oktáver / distortion / boost

Sunn O))) and EarthQuaker Devices are pleased to bring you the compact, pedalboard-friendly version of the Life Pedal distortion. Limited to 2500 units worldwide, this is the same exact circuit as the WILDLY popular limited run version that was released in early 2019 but with the addition of expression pedal control over the octave blend and Flexi-Switch® Technology on the relay-based true bypass footswitches.

The Life Pedal is designed to represent the core front end chain used in the recording sessions of Sunn O))), to drive the tubes of the band’s multiple vintage Sunn O))) Model T amplifiers (or take your fancy) into overload ecstasy. This is a 100w tube amp full stack’s holy dream, or its apostate nightmare.

An octave fuzz inspired by the Shin-Ei FY2 & FY6 units leads the circuit into a LM308 chipped and brutal rodent big box distortion, recreated with the best components, and including a three-way clipping switch (op Amp, Asymmetric & Symmetric). Second stage is a purely clean boost to further overdrive the preamp tubes of your vintage system into -scaped harmonics, and feedback overtone bliss.

What is it?

Life Pedal is a distortion with a blendable analog octave up and a booster combined in one compact package. The “Amplitude” side is faithfully modeled after the classic “White Face” distortion unit, right down to the LM308 IC and tantalum caps. The only modifications made to the original circuit are in the clipping section. 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 Octave in Life Pedal is an all-discrete, analog full-wave rectifier circuit built around a pair of Russian Germanium diodes. Located at the input of the circuit, the Octave control slowly blends in the octave effects as you turn it clockwise. This feature can also be used via expression control allowing for wild, hands-free octave swells mid-riff. Because this is an analog octave effect, it is monophonic and works best playing single notes above the twelfth fret while using the neck pickup. Playing chords with the analog octave will sound clanging and chaotic. Using the bridge pickup and playing below the twelfth fret will produce a very subtle octave effect. Going full Octave transforms Life Pedal from a simple distortion device into a swelling, raging fuzz similar to the classic Super Fuzz!

The “Magnitude” section of Life Pedal is a simple all-discrete MOSFET booster designed to blast your preamp tubes and drive them wild. It is a 100% clean, no-nonsense, high impedance booster that adds very little color to your tone. It does not add distortion on its own but has plenty of output to push your amp into saturation.

The signal path goes Octave>Distortion>Boost. The octave distortion and booster can be used independently with their own respective footswitches. The Petrine Cross is the octave distortion and the Christian Cross is the booster.

• Limited to 2500 units worldwide.
• Life Pedal is a distortion with a blendable analog octave up and a booster.
• Features 3 different clipping options: symmetrical silicon, asymmetrical silicon & LED, and no diode op-amp drive.
• Octave distortion and booster can be used independently.
• Expression control over analog octave up blend.
• True bypass.
• Silent relay-based switching.
• Features EarthQuaker Devices’ proprietary Flexi-Switch™ Technology.
• Lifetime guarantee.
• Current Draw: 15 mA.
• Octave Distortion: Input impedance: 1 MOhm / Output impedance: < 1 KOhm.
• Booster: Input impedance: 500 KOhm / Output impedance: <1 KOhm.
• Dimensions : 11,8 x 9,2 x 5,9 cm.
• Weight : 520 g.