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The first from ninetysix

96.1

AI-powered smart guitar pedal.

ARM Cortex-M7 MCU · Touchscreen · Stereo I/O · Up to 192kHz / 32-bit

Technical Specifications
Built for sound.
Engineered to perform.
The 96.1 pairs a dedicated ARM Cortex-M7 MCU audio engine with an ESP32-S3 touchscreen control system. Audio never touches the UI processor. Two brains, zero compromise.
The 96.1 audio platform combines a 480 MHz ARM Cortex-M7 MCU with 65 MB of RAM and 8 MB of flash memory. Its TI TAC5242 codec supports up to 32-bit, 192 kHz stereo audio hardware.
Audio Engine
480MHz ARM Cortex-M7 MCU with hardware floating-point processing. Dedicated to DSP — nothing else.
192kHz
Max Sample Rate
Up to 32-bit stereo hardware via the TI TAC5242 codec, with a -120dB codec noise floor.
65MB
Total RAM
Up to 10-minute audio buffers for long loopers, convolution reverbs, and complex delay lines.
<3ms
Target Latency
Imperceptible. The audio engine runs on a dedicated core with zero UI overhead.
Stereo
Audio I/O
4× 1/4" jacks. Input L/R, Output L/R. True stereo effects — ping-pong delay, stereo chorus, wide reverb.
2.8" IPS
Color Touchscreen
240×320 capacitive touch. Full effect editing, preset management, and AI Effect Builder — no phone required.
WiFi + BT
Connectivity
802.11 b/g/n + Bluetooth 5.0 LE. OTA firmware updates. Cloud AI. Companion app.
FAUST
DSP Runtime
Industry-standard functional audio language. AI-generated effects compile and deploy natively.
8+
Effects Chain
Run 8 or more simultaneous effects. Complexity-dependent — the 480MHz core has headroom.
50–70
Launch Effects
Drive, modulation, delay, reverb, dynamics, looper. All included — no upsells. Growing via OTA.
USB-C
Power & Data
USB-C power and data, plus a 9V DC barrel input. Firmware updates are also delivered over WiFi.
1590DD
Enclosure
Die-cast aluminum, 188×120×37mm. An unpopulated JTAG footprint keeps the internal audio engine low-profile.
Capabilities
Your pedal gets smarter
every time you plug in.
⚡

AI Effect Builder

Describe any effect in plain language. AI writes the DSP code, compiles it, and deploys it to your pedal. If you can imagine it, you can play it.

🎛

Touchscreen Control

Edit your effect chain, tweak parameters, and manage presets — all on the pedal. No phone app required for any core function.

🔁

Looper

Record, overdub, and undo with up to 10-minute audio buffers from the audio engine's 65MB of RAM. Available length depends on the active audio format.

📡

OTA Updates

New effects delivered over WiFi. No USB cables, no computer. The 96.1 grows its library after you buy it.

📱

Companion App

iOS & Android. Visual effect chain editor, AI Effect Builder, community preset sharing, and firmware management.

🎸

JFET Buffer Input

High-impedance discrete JFET buffer stage. Your pickups see what they expect — no tone loss, no high-frequency rolloff.

Competitive Position
See where ninetysix stands.
The 96.1 delivers features found only in units costing 2–5× more, while matching or exceeding spec-for-spec.
Specificationninetysix 96.1Line 6 HX StompChaos Audio StratusZoom MS-70CDR+
Price$399~$449$379 (+$99 plugins)$149
ProcessorThe 96.1 audio platform combines a 480 MHz ARM Cortex-M7 MCU with 65 MB of RAM and 8 MB of flash memory. Its TI TAC5242 codec supports up to 32-bit, 192 kHz stereo audio hardware.SHARC DSPCortex-A8ZFX-IV
Audio I/OStereoStereoMonoStereo
Sample Rate / DepthUp to 192 kHz / 32-bitUp to 96 kHzNot publishedNot published
Touchscreen2.8" Color IPSNoNo (LEDs only)No
AI Effect BuilderYes (FAUST)NoYes (FAUST)No
WiFiYesNoNoNo
OTA UpdatesWiFiUSBUSB-CNo
LooperYes (65MB RAM)Yes5 minNo
Effects IncludedAll included300+$99 extra for full149
AI Effect Builder
Describe it. Build it. Play it.
The 96.1 includes 50–70 built-in effects — all free, all offline, forever. The AI Effect Builder lets you create entirely new effects by describing them in plain language. Every 96.1 ships with 50 free builds.
Included
50 builds
Free
with every 96.1
Enough to deeply explore the AI Effect Builder and build a custom library.
Starter Pack
25 builds
$9.99
$0.40 / build
Builder Pack
100 builds
$29.99
$0.30 / build
Studio Pack
300 builds
$69.99
$0.23 / build
Credits never expire. No subscriptions. The built-in effect library works fully offline — forever.
The AI Effect Builder is a power tool, not a paywall.
Coming soon

Sound smarter.SM

The ninetysix 96.1 — where 192kHz meets AI.
Join the waitlist to be first.