DS 2+BC 9

First day experimentation with the Stylophone DS-2. Using oscillator 1 to FM oscillator 2. Also using the patchable LFO outputs to PWM the square aspect of oscillator 2's waveforms. BC-9 joins in along the way to explore the value of the external input. Recorded direct to camera with no external processing so you can hear it's not always the quietest of synths and can sometimes get a bit crunchy but I think that's just part of its character. It does have a good low end though which need decent speakers or headphones to appreciate. Instant kit review - I'm impressed. This is a really well thought out bit of kit at a ridiculously low price. I particularly like the ability to morph wave shapes from square through triangle to sawtooth on both main oscillators. The main limitation I can find is that the LFOs share a common rate control. Although LFO2 has 2 waveforms that are 90 degrees offset from their counterparts in LFO1 which helps. The package is excellent. It comes with a small selection of patch cables including a 1:2 multiple and a cable with a passive attenuator built in. Batteries are included but an external PSU is not. It needs a 12volt PSU with a centre positive 2.1mm barrel plug. It can be racked and has a standard euro rack power header on the PCB. It's 42 HP if you want to go there. Power consumption isn't specified directly but it won't be more than 200 mA. The main audio output is 5V/pp and the individual outputs of the oscillators and filters are 7v/pp which seems like a decent compromise. CV inputs accept +/- 7.5 volts so, overall, it can just be dropped into a rack and will play nicely with other stuff in there without too many problems. Build quality is very solid. The built in speaker is a waste of space but I guess it had to be there to be a stylophone.... It definitely gives my Drone Commander a run for its money. It doesn't have the same concussive power of the DC (few things do) but it offers up a much broader spectral palette to play with.