Retro Stylophone (NE555 Based)

Introduction:

This is a small Synthesizer-type of music gadgets that was once in the 80's very popular. It's called Stylophone. The Stylophone has a very simple curcuit that only consists of an NE555, LM386 and some complemantary Compotents. It creats a very unique sound that is very inculcating. I made a remake of the instrument and here is how to buil it. It has an optional 3D-printed housing. I'd be glad to see some remakes of you.

Special thanks go to drj113 for making the main curcuit and inspiring me: https://www.instructables.com/id/A-Stylophone/

Note: The photos may look a little bit warped but thats due to my smartphone camera

Supplies

Note: You can vary some of the values of the components a little bit if the correct one isn't available. The sound will only changle silghtly

1 x LM555

1 x LM386

1 x 10K log pot

1 x 4K7 linear pot

6 x 100nF ceramic/polyester

1 x 33nF cermaic/polyester

1 x 47nF cermaic/polyester

2 x 100uF elektrolytic

1 x 1N4004

2 x 8 pin IC Sockets

1 x USB Port

1 x 8 ohm Speaker

1 x 3,5mm Audio jack

2 x Switch 2 pos.

1 x 10R

1 x 560R

1 x 1k0

2 x 1K5

1 x 1K6

2 x 1k8

1 x 2k0

2 x 2k2

2 x 2k4

2 x 2k7

2 x 3k0

2 x 3k3

1 x 3k6

2 x 3k9

2 x 4k3

2 x 4k7

2 x 12K

Step 1: Planning the Project

As you can see the project is a very simple curcuit. I will not go into detail here but i will cover the basic functions. The curcuit works with a LM555 wich generates the sound, a vibrato effect and a LM386 wich acts as an amplifier for the generated sound. In the first picture you can see the schematic i made and on the second one a schematic of an old stylophone.

Note: If you want to know how exactly the curcuit works check out drj113's deatailed and well made explaination: https://www.instructables.com/id/A-Stylophone/

Step 2: Making/Ordering the PCB

Note: The PCB layout may look different than the one on the photo due to changes i did afterwards

Buying:

I ordered the PCB at JLCPCB for a very cheap price (I paid like 7€ for 5 of them and if you order the first time the shipping is free). They have a very superior quality in comparison to their price. I chose the black solder mask but you can coose whatever you like.

Etching it yourself:

Of course you can etch the PCB but it will be a little bit difficult because it is double sided. (I personally recommend buying it)

Step 3: Do the Soldering

The soldering hasn't got anything special to it so you can easily do it even if you are not an expert! Just follow the schmeatic.

Note: Some componets have to be wired up (depends on your housing)

Step 4: Do the Wiring

In this step you just need to wire up the speaker, stylus (the thing you play the instrument with), USB-port (for power), switches, audio jack and potentiometers. One switch goes between the USB port and the connection on the PCB, the other one goes to the Vibrato-labeled connections on the PCB. The speaker and the audio jack go in parallel formation to the audio jack connector. The audio jack must be briged into mono output mode (just connect the left and right channel). The potentiometres are just simply wired up to the marked connectors. And at last the "Stylus" (can be just a simple wire) has to be connected to to the connctor next to the audio jack.

Step 5: (Optional) Add a Housing

I don't recommend using the housing I made because it needs some modification on some places. So I would be glad if someone would make a better housing and share it with us. Just be creative with what you use!

Step 6: Sound Demo

Note: I'm a very bad musician so here is only a crude sound demo of how it could sound like!

Comments

[Aquapupper]

Can you please change the schematic so that the lowest key is on the left. Also can you just add a 9 volt battery to power the circuit instead of a usb port? Also where is the second switch on the schematic?

[josiahlionberger]

would you by chance have part numbers for the list

[NotUnique]

I built this and I noticed mine is backwards from what it should be (I assume). The lowest note is furthest right and the highest furthest left. Any ideas on what I did wrong? Thanks

[Xaver Schrems]

Hey, glad to hear you built it. I have to apologize for answering so late. So regarding your problem, I have to admit that I actually made a mistake (and you didn't do anything wrong) at the board layout. I connected the tiles the wrong way around and since I don't play any instrument, I didn't realise it. So I'll just act like it should play in reverse direction :)

[ertpecs]

Since the frequency or speed that the 555 is running or turning off is what produces the sound to be generated by the speaker, I'm guessing that it's only capable of playing one key or note at a time? I'm also guessing to make it play more than one key combined at a time, (is that what polyphonic means?) you would need a 555 for each key and simplify the circuit board with just the proper resistors for each key and 555? I guess you could get away with half the ic's if you get the 8 pin double 555s

[Xaver Schrems]

Yes you can only play one note at a time. But for me thats one of the key things about the stylophone - it's simplicity and remarkable sound that is generated (by the vibrato effect) by swiping over the keypad! And I wanted to keep it easy for everyone to make in a few hours. Thats why I made it the way it is. But I'd be also excited to see your version with the sperate ne555s! I'd be interested how it sounds like and behaves. But one major disadvantage is if you want to keep it portable (what was important to me) you would need to make it with smd components (what may not be easy for everyone). Nevertheless I'm looking forward to see your version of the stylophone!

[ThomasFreimuth]

Hello,
Can somebody please help me with the vibrato part of the schematics?
I can not get it to work...
Sorry! my mistake: I put the vibrato parts on abreadboard for test with the already soldered stylophone and I simply forgot the ground wire...
Vibrato works fine!!!

[Xaver Schrems]

I'm sorry i answered so late! But great to hear that you succesfully made it!

[Mad4400]

What is the USB port for?
Which wire goes to the + on the speaker?
These are questions people just starting out in electronics will be asking.
Perhaps think about expanding section 4. as there is plenty more information to give the reader in this section.

[Xaver Schrems]

First of all thank you for your feedback! I now expanded step 4 and went a bit more into detail. Additionally I included a pdf version of the schematic so you can zoom in it and e.g. be able to see how the speaker is wired up.

[nqtronix]

I've seen the original years ago and have to say that your version is a huge improvement in terms of the overall look and feel. I dig the "speaker grill look" on the top of the box, it makes it seem like a miniture version of a professional keyboard :D

[Xaver Schrems]

Thank you very much! I now posted the stl files. I'd love to see someone modifing my design or making a new one. Mine needs some modifications because on some places it doesn't fit.

[MnMakerMan]

This is great! I love the design

[Xaver Schrems]

Thank you!

[audreyobscura]

This is an awesome remix! The stylophone is such a cool little instrument, thanks so much for sharing your version :D

[Xaver Schrems]

Thank you very much! And yes I can only agree with it beeing one of the coolest little instruments.