ADDAC Clamps Unlock Endless Ambient & Alt-Rock Tones
ADDAC System's Rotary Exciter and Resonator Clamp transform electric guitars into drone and ambient engines with physical vibrations, not digital effects.
ADDAC System, the pioneering audio hardware company, has just released a pair of clamp-on accessories—the ADDAC006 Rotary Exciter and the Resonator Clamp—designed to physically transform your electric guitar into a limitless engine for drone, ambient textures, and experimental soundscapes.
Breaking the Boundaries of Traditional Pedals
Unlike standard effects pedals that process an existing audio signal, ADDAC's new clamps physically interact with your instrument's strings and wood to generate entirely new vibrations. These are highly transformative tools designed to push the boundaries of experimental music.
We have seen the Cantareel before, which turned your guitar into a Hurdy-Gurdy hybrid, but this is something else entirely.
Whether you are crafting cinematic ambient swells, hypnotic drone music, or textured layers for various subgenres of alt-rock—from atmospheric shoegaze and post-rock to chaotic noise-rock and grunge—these devices offer alien sounds that are nearly impossible to replicate with traditional digital or analog gear. They are the exact type of outboard wizardry that players like Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, or Sarah Lipstate thrive on.
The Rotary Exciter: A Magnetic Drone Engine
The Rotary Exciter is designed to be affixed directly anywhere on your guitar’s fretboard. Powered by a standard 9V DC pedalboard supply, it utilizes a 7,000RPM brushless motor to generate a localized magnetic field. This field physically excites the guitar strings, causing them to vibrate autonomously at matching frequencies and harmonics.
A built-in Speed knob allows players to dictate the intensity of the motor. When paired with heavy reverb, delay, or modulation on your pedalboard, the Rotary Exciter becomes a powerhouse for sustained ambient notes, relentless alt-rock feedback loops, and rich, evolving drones.
The Resonator Clamp: Turning Your Guitar Into a Speaker
The Resonator Clamp takes a different, highly inventive approach. Attached to the guitar's headstock (with standard models fitting up to 20mm thicknesses and oversized models accommodating up to 45mm), this clamp acts as a powerful physical transducer. Felt pads ensure your instrument’s finish remains completely protected.
Driven by a dedicated high-current 9–12V DC (3A) amplifier, the Resonator Clamp receives any modular or line-level audio signal—such as a piano sample, a drum loop, or a synthesizer—and sends those vibrations directly through the headstock. The strings then vibrate in sympathy with the audio source, which is picked up and amplified by your guitar’s magnetic pickups. The amplifier includes an input gain control to easily manage the volume of the transducer.
Endless Potential for Experimental and Alt-Rock
The musical applications are staggering. Because the guitar's tuning heavily influences the resonant harmonics, players can experiment with open tunings, capos, and string muting to create completely unique sonic beds.
- Ambient & Drone: Short bursts of incoming audio can decay into dense, lingering harmonic clusters, while continuous signals excite complex, reverb-like resonance filtered naturally by the tuning of the strings.
- Alt-Rock & Shoegaze: Set up a feedback loop using a volume pedal and a compressor to generate the kind of unpredictable, squalling textures favored by boundary-pushing alt-rockers and art-punk bands.
- Studio Experimentation: Feed external instruments (like a piano or vocal track) through the guitar to blend acoustic resonance with electronic samples, acting as an organic filter for avant-garde studio sessions.
Pricing and Availability
For players looking to break out of the standard pentatonic rut and dive deep into uncharted sonic territory, ADDAC's latest offerings are potent tools.
- ADDAC006 Rotary Exciter Clamp: €120
- Resonator Guitar Clamp (with Amplifier): €200
While these units require hands-on experimentation to fully integrate into a live rig or studio workflow, they offer an immediate gateway to a new world of noise for the adventurous musician.
- +Generates entirely new vibrations without digital processing
- +Physical transducer approach offers alien sounds impossible to replicate with traditional pedals
- +Resonator Clamp protects guitar finish with felt pads
- +Affordable entry point at under €200 each
- +Works with open tunings and experimental setups
- −Requires hands-on experimentation to integrate into live rigs
- −Limited to experimental and niche musical applications
- −Physical attachment to guitar may concern some players about long-term effects
What is the ADDAC Rotary Exciter and how does it work?
The Rotary Exciter is a clamp that attaches to your guitar's fretboard and uses a 7,000RPM brushless motor to generate a magnetic field that physically excites the strings. Powered by 9V DC pedalboard supply, it causes strings to vibrate autonomously at matching frequencies and harmonics, creating sustained drones and ambient textures.
How does the Resonator Clamp differ from standard guitar effects?
The Resonator Clamp acts as a physical transducer clamped to the headstock, converting external audio signals (synths, samples, vocals) into vibrations that travel through the strings and are picked up by your magnetic pickups. It transforms your guitar into a resonant filter for incoming sound rather than processing existing guitar audio.
What musical styles benefit most from these devices?
These clamps excel in ambient, drone, shoegaze, post-rock, noise-rock, and experimental music. They're ideal for creating cinematic swells, hypnotic drones, and textured layers. Alt-rock players and experimentalists can use them to generate feedback loops and evolving soundscapes difficult to achieve with traditional pedals.
How much do ADDAC's clamps cost?
The ADDAC006 Rotary Exciter Clamp costs €120, while the Resonator Guitar Clamp with built-in amplifier costs €200. Both require 9V DC power and come with protection (felt pads on the Resonator to preserve your guitar's finish).
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