EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife Octave Distortion/Booster Electric Guitar Pedal

Summon Crushing Octave-Fueled Tone - The EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife Octave Distortion/Booster Electric Guitar Pedal

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. The HalfLife may be half the size of its ancestors, but it’s just as heavy.

HalfLife 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. 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 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 signal path goes 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.

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

SPECIFICATIONS

Controls

• Octave: Blends in the analog octave effect
• Distortion: Provides up to +60 dB of gain
• Filter: Low-pass filter with a frequency response from approximately 500 Hz to 30 kHz
• Amplitude: Output volume control for the octave distortion circuit
• Magnitude: Output volume control for the booster circuit
• Clipping Modes: OpAmp, Asymmetrical, Symmetrical
• Right Footswitch: Octave Distortion Activation
• Left Footswitch: Boost Activation

Hardware

• Octave EXP Input: Supports external expression pedal control of octave blend
• Input Impedance (Octave Distortion): 1 MΩ
• Output Impedance (Octave Distortion): < 1 kΩ
• Input Impedance (Booster): 500 kΩ
• Output Impedance (Booster): < 1 kΩ

Power

• Power Requirement: Standard 9V DC Power Supply
• Connector: 2.1 mm Negative Center Barrel
• Current Draw: 15 mA
• Do Not Operate at Higher Voltages

Dimensions and Weight

• Boxed Dimensions: 5.5" x 3.25" x 3.25" (13.97 cm x 8.26 cm x 8.26 cm)
• Pedal Dimensions: 5" x 2.75" x 2.25" (12.7 cm x 6.99 cm x 5.72 cm)
• Boxed Weight: 0.88 lbs. (0.40 kg)
• Pedal Weight: 0.735 lbs. (0.33 kg)

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