The EC Pedals Zombie Distortion is a guitar effects pedal in the distortion category, built around two modes: a Normal distortion mode and a boost mode, selected with a Gain toggle1. Alongside that toggle it carries a Tone knob, which the reviewer described as a great little EQ for setting how much high or low content is in the sound, and a Level knob for output1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain toggle | Selects Normal distortion mode to the left or boost mode to the right1 |
| Tone | Adjusts the amount of highs or lows present in the sound1 |
| Level | Sets the output level, with a large amount of volume on tap1 |
Sound and how it is used
In Normal mode, Pedal of the Day's reviewer Mike B found the pedal produced "really nice crunchy and punchy sounds"1. Flipping the Gain toggle to the right throws the Zombie into its boost mode, a step up in output from the Normal setting1. The pedal is built with what the reviewer called "High grade components only"1.
The Level control deserves a warning of its own. Mike B wrote that "There is so much sound and volume coming out of this pedal, it's borderline insanity," and said he was cautious about turning the Level knob up past 12:001. In practice that means the Zombie has far more output than many distortions, enough to push an amp on its own, and it rewards a light touch on the Level knob at first.
The Zombie Distortion operates on a standard 9 volt, negative tip, BOSS style adapter only1. It is not a pedal to run from a supply with the wrong polarity or voltage.
A note on the name
A separate pedal called the Zombie also exists from Rocktron, a rectified distortion with two bands of EQ and a LOUDER output control3. It is a different product from a different maker; see the Rocktron Zombie page for that one. EC Pedals also made other drives, such as the EC Pedals Mystical Sustainer Distortion.
Videos
gearmanndude
The Tone King
EffectsBay
Questions
Is the EC Pedals Zombie Distortion true bypass?
Yes. Reviewing the pedal for Pedal of the Day, Mike B lists True Bypass among its features, describing it as giving noise free operation. That means the pedal's circuit is taken out of the signal path entirely when it is switched off, so your guitar's signal reaches the amp unaltered until you engage the effect.
What power supply does the EC Pedals Zombie Distortion need?
It runs on a standard 9 volt adapter with a negative tip, the BOSS style connector used by most pedalboard power supplies. The review is emphatic that it works with that kind of adapter only, so check that your supply delivers 9V with center negative before plugging it in.
Can the Zombie Distortion run on a battery?
The published review of the pedal specifies operation on a standard 9 volt negative tip BOSS style adapter only, and does not describe battery operation. Plan to power it from a pedalboard supply or a dedicated 9V adapter rather than counting on an internal battery.
What does the Gain toggle do on the Zombie Distortion?
The Gain toggle selects between the pedal's two modes. Flipped to the left, the Zombie is in its Normal distortion mode, which the reviewer found produced really nice crunchy and punchy sounds. Flipped to the right, it throws the pedal into a boost mode with considerably more output on tap.
Is the Zombie Distortion loud?
Very. The Pedal of the Day reviewer described the pedal as extremely loud, with a huge amount of sound and volume, and said he was cautious about turning the Level knob up past 12:00. The Level control has enough output on tap to push an amp hard without any other boost in front of it.
Sources (3)
- EC Pedals Zombie Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2014-12-16
- EC Pedals Zombie Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2014-11-18
- Zombie Rectified Distortion Stomp Box, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
