EarthQuaker Devices Zoar Dynamic Audio Grinder Distortion Effects Pedal

The Zoar Dynamic Audio Grinder is a highly interactive medium-high gain discrete distortion that has a highly sought-after touch-sensitive amp-like quality. This effects pedal has been finely tuned to create a tweakable hi-fi and modern sounding distortion mixed with old-school circuitry to deliver a grind that is both instantly familiar and delightfully unique.

The Gain control goes from the edge of break up all the way over the cliff into the crunchy, grinding abyss. The 3-band EQ and Gain controls offer nearly unlimited options with great focus and sensitive precision. The Weight control dictates the amount of low end that is passed into the circuit, thus controlling the entire character of the pedal. Simply dial in the 3-band EQ to 12 o’clock and adjust the Weight to see how drastically it dictates your sound. From a mere clean boost to a high-gain distortion to overdrive to the crispy Hi-Fi fuzz territory, this function gives you everything.

The Level control is dependent on where the other controls are set. In addition to controlling the output volume, it also plays a small part in controlling the voice of Zoar. By adjusting the Level control with any combination of EQ, players can achieve drastically different curves that have the feel of the more traditional low-pass filter type tone control.

The Zoar can handle power up to 18V DC, resulting in more defined dynamics and a faster response. When powered at 18V, the range of clean tones are widened, dirty tones become punchier with better note articulation, low frequencies are tightened, higher frequencies will cover a broader spectrum without becoming harsh and the output volume nearly doubles. The experience is not unlike plugging into a wall of high-wattage tube amplifiers.