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EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife
Effect Pedal for Electric Guitar
- Distortion, octave and boost pedal
- 'Life' series pedal with a compact design and the same powerful sound as the Life V3
- Designed for heavily distorted sounds
- With Flexi-Switch technology
- Relay-based true bypass circuit for ‘momentary’ or ‘latching’ operation
- The “O” octave control adjusts the octave component
- The “D” distortion control adjusts the distortion (max +60 dB)
- The “F” filter controls the high-frequency range from approximately 500 Hz to 30,000 Hz
- The “MAG” magnitude control adjusts the output volume of the booster
- 'CLIP' clipping switch for selecting clipping options (OpAmp, Asymmetric, Symmetric)
- Amplitude “AMP” controls the output volume of the Octaver / Boost section
- The Magnitude footswitch activates the booster
- The Amplitude footswitch activates the Octave / Distortion section
- Status LEDs (Magnitude / Amplitude – footswitch)
- Octave EXP socket / 6.3 mm stereo jack for connecting an expression pedal to control the octaver effect
- Input and output: 6.3 mm jack
- Power supply via 9 V DC power supply unit (not included), 2.1 x 5.5 mm barrel plug, polarity (-) on the inside
- Current consumption: 15 mA
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 127 x 70 x 57 mm
- Weight: 333 g
- Made in USA
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Available since July 2026
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Item number 647596
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Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
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Overdrive No
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Distortion Yes
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Fuzz No
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Metal No
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Effect Types Octave/Booster
A wall of sound
When it comes to Doom Metal sounds, the band Sunn O))) are unquestionably at the forefront. On stage, guitarists Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson use an arsenal of vintage amps from which the band takes its name to unleash doom-laden riffs and a wall of sound with a half-life that would worry a nuclear physicist – and probably even make Angus Young's knees tremble. The Sunn O))) HalfLife is the result of a collaboration between the band and American pedal manufacturer EarthQuaker Devices, packing their monolithic sound into a compact pedal that features analogue octave fuzz, a sophisticated distortion circuit, and a discrete MOSFET clean boost. Based on the company's larger Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3, the HalfLife retains its core sonic architecture in a considerably smaller, pedalboard-friendly format.
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Three shades of distortion
The "Amplitude" side of the EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife controls the octave distortion section, ranging from creamy lead tones to extreme octave fuzz, with the octave blend adjusted using the O control. Alongside conventional drive, tone, and volume controls, a three-way Clip switch offers distinctly different distortion characteristics. The diode-free OpAmp mode delivers raw, aggressive distortion with extended dynamics and minimal compression. Asymm produces a smoother, slightly compressed crunch reminiscent of a cranked tube amplifier – a somewhat tamer sound (at least for this pedal!). Finally, Symm delivers a drive sound comparable to the ProCo RAT, with plenty of compression and gain. The discrete MOSFET clean boost provides additional output to drive an amplifier's preamp tubes into saturation, without introducing distortion of its own.
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The sound of righteous riffage
The EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife is a great first port of call for anyone seeking crushingly heavy sounds, but it is by no means just a "doom" pedal: Its surprisingly broad tonal range belies its compact size and makes it equally appealing to riff lords plying their trade in everything from Stoner Rock to Grunge. For experimental musicians, the expression pedal input offers real-time control over the octave blend, allowing wild, hands-free octave fuzz swells in the middle of a riff. And despite its guitar-oriented origins, the Sunn O))) HalfLife can be used to equally great effect by bassists and analogue synth players.
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About EarthQuaker Devices
EarthQuaker Devices was founded in 2004 by the musician Jamie Stillman, who had previously gathered years of experience in the world of music and sounds as the manager of a record label for Metal, Punk, and Shoegaze bands. Today, his innovative pedal designs are among the most in-demand and desirable devices in the boutique segment, attracting interest from a huge community of musicians. Stillman is now in charge of a sizeable team of developers and technicians, who are continuously working from their base in Akron, Ohio to expand their catalogue of hand-made effects pedals. EarthQuaker Devices are used by renowned artists like Paul Simon, Coldplay, Tom Bukovac, Idles, and The Black Keys.
Built for the stage
EarthQuaker Devices pedals are manufactured in the USA to the highest quality standards using premium components, each one designed to withstand the rigours of regular, intensive stage use. The Sunn O))) HalfLife is no exception, featuring a solid metal housing and noiseless, relay-based Flexi-Switch footswitches that support both latching and momentary operation. Despite its sophisticated analogue circuitry, the EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife draws just 15mA of current, allowing it to run on a conventional compatible pedalboard power supply unit.
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