Zoar Dynamic Audio Grinder Guitar & Bass Demo | EarthQuaker Devices
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 тра 2024
- Hello fellow dirt dissenters, thank you for giving in to your tonal temptations and following the spirits of the path less traveled to the dynamic audio grinder known as Zoar®.
Zoar reaches back the past and keeps its eyes on the future. A classic fuzz living communally with a time tested three band passive EQ section; informed by modern precision and a little bit of midwestern witchcraft. A tool designed to delight the seekers and the purists alike. One foot in the gutter, one fist in the gold if you will…
Zoar is a medium-high gain discrete distortion (using only transistors; no opamps or diodes in here!) that has that touch sensitive amp-like quality to it that everyone craves. It has been finely tuned to create a highly tweakable hi-fi and modern sounding distortion, but with the ghosts of old school circuitry to deliver a grind that is both instantly familiar and delightfully unique. Want that defined sparkle and tightness of an overdrive? This has it. Want that low-medium gain fuzz that’s perfect for drop tuned guitars and basses? This has it. Want to be able to dial in and control every nuance of your tone from jangly on-the-verge of break up to blowing the walls out heavy saturation? Then this is the pedal for you.
The Gain control on Zoar goes from the edge of break up all the way over the cliff into the crunchy, grinding abyss. The character of the distortion is heavily dependent on the setting of the Weight control as well as the pickup type and further fine-tuned by the EQ section.
While having its roots in a very familiar past, the passive 3-band EQ has been finely tuned for modern tones. While this style of tone shaping seems simple on the surface, it is deceptively complex and highly interactive. Here are a few pointers for dialing in Zoar and learning all it has to teach.
• If Bass, Middle and Treble all are zeroed out, no sound shall pass. This is the nature of a passive EQ.
• Turning up one of the three bands will affect the other two.
• Setting all three bands in unison at noon will give you a completely different response than setting them all in unison at 9 o’clock, or, say 1 o’clock, 2 o’clock…you get the idea.
See, highly interactive. A good starting point is setting all three bands at noon and experimenting with each one individually.
The 3-Band EQ and Gain controls give you nearly unlimited options with great focus and sensitive precision, but the real powerhouse of Zoar is the Weight control. This 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 hits unity around noon, but this is dependent on where the other controls are set. In addition to controlling the output volume, it also plays a small part in the controlling the voice of Zoar. By adjusting the Level control with any combination of EQ (boosting the frequency bands and cutting the output volume), you can achieve drastically different curves that have the feel of the more traditional low pass filter type tone control.
Want to elevate your sonic spirit to a higher level? Try running Zoar at higher voltage! Zoar can handle power up to 18v DC. Higher voltages will yield a different frequency response with 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!
Each Zoar Dynamic Audio Grinder is crafted just north of Zoar mountain in the EarthQuaker Devices colony by many delightful humans and one loving robot under the guiding spirit of the Zoarites.
0:00 - 1:30 Guitar 9v Demo
1:31 - 3:03 Guitar 18v Demo
3:04 - 5:49 Bass 9v Demo
Shot and Edited by Chris Tran
Recorded and Mixed by Jeff France
Performed by Jamie Stillman
Guitar 9v:
Guitar:Music Man St. Vincent HHH
Amp: Park P45
Guitar 18v:
Guitar: Gibson SG Standard w/ P90 Pickups
Amp: Park P45
Bass: Precision Bass
Amp: Ampeg SVT450 w/ 8x10 cabinet
Visit our site: www.earthquakerdevices.com
Follow us on Instagram: / earthquakerdev
Like us on Facebook: / earthquakerdevices
Follow us on Twitter: / earthquakerdev
Bass players from all over, commend you on the inclusion of our usually neglected community. Thanks EQD! It’s always good to hear what these pedals sound like with bass. ❤❤❤
Thanks so much 💕 always show love for the bassists!!
Seems like a fuzzy version of the old Talons (which I absolutely think should make a comeback). I’d love to hear the two together
Its not really connected to the Talons in any way as far as the circuit, The Zoar is a transistor-based distortion (No op-amp or diodes) with a passive EQ, whereas The Talons was an op-amp-based high-gain overdrive with an active EQ.
@EarthQuakerDevices please do a version with this and the talons in one pedal or reissue the talons please 🙏 this sounds amazing
@theweedgenie the Weed Genie has spoken 🙌
These were my exact thoughts, although EQD denies this
This actually sounds awesome and very unique
It's rare to hear distortion with character nowadays. Sounds killer.
🙏
Bass demo most appreciated - thanks!
Always!
Done it again, what an amazing sounding distortion! Can't wait for this one.
Thanks so much!!
What an awesome, snarly pedal! Bass player here. You sold me on this gem.
Sounds like I need one 🤘
I bought a Zoar today...and are now a happy man!
Just when I think I have enough fuzz you guys come out with this, it's amazeballs!!!!
🤝
That's a great drive sound. Bass demo was killer!
Agreed! Cheers🍻
Badass sounds and graphic!
Thanks!
Sounds awesome!
Thanks Ted!!🔥
please do a version with this and the talons in one pedal or reissue the talons please 🙏 this sounds amazing
🙏🙏🙏
Buying one of these as soon as I can & running it 9v. That’s the sound in my head.
Edit: Sweetwater has them in stock & I have one on the way.
AYYY sick! Have fun with your new Zoar!!
@@EarthQuakerDevices it was delivered about an hour & a half ago. Got it hooked up to my board & fired up an amp. Next thing I know it’s an hour later, I’m covered in sweat & my ears are ringing. That past hour was a frenzy of corpulent distorted madness as I moved the Weight knob further & further clockwise. The Zoar is indeed the sound I’ve had in my head for years but never been able to capture. Thank you, thank you, thank you EQD.
Wow, you guys are gonna sell a ton of these, I like it.
We hope so!!🤘
A nicely-voiced drive that can snarl if pushed. The three-band EQ makes this quite versatile. Also, EQD is on a roll this year with pedal releases. Keep the goods coming! 😁🎛
Thats so kind! Thanks for your support❤️
Another fuzz style pedal to add to my massive collection of fuzz style pedals? I'm in.
Well done! Cheers from STE!
Rock on!
Thank you guys for adding the bass demo as well! 🤘😎😎 if my UA-cam channel was a bigger platform I’d demo all your pedals on bass and with different basses maybe some day I’ll be there
What do you think so far from the demo?
So you demo all pedals on bass ?
Wow. The distortion sound I always want - reminds me of guitar sounds on thrash/sludge records). Incredible variety of tones too.
Sooo much variety of tones to dial in... it goes deep!
Nice art work Neeson
You got that right!! Dave killed it
Had this for a little while now, and got to say it totally slays on bass. Can do a massive rat-style sound, or a spongey overdrive similar to the Speaker Cranker. Great pedal!
Whoa, Nelly! That is one sweet demo.
Thank you kindly!
Love new pedals!
Us too!!
Jamie on the 1s and 2s!
Yes, please! More EQD pedals with 18v options!
Yeah buddy!🤘
Me to Jamie & the squad at EQD: “Tell me when you’re going to do your version of the HM-2”
EQD: “Hold our breadboards; we’ve got this”
EQD several moons later: unleashes the Zoar
Yoooooooo!!! Dope!!!!!!
This is one of the best dirt pedals I've played in a long time. Sounds outstanding into my iridium and amps. I run it at 18v, which really opens it up. You can do chimey vox style cleans, classic rock rhythm, mid-focused leads, light fuzz and heavier fuzz with the "weight" knob up at 9 o'clock and up. It takes boosts really well and has a satisfying top end and bite. So good that I own two of them.
Rock on!
Oh YEAH 🤘
That guitar player is great!
That be the one and only Jamie Stillman!!🔥
I gotta try one of these in person. The tone palate screams black metal to me but hell knows ill be hard pressed to find a demo online in that style.
This sounds huge at 9V, even better at 18V
Right!!
that's sound cool
Glad you think so!
The more i play it the more i love it.EQD HOMERUN ON THIS BOX.side note.i love just as much in 9 volt as i do 18.....maybe more.you decide.🎉
Need this in Red…
A nice upgrade to the Talons. I'm guessing that's the base for this pedal. Gotta get my hands on it!
Its actually not at all based on the Talons!! The only similarity with the Talons is the layout. The Zoar is a transistor-based distortion (No op-amp or diodes) with a passive EQ. The weight control adjusts the amount of low end going into the distortion circuit which allows you to control how tight or loose the distortion behaves. The Zoar has a touch-sensitive amp-like quality; the EQ controls are highly interactive.
The Talons was an op-amp-based high-gain overdrive with an active EQ. The presence knob controlled the high-end sizzle. The Talon has less gain than the Zoar but can be a clean boost with the gain all the way down, whereas the Zoar always adds some nice grit with the gain at the minimum.
Holy shit this thing rips
🙏
It’s definitely different, I’d love to see it ran with a plumes, reaper or hoof.
Great sounds! how does it sound as a boost before a distorted guitar amp?
No 18V demo on bass? I wonder if it sounds drastically different. I could definitely hear the higher headroom in the 18V guitar portion
Got some Kyuss vibes a little bit with the sound
i had the same thought immediately
Sounds great with bass, and I'd bet would have some more dimension with single coils or Filtertrons.
All in all, not doing anything I can't get on the OBN Haunt.Still like the Plumes better into a dirty Pre amp.
I wish I could buy every earthquaker pedal that comes out lol even if I don't use all of them I like them as objects. Idk who their artist is but earthquaker stuff always looks as great as it plays
EQD employee Dave Neeson did the artwork for this one! He's quite talented! Thanks so much
🔥
Well Jamie, seems like we have a case of the old "christmas gift for my gain stage"... Again.
🎁🫶
Hello, I just got some of your pedals the other day and they are AMAZING but now I need a pedalboard case to fit them in, do you have any recommendations? I would like a flightboard type case that was big enough for this kind of pedals!
Greetings from Mexico
Pedaltrain!
Just got it.friggin love this thing.more musical than you'd think.shit listen...
Amazing!! Have fun Zoaring!!!
🤘🤠🤘
at 3:03 the bass starts!
Any ideas if certain vendors will carry limited edition colorways like other recent EQD releases ?
Trust there will be custom colorways down the road!!
The description makes it sound like an Amp in a box. Anyone know what amp they’re going after? Jamie’s thing is the Sunn Model T but they’ve already made a pedal like that amp…
I got mine this morning & after playing with it all day I get a strong Matamp GT1 flavor running at 9v. The Weight controls compares to the FAC on the Matamp & it’s got the same fuzzy character. Not a 1 to 1 copy but if you like Matamps you’ll love this.
At 18v it becomes its own thing & I think loses the things I like most. More gain but it’s less fuzzy & louder, although output at 9v is still massive.
EQD did an excellent job showcasing the tones, what you hear in this video is what I’m hearing in the room with the same settings.
I would be curious to know the lineage of this pedal, because... isn't this just a modified Broughton Audio Scorpion? Amp-like overdrive with a FMV-style EQ and a knob that controls how much low end is let into the circuit sounds familiar... I don't know whether the Scorpion uses transistors, and I'm not home so I can't pull it out and check it against this demo, but it certainly sounds very similar to me.
(Not that I'm complaining or throwing accusations or anything... I love the Scorpion, and I think it absolutely deserves some notoriety and I wouldn't blame anyone for wanting to copy and tweak it, but it's just weird to see what looks like my favorite builder's circuit coming from a much larger and more notable builder...)
I like a hint of fuzz in my lead boost, could the Zoar fit the job? I use a crunchy amp.
Oh it definitely would fit the job!! Crank the gain and weight for more fuzz like character
Let’s play What’s It A Mod Of?
To my ears this is a 3-4 stage fuzz with an emitter gain control (Gain) and an attenuator between two early stages (Weight) followed by an FMV stack and a recovery stage. Sooooo kind of a Carcosa with a different tone stack? We’ll see when PedalPCB drops a schematic!
I commented this above, but it certainly looks and sounds to me like a modified Broughton Audio Scorpion. "Amp-like overdrive with a passive FMV EQ and a knob that controls how much low end is let into the pedal" seems like a little bit particular of a description for it to match both of these pedals... I don't know if the Scorpion uses transistors, but I do know that it doesn't do the higher headroom advertised here, based on comments from the designer. The Scorpion accepts 9V-24V for convenience, but the operating voltage is regulated so there is minimal tone change. It's possible the EQ frequency values might be modified too.
If it is true that the pedals are related, the designer of the Scorpion has said that his design was based on the clipping stage of the Blueberry Bass Overdrive, with the added Fender tone stack and the depth/weight control.
This might sound weird, but what does it sound like with a rhodes piano?
growling goodness
Wish they would've boosted it , could've seen how filthy it can get
Stay tuned for the video manual.. it boosts!!
Oh mannnnn this has Doom written all over it.
sounds like jamie listened to the last baroness album and said “fuck it ill make it a pedal”
😆
bro pls make smth weird and off kilter again thxx
I will always give an EQD pedal a shot in person because you guys have made so many cool sounding pedals. I wasn't super impressed with this demo though, it sounds really flat and dull. I thought it was a lot better on bass.
You listening with headphones?? Laptop/phone speakers don't cut it. Just sayin!
@@EarthQuakerDevices studio monitors
You guys just want all the real estate on my board don’t ya?!
Thats how it was getting with me so I just got a second board and it's EQD only.
Ayy we love to hear it! Thanks for your support!!❤️
I think they fixed the Metal Zone...
Want
Sounds so cool but how is this different than a distortion? Is it just the name?
It’s all transistors. No clipping diodes or opamps.
Mean tone for days
Very beefy
Sick (1st)
If Boss BD-2 and EHX Big Muff were married. This would be their baby.
Beefy
🐄
First?
As much as I am almost an EQD fanboy, there is really nothing new here ... I guess it's good if you are new to pedals and don't have anything else in terms of Rat ish dirt
Why? The real work is being done by the player. Anyway.
no blend / mix, sorry but for bass it's mandatory
Hell Yeah! 🎛️-🎛️-🎛️-🤘👀🎸
Yeahhh buddy!
Does ED make any pedals that use an actual tube/valve?