First-Time Founder
Bootstrapped FounderAbout
Chaos Audio builds AI into musical instruments, starting with pedals and amps. Musicians describe a sound in natural language, and the AI FX Builder platform generates playable effects that run locally on Chaos hardware. The company's thesis is that AI-native instruments represent the third major shift in musical instruments, following electric and digital eras, letting musicians describe and adapt sounds rather than being limited to fixed effect catalogs.
Traction & Metrics
Users & Clients
1.4K
Users
1.4K
Clients
Financial
$624.1K
ARR
291.8%
Revenue Growth (YoY)
$105.83
CAC
Fundraising
$300K
Previous Round
Products
VideoStratus
A $299 AI-powered effects pedal for guitar and bass rigs. Musicians describe a sound in plain language, and AI FX Builder generates custom effect software that runs locally on the pedal. Features two footswitches, a Multiknob, 14 onboard presets, looper, tuner, MIDI over USB-C, Bluetooth app control, wireless effect delivery, and native NAM/TONE3000 integration with cabinet impulse responses. Over 2,200 units shipped, with landed cost reduced 26% after a manufacturing partner change.
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VideoNimbus
A $599 standalone 100W stereo AI amp that doesn't require a Stratus pedal. Includes custom PowerBass speakers angled at 15°, two XLR/¼-inch inputs, stereo line outs, headphone and USB-C recording, Bluetooth app control, backing-track audio, and 16GB onboard storage. Shares the AI FX Builder platform with Stratus, letting musicians create and play custom sound behaviors. Over $320,000 funded via crowdfunding with 727 backers, currently awaiting fulfillment.
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VideoAI FX Builder
The core AI platform that lets musicians describe how a sound should behave in natural language and generates a playable custom audio effect. Effects are created and validated in the cloud, installed wirelessly via the Chaos app, and run locally on Chaos hardware without needing a phone or internet connection during performance. Also planned as a standalone desktop subscription product (AU/VST/AAX plugin formats) requiring no Chaos hardware.
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Updates
Bookings up 3.9× YoY · 1,000 Stratus pedals landing this week · $1.5M seed open
Chaos Audio makes AI that builds guitar tones from a text prompt. Type "make me sound like Boston," the AI writes the effect, and it lands on your pedal in seconds. We sell the hardware it runs on (Stratus, $299 pedal · Nimbus, $599 amp) direct to musicians, plus plugins through our own in-app store. I started the company at 19; seven years and two products later, here's where we are. Traction: • $624K in bookings over the last 12 months, up 3.9× on the prior year. $329K through our store (+106%) plus $295K from the Nimbus Kickstarter (725 backers). • Direct sales up 148% year over year (Jan–Sep). • 2,200+ pedals shipped · 4.9★ across 85 reviews. • 59% contribution margin before acquisition cost. This month • 1,000 new Stratus units landing this week. Our entire backorder (500+ customers) ships September 22, and we're moving to staged monthly production so we stop selling out. • Nimbus ships to backers in January; retail launch follows. • 2027: AI creation subscriptions across desktop, Stratus and Nimbus. The raise $1.5M SAFE at an $8M cap, closing mid-Jan. Capital goes to inventory ahead of demand, the Nimbus retail launch, and the next devices. Deck: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q7SLgEk0satG27ypEhk8BbF7nIHn07C2/view?usp=drive_link Happy to find 20 minutes. landon@chaosaudio.com