Half the Size, Twice the Heavy

The Sunn O))) HalfLife Octave Distortion + Booster is the most compact, pedalboard-friendly version of the legendary Life Pedal circuit ever made — a collaboration between drone titans Sunn O))) and EarthQuaker Devices. It may be half the size of its ancestors, but it crushes just as hard. Under one enclosure you get a punishing distortion, a blendable analog octave-up, and an independent clean booster.

At its core, the “Amplitude” distortion is faithfully modeled after the classic “White Face” unit, delivering up to +60dB of gain — from tight, valve-like crunch all the way to grinding, op-amp-fueled annihilation. A three-way clipping switch lets you reshape the character of that gain to fit any rig, while the discrete analog octave circuit blends in raging, Super Fuzz-style chaos on demand.

How It Fits Your Rig

The signal path runs Octave > Distortion > Boost, and the octave/distortion section and the booster each have their own footswitch, so you can run them independently. Stack the booster in front of a cranked valve amp for searing solo lift, or roll the Octave control clockwise to transform single-note neck-pickup lines above the 12th fret into swelling, synth-like octave fuzz. Patch an expression pedal into the Octave EXP jack for hands-free octave swells mid-riff. This is doom, drone, sludge, and stoner tone in a board-friendly box — vintage valve amplifiers recommended.

Clipping Modes

OpAmp

No diodes — full, grinding op-amp assault at maximum volume.

Asymm

Two silicon diodes and one LED in an asymmetrical configuration for a slightly compressed, smooth crunch reminiscent of a valve amplifier.

Symm

The stock double silicon-diode setup that delivers the classic, tight, compressed tone you know and love.

Features & Specs

• Controls: Octave (analog octave blend), Distortion (~+60dB gain), Filter (low-pass, ~500 Hz–30 kHz), Amplitude (distortion output volume), Magnitude (booster output volume, unity ~noon), 3-way Clipping switch (OpAmp / Asymm / Symm)
• Footswitches: Right = Octave Distortion; Left = Boost
• Octave circuit: All-discrete analog full-wave rectifier (monophonic)
• Expression: Octave EXP input for any expression pedal (power off before connecting)
• Switching: Flexi-Switch Technology — relay-based true bypass with latching and momentary operation (requires power to pass signal)
• Octave Distortion impedance: Input 1 MΩ / Output < 1 kΩ
• Booster impedance: Input 500 kΩ / Output < 1 kΩ
• Power: Standard 9V DC, 2.1mm negative center barrel, 15 mA draw (do NOT run at higher voltages)
• Dimensions: 5″ x 2.75″ x 2.25″ (out of box)
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Designed and manufactured by EarthQuaker Devices in Akron, Ohio

FAQ

Does the octave work on chords?

No — the analog octave is monophonic. It tracks best on single notes above the 12th fret using the neck pickup. Chords will sound clanging and chaotic (which can be a feature if that’s your thing).

Can I use the booster and distortion separately?

Yes. The octave/distortion and the booster each have their own footswitch and can run independently or together.

What power supply does it need?

A standard 9V DC supply with a 2.1mm negative-center barrel, drawing 15 mA. Never run it at higher voltages.

What does the Clipping switch do?

It swaps between three clipping characters: OpAmp (open and grinding), Asymm (smooth, valve-like crunch), and Symm (classic tight compression).

Chasms cleared, mountains sheared, glaciers calved. We hope you transcend.