Jeff Schroeder Demos EarthQuaker Devices Distortion Pedals

AKRON, OHIO, DECEMBER 2023 – Jeff Schroeder, former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist and solo artist, sits down with EarthQuaker Devices to demo some of the heavy hitter distortions and overdrives in their product line. This demo highlights the new Zoar Dynamic Audio Grinder, a highly interactive medium-high gain distortion pedal with a 3-band passive EQ.

Schroeder writes a selection of riffs and demonstrates each through the Westwood, Plumes, Special Cranker, and Sunn O))) Life Pedal, and then compares the same riff through Zoar, hashing out the differences in their gain structure, tonalities, and overall sonic characteristics.

When speaking about how Zoar toes the line between overdrive, distortion, and fuzz, Schroeder says, “If you have the Weight knob higher, which adds more bass into the signal going into the gain, it actually gives a little more of a fuzz characteristic. And then after the gain you have a 3 band EQ, and that’s really powerful in shaping the overall sound.” He also describes Zoar as more of an amp-like distortion.

This side-by-side comparison gives you a great sonic guide to the differences between the various dirt pedals EarthQuaker has to offer. Schroeder demos these pedals on his gorgeous Yamaha SG-2. Stick around for a gnarly surprise at the end … and be equipped with ear plugs!!

Tune into the EarthQuaker Devices YouTube Channel on Wednesday, 12/20 at 9:00AM EST to watch the demo!

Jeff Schroeder compares and contrasts distortion pedals

Video by EarthQuakerDevices

Credits:
Jeff Schroeder @jjschroeder
Directed, Edited, Color Grade and Mixing by Vice Cooler @vicecooler
Director of Photography: Dalton Blanco @dalton420sich
Audio: Scott Cornish @actuallyadog
PA: Sarah Bernat @waybeyondhope

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