EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife

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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

Note Register your purchase at shop.warwick.de/en/warranty-registration for an extended warranty of 4 years.

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Available since July 2026
Item number 647596
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Overdrive No
Distortion Yes
Fuzz No
Metal No
Effect Types Octave/Booster

288 €

All prices incl. VAT

Sales Rank

in Distortion Pedals

A wall of sound

When it comes to Doom Metal sounds, the band Sunn O))) are definitely at the forefront. On stage, guitarists Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson use an arsenal of the vintage amps from which the band takes its name to unleash doom-laden riffs and a wall of sound that would make even Angus Young's knees tremble. The Sunn O))) HalfLife is the result of a collaboration between the band and American pedal manufacturer EarthQuaker Devices, and it packs the former's monolithic sounds into a compact pedal that features a sophisticated distortion circuit with both octave fuzz sounds and a mosfet boost on tap. The HalfLife is based on the company's larger Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3 and delivers a similar range of sonic options - however, the Octave switch has been omitted here, making the HalfLife significantly more compact.

Clipping and a range of other options

The "Amplitude" side of the EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife pedal controls its drive section, where the user can dial in everything from creamy lead sounds through to extreme octave fuzz, with the octave signal level adjusted via the "O" control. Alongside controls for drive, tone, and volume - which players already expect to find - the HalfLife's top panel also includes a "Clip" control that drastically alters the pedal's sound by switching between different clipping modes. The op-amp setting is particularly raw and aggressive, with extended dynamics and very little compression. Asymmetrical clipping in turn emulates the sound and natural compression of a cranked tube amplifier to create a somewhat tamer sound (at least for this pedal!), while the double-silicon mode delivers a drive sound comparable to the Proco Rat, with plenty of compression and gain. Finally, the mosfet boost means players can add extra output to their sound whenever they need it.

Connections on the EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife

The sound of righteous riffage

The EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife is a great first port of call for anyone on the hunt for a pedal capable of crushingly heavy sounds, but it is by no means just a "doom" pedal: The HalfLife also has a range of tones on tap that belie its compact size and make it a highly versatile option for riff lords plying their trade in everything from Stoner Rock to Grunge. A big plus for fans of experimental music is also that an expression pedal can be used to adjust the level of the octave signal or to create octave fuzz swells. And despite being designed by guitarists, the Sunn O))) HalfLife can be used to equally great effect by bassists and analogue synth players.

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 and using premium components, ensuring that each one will easily handle the rigours of regularly rocking out on stage: These include a solid metal housing as well as the noiseless Flexi-Switch, which as mentioned above allows both latching and momentary activation thanks to its relay-based design. The analogue circuitry that has gone into the EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife also means that it draws just 15mA of current, so it can run on any conventional pedalboard power supply unit.