In the world of electronic music, few instruments have had the staying power and unique cultural impact of the Stylophone.
Born from a simple idea in 1968, this pocket-sized synthesizer went on to become one of the best-selling musical instruments of all time — and its legacy continues to grow.
In recent years, Stylophone — has expanded the brand’s range significantly, offering new analog synths across three distinct ranges; POCKET, LOFI and PRO.
The Stylophone was invented in 1968 by Brian Jarvis of Dubreq Studios, London. While repairing a toy piano for his niece, Jarvis had an idea: why not replace the toy’s mechanical keys with electronic components? The result was a monophonic electronic organ that produced a distinctive tone — unlike anything else at the time.
Built with a simple oscillator and controlled by a metal keyboard printed directly onto a circuit board, the instrument was played using a hand-held stylus. Thus, the Stylophone was born — small, affordable, and instantly recognizable.
Soon after its launch, the Stylophone became a hit. Marketed as a fun, easy-to-use instrument for beginners and pros alike, it captured the public’s imagination. With over 4 million units sold since its release, it ranks among the best-selling musical instruments in history.
Its cultural breakthrough came in July 1969, when David Bowie released Space Oddity. The track — inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey — was the first pop song to feature the Stylophone, using its quirky electronic buzz.
Over the next five decades, the Stylophone continued to show up in unexpected places. It was adopted by a wide range of influential artists including Kraftwerk, Blondie, The White Stripes, and Pulp (Jarvis Cocker and Candida Doyle), helping to solidify its cult status across genres, loved for its lo-fi character and hands-on interface.
The Stylophone GEN X-1, found a home in the studios and live setups of world-class producers: Steve Levine (The Clash, Culture Club, The Beach Boys), Steve Albini (Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Pixies), Joe Chiccarelli (Elton John, The White Stripes, The Killers), The Alchemist – Renowned hip hop producer and DJ, known for incorporating the GEN X-1 into live sets and St Vincent is just one of many artists to incorporate the use of the Stylophone Theremin into her Live shows.
From early synth-pop to punk, indie rock, and experimental electronic music, Stylophone gear has become a reliable and innovative tool for musicians pushing sonic boundaries.
The Stylophone brand has kept on evolving, offering new electronic musical instruments across three distinct lines.
The Pocket range features the Voice (Sampler) BEAT (Portable drum machine) and small analog synths such as the Original S1, the Pink, and the Limited Edition Bowie version, plus the Stylosette, which is also great for STEM Learning
The Lofi Range features the GEN X-2 and the Stylophone Theremin – both great for adding other dimensions to your sounds
Lastly, there is the Eurorack-compatible modular Pro range, which includes the new sequencer, the OTF, the analog drone synth, the DS-2, and the Dynamic Multi-filter, the DF-8.
LOFI
Gen X-1 – A versatile, experimental synth.
Gen X-2 – A follow-up with enhanced features like Connectivity.
Stylophone Theremin – A mini electronic theremin, perfect for eerie tones.
PRO
DS-2 Analog Drone Synth – A compact modular drone synth.
DF-8 Dynamic Multi-Filter – A powerful sound-morphing tool for pros.
POCKET
Stylophone S1 – The O.G. The Original Pocket-Sized Synth
David Bowie Edition – A white tribute version.
Pink Stylophone – A vibrant twist on the classic.
Stylosette – A tiny analog synth with a keyboard in a tape cassette case.
Stylophone BEAT – A compact electronic drum machine.
Stylophone VOICE – A compact portable sampler