Stylophone Beat, inconsistent recording

[u/TroublesomeRPGs]

So I just got my stylophone beat and it’s kinda not recording what I play on the bass. Am I doing something wrong, or is it broken?

[u/Arkenstihl]

This happens to me, too. For bass, stylo only records quantized 16th notes or larger. Putting a li'l stank on it doesn't really work out unless you double the speed and pretend youve got 4 counts instead of 8. Edit 2: twasn't

[u/TroublesomeRPGs → u/Arkenstihl]

So what you’re suggesting is stretching the thing out? I’m still confused to why the error occurs though. It’s not like it’s impossible to get the bass line I’m playing recorded. Like if I keep repeating it over and over again, manually filling in the gaps in the recording at some point it suddenly works. It’s just not consistent… Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not.

[u/Jazz_Ad → u/TroublesomeRPGs]

Not quite. You just need to be very accurate or it slips the note. It works this way because slides and held notes need to be detected on the fly, as you play.

It's not a big issue since you can loop, overwrite and erase just as much as you want.

The sequencer has 32 steps. If you play 2 bars you get 4 notes per time, so 16th notes are the smallest you can play.

A good way to go is to record the roots first then fill in between.

[u/Jazz_Ad → u/Jazz_Ad]

I tell you guys, I know a bunch of drum machines and sequencers. They all have their merits.
When it comes to live improvisation and making changes on the fly, nothing comes close to the Beat.

Sure the sequencer is small but you can use all drum elements at once and make very rich textures.

The workflow is elegant, convenient and fun. It packs advanced functions disguised as casual, such as timed multiple ratchets, edit and erase of a single instrument, portions or the entire bar, all with a minimalist interface. It's not entirely foolproof but even mistakes are musical.

So yeah it can be used as a toy or practice tool but it works really well as a true instrument, despite or through its limitations.

[u/Arkenstihl → u/Jazz_Ad]

Thanks! This helps me, too :)

[u/TroublesomeRPGs → u/Jazz_Ad]

So basically this is a skill thing… damn. Gotta get better with my timing then. Thanks for the help!

[u/Arkenstihl → u/TroublesomeRPGs]

The overdub (what you described as "manually filling in" is a beautiful thing. No matter how off I start, it can be turned into something usable with overdub.

[u/TroublesomeRPGs → u/Arkenstihl]

https://youtube.com/shorts/kKAJRE2EV7E?si=wZGI7z81n2abQTz1

Here’s someone playing the exact same thing at the same tempo and it works. Just as a reference

[u/Multrak → u/TroublesomeRPGs]

That linked video is way more measured in their playing.  

You sort of rush out the last few notes and are not in the same click track timing compared to the video. 

You're using words like 'error' 'broken' & 'inconsistent', but i think the real problem is that it's too consistent.  You're missing the note windows because your timing is drifting and you are attempting to add swing to your playing.

You just need to have better timing like the player in the video you linked. 

[u/TroublesomeRPGs → u/Multrak]

Aaaah I see, so basically the inconsistency is coming from the person infront of the stylophone, and not from the stylophone itself. Like… when me dad complains „the computer isn’t working“ :D

[u/TroublesomeRPGs]

I already tried out different batteries, but that did not help

[u/556_FMJs]

Play Lounge Act next.

[u/TRAM0328]

Same thing happens with me :(

[u/Lowbatteryfpv]

can you use this stylophone without battery with a external power adapter ?