Mi-Si
Mi-Si is a privately-held US company, founded in 2004, that designs and manufactures battery-free acoustic amplification preamp systems powered by supercapacitors, serving acoustic and electric stringed instrument players through OEM embedding, specialty dealers, and global distributors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersNeedham, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Mi-Si does
Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc. is a privately-held, US-incorporated company headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts, founded in 2004 by an engineering team with more than 50 years of combined experience in music technology. The company designs and manufactures battery-free acoustic amplification electronics — primarily active preamp systems and pickups for acoustic guitars, ukuleles, violins, mandolins, and increasingly electric guitars and basses. Its core technology replaces conventional batteries with supercapacitors that charge in approximately 60 seconds and deliver up to 16 hours of performance time, paired with proprietary custom piezo linearization circuitry designed to eliminate the resonant "quack" common to undersaddle pickups. The product portfolio spans the Acoustic Trio family (designed for L.R. Baggs and Kremona pickups), the Align and Align XT family (including a Taylor-specific retrofit), the Crystal retrofittable preamp, the capacitive Motif pickup system, and the newer Activator™ boost circuit.
Mi-Si generates revenue through two primary streams: direct and channel hardware sales of its branded preamp systems, and OEM/embedded technology arrangements in which its circuitry is built into instruments at the factory level by partner manufacturers. Distribution combines direct e-commerce (mi-si.com), 25+ authorized specialty dealers, 12+ country distributors covering North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Oceania, and OEM embedding partnerships with more than 50 instrument makers including C.F. Martin, NS Design, Taylor Guitars, Avalon Guitars, B&G, Hofner, and Kamaka Ukulele. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and requires direct contact for quotes, consistent with a specialty B2B/B2C hybrid model. The company employs 1-10 people, has never raised institutional capital, and exhibits no parent-company or subsidiary relationships.
Mi-Si firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mi-Si
- Legal name
- Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc.
- Website
- https://mi-si.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Mi-Si is a privately-held US company, founded in 2004, that designs and manufactures battery-free acoustic amplification preamp systems powered by supercapacitors, serving acoustic and electric stringed instrument players through OEM embedding, specialty dealers, and global distributors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mi-Si industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Musical Instrument Electronics
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)
- SIC
- Musical Instruments (3931)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Music Production Hardware (Synthesizers, Drum Machines, Samplers, MIDI Controllers) (MPAIAJAE)
Keywords
Where Mi-Si is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Needham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Mi-Si business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Mi-Si generates revenue primarily from selling proprietary battery-free preamp systems, power chargers, and related audio equipment. Products include the Acoustic Trio, Align, Crystal, Magpie, and Motif systems, along with the Power Charger accessory. Each product is sold as a one-time purchase with no recurring battery costs.
- OEM/Embedded Technology Licensing: Mi-Si embeds its Activator™ circuit and battery-free preamp technology directly into instruments from OEM partners like C.F. Martin, NS Design, and Avalon Guitars. This generates revenue through technology licensing and component supply arrangements with instrument manufacturers.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Mi-Si product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mi-Si designs and manufactures battery-free acoustic amplification electronics for stringed musical instruments, including active preamps, undersaddle pickups, and OEM-embedded circuits. Its products use supercapacitor-based power systems that charge in 60 seconds for up to 16 hours of playing time, eliminating the need for batteries. The product line serves acoustic guitar, ukulele, violin, mandolin, and electric guitar/bass players, with technology also licensed to instrument manufacturers.
Product overview
Mi-Si is a battery-free acoustic amplification technology company founded in 2004, offering a portfolio of active preamp systems and pickup solutions for acoustic guitars, ukuleles, violins, and other stringed instruments. The core product line centers on battery-free preamp technology that uses supercapacitors charged for 60 seconds to provide hours of performance time. Products include the Acoustic Trio series (Acoustic Trio, Acoustic Trio Uke, Acoustic Trio AIR, Acoustic Trio Vio/Mando) designed to work with specific pickup partners like L.R. Baggs and Kremona; the Align series (Align, Align XT) for general and Taylor-specific retrofit applications; the Crystal for passive system upgrades; and the Motif/Motif UKE capacitive under-saddle pickup systems. The recently introduced Activator circuit technology powers newer instruments like NS Design guitars and basses with supercapacitor-based boost capability.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Acoustic Trio Active, battery-free preamp system designed to work with L.R. Baggs undersaddle acoustic guitar pickup, featuring custom piezo linearization. Powers up for 60 seconds to provide up to 16 hours of performance time. Designed for acoustic guitar players seeking reliable on-stage amplification.
- Acoustic Trio Uke Active, battery-free preamp system designed specifically to work with L.R. Baggs ukulele pickup, using custom piezo linearization scheme. Built for ukulele players needing reliable amplification for live performance and recording.
- Acoustic Trio AIR Combination of the Acoustic Trio undersaddle pickup system with Mi-Si's MEMS microphone-based Air system. Signals from the undersaddle transducer and internal microphone are mixed and controlled by soundhole-mounted Pan and Volume potentiometers, providing feedback-free sound. Powers up for 60 seconds for up to 8 hours of performance time.
- Acoustic Trio Vio/Mando Active, battery-free preamp designed for use with Kremona piezo pickup for violins. Features custom piezo linearization scheme with extremely compact preamp built into a 1/4 inch Carpenter Jack. Provides up to 8 hours of play time after a 60-second charge.
- Align The world's most flexible battery-free preamp at just 30 mils thick (vs. traditional 62 mils). Comes standard with active bass, treble, and volume controls and can be installed virtually anywhere within the instrument. Provides up to 8 hours of active preamp power after a 60-second charge.
- Align XT Designed specifically to upgrade Taylor guitars to a battery-free option. Features Volume, Bass and Treble controls for easy retrofit with custom linearization eliminating piezo quack. Includes L.R. Baggs Element pickup and power charger.
- Crystal
- Magpie AIR Battery-free active system combining signals from a magnetic soundhole pickup and a MEMS microphone for acoustic guitar. Provides accurate amplification using the onboard MEMS microphone. Powers up for 60 seconds for up to 7 hours of performance time.
- Motif First capacitive active under-saddle pickup designed to eliminate piezo sensor 'quack'. Design similar to best-performing condenser microphones. Only 1.3 mm thick with a state-of-the-art extremely low-noise class A discrete preamplifier mounted on the endpin jack. 60-second charge provides up to 6 hours of playing time.
- Motif UKE Capacitive active under-saddle pickup technology based on Motif, designed specifically for ukuleles.
- Activator™ Circuit Revolutionary circuit designed by Mi-Si, powered by supercapacitors, providing up to 12dB boost. Used in NS Design instruments including the NS Fin GT6 electric guitar and NS Fin Bass, and also adopted by Avalon Guitars.
Quantifiable outcome
- 60-second charge provides up to 16 hours of performance time (Acoustic Trio)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Mi-Si
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Mi-Si technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature7 records
Mi-Si partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- Avalon GuitarsmajorMi-Si showcased its systems on guitars by Avalon Guitars at NAMM 2026 in Anaheim, CA. Avalon incorporates Mi-Si's battery-free preamp technology into their instruments.
- NS DesigncoreMi-Si partnered with NS Design to launch the new carbon fiber 6-string NS Fin Bass at Guitar Summit in Mannheim, Germany. The instrument features Mi-Si's Activator™ circuit providing up to 12dB boost, powered by supercapacitors. Also includes Activator™ in NS Fin GT6 electric guitar.
- C.F. MartincoreMi-Si partnered with C.F. Martin on the new TKE Tenor Ukulele line. The TKE Uke features a gloss body and satin neck with solid koa top, back, and sides, and includes Mi-Si's battery-free preamp technology embedded in the instrument.
- L.R. BaggsmajorMi-Si's Acoustic Trio system is specifically designed to work with L.R. Baggs undersaddle acoustic guitar pickups. Products use L.R. Baggs Element pickup in Align XT package.
- Taylor GuitarsmajorAlign XT is designed specifically to upgrade Taylor guitars to a battery-free option, featuring controls spaced perfectly for easy retrofit.
- Harris TellermajorAuthorized distributor for Mi-Si products in the USA market.
- Pro-Music AustraliamajorAuthorized distributor for Mi-Si products in Australia.
- Reinhardt (Best Acoustics)majorAuthorized distributor for Mi-Si products covering Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden.
- KikutanimajorAuthorized distributor for Mi-Si products in Japan.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Mi-Si competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Darkglass Electronics: Darkglass is a boutique but rapidly scaling maker of bass preamps, pedals, and amplification. As an emerging brand that has successfully grown from niche to broader presence in instrument electronics, Darkglass represents a relevant comparable for Mi-Si's potential expansion into the electric instrument and bass category via the Activator circuit.
Direct peers
- Kremona: Kremona is a Bulgarian acoustic string instrument maker whose piezo pickups are integrated into Mi-Si's Vio/Mando system. Kremona is a technology partner in the violin/mandolin segment and represents an adjacent competitor in the broader pickup/preamp space.
- Fishman: Fishman is one of the most established acoustic instrument amplification brands, offering a full range of pickups, preamps, and onboard electronics for acoustic guitar, bass, and other string instruments. Fishman competes directly with Mi-Si in the active preamp category and supplies many of the same OEM instrument manufacturers.
- L.R. Baggs: L.R. Baggs is the leading maker of acoustic instrument pickups and preamps, and is simultaneously Mi-Si's closest technology partner (Acoustic Trio integrates with L.R. Baggs undersaddle pickups) and most direct competitor. Both companies sell active preamp systems targeting professional acoustic guitar and ukulele players through the same dealer and OEM channels.
- Bartolini: Bartolini designs and manufactures premium pickups and onboard preamp electronics for electric bass and guitar, with strong OEM relationships. Bartolini is comparable in being a specialized, engineering-driven boutique preamp/pickup maker that sells both to end users and embeds in OEM instruments.
- Schertler: Schertler is a Swiss maker of acoustic instrument amplification systems including contact pickups, preamps, and full acoustic amps. Schertler competes in the same acoustic amplification niche as Mi-Si, though with a broader product portfolio that includes amplification hardware.
- EMG Pickups: EMG is a well-known manufacturer of active pickups and preamps primarily for electric guitar and bass. As Mi-Si's Activator circuit expands into electric instruments (NS Fin GT6, NS Fin Bass), EMG becomes a more direct competitor in the active electronics category.
Broad incumbents
- BOSS (Roland): BOSS/Roland is a broad incumbent in musical electronics with a portfolio that includes acoustic instrument preamps, tuners, and effects pedals. While not specialized in battery-free preamps, BOSS competes in adjacent categories (acoustic preamps like the AD-2, AD-8) and has the scale and R&D resources to enter Mi-Si's niche.
- Radial Engineering: Radial Engineering is a Canadian pro audio manufacturer known for DI boxes, re-ampers, and acoustic instrument preamps (e.g., Tonebone PZ-Pre, JDV Mk5). Radial is a broader incumbent in the acoustic preamp category with overlapping channels and target customers.
- Taylor Guitars Expression System: Taylor's Expression System is Taylor's proprietary onboard acoustic pickup and preamp platform, embedded in their acoustic guitars. As a major Mi-Si OEM partner (Align XT) and a manufacturer of competing in-house electronics, Taylor represents both a key channel and a structural risk to Mi-Si's OEM business.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Mi-Si social profiles
Digital presenceMi-Si financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mi-Si leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Mi-Si funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mi-Si M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Mi-Si
What does Mi-Si do?
Mi-Si designs and manufactures battery-free acoustic amplification electronics for stringed musical instruments, including active preamps, undersaddle pickups, and OEM-embedded circuits. Its products use supercapacitor-based power systems that charge in 60 seconds for up to 16 hours of playing time, eliminating the need for batteries. The product line serves acoustic guitar, ukulele, violin, mandolin, and electric guitar/bass players, with technology also licensed to instrument manufacturers.
Is Mi-Si a public or private company?
Mi-Si is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Mi-Si founded?
Mi-Si was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Mi-Si based?
Mi-Si is headquartered in Needham, United States, in the North America region.
How does Mi-Si make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are OEM/Embedded Technology Licensing.
Who are Mi-Si's main competitors?
Darkglass Electronics is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Kremona, Fishman, L.R. Baggs, Bartolini, Schertler and EMG Pickups. Broad incumbents are BOSS (Roland), Radial Engineering and Taylor Guitars Expression System.
Does Mi-Si have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mi-Si.
What industry is Mi-Si in?
Mi-Si's product category is Musical Instrument Electronics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAE, Music Production Hardware (Synthesizers, Drum Machines, Samplers, MIDI Controllers). Its NAICS code is 33431 and its SIC code is 3931.