What are the Best EarthQuaker Pedals?
Made by hand, one-at-at-time, the dazzling array of effects pedals from EarthQuaker Devices are setting new standards for innovation and quality. See the best EarthQuaker pedals here.
EarthQuaker Devices has grown into one of the most sought-after "boutique" effects pedal manufacturers in the world.
They make their pedals by hand, one-at-a-time, creating their version of effects including Boost/Preamp/EQ, Compression, Delay & Reverb, Distortion & Overdrive, Fuzz, Modulation & Filter, and Octave & Pitch, as well as Eurorack and Utility pedals.
So which ones to choose?
With so many effects serving so many different purposes, which of these pedals are the best? Read on below to find a few pedals that really stood out to us...
Park Fuzz
Why it Rocks
Fuzz pedals are known for their wide range of sounds, from growling low end to searing highs. The Park Fuzz is a faithful recreation of the original Park Fuzz Sound, while also including several modern upgrades. Metal film resistors and caps help to reduce extraneous background noise and improve performance. NOS-matched germanium transistors provide consistent, reliable tones. The wider fuzz range allows for more than twice the original range. The smaller footprint and true bypass switching with LED indication make it more versatile. Power supply compatibility makes it even more convenient. Whether you're looking for classic Fuzz tones or a new and exciting type of distortion, the Park Fuzz has you covered.
What Else
The classic Germanium Fuzz pedal is based on Jim Marshall's 1968 Tonebender Park Fuzz sound stompbox. This pedal uses a different set of NOS germanium transistors, hand-selected for a surprisingly accurate tonal match but with way more distortion range in the Fuzz dial than the original. This gives you the ability to dial in the perfect fuzz tone distortion for your rig. Knobs include Treble Bass, Volume, and Fuzz.
Avalanche Run V2
Why it Rocks
This stereo reverb unit was developed with one goal in mind: take the floating ambient tones of the Dispatch Master to the next level while keeping it user-friendly and refined.
Using a high-powered proprietary DSP platform to recreate all the characteristics of favorite delay and reverb machines while still retaining a simple, yet flexible workspace. It features complete control over delay time, tap tempo, repeats, mix and voice (with the tone control), as well as control over the reverb length and mix.
It can run in one of 3 different modes: Normal, Reverse and Swell, with up to 2 seconds of delay time and a lush stereo reverb with a huge range:
Normal
In "Normal" mode, the pedal functions as a standard delay and reverb unit, providing a traditional echo effect.
Reverse
The "Reverse" mode reverses the direction of the delay line.
Swell
The "Swell" mode reacts to picking dynamics and adds a volume swell to the entire signal path.
These three modes allow the Avalanche Run to be used in a wide range of musical styles, from country to metal. As such, it is an essential tool for any guitar player looking to expand their sonic palette.
What Else
Time, Repeats, Tone, and Mix are essential for getting the perfect sound out of your delay pedal:
Time
The time control dictates the delay between when the initial sound is made and when it's repeated. You can set this anywhere from 0 milliseconds to just under 2000 milliseconds.
Repeats
The repeats control dictates how many times the sound will be repeated. You can set this to zero repeats for a single repeat or near-infinite repeats for a never-ending effect.
Tone
The tone control allows you to adjust the tone of the delay line only, rolling off highs to the left, roll off lows to the right, and getting a flat response in the middle.
Mix
The mix control allows you to blend in the wet with the dry signal until 1 o'clock, boosting the wet signal over the dry from 1 o'clock to 3 o'clock, and bringing down the dry until it's fully wet when all the way up. The expression jack assign switch allows you to map the expression jack, and the decay control sets how long the reverb will last - short decay counterclockwise, long cavernous decay clockwise. Finally, the mix control sets how loud the reverb will be. greater clockwise turns will make it louder.
Rainbow Machine V2
Why it Rocks
A unique pedal that offers a new take on pitch shifting. Unlike other pedals that use digital oscillators to create their sound, the Rainbow Machine uses modern DSP to create its sound in real time. This gives it a sound that is much different than most other pitch shifters on the market. It was designed to be wild and out of control, and its imperfections are what give it its charm. It is also able to track up and down the guitar neck without glitching out, making it a great choice for those who want to experiment with their sound.
What Else
The Rainbow Machine has six main pitch control knobs which are arranged in two rows of three. These are the Primary, Pitch, Secondary, Magic, Tone, and Tracking:
Primary
The Primary knob handles the volume of the primary pitch-shifted signal.
Pitch
The pitch of the harmony can be controlled with the Pitch knob. All the way counterclockwise is a 4th down, all the way clockwise is a 3rd up. The middle position is unison.
Secondary
The Secondary knob is for the volume of the secondary pitch-shifted signal. The Secondary octave up/down from the primary pitch can be controlled with this knob. At the noon position the Secondary is not present at all. However, turning the knob counterclockwise from noon yields an octave below, whereas turning clockwise yields an octave above and everything in between. Unity gain is about 2 o’clock - above that will boost the signal.
Magic
The Magic control introduces a sophisticated proprietary algorithm that thickens up the sound and adds a subtle sheen to harmonized notes without degrading their fidelity or clarity.
Tone
The Tone control allows you to adjust the brightness of your overall sound. Turning it to the left will result in a darker tone, while turning it to the right will make your tone brighter.
Tracking
Finally, the Tracking control adjusts how well your harmony tracks your playing in real time. Turning it to the left will make your harmony less responsive to your playing, while turning it to right will make it more responsive.
This pedal gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to creating harmonies for your guitar signals. With six main control knobs, you can create a wide range of sounds to suit your playing style and mood.
Hoof V2 Germanium Silicon Fuzz
Why it Rocks
The Hoof Fuzz pedal is one of the most popular pedals on the market, used by beginner and experienced guitarists alike. The pedal is loosely based on the classic green Russian muff-style fuzz distortion circuit, but with a few key differences that set it apart from the competition.
Firstly, the Hoof fuzz uses a hybrid germanium/ silicon design, which provides maximum distortion tone with maximum temperature stability. Secondly, the transistors are hand-matched to exacting specifications for pedal-to-pedal consistency. This takes out the guesswork so the Hoof always delivers the same smooth, natural, and harmonically rich sustain. Finally, the wide gain range provides everything from dirty and organic amp-like overdrive distortion to monstrous fuzz madness. In summary, the Hoof Fuzz is a versatile and well-built pedal that is perfect for any guitarist looking for a quality fuzz sound.
The "shift" control on the Hoof fuzz allows you to tailor the tone of your instrument to better suit your needs. By altering the overall frequency response, you can create a variety of different sounds that can be used in several different ways. Whether you're looking for a bright, cutting top-end or a thick, sloppy bottom-end, the shift control on the Hoof fuzz can help you achieve the sound you're looking for.
Thanks to its tight and controlled character, the hoof is also great for combatting the muff-style fuzz's notorious "mid scoop." So whatever style of music you're playing, the Hoof fuzz can help you get the sound you need.
What Else
The Hoof fuzz pedal is all-analog, true bypass, and features a hybrid Germanium/Silicon design. The transistors are hand-matched to exacting specifications for consistency. The level, fuzz, tone, and shift knobs allow the user to dial in the perfect sound. The Hoof fuzz is a great choice for any guitar player looking for classic or modern fuzz distortion tones.
Erupter Fuzz
Why it Rocks
The Erupter was created with the goal of achieving the ultimate classic fuzz tone. To accomplish this, the team behind the pedal spent over two years tweaking and experimenting with different settings and configurations. The result is a pedal that can produce a wide range of distortion tones, from a rude and spongy fuzz to a complex and tightly-responsive sound.
The key to this versatility is the 'Bias' control, which allows the user to adjust the amount of harmonics that are added to the input signal. By dialing in the perfect setting, it's possible to get the perfect tone for any situation. Whether you're looking for a thick and creamy fuzz or a biting and aggressive sound, the Erupter has you covered.
What Else
The 'bias' knob on these distortion pedals is used to adjust the voltage level of at least one of the transistors in the pedal. This can help to keep the sound consistent in pedals with temperature sensitive germanium transistors, and also allows you to alter the sound and performance to taste.
The bias control can be used to create a range of different sounds, from a more gated and lower output sound to a louder and more refined distortion sound.
Disaster Transport SR
Why it Rocks
The Disaster Transport SR is a dual delay reverb with modulation, designed to create an intense wash of lo-fi swirling tape-styled echo. In addition to being used as a straight delay, straight reverb, rhythmic delay, modulated delay or old-school tape-style echo, it can also be used to create a wide variety of wild sounds. These include warped records, clanging flange, smooth chorus and echoed-out squalls, amongst others.
While it may look intimidating at first glance, it’s actually pretty easy to navigate. The top row of knobs are for Delay A and the bottom row are for Delay B. Delay A is a 600ms delay with modulation and Delay B is a 300ms delay with reverb. Both delays can be run separately in parallel, in series, or in series/parallel.
With two independent delays, expression control, and the ability to bleed Delay A into Delay B, it provides a versatile delay experience, with enough room to mix the two as much or as little as you want. The true bypass switching ensures your signal remains clear when the pedal is off, and the trails feature allows you to keep the delays going even after you've stopped playing.
Whether you're a fan of classic tape delay or prefer lo-fi sounds, you're sure to get hours of enjoyment and inspiration out of this one.
What Else
There are different sets of knobs for Delay A and B:
Delay A
The Delay A knobs include Time, Repeats, Mix, Depth, Rate, and Bleed. The pedal handles the delay time, from 30 milliseconds to 600 milliseconds. It also dictates the number of regenerations of the signal, from one single repeat to an endless wash into self-oscillation.
The level control for the wet signal is unity around center, and anything above is boosted. The intensity of the modulation and the rate of the modulation can also be controlled. The LED for delay A flashes in time with the modulation to visually show where the rate is set. Bleed feeds delay A into delay B, post reverb.
Delay B
The Delay B knobs include Reverb, Mix, Repeats, and Time. The Reverb knob manages the amount of reverb added to the input of delay B. The Mix knob is a level control for the wet signal. Unity is around center, anything above is boosted.
The Repeats knob controls how many regenerations of the signal there are. This ranges from one single repeat through an endless wash into self-oscillation.
The Time knob dictates the delay time from about 30ms up to 300ms. These controls allow you to create a wide variety of different reverbs and delays, from subtle ambience to chaotic self-oscillation. With so many possibilities, you’re sure to find the perfect sound for your music.
Spatial Delivery V2 Envelope Filter
Why it Rocks
The Spatial Delivery is an oddball among envelope filters, in that it allows you to step outside the universe of funk while reinforcing your secret love affair with auto-wah.
It has three modes: Up Sweep, Down Sweep, and Sample and Hold. With range, resonance and filter settings you can get super exaggerated filter sweeps in the up and down modes. The range, in combination with pick attack, dictates the sensitivity and reaction time of the envelope and thus the width of the frequency sweep. The higher the range and harder the attack equals a faster reaction time and higher frequency sweep, while reigning it in a bit will result in a lower frequency sweep
Experimenting with pairing and signal chain placement can yield some nice resonant, cut-through-the-mix lead tones. So if you're looking for something a little different, the Spatial Delivery could be right up your alley.
What Else
The knobs include Range, Filter, Resonance, and Mode Toggle:
Range
Range adjusts the sensitivity of the envelope in Up and Down mode. In Sample and Hold mode, this manages the speed.
Filter
Filter crossfades between high pass and low pass filters and allows you to get everything in between. High pass is fully counter clockwise, low pass is full clockwise and center is band pass. This is much more useful than a simple switch because it allows you to blend the filters for different sounds.
Resonance
Resonance is the filter feedback control, it adds more body and ring to the filter voice.
Mode Toggle
Mode Toggle toggles between upward sweep, downward sweep or sample and hold.
Bit Commander V2 Monophonic Analog Guitar Synthesizer
Why it Rocks
A monophonic analog guitar synthesizer that produces four octaves of vintage square wave synth tones. Its no-nonsense interface makes it easy to add or subtract octaves to create a wide variety of sounds without having to dial in envelopes or oscillators. Ripping sub-octave thump, pulsing octave down, a lightly squared base tone and a swelling transformer-based octave up all join together to make a single guitar sound like an army of old-school synths.
The use of bass and lower registers on keyboards will yield unexpected, sometimes pleasing, sometimes disgusting results. These are not mistakes or flaws, it is the nature of true bypass Analog octaves. A great tool for any musician looking to add some vintage synth sounds to their arsenal.
What Else
The level control determines the overall volume of the sound, while the filter dictates the tone. Turning the filter clockwise will add more highs, while turning it counter clockwise will add more warmth. The base control regulates the level of the square input signal, while the sub and down knobs determine the levels of the octave-down signals. Finally, the up control regulates the level of the one-octave-up signal. By carefully adjusting these parameters, you can achieve a wide range of sounds.
Dispatch Master V3
Why it Rocks
The Dispatch Master is a hi-fi digital reverb and delay device that's perfect for guitar players who want to keep deep ambient echoes (or just a quick slapback) on speed-dial. This space-saving pedal features Flexi-Switch Technology, which allows you to use the effect for just one note by pressing and holding the footswitch for as long as you need the effect, then releasing it. You can also use the Dispatch Master as a normal effects pedal by pressing the switch once to activate and again to bypass. With its easy-to-use knobs and rugged construction, the Dispatch Master is one of the most popular reverb pedals on the market today.
What Else
With Flexi-switch Momentary/Latching Operation, this is a versatile pedal that offers a wide range of delay and reverb effects. The wet/dry mix can be used to adjust the overall level of the affected signal, while the Time and Repeats knobs allow you to dial in the perfect delay time. The Crystalline setting provides clear delay signals without self-oscillation, making it great for creating drones or post-rock guitar sounds. The true-bypass pedal uses silent relay-based soft touch switching, making it perfect for live performances.
Hoof Reaper Double Fuzz Guitar Effects Pedal with Octave Up
Why it Rocks
The Hoof Reaper is a unique pedal that offers two popular fuzz distortion pedals in one enclosure, the Hoof and the Tone Reaper. There's also an octave up effect included, an old-school analog effect that can create some really unique sounds. The Hoof and Tone Reaper pedals are both capable of creating some unique distortion tones on their own, but when used together in the Hoof Reaper, especially when you throw in the octave up effect, they create something else entirely.
What Else
Capable of creating everything from subtle octave-up overtones through crushing octave squalls that simulate exploding stacks of amps, the Hoof Reaper really is the best of both worlds. Each effect can be used individually as well as in series, but the order of effects is preset for optimum performance.
Controls
The Hoof has Tone, Shift, Level, and Fuzz (for sustain and gain). Tone Reaper knobs include Tone, Level, and Fuzz (for sustain and nature).
FAQs
Are EarthQuaker pedals any good?
They are well-made and durable pedals, with a unique sound that many people swear by. Of course the best way to figure out whether something is right for you is to just try it out with your favorite pedal platform amp.
Are EarthQuaker pedals buffered?
Yes, EarthQuaker Devices are buffered. Buffering is the process of Increasing signal strength while preventing loss of high frequencies. This helps to ensure that your signal is preserved as it travels through your pedal chain, resulting in a clean and consistent tone from beginning to end, with or without clipping options.
Is the EQD Plumes a tube screamer?
The EarthQuaker Devices Plumes is not a tube screamer, but it does have clipping options, and a considerable amount of gain on tap. It can be used to add some grit and saturation to your signal, or to push an amp into distortion. The Plumes is also quite responsive to picking dynamics, so you can get a lot of variety in your tone just by varying your attack.
Where are EarthQuaker devices pedals made?
They are made in Akron, Ohio, a region they hilariously describe on their website as an "idyllic, post-apocalyptic wasteland metropolis."
Is Avalanche Run digital or analog?
The Avalanche Run is a digital delay and reverb pedal with an analog signal path. It has a true bypass circuit, so your guitar's tone will remain unchanged when the pedal is off. The pedal also features three delay time settings (Short, Medium, and Long) and two feedback settings (Low and High).
Are EarthQuaker devices true bypass?
The justification for using EarthQuaker devices rather than a typical pedal comes down to three main factors: sonic fidelity, signal integrity, and ease of use. let's explore each of these in a little more depth.
Sonic Fidelity
When you bypass your signal through a standard pedal, you're essentially sending your signal through a buffet line of tone-altering devices - all of which can color your sound in different ways. This can be great if you're looking for a particular sort of sound, but it can also be messy and unpredictable. On the other hand, when you use EarthQuaker devices, your signal stays completely unaffected by the circuitry until you actually engage the effect. This means that your signal will stay clean and pure, without any unwanted coloration.
Signal Integrity
In addition to providing a higher degree of sonic fidelity, EarthQuaker devices also offer greater signal integrity. This is because the circuitry in EarthQuaker devices is designed to preserve the strength and quality of your signal, even when the effect is engaged.
Ease of Use
Finally, EarthQuaker devices are simply easier to use than standard pedals. This is because they offer a wide range of parameters and settings that allow you to dial in the perfect sound for your playing style. With a standard pedal, you might have to experiment for hours (or even days) to get the sound you're looking for. But with EarthQuaker devices, you can usually get exactly the sound you want with just a few minutes of tweaking.
So if you're looking for the best possible sound, signal integrity, and ease of use, EarthQuaker devices are the way to go.
The Best for You
There really is no limit to the soundscapes you can come up with using EarthQuaker Devices pedals. The best EarthQuaker Devices pedal for you depends on what you need at the moment.
So to summarize, here are our picks:
Best for Vintage Germanium Fuzz Distortion: Park Fuzz
Best for Stereo Delay & Reverb: Avalanche Run V2
Best for Pitch Shifting: Rainbow Machine V2
Best for Hybrid Fuzz Distortion: Hoof V2 Germanium Fuzz
Best for Ultimate Fuzz Tone Distortion: Erupter Fuzz
Best for Advanced Dual Delay/Reverb: Disaster Transport SR
Best for Envelope Filter Effects: Spatial Delivery V2
Best for Guitar Synthesizer Pedal: Bit Commander V2
Best for Classic Delay & Reverb: Dispatch Master V3
Best for Fuzz Distortion Plus Octave: Hoof Reaper
Thanks for checking us out, and keep rockin'.
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