EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife Octave Distortion Pedal

Description

From Earthquaker Devices:

Sunn O))) and EarthQuaker Devices are pleased to bring you the most compact, pedalboard-friendly version of the Life Pedal distortion circuit to date – the Sunn O))) HalfLife Octave Distortion + Booster. Half the size, just as heavy.

Birth of a Life Pedal

In the writing sessions for Life Metal, Stephen O’Malley & Greg Anderson worked extensively shearing their tones toward a broader energy spectrum over high-powered saturation and across planes of sonic character with the ambition to take full advantage of Steve Albini’s (the recording engineer of the Life Metal album) exacting capture skills.

The results are astounding. There is breadth and luminosity of color, vast sonic cosmoses, and flashes of abstract color (synthetic and objective) through resulting themes which emerged from the mastered depths of saturation and circuits between the two players and their mountains of gear.

Like the Life Pedal, HalfLife is designed to represent the core front end chain used in those sessions 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 brutal big-box rodent-inspired distortion recreated with the best components and including a three-way clipping switch (OpAmp, Asymmetric & Symmetric). The second stage is a purely clean boost to further overdrive the preamp tubes of your vintage system into scaped harmonics and feedback overtone bliss.

HalfLife is the mass production successor to the Sunn O))) HalfLife Fer MMXXV – a limited edition run housed in a cast iron enclosure made using a centuries-old technique known as Nanbu-tekki (南部鉄器).

Chasms are cleared, mountains sheared, glaciers calved, novæ birthed. Vintage valve amplifiers recommended. We hope you transcend.

What Is It?

HalfLife is a distortion with a blendable analog octave up and a booster combined in one compact package. The “Amplitude” side is faithfully modelled after the classic “White Face” distortion unit. 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. HalfLife introduces two additional clipping options to better adapt to different rigs. The first position is no diodes to allow for a 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 HalfLife is an all-discrete analog full-wave rectifier circuit. 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 HalfLife from a simple distortion device into a swelling, raging fuzz similar to the classic Super Fuzz!

The “Magnitude” section of HalfLife 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 is Octave > Distortion > Boost. The octave distortion and booster can be used independently with their own respective footswitches. The right footswitch is the octave distortion, and the left footswitch is the booster.

Controls

Octave (O): This blends in the analog octave as you turn it clockwise.
Filter (F): This is a low pass filter with a frequency response from around 500 Hz to 30 kHz. Turn counterclockwise for more high-end, clockwise for less.
Distortion (D): Turn clockwise for more distortion, counterclockwise for less. This provides about +60dB of gain.
Magnitude (MAG): This is the output volume for the booster. Clockwise to blow up your amp, counterclockwise if you’re a baby. Unity is somewhere right around noon on the dial.
Clipping Switch (CLIP):
- OpAmp: No diodes to allow for full, grinding Op Amp assault at maximum volume.
- Asymm: 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.
- Symm: This is the stock double silicon diode configuration, which provides that classic tone you know and love.
Amplitude (AMP): Output volume for the octave distortion side. Clockwise for more hearing loss, counterclockwise for a healthy life in old age.
Magnitude Footswitch: Boost Activator
Amplitude Footswitch: Octave Distortion Activator
Octave EXP Jack: Connect any expression pedal to this input to control the analog octave blend.

TECH SPECS

Dimensions: 5.00 × 2.75 x 2.25 in. (127 × 70 x 57 mm) with knobs
Current Draw: 15 mA
Octave Distortion
- Input Impedance: 1 MΩ
- Output Impedance: <1 kΩ
Booster
- Input Impedance: 500 kΩ
- Output Impedance: <1 kΩ
Flexi-Switch® Technology
- This device features Flexi-Switch® Technology! This relay-based, true bypass switching style allows you to simultaneously use momentary and latching style switching.
- - For standard latching operation: tap the footswitch once to activate the effect and then tap again to bypass.
  - For momentary operation: hold the footswitch down for as long as you’d like to use the effect. Once you release the switch the effect will be bypassed.
- Since the switching is relay based, it requires power to pass signal.
Power
- This device takes a standard 9 volt DC power supply with a 2.1mm negative center barrel. We always recommend pedal-specific, transformer-isolated wall-wart power supplies or multiple isolated-output supplies. Pedals will make extra noise if there is ripple or unclean power. Switching-type power supplies, daisy chains and non-pedal specific power supplies do not filter dirty power as well and let through unwanted noise. DO NOT RUN AT HIGHER VOLTAGES!
Artwork by: Stephen O’Malley
Irradiated rat fossil drawing by: Savage Pencil

Shipping & Returns

Free Shipping

Most orders over $99.00 ship for free inside the lower 48 states. Certain items that are large and heavy do not qualify for free shipping.

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For information on International Shipping, please call, email or use live chat for rates. Orders shipping outside the Lower 48 States to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and international orders do not qualify for free shipping. Orders shipping to U.S. Military APO/FPO addresses, PO Boxes, and US territories (Guam, Virgin Islands, etc.) can only ship USPS. NOTE: Boxes over 70 lbs each cannot be shipped to these locations.

As a security precaution, orders over $200.00 will only ship to the address your credit card company has on file for you.

*Korg and Mesa/Boogie products are only available for shipment within the USA.

Returns

We want you to be completely happy with your purchase, so we offer a 48 hour approval period on most purchases (see exclusions below). The 48 hour approval period begins when your purchased item is delivered to your door. If after 48 hours you’re not happy with the item, just contact us via phone, email or live chat on our website to arrange for a return authorization (RA#) and return shipping instructions. Any package sent back without prior authorization will be refused.

Returns must be shipped back to us within two days of the RA being issued. Items must come back to us undamaged and in the same condition they were shipped out. All manuals, paperwork, cables, tremolo arms, wrenches, etc… must be included or full credit will not be issued. Any items not conforming to this policy will be subject (at our discretion) to a restocking fee of 20% of the purchase price.

Refunds will be issued minus all related shipping expenses, if free shipping was initially given, the cost we incurred to get the item to you will be deducted from your refund. A 10% restock fee will also be deducted from your refund. Restock fees will be waived for full value exchanges.

Here are exceptions to our return policy.

Custom orders of any kind are non returnable and non refundable. We often charge a deposit before we will place a custom or special order. All special order deposits are NON REFUNDABLE, no exceptions.
Microphones, Harmonicas, In-Ear Systems and any other items that come into contact with your mouth or ears.
Items labeled as BLOWOUT, are non-returnable. These are often being sold below cost and are considered “all sales final”.
Software (this may also include hardware that includes software), unless still in shrink wrap with barcode affixed.
Guitar strings, blank media, and other disposable merchandise.
Guitar or bass pickups that have been installed or used in any way.
Any item advertised as “USED” is non returnable.

*Payments for music lessons are non refundable, no exceptions.

View our detailed Return Policy here.

Early Order Cancellation

All deposits are non refundable. Lots of our products are special orders and in many cases your order has to be built for you at the factory. This is what makes a lot of our products special. Once your order is started, it's being put together just for you. For this reason we ask that you don't cancel your order after you place it with us. If for some reason you absolutely have to cancel your order with us, we will assess you a 25% cancellation charge. This amount is equal to 25% of your total order amount. Ask us before you place your order to see if what you're purchasing is considered a special order.

Damaged Merchandise

Do not accept your shipment if the package shows any signs of external damage. After the item is returned to us we will ship you a replacement. If you receive incorrect or defective merchandise, please call 781-335-0700 within 5 days for a return authorization number.