Exciter
The Companion Exciter is a captivating relic from the golden age of Japanese effects pedal design. Hailing from the late 1960s and early 1970s, this multi-function stompbox blends an array of unconventional yet alluring sonic capabilities into a single treadle-controlled unit. At its core, the Exciter offers a reverse-sweep wah effect, where the toe-down position yields a rich, bass-heavy tone and the heel-down setting emphasizes the treble frequencies. This unorthodox wah voicing lends itself to psychedelic lead lines, eerie ambient textures, and anything in between. Complementing the wah is a volume control, allowing you to seamlessly swell your sound. But the Exciter's most distinctive features are its two distinct white noise generators, labeled "Surf" and "Hurricane." These circuits produce modulated, atmospheric hisses that evoke the roar of crashing waves or the howl of a raging storm. By manipulating the treadle, you can shape the intensity and character of these evocative soundscapes, infusing your playing with a sense of primal, elemental energy. Capping off this unusual effects array is the Siren function - a momentary switch that triggers a rising and falling oscillator, mimicking the haunting wail of an air raid siren. This feature can inject a sense of drama and tension into your music, making the Exciter a unique and versatile tool for adventurous guitarists. While the Companion Exciter may have its quirks, including potential volume drops and mechanical wear, its distinctive sonic personality has earned it a cult following among players seeking to unlock new realms of expression. This is a pedal that defies categorization, inviting you to explore the fringes of guitar tone and beyond.
