Sunn O))) Life Pedal®
Octave Distortion + Booster
Sunn O))) and EarthQuaker Devices are pleased to introduce the Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3. The Sunn O))) Life Pedal circuit has been meticulously modified from the original to squeeze every last drop of crushing tone available. The octave section has been refined to make it more pronounced without losing the bottom end and we have added a third footswitch, using Flexi-Switch® technology, for the octave to allow an additional method of tuning. rapid and radical form of sound. We're excited to bring it back into permanent production, it's a true labor of love.
Sunn O))) Life Pedal is a distortion with mixable analog octave up and 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 only changes 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 Sunn O))) Life Pedal introduces two additional clipping options to better accommodate different platforms. The first position is without diodes to allow for full OpAmp assault and crushing at maximum volume. The second position uses two silicon diodes and one LED in an asymmetric clipping configuration. This delivers a slightly compressed and smooth crunch, similar to a tube amplifier. The last position is the original dual silicon diode configuration which provides that classic tone you know and love.
The Octave of the Sunn O))) Life Pedal is a fully discrete analog full-wave rectifier base on a classic vintage design. Located at the circuit's input, the Octave control slowly incorporates octave effects as you turn it clockwise. This feature can also be used via the expression control allowing for wild, hands-free octave swells mid-riff. Because it is an analog octave effect, it is monophonic and works best when playing single notes above the twelfth fret while using the neck pickup. Playing chords with the analog octave will sound boomy and chaotic. Using the bridge pickup and playing below the twelfth fret will produce a very subtle octave effect. Going full Octave transforms Sunn O))) Life Pedal from a simple distortion device into a swelling, raging fuzz similar to classic Super Fuzz!
Sunn O))) Life Pedal's "Magnitude" section is a simple, low-profile MOSFET booster designed to blast your preamp tubes and drive them crazy. It's a 100% clean, no-nonsense, high impedance booster that adds very little color to your sound. It doesn't add distortion on its own but has plenty of output to push your amp into saturation.
The signal path goes Octave > Distortion > Boost. Octave distortion and booster can be used independently with their own respective pedals.
Octave: This fades into the analog octave when you turn it clockwise.
Distortion: Turn clockwise for more distortion, counterclockwise for less. This provides approximately +60 dB of gain.
Filter: This is a low pass filter with a frequency response of approximately 500 Hz to 30 kHz. Turn counterclockwise for more high end, clockwise for less.
Amplitude: Output volume for the distortion side of the octave. Clockwise for more hearing loss, counterclockwise for healthy living in old age.
Clip Switch:
OpAmp: No diodes to allow for full OpAmp assault and crushing at maximum volume.
Asymmetric: Uses two silicon diodes and one LED in an asymmetric clipping configuration. This delivers a slightly compressed and smooth crunch, similar to a tube amplifier.
Symm: This is the original dual silicon diode configuration that provides that classic sound you know and love.
Magnitude: This is the output volume of the booster. Clockwise to blast your amp, counterclockwise if you're a baby. The unit is somewhere around noon on the dial.
Amplitude Footswitch: Distortion Activator
Magnitude Footswitch: Boost Activator
Octave Footswitch: Octave Activator
Octave EXP: Connect any expression pedal to this input to control analog octave mixing. Before inserting the expression pedal, make sure the pedal is turned off.