Now back in permanent production, Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3 is a distortion with a blendable analog octave up and a booster combined in one compact package. The octave section has been fine tuned to make it more pronounced without losing the bottom end and we added a third foot switch, utilizing Flexi Switch Technology, for the octave to allow an additional method of quick and radical tone shaping.
The “Amplitude” side is faithfully modeled after the classic “WhiteFace” distortion unit with modifications made in the 3 available clipping modes. The first position is no diodes to allow for full, grinding OpAmp assault at maximum volume. The second position utilizes two silicon diodes and one LED in an asymmetrical clipping configuration, delivering a slightly compressed and smooth crunch, similar to a valve amplifier. The third and last position is the stock double silicon diode configuration which provides that classic tone you know and love.
The Octave in Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3 is an all-discrete, analog full-wave rectifier base on a classic vintage design. 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.
The “Magnitude” section of Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3 is a simple all-discrete MOSFET booster designed to blast your preamp tubes and drive them wild. It is a 100% clean, no-nonsense, high impedance booster that adds very little color to your tone. It does not add distortion on its own but has plenty of output to push your amp into saturation.
Distortion with a blendable analog octave up and a booster.• Features 3 different clipping options:
• Symmetrical Silicon, Asymmetrical Silicon & LED, and pure OpAmp Drive.
• Distortion and booster can be used independently.
• Expression and Footswitch control over analog octave up.
• Octave blend allows total control over how much Octave is mixed into the circuit.
• True bypass with silent relay based soft touch switches.
• Features EarthQuaker Devices’ proprietary Flexi-Switch® Technology.
• Lifetime guarantee.
Octave: This blends in the analog octave as you turn it clockwise.
Distortion: Turn clockwise for more distortion, counterclockwise for less. This provides about +60dB of gain.
Filter: This is a low pass filter with a frequency response from around 500Hz to 30kHz. Turn counterclockwise for more high-end, clockwise for less.
Amplitude: Output volume for the octave distortion side. Clockwise for more hearing loss, counterclockwise for a healthy life in old age.
Clipping Switch:
- OpAmp: No diodes to allow for full, grinding OpAmp assault at maximum volume.
- Asymm: 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.
- Symm: This is the stock double silicon diode configuration which provides that classic tone you know and love.
Magnitude: This is the output volume for the booster. Clockwise to blow up your amp, counterclockwise if you are a baby. Unity is somewhere right 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 the analog octave blend. Before inserting the expression pedal, make sure the pedal is powered off.
