Reddit reviews STYLOPHONE GEN X-1 Portable Analog Synthesizer: with Built-in Speaker, Keyboard and Soundstrip, LFO, Low pass filter, Envelope, Sub-octaves & Delay
We found 3 Reddit comments about STYLOPHONE GEN X-1 Portable Analog Synthesizer: with Built-in Speaker, Keyboard and Soundstrip, LFO, Low pass filter, Envelope, Sub-octaves & Delay. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
PLAYABILITY: Two ways to make sounds with the stylus. The keyboard to make distinct notes and the sound strip above the keyboard to slide between notes on a scale.PORTABILITY: Take this synth anywhere. Battery operated with built in speaker. Audio line out for headphones and/or external speaker. Audio in to use as an effects unit.ENRICH THAT SOUND: New features include, LFO (with square and triangle waves), Low pass filter (cutoff/resonance), Envelope (attack/decay).ANALOG DELAY FEATURE: Add space to your sound with delay time, feedback and level.ADDED FEATURES: Sub octaves -1 & -2 switch, this enriches your sound by adding a second frequency below your source sound. AND a Pulse Width Modulation button which can be used to create a chorus effect.
Never played the Gakken, but for a few more bucks you can get the Stylophone Gen X-1, which has a lot more playability and functionality.
That said, I still want a Gakken!
Well, they're both certainly great looking. I think the MT-65 is one of the best looking keyboards ever made, and the MT-70 is no slouch either with its classy two tone scheme.
They're both pretty unique as far as Casiotones go, the MT-70 being covered here. Don't know if the MT-65 has a similar page. They both can sound pretty good, especially with external effects (your guitar pedals would be great for this), as demonstrated here and here. I used to have a Casio MT-100 that I had some fun with. Sounded more like the MT-65, but it was less interesting except for the EQ section.
But...
First off, even in immaculate condition I would personally never pay $50-60 for a Casiotone of any stripe, especially one with some parts missing. I got that MT-100 I mentioned for $4 and that's about how much it was worth. They're toy keyboards, not professional instruments (although many Casiotones have of course been used professionally).
Secondly, if you're trying to buy your first synth to learn synthesis, you're not going to be able to do that on one of those as they have almost no sound editing capabilities and the sounds you do get are very limited.
$50-60 isn't a whole lot of money for a synth but you could still do a lot better than a Casiotone. Here's some options that you might consider:
Any of those three options would be a great fit for you in my opinion. However, if you can stretch your budget, there's a whole lot more fun gear you can consider.
Finally, if after all of this you decide you actually really do want an old Casiotone, please don't get extorted into paying $50 or $60 for one. Check your local thrift shops and you'll likely find one for about as much as I paid for that MT-100 in a Goodwill. They're all pretty similar anyway.
I hope any of this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
You can get them on Amazon for like $70. Here it is.