Description
EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife Octave Distortion and Boost Pedal distills the essence of the legendary Life Pedal into its most compact and pedalboard-friendly format yet. Developed in collaboration with Sunn O))), the HalfLife combines a powerful distortion circuit, blendable analog octave-up effect, and independent clean boost into a streamlined enclosure without sacrificing the crushing character that made the Life Pedal a modern classic. While it may be smaller than its predecessors, the HalfLife delivers the same massive saturation, harmonic complexity, and amplifier-pushing power that doom, drone, and heavy music players have come to love.
The signal path runs Octave into Distortion into Boost, allowing each section to contribute to the overall sound independently or together. The distortion circuit is based on the classic "White Face" op-amp design but expands its flexibility with three clipping modes. OpAmp mode removes clipping diodes entirely for maximum output and aggression. Asymm mode uses a combination of silicon diodes and an LED for a smoother, more amp-like response. Symm mode delivers the familiar compressed character of the original circuit. The analog octave-up is blended in with the Octave control and can be manipulated via an expression pedal for dramatic octave swells and dynamic performance control. At higher settings, the octave transforms the pedal into a raging fuzz-like voice reminiscent of classic octave fuzz circuits.
The independent boost section provides additional volume and amp-pushing capability, making the HalfLife equally effective as a standalone boost, distortion, octave effect, or all three combined. EarthQuaker's Flexi-Switch technology allows both latching and momentary operation from either footswitch, adding extra performance flexibility. We like that the HalfLife keeps everything players love about the Life Pedal while shrinking the footprint enough to fit comfortably on almost any pedalboard.
Specifications:
- Controls: Octave, Distortion, Filter, Amplitude, Magnitude
- Clipping Modes:
- OpAmp: No clipping diodes, maximum output and saturation
- Asymm: Two silicon diodes and one LED for smoother, amp-like clipping
- Symm: Traditional dual silicon diode clipping
- Octave Circuit: Analog Monophonic Octave-Up Blend
- Signal Path: Octave - Distortion - Boost
- Switching: Dual Footswitches with Flexi-Switch Technology
- Expression Control: External expression input for octave blend
- Bypass: Relay-Based True Bypass
- Input Impedance (Octave Distortion): 1 MΩ
- Output Impedance (Octave Distortion): under 1 kΩ
- Input Impedance (Boost): 500 kΩ
- Output Impedance (Boost): under 1 kΩ
- Power: 9V DC Center Negative
- Current Draw: 15mA
- Warranty: Lifetime Warranty
Sku: HALFLIFE
