ADDAC 003 Servo Controller (ADDAC003)

At ADDAC we always admired the geniality of Neil Young’s Whizzer, way ahead of its time, a great example of how great ingenuity and engineering can come together to make something great.

Inspired by its motor controlled method we created a standalone solution featuring 8 Servo outputs to control any knob on any amplifier, guitar pedal, rack gear, etc. Bottom line any hardware that has a knob that needs to be controlled/sequenced/automated externally.

The idea behind it was to create a device that would open the possibility to control any knob, any physical knob, be it from a musical device or any other tech appliance that “needs” to be controlled, for musical, artistic or automation purposes.

Our solution comes with a Servo Connector that screws into any compatible physical potentiometer, a coupler connects the motor shaft to the target knob which will turn as the Servo turns.

We use servo motors which can be digitally controlled and move to a precise angle. The motors are controlled by a microcontroller that receives MIDI signals or the internal Expression Pedals and converts these signals to the 270 degree Servo motor range.

Each expression pedal input features 2 knobs: MINimum and MAXimum. These are used to set the range of action of the expression pedal, allowing to dial the range to any sweet spot desired. Raising the MINimum knob above the MAXimum knob inverts the Servo range.

It features MIDI over USB-C, Bluetooth MIDI, and a 3.5mm MIDI IN jack. MIDI can come from any of the 3 sources at the same time as long as they don’t overlap the servos channels being controlled.

Enclosure 3D Printed in PETG with aluminium front panel.