Stylophone Voice - Sampling the World in Your Pocket
The Stylophone brand has been synonymous with pocket-sized music making since 1968, when the original stylus-operated synthesiser became an unlikely pop culture icon. Now, Dubreq is taking that portable philosophy in a fresh direction with the Stylophone Voice - a multi-sampler that invites you to capture the world around you and turn it into music.
Capture, Shape, Play
The Voice follows a simple but powerful workflow. Record sounds using the built-in microphone or plug in an external source via the aux input. Once captured, your samples can be shaped with any of 12 built-in effects before being played chromatically on the familiar two-octave stylus keyboard. The transpose function extends your range beyond those two octaves, so you're not limited to a single register.
Three sample slots let you layer different sounds - perhaps a vocal snippet, a percussive hit, and an environmental texture. A fourth voice is dedicated to built-in drum sounds, giving you rhythmic foundation without eating into your sample memory.
Effects for Days
The effects section splits into three categories. Recording effects - Reverse, Slow, Robot, and Repeat - process your samples during capture. Momentary effects - Spin, Lowpass, Highpass, and Wobble - engage only while you hold the button, perfect for live performance flourishes. Global effects - Drive, Chorus, Delay, and Reverb - colour your overall sound.
There are no menus to navigate. Every function has its own button, keeping the workflow immediate and hands-on. This direct approach echoes the original Stylophone's philosophy: pick it up and make music straight away.
Sequencer and Patterns
The built-in sequencer takes things beyond simple keyboard play. Create melodies or rhythms, then save them to one of four pattern memory slots. Three slots handle your samples while one is reserved for drum patterns. This lets you build up layered arrangements that play back automatically while you perform live on top.
Connecting to the World
Sync in/out sockets let the Voice talk to other gear - sync the sequencer to a modular system, drum machine, or another groovebox. There's a built-in speaker for casual jams and a headphone output for private sessions or connecting to larger sound systems.
The whole unit runs on three AA batteries, making it genuinely portable. No hunting for power outlets or carrying adapters - just grab it and go.
Lo-Fi Character
At this price point, nobody expects pristine hi-fi sampling. But that's rather the point. The lo-fi character becomes part of the appeal - a bit of grit and crunch that gives samples personality. It sits comfortably alongside the current wave of affordable pocket instruments that prioritise fun and immediacy over specification sheets.
Availability
Dubreq plans to begin production in July 2026, with the Voice expected to arrive at around $50. You can sign up for the waiting list on the Stylophone website.
