EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter

The Dirt Transmitter is a fuzz pedal, or in EarthQuaker Devices' own words a "Fuzz Driver," designed by Jamie Stillman and first released in January 2008¹². It is a silicon fuzz: EarthQuaker says it uses silicon transistors "for a biting top-end response and higher gain than germanium, making it better suited for the modern fuzz tones of today"¹. The circuit is Fuzz Face derived, with extra components that make it more adjustable than a straight copy, and its signature trick is a Bias knob that starves the transistors for gated, velcro-like fuzz¹³.

The original Dirt Transmitter is no longer in production, but the circuit has returned twice in limited form: a Legacy Reissue of the original format in September 2024, and a Rancho de la Luna edition in 2025¹⁴⁵.

A silicon fuzz driver

EarthQuaker describes the Dirt Transmitter as a fuzz driver with "archaic all-analog circuitry," and every unit is true-bypass¹. The original circuit used two 2N1711 silicon transistors and a 1N5817 diode³. Silicon transistors are the key to its character: compared with germanium, they give more gain and a brighter, more aggressive top end, which EarthQuaker positions as better suited to modern fuzz tones¹.

The pedal began as the third in EarthQuaker's long line of fuzz pedals, and Guitar Pedal X notes that this early circuit "went on to become regarded as one of Jamie Stillman's best and most interesting fuzz creations"⁶³.

The controls: Fuzz, Bias, Tone and Level

The Dirt Transmitter's control set grew over its life. The original January 2008 model was a three-knob fuzz with Fuzz, Tone and Level; Stillman added an external Bias control shortly after, which became the second generation model²⁷. The four-knob layout provides what Guitar Pedal X called "a wealth of fuzz tones"³.

The Bias knob is the pedal's personality control. Delicious Audio's 2008 review explained it plainly: "The Bias knob basically controls the amount of current going to the transistors"⁸. Turned all the way counterclockwise, "you've got yourself a 'gated fuzz' WHICH has a velcro like audio character"⁸. On the Rancho de la Luna edition, guitar.com's reviewer described it as "letting you lower the voltage to the two 2N1711 silicon transistors for sputtery gating effects"⁹. The Bias and Tone controls also interact, which Delicious Audio found put the pedal "under the versatile category"⁸.

Power and connections

The Dirt Transmitter takes a standard 9V DC power supply with a 2.1mm negative center barrel, and draws only 3 mA¹. EarthQuaker warns not to run it at higher voltages¹. The pedal uses standard 1/4" input and output jacks⁵. At 3 mA it is a light load on any pedalboard power supply.

A Fuzz Face relative, and its reissues

The Dirt Transmitter's circuit is a Fuzz Face derivative. EarthQuaker says of the Rancho de la Luna version that "the design is Fuzz Face inspired"¹⁰, and MusicRadar's reviewer called that edition "Fuzz Face-derived, with a couple of extra controls"⁵. Guitar Pedal X described the original as "a very Fuzz Face adjacent circuit as far as I'm concerned - with some extra components to make it more malleable" and produce a more consistent output³.

The pedal's history runs through several versions:

• Original, January 2008: a compact three-knob fuzz with Fuzz, Tone and Level²⁷
• Second generation: Bias added externally shortly after release⁷
• Legacy Reissue, September 2024: the original-format larger V1 version returned as a 1,000 unit limited run, sold mostly through a Reverb.com exclusive in the USA with international dealers carrying it elsewhere³⁶
• Rancho de la Luna edition, 2025: a collaboration with Dave Catching of Rancho de la Luna studio, built on the second generation circuit with artwork by Mike Egan, limited to 1,600 units worldwide⁷²¹⁰

The Rancho de la Luna edition came out of real use: EarthQuaker's Jamie mostly used a Dirt Transmitter for the Rancho de la Luna 30th Anniversary recording sessions, which led to the collaboration⁴. Guitar.com's review of that edition noted a price of $179 in the USA and £189 in the UK¹¹.

What reviewers said

The Dirt Transmitter has drawn strong reviews across its life. Delicious Audio's 2008 reviewer called it extremely versatile, saying it sounds good no matter how it is set, and found it "sounds great whether you have the Fuzz knob cranked for total destruction or have it backed off a bit for a gentle aural massage"⁸. He said it was "the first to win at versatility and overall tonal quality" among the many fuzzes he had heard⁸. He also tested it with guitar, bass, synth and drum machine and found it "equally fun with all of these sources," specifically recommending it as a bass fuzz because it handled the low end without sounding weird⁸.

Of the Rancho de la Luna edition, Guitar World's Trevor Curwen wrote: "It's good to see a Dirt Transmitter back again, especially in a compact enclosure. An evolved Fuzz Face with an edge, this is no single-sound pedal but one with loads of scope to dial in your favoured fuzz flavours," rating it four and a half stars¹². MusicRadar's reviewer called it "an intelligently modified take on the beloved Fuzz Face, which offers enhanced usability and sonic" shaping overall⁵.

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