The EarthQuaker Devices Zoar Dynamic Audio Grinder is a distortion pedal built entirely from discrete transistors, with no opamps or diodes in the circuit1. EarthQuaker Devices describes it as a highly interactive medium gain discrete distortion, with level, weight, gain, bass, middle and treble controls1. A limited Black Out edition of the pedal was capped at 200 units1.
What it does
The Zoar is, in the words of the JHS Pedals demo, "a highly interactive medium gain discreet Distortion it uses only transistors there are no opamps". Josh and Belle of JHS Pedals also heard a particular strength in the low end: "I think this pedal has a bit of a specialty in like handling base and low end", pointing to tuned-down guitars and bass as areas where it holds up2.
EarthQuaker Devices describes the Zoar as a highly interactive medium gain discrete distortion that uses only transistors, with no opamps or diodes in the circuit1. Its controls are level, weight, gain, bass, middle and treble1, and the maker suggests the pedal has a specialty in handling bass and low end, including tuned down guitars and bass1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Output level |
| Weight | Low-end control, described by Delicious Audio as a Weight knob3 |
| Gain | Amount of distortion |
| Bass | Low EQ |
| Middle | Mid EQ |
| Treble | High EQ |
The six controls come from the JHS Pedals demo: "level weight gain base middle and treble controls"2. Together with the passive 3-way EQ Delicious Audio describes, the layout gives players full EQ control over the distortion voice rather than a single tone knob23.
Power and switching
The Zoar's audio circuit uses only transistors, with no opamps or diodes1. Its controls are level, weight, gain, bass, middle and treble1.
Black Out limited edition
A limited Black Out edition of the Zoar appeared as part of Reverb's Blacked Out 2023 sale. On how many were made, the JHS Pedals video answers: "how many are there are 200 units 200"2.
The Black Out edition of the Zoar was limited to 200 units1.
Settings from the maker
The Zoar's six controls are level, weight, gain, bass, middle and treble1.
Review video
The JHS Pedals channel demoed the Zoar, with Josh and Belle describing it as a highly interactive medium gain distortion using only transistors, and highlighting how it handles bass and low end from tuned-down guitars and bass2.
Sources (3)
- Looking for a Dynamic Audio Grinder distortion pedal? Earthquaker Devices has good news for you with its Zoar, musicradar.com, 2023-11-02
- Reverb Black Out / Line 6, JHS Pedals, Earthquaker Devices, Walrus Audio, Death By Audio, Old Blood, JHS Pedals (YouTube), 2023-11-17
- EarthQuaker Devices Zoar Distortion, Delicious Audio, 2023-12-18
