Sunn O))) Life Pedal

The Sunn O))) Life Pedal by EarthQuaker Devices is a distortion pedal 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, using modern, reliable components to last a lifetime. The pedal introduces two additional clipping options to better adapt to different rigs, including a no diodes option for full, grinding OpAmp assault at maximum volume, an asymmetrical clipping configuration, and the stock double silicon diode configuration for the classic tone.

The Octave in the Sunn O))) Life Pedal is an all-discrete, analog full-wave rectifier circuit built around a pair of Russian Germanium diodes. It slowly blends in the octave effects as you turn it clockwise and can be used via expression control for wild, hands-free octave swells mid-riff. The "Magnitude" section is a simple all-discrete MOSFET booster designed to blast preamp tubes and drive them wild, adding very little color to the tone.

The signal path goes Octave > Distortion > Boost, and the octave distortion and booster can be used independently with their own respective footswitches. The pedal also features a low pass filter, a clipping switch, and an expression pedal input for controlling the analog octave blend.

The technical specifications include dimensions of 4.65 x 3.65 x 2.25 inches (118 x 93 x 57 mm) with knobs, and a current draw of 15 mA. The input impedance for the octave distortion is 1 MΩ, and the output impedance is less than 1 kΩ. The input impedance for the booster is 500 kΩ, and the output impedance is less than 1 kΩ.

The Sunn O))) Life Pedal also features Flexi-Switch® Technology, allowing for both momentary and latching style switching, and it operates with a standard 9-volt DC power supply with a 2.1mm negative center barrel.