophone S2, SampleMoog® virtual synth software, and a signed copy of Mark Vail's "The Synthesizer." Raffle open internationally: http://bit.ly/Road2Innovation"

Bob Moog Foundation Raffle For a New Subaru, KORG MS20 Mini & More

The Bob Moog Foundation is having a raffle!

"Support the Bob Moog Foundation and Dr. Bob's SoundSchool--and enter to WIN a chance for your choice of either a 2014 Subaru BRZ Sports Coupe or Outback Station Wagon, valued at $25,500 and $23,500 respectively!"

Additional prizes:
1. A Korg MS-20 Mini
2. A Dubreq Stylophone S2
3. The SampleMoog synth anthology music sampler
4. A signed copy of Mark Vail's "The Synthesizer: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding, Programming, Playing and Recording the Ultimate Electronic Instrument," personally inscribed to the winner

"Raffle proceeds go to our flagship science education program, Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, taking over 1000 second-graders out of the classroom and into a 10-week, hands-on program devoted to sound physics and sound science.

Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool was called 'life-changing' just last month by Charlie Glazner, executive director for communications and community relations at Asheville City Schools, after watching the effects of the program firsthand. Our SoundSchool students learn how to become scientific observers using examples from Bob Moog’s own science notebooks as well as those from other famous inventors."

Happy New Year! The Year in Synths 2013

Happy New Year Everyone!

What a busy year it has been in the world of synths.

This is going to be one doozy of a post, so bear with me. This post is a review of the year in synths for 2013. We begin with Tributes to Those We Lost This Year, followed by New Manufacturers & Makers, Older Manufacturers Added to the Site, New Gear Announcements, Top 10 Posts by Traffic,  My Standout Posts for the Year, and finally This Years' Synth Events. I did my best to keep things as short and concise as possible.

Let's begin with the hardest part of the post.

Tributes to Those We Lost This Year

RIP Bernard Parmegiani - Electronic & Acoustic Composer
Lou Reed RIP
RIP Dick Raaymakers aka Kid Baltan
RIP George Duke - DreamWeaver
RIP Ralph Dyck, Sept 28, 1941 – May 20, 2013
RIP Ray Manzarek

All missed and never to be forgotten. Take a moment to remember them.

------

New Manufacturers & Makers

Starting last January, I decided to keep a running list of every new manufacturer and maker introduced to the site during the year.  This is something I haven't done before and I thought it would be interesting to see how many there were in the year.   It's easy to focus on the big synth announcements throughout the year, but what about all the new makers and brands? I shouln't have to go considerably into the significance of new designers on the scene, so I'll just say two things regarding them.  One, the number of new makers is a direct reflection on the interest in our scene, and two, these are the creators of new gear which directly translate into new designs not previously available to us.  Think about that for a moment.  These are makers and designs that did not exist before.  They are part of our synth history.  So what is the total count of new synth designers for the year? A whopping 113. Think about that a bit. One hundred and thirteen new synth designers and brands this year alone.

Here they are (note a handful date back to 2012, but 2013 marked their momentum and availability):

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Stylophone S2 review part 1 - features

Published on Apr 13, 2013 TheManWithTheSynth·3 videos

"This is the first part of a review of the new Stylophone S2 from Dubreq. This is a pre-release version and as I was told the only difference between this and the final product is the updated firmware. Next week or so I will be doing a sound demo, so please request sounds in the comments."

The Dubreq Stylophone S2- Part 2

Published on Mar 15, 2013 AutomaticGainsay·149 videos

"Here is a preview of some of the sound and functionality of the Dubreq Stylophone S2. A full demo, wherein all functionality and sound is demonstrated is forthcoming.

The device in this demo is a prototype, and not all of the functionality is functional yet. In addition to this, the S2 has a stylish interface which doesn't indicate exactly what each setting is. The manual had not been written at the time of my receipt of this device, so functionality is not all specifically outlined. But again, a full demonstration of the functionality of the S2 will occur in the future. Thanks!"

All parts here.

The Dubreq Stylophone Overview by Marc Doty

The Dubreq Stylophone S2- part 1

Published on Mar 13, 2013 AutomaticGainsay·147 videos

"Here is a preview of the sound and functionality of the Dubreq Stylophone S2. This preview was made with a prototype of the S2 which was demonstrated at NAMM 2013.

The S2 is available through the Dubreq website: http://www.dubreq.com"

The Dubreq Stylophone S2- Part 2

Published on Mar 15, 2013 AutomaticGainsay·149 videos

"Here is a preview of some of the sound and functionality of the Dubreq Stylophone S2. A full demo, wherein all functionality and sound is demonstrated is forthcoming.

The device in this demo is a prototype, and not all of the functionality is functional yet. In addition to this, the S2 has a stylish interface which doesn't indicate exactly what each setting is. The manual had not been written at the time of my receipt of this device, so functionality is not all specifically outlined. But again, a full demonstration of the functionality of the S2 will occur in the future. Thanks!"

Dubreq Stylophone S2s on eBay

Stylophone S2 Analog Synthesizer At 2013 NAMM Show

Published on Jan 27, 2013 James Lewin·15 videos

"Ben Jarvis of Dubreq introduces the new Stylophone S2 synthesizer.

Though it 'shares some DNA' with its precursor, the regular Stylophone, the Stylophone S2 is a different beast - intended to be an full-on analog synth."

Dubreq Ltd. Stylophone | NAMM 2013 | ProAudioStar

Published on Jan 25, 2013 proaudiostar·307 videos

"The all-new British made Dubreq Stylophone S2 analog pocket synthesizer."

NAMM 2013: Dubreq Stylophone S2

Published on Jan 26, 2013 FutureMusicMagazine·222 videos

"Future Music receive a demo of the new, British built, Stylophone S2 analogue synthesizer"

NAMM 2013: Dubreq Stylophone S2 analog synthesizer

Published on Jan 23, 2013 SoundsAndGear·447 videos

"http://namm.soundsandgear.com

Checking out the new Stylophone S2 from Dubreq, it's an all analog synthesizer with a 37 note touch keyboard with 2 octaves up/down. Runs on batteries or power supply, has CV input, all metal construction...this thing is awesome and fun to play. I want it!

http://www.stylophone2.com/"

First Video of the Dubreq Stylophone S2

Published on Dec 19, 2012 by dubreq

http://www.stylophone2.com

"The new Dubreq Stylophone S2 takes the basic idea of the Stylophone, a stylus played instrument that uses a printed circuit board as the keyboard, and turns it into a fully spec'd analogue synthesizer.

The Stylophone S2 is an entirely British made, analogue synthesizer that will fit in a laptop bag. The S2 features include; All metal construction, a full 37 note 3 octave keyboard with +/- 2 octave shifter featuring a wire-free stylus and finger-touch playing method, an all analogue signal path, a classic British style 12dB/octave state-variable filter, dual all-transistor voltage controlled oscillators, sub-oscillators for super-fat bass, an eight waveform LFO with a 14 octave range, an auxiliary-input socket to use the filter and envelope-generator for other instruments, a 1/4" output jack socket as well as an internal speaker and headphone socket and a CV and Trigger input sockets."

Dubreq to Launch New Stylophone S2 on Steroids - All Analog with 10 Knobs

"The iconic ‘Stylophone’ pocket synth, played by everyone from David Bowie toKraftwerk to Orbital to Gotye, which has sold over 4 million units since it’screation by Brian Jarvis of Dubreq in 1968 has just grown up....

Dubreq Ltd, now run by Ben Jarvis, a product designer and son of the Stylophone’soriginal inventor, today launches the Stylophone ‘S2’ on the world synth market. The S2 is a portable (just 308mm X 120mm X 26mm and less than 1kg/2lbs inweight) fully spec’d analogue synthesizer that is designed and built entirely in theUK.

The S2 features the famous Stylophone metal keyboard, now 3 octaves long andplayable with the included wire-free stylus or by finger touch, a +/- 2 octaveshifter, an all analogue signal path, a classic British style 12dB/octave state-variable filter, dual all-transistor voltage controlled oscillators, sub-oscillators for super-fat bass, an eight waveform LFO with a 14 octave range, an auxiliary-input to use the filter and envelope-generator for other instruments, a 1/4” output jack socket as well as an internal speaker and headphone socket and a CV and Trigger input sockets.

Recommended retail Price of the S2 will be just £299 UKP or $479 USD

The S2 will be shown at NAMM in California January 23rd to 27th 2013 on theStylophone stand (stand 1033). Dubreq are working in the UK with our distributionpartners John Hornby Skewes and the S2 is available globally direct from Dubreq" http://www.stylophone2.com