Compact stompbox designed for crushing distortion.
The Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3 from EarthQuaker Devices features a circuit that has been meticulously tweaked from the original to squeeze out every last drop of heavy, crushing tone. The octave section has been fine-tuned to make it more pronounced without losing the bottom end, and a third footswitch has been added, utilizing Flexi Switch Technology for the octave to allow an additional method of quick and radical tone shaping. The Life Pedal is a distortion effect with a blendable analog octave up and booster combined in one compact package. The "Amplitude" side is faithfully modeled after the classic "White Face" distortion unit using modern, reliable components to last a lifetime. The traditional circuit uses a single pair of silicon diodes for a tight, compressed crunch.
The Life Pedal introduces two additional clipping options to better adapt to different rigs. The first position is no diodes to allow for full, grinding Op Amp assault at maximum volume. The second position utilizes two silicon diodes and one LED in an asymmetrical clipping configuration. This delivers a slightly compressed and smooth crunch, similar to a valve amplifier. The last position is the stock double silicon diode configuration which provides that classic tone you know and love.
The Life Pedal introduces two additional clipping options to better adapt to different rigs. The first position is no diodes to allow for full, grinding Op Amp assault at maximum volume. The second position utilizes two silicon diodes and one LED in an asymmetrical clipping configuration. This delivers a slightly compressed and smooth crunch, similar to a valve amplifier. The last position is the stock double silicon diode configuration which provides that classic tone you know and love.
Specifications
- Input impedance: 1 mohm/Output impedance: <1 kohm
- Input Impedance: 500 kohm
- Output Impedance: <1 kohm
Features
Controls
- Octave: This blends in the analog octave as you turn it clockwise
- Distortion: Turn clockwise for more distortion, counterclockwise for less, which provides about +60dB of gain
- Filter: This is a low pass filter with a frequency response from around 500Hz to 30kHz, which turn counterclockwise for more high-end, clockwise for less
- Amplitude: Output volume for the octave distortion side, clockwise for more hearing loss, counterclockwise for a healthy life in old age
- OpAmp: No diodes to allow for full, grinding OpAmp assault at maximum volume
- Asymm: Utilizes two silicon diodes and one LED in an asymmetrical clipping configuration and delivers a slightly compressed and smooth crunch, similar to a valve amplifier.
- Symm: This is the stock double silicon diode configuration, which provides that classic tone you know and love
- Magnitude: This is the output volume for the booster; Clockwise to blow up your amp, counterclockwise if you are a baby, unity is somewhere right around noon on the dial
- Amplitude Footswitch: Distortion Activator
- Magnitude Footswitch: Boost Activator
- Octave Activator. In order to use the octave, the distortion ("Amplitude") must be active
- Octave EXP: Connect any expression pedal to this input to control the analog octave blend (Before inserting the expression pedal, make sure the pedal is powered off)