Tonik Pulse

Tonik is a startup I founded that is looking to improve the way that musicians create and perform their music. We aim to bring a wider range of sound to acoustic instruments, and improve the usabilty of electronic instruments, merging them into one category called "Augmented Instruments". The Pulse adds effects to an acoustic guitar by modifying the vibrations in the body of the guitar. This allows for the use of the most common electric guitar effects, while retaining the intuitiveness, flexibility and portability of the acoustic guitar.

For my first prototype I just rigged up a modified guitar delay pedal through a vibration speaker to test the concept.

I swapped out the pedal, for a programmable one, to see the result of reproducing the effect in software.

I then started working on the ID and UI. The palm switch allows guitarists to change the effects without having to stop playing, similar to a footpedal in an electric guitar setup. Effects controls have also been simplified from standard effects controls.

This is the first "looks like / works like" prototype. The prototype electronics couldn't fit in the Pulse, so they were hidden inside the body of the guitar.

The current functional prototype.

A promotional demo video explaining some of the features and functionality.