Modded-Cycles: 6-track USB multi-out, Syntakt engine port & Web Flasher

[18nelli]

Web Flasher https://18nelli18.github.io/Modded-Cycles/flasher/

Hey everyone,

I’ve been digging deep into the Model:Cycles firmware (OS 1.13) with Claude Code to push the little FM groovebox beyond its factory limits.

The project is called Modded-Cycles, and it is completely open-source (Python/C/JS toolchain). No official proprietary Elektron binaries are distributed in the repository — patches are applied directly to your own official syx file.

GitHub Repository: github.com/18nelli18/Modded-Cycles

What’s working right now

• 6-Track USB Multi-Out: Stream each of the 6 tracks as independent mono stems over USB into your DAW instead of just the stereo sum.
  
  
• Safe USB Updates (6ch-usbup): Unlike earlier multi-output experiments, this build preserves the USB bootloader/upgrade path so you don’t get locked out of future USB flashes.
  
  
• Syntakt’s SD VINTAGE Machine on Model:Cycles:
  • The Syntakt audio engine shares a ColdFire architecture with the Model series. By supplying both official model-cycles_OS1.13.syx and Syntakt_OS1.41.syx, the tool relocates and injects the actual Syntakt SD VINTAGE engine and lookup tables into the Cycles (replacing the stock SNARE engine). Knobs map 1:1 to their Syntakt behavior (pitch sweep, decay, noise balance). Verified sample-identical in emulation and successfully tested on real hardware.
    
    
• Workflow Quality-of-Life Tweaks (thanks to drumkilla):
  • Latching Mute: Hold TRK + tap FUNC to lock mute mode — mute tracks freely with one hand.
    
  • Trig Preview: Sequencer stopped? Hold a step and press PAGE to audition it (including p-locks, length, and pitch).
    
  • Browser Scroll: Long preset/sound names smoothly scroll in the sound browser.
    
    
• Cross-flashing Model:Samples OS: Verified working on real hardware (requires MIDI IN interface to return to Cycles OS).
  
  

How to Flash
1. In-Browser Web Flasher (Web MIDI)
You don't need a compiler or command line:

1. Open the web flasher in a Chromium browser (Chrome, Edge, Opera, Brave).
   
   
2. Connect your Model:Cycles over USB and enter CONFIG > UPGRADE.
   
   
3. Select your desired tweaks and drop your official model-cycles_OS1.13.syx and Syntakt_OS1.41.syx (if running SD Vintage).
   
   
4. The patched binary is assembled client-side in your browser's memory and sent via Web MIDI. Nothing is uploaded to any server.
   
   

2. Python CLI Toolchain
If you prefer raw command line or custom builds:
Bas

Code:

# Example: 6 channels + SD Vintage + QoL tweaks python3 tools/build.py -i model-cycles_OS1.13.syx -t 6ch-usbup,sdvintage-snare,latching-mute,trig-preview,browser-scroll # Send to device ./flash.sh    # macOS / Linux flash.bat     # Windows

Safety & Recovery

• Stock Firmware Recovery: If a bad flash occurs, you can always recover via the hardware bootstrap menu: hold FUNC while powering on, press TRIG 4 , and send the official .syx firmware via the physical MIDI IN jack (standard 3.5mm TRS Type-A adapter).
  
• Legal / Disclaimer: Not affiliated with Elektron. Modifying firmware is done at your own risk and technically voids your warranty.
  
  

What’s next?

• Working toward an 8-channel milestone (6 mono stems + stereo FX return) and eventually full 12-channel output (per-track stereo panned).
  
• Exploring porting other engines from the Syntakt digital engine.
  
• Investigating deeper chromatic scale modes and polyrhythmic tracks.
  
  

All code, disassembly notes, and technical write-ups (in French, with English docs landing) are in the repo. Feel free to inspect the patches, run the test suites, or submit PRs!

Let me know what you think or if you take it for a spin!

18nelli18/Modded-Cycles

Python41

GitHubCopy linkCopied! README

[hangingaround]

It also works on a Model:Samples. Currently running the version of the mod with everything selected, including the 2 extra machines, everything works as it should. To run this on the Samples first you must have the Cycles OS flashed on it and then you can just send the prepared .syx from the converter through Transfer.

[DISCO]

This is so dope.

I should have read @hangingaround post also before flashing model samples onto the cycles though.
Getting a midi cable tomorrow so i can flash back to cycles and add the other mods.

Would be so cool to be able to run both firmwares at the same time.

I also read somewhere that it might be possible to flash digitakt firmware on the sample/cycles. Only bummer would be the display.

[hangingaround]

This is so dope.

I should have read @hangingaround post also before flashing model samples onto the cycles though.
Getting a midi cable tomorrow so i can flash back to cycles and add the other mods.

Would be so cool to be able to run both firmwares at the same time.

I also read somewhere that it might be possible to flash digitakt firmware on the sample/cycles. Only bummer would be the display.

You can obtain a much more capable sample engine and keep the cycles functionality by using 

TinyGregAudio/Model-TG

Unofficial firmware additions for the Elektron Model:Cycles (OS 1.13): a full Sampler machine, resampling, beat-repeat with master FX, and moreAssembly68

GitHubCopy linkCopied! README

It was created by a member of the community and it is also my current choice of OS to work on.

[bemily]

this is all so exciting. thank yall so much

[bemily]

totally couldnt get the "Model-TG" thing to work, but "Modded-Cycles" is working like a dream.

[DISCO]

This is so dope.

I should have read @hangingaround post also before flashing model samples onto the cycles though.
Getting a midi cable tomorrow so i can flash back to cycles and add the other mods.

Would be so cool to be able to run both firmwares at the same time.

I also read somewhere that it might be possible to flash digitakt firmware on the sample/cycles. Only bummer would be the display.

You can obtain a much more capable sample engine and keep the cycles functionality by using 

https://github.com/TinyGregAudio/Model-TG

It was created by a member of the community and it is also my current choice of OS to work on.

Thank you so much for this link.

Thats a work of art.

[mercxxx]

This is so dope.

I should have read @hangingaround post also before flashing model samples onto the cycles though.
Getting a midi cable tomorrow so i can flash back to cycles and add the other mods.

Would be so cool to be able to run both firmwares at the same time.

I also read somewhere that it might be possible to flash digitakt firmware on the sample/cycles. Only bummer would be the display.

You can obtain a much more capable sample engine and keep the cycles functionality by using 

https://github.com/TinyGregAudio/Model-TG

It was created by a member of the community and it is also my current choice of OS to work on.

I know nothing abt Python or coldfire binutils 💀 how do you install Model-TG

[18nelli]

This is so dope.

I should have read @hangingaround post also before flashing model samples onto the cycles though.
Getting a midi cable tomorrow so i can flash back to cycles and add the other mods.

Would be so cool to be able to run both firmwares at the same time.

I also read somewhere that it might be possible to flash digitakt firmware on the sample/cycles. Only bummer would be the display.

You can obtain a much more capable sample engine and keep the cycles functionality by using 

https://github.com/TinyGregAudio/Model-TG

It was created by a member of the community and it is also my current choice of OS to work on.

I know nothing abt Python or coldfire binutils 💀 how do you install Model-TG

Hey! If you can hold on just a little longer, I'm currently integrating TinyGregAudio's work into the web flasher! It shouldn't take much longer

[mercxxx]

Hi. Could you also update the flasher so it can accept the new Syntakt OS 1.42? (: