July 23, 2018
Overview The Tone Block is a passive second-order (two-pole) resonant RLC filter with variable frequency and Q (resonance). It’s a simple and economical alternative to our Resonant Filter,
Nu Series v2
The Nu Series Modular Active Pickups are hacker friendly, general purpose pickups that can be used in a variety of applications.
July 15, 2018
I’ve been wrestling with noise since the early days of the 6 pack project from whence the Nu project began. It’s enemy number one for me.
Fast and Efficient Pitch Detection: Synth Tracking
June 18, 2018
A couple of posts back, I wrote about Bitstream Autocorrelation (Here and Here). It was an evolutionary path from even older posts on the subject (Here
June 15, 2018
You’ve been waiting for this. I know! Well, here now is the final production prototype. The Nu v2 Multi is based on the Nu v2
Modula Pre-Production Prototype
May 12, 2018
Cycfi’s new baby is coming very soon: A full-range, semi-modular pickup: Modula. If you haven’t heard about this yet, go check out the New Breed of
May 5, 2018
The Nu version-2 capsule is ready to go! Thicker permalloy ring for improved electromagnetic isolation, better string focus and crosstalk reduction. Bobbin-less coil to make
Fast and Efficient Pitch Detection: Bliss!
April 10, 2018
In my previous post, I introduced my invention, Bitstream Autocorrelation: an accurate, extremely fast and efficient, time-domain pitch detection scheme. I argued that it can be
Fast and Efficient Pitch Detection: Bitstream Autocorrelation
March 13, 2018
So, since last year, I’ve been mulling over a unique, and extremely fast(!) Autocorrelation scheme for monophonic pitch detection. Last weekend, I finally got myself
March 2, 2018
Almost immediately after I announced our Roadmap for 2018, the XRs and the current Nu modules went out of stock as people hurriedly grabbed what’s remaining
January 24, 2018
It’s amazing to see what luthiers are building using our pickups! THIS is a work of art! Exquisite build by Keith Felker of Mother Plucker Guitars
January 16, 2018
Simplify! I think that will be my mantra for 2018. Looking back, the current product line that we have including the XR Pickups and all
Modula 8 and 9 String Prototypes
December 6, 2017
So many things to do. So little time! I think Karl Steinberg was right in remarking that I have too many projects happening all at
Fast and Efficient Pitch Detection: Double Trouble
November 26, 2017
This D string was driving my pitch detector nuts. It’s jumping from fundamental to octave and back all over the place. Can’t make up its
November 14, 2017
I find it amusing when people talk about the “sound” of the magnet in pickups :-). The magnet has no sound! If you don’t believe
Infinity Update: The FM Synth Driver
November 2, 2017
A two-operator FM synth offers nice, easy to use, harmonic control over the driven waveform.
Modula Update: Preamp Performance Tweaks
November 1, 2017
I can’t recall how many times we went back to the drawing board. Design, test, rinse repeat. I only wish turnaround time is shorter than
Modula Update: Nice Little Coils
October 28, 2017
Nice and clean! I just got a set of sample coils straight from the manufacturer and so we got excited and assembled these guys into the Modula’s dual coil
October 15, 2017
Look what we have here! It’s the Modula Preamp. It’s a balanced design using the ADA4084 Low Noise, Rail-to-Rail Input/Output, Low Power Operational Amplifiers, with a 625μA supply
Fast and Efficient Pitch Detection
October 2, 2017
I needed to implement real-time, multichannel pitch detection in software using a small ARM Cortex-M4 microcontroller (MCU). My all-time favorite is the STM32F4 family from
September 22, 2017
Today, Cycfi Research is honored as the “Engineering Site of the Day” by the wonderful folks at EEWeb! Many thanks, EEWeb!
Modula update: Concentric Pots
September 20, 2017
Look what we have here! Concentric pots, anyone? We’re developing the next generation Resonant Filter and this might just be the key. Before, we had to
ADA4084: Can it get better than this?
September 17, 2017
Can it get better than this? Oh, I’m sure it will! I’m pretty sure we’ll see continuous improvements in Op Amp performance over the years.
8-String Flex Upgrade: LTD SC-208
September 5, 2017
This LTD SC-208 began life as an entry level 8-string for those interested in dipping their toe in the “deep end”. The stock setup included passive
August 28, 2017
What do you get when you cross the Nu and the XR? The Modula. Our new baby: A full-range, semi-modular pickup that can be used for
OPA1692: The perfect Op Amp for low power audio?
August 23, 2017
Our Op Amp Shootout page has always been the site’s top post. I’m always on the lookout for new and better Op Amps I can use in our
Complete XR Flex Sets 25% Off Starting Father’s Day
June 18, 2017
Beginning Father’s Day, Cycfi Research is pleased to offer a 25% discount on complete systems featuring our XR Flex Series extended-range pickups. The discount applies to the
May 31, 2017
The Nus are back in stock. Sorry for the wait. Folks just can’t get enough of these little creatures 🙂
Nu Update: Roland 13 Pin Adaptor
May 2, 2017
You’ve been asking for this for a long time now. A gift to the Roland aficionado. Finally, a Roland 13 Pin Adaptor for the Nu Series Modular Active
April 21, 2017
Gone are the days of DIP (Dual in-line) ICs. Most modern ICs are no longer offered in easy to use 2.54 mm (0.1 inch) pitch
April 17, 2017
Time to revisit the Alpha and replace Alpha’s pickups with what else but Nus and XRs! Dimarzios out, Nu and XRs in… Ehmm, OK I
March 14, 2017
Last time, we designed a a common baseplate for the Nu and XR pickups. I think it looks good! Check it out. You have independent height adjustment for the
February 15, 2017
Some of you asked if it is possible to have the Nu and XR in a common baseplate. It turns out that it is indeed possible. The way
Nexus Update: Programming MCU Module
February 4, 2017
The MIDI module includes a small, general purpose 16-bit MCU (Texas Instruments’ MSP430) that converts control voltages (CV) to MIDI. It is designed to be hackable.
January 30, 2017
Time flies! It’s been almost 4 years since I last updated our Op Amp Shootout page. Now It’s 2017, and this page is still our top hitter. I guess that
Nexus Update: In-Guitar Control and Connectivity
January 6, 2017
This is the fourth part of the Nexus documentation series. The first part documents the Basic Kit, the second part details the Mixer Module and the third
December 24, 2016
Here are some factory images of the first Nexus batch. We’re building a system! And this system is going to be awesome! Merry Christmas, Everyone!
December 19, 2016
This is the third part of the Nexus documentation series. The first part documents the Basic Kit, the second part details the Mixer Module. This time, we
December 11, 2016
This is the second part of the Nexus documentation series. The first part documents the Basic Kit. This time, we investigate the Mixer Module. Eventually, all
December 4, 2016
I’ll be providing the Nexus documentation in tranches. This is the first part of the series. Eventually, all of this will end up in a single
November 28, 2016
Nu Capsules, the world’s cutest active pickups 🙂 are back in stock. Come and visit our online store and get your sets. $19.99 per capsule. Minimum order
November 24, 2016
After more than a year of continuous refinement, I’m proud to finally release the Nexus. This small, hacker friendly breakout box connects your multichannel guitar to the
October 2, 2016
An often asked question about the Nu modular pickups is about mixing to mono, or even stereo. The typical assumption is that, just like any other active pickup,
September 28, 2016
It’s restocking time at Cycfi, and that means the Nu’s are back!
Meanwhile, Back in the Nexus Land
September 14, 2016
I think, the Nexus is just about ready. I got myself a new toy, a cute Zoom R16 8-channel Interface Controller so I can test
September 8, 2016
The Standard Nu capsule already has a very low profile with a height of 7mm (See specs). But the baseplate and connectors underneath add some more
August 28, 2016
More NUs coming in September. We have a new batch of these cute modular pickups. We’re producing more this time, but they typically sell out
July 18, 2016
Infinity… It’s all about sustain. Our goal is and will always be polyphonic sustain. Polyphonic sustain, plus extensive processing for each string, will give us musicians full control
July 9, 2016
It’s amazing what creative minds can come up with. There is exciting innovation everywhere, and it is not limited to the guitar. I thought violin (and