Sunn O))) and EarthQuaker Devices have introduced the Sunn O))) HalfLife Octave Distortion + Booster, a compact new entry in the Life Pedal family. Announced in Akron, Ohio, on June 16, 2026, the pedal brings the heavy octave distortion and boost concept of the Life Pedal V3 into a smaller, pedalboard-friendly format.
The HalfLife is now part of EarthQuaker Devices’ permanent production lineup. According to the companies, the pedal delivers much of the sonic character associated with previous Life Pedal models while reducing the enclosure size to roughly half the footprint.
“I’m pleased to unveil the HalfLife, the new mutation and creation in the Life Pedal lineage,” said Sunn O)))’s Stephen O’Malley.
A Compact Continuation of the Life Pedal Line
The Sunn O))) Life Pedal circuit was originally designed to recreate the front-end chain used during the Steve Albini-produced Life Metal recording sessions. The first hand-numbered V1 release arrived in 2019 as a limited run of 1,000 units and sold out quickly.
EarthQuaker Devices followed with the more compact Sunn O))) Life Pedal V2 in 2020. That version was limited to 2,500 units and also disappeared from the market soon after release.
“At one point I felt like people were genuinely angry that we didn’t make more,” said EarthQuaker Devices Founder and President Jamie Stillman.
After the V2 release, Stillman refined the circuit using modern, reliable components that were more readily available than the new old stock parts used in earlier versions. He also adjusted the octave section to make it more pronounced while retaining low-end response.
The resulting Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3 arrived in 2022 and brought the design into permanent production for the first time. The pedal has since become widely used by doom, noise and experimental guitar players, as well as bassists, synth users and studio engineers. EarthQuaker Devices also describes it as the company’s most-cloned design.
Octave Fuzz, Distortion and MOSFET Boost
The Sunn O))) HalfLife functions as an octave distortion and booster with three core stages. It starts with an octave-up fuzz inspired by vintage Shin-Ei FY2 and FY6 units, which feeds into a distortion circuit based on the classic “rodent” style of distortion.
The distortion section includes three clipping modes: OpAmp, Asymmetric and Symmetric. These options provide different levels of compression, grit and response. The final stage is a discrete MOSFET clean boost designed to push tube amplifiers into harmonic saturation and feedback.
While the HalfLife is closest sonically to the Life Pedal V3, it includes functional changes to suit the smaller enclosure. In a nod to the V1 and V2 designs, the octave is integrated directly into the distortion circuit rather than being independently switchable. The Amplitude and Octave knobs have also changed positions for a more intuitive control layout.
“I’m ecstatic for the continuation of this LIFE-affirming collaboration with EarthQuaker Devices,” said Sunn O)))’s Greg Anderson. “May the sounds you create from the HalfLife be as deep as the forests and massive as the mountains.”
Sunn O))) HalfLife Features and Price
- Octave distortion with blendable analog octave up and booster
- Three clipping options: Symmetrical Silicon, Asymmetrical Silicon & LED, and pure OpAmp Drive
- Distortion and booster can be used independently
- Expression pedal control over the analog octave up
- Octave blend control for mixing the octave into the circuit
- True bypass with silent relay-based soft-touch switches
- EarthQuaker Devices Flexi-Switch Technology
- Lifetime warranty
- Octave Distortion input impedance: 1 MΩ
- Octave Distortion output impedance: <1 kΩ
- Booster input impedance: 500 kΩ
- Booster output impedance: <1 kΩ
- Current draw: 15 mA
- Dimensions: 5″ x 2.75″ x 2.25″ / 12.7 cm x 6.985 cm x 5.715 cm
- Retail price: $259
About Sunn O))) and EarthQuaker Devices
Sunn O))) – Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson – have spent nearly 30 years working at the edge of heavy music, combining avant-garde and rock influences into a distinct drone and experimental metal sound. The press release also notes that the band is returning with its first album of new material since 2019’s Pyroclasts, marking its tenth album and debut for Sub Pop.
EarthQuaker Devices is based in Akron, Ohio, where it designs and manufactures effects pedals by hand. The company builds full-frequency-response pedals backed by a lifetime warranty and has been recognized for its commitment to inclusion, diversity and cooperation within the pedal-building community.
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