Rancho de la Luna Dirt Transmitter™
Fuzz Driver

The Dirt Transmitter is one of the oldest circuits in the EarthQuaker line. The design is Fuzz Face inspired, and the idea started when Jamie Stillman came across some very unique silicon transistors. These transistors are lower gain and have a warmth similar to germanium transistors when overdriven. But they also have the top-end grind typical of silicon-based fuzz pedals, which adds to the mids and helps cut through. The combination of these rare transistors and the starved voltage creates a wide variety of textures at the turn of a knob.

In early 2023, Jamie Stillman was invited by legendary guitarist and producer Dave Catching to participate in a recording session at Rancho de la Luna for an album celebrating 30 years of Rancho. Dave, a total sweetheart, has been a massive supporter of EQD both in the studio and while touring, but this was not something Jamie ever expected. A founding member of earthlings? and touring member of numerous bands, including Eagles of Death Metal and Queens of the Stone Age, Dave Catching owns and operates Rancho de la Luna in Joshua Tree, California. Needless to say, Jamie jumped at the chance to go and ended up using the Dirt Transmitter on a lot of the recordings. Jamie was honored to join the cast of world-class musicians and thrilled when they were way into the tones he was getting with this pedal. 

Rancho de la Luna, founded in 1993, has hosted some of the world’s most amazing bands and is known for its raw desert vibe. During these sessions, Jamie ended up using the Dirt Transmitter on a lot of the recordings. Jamie was honored to join the cast of world-class musicians and thrilled when they were way into the tones he was getting with this pedal.

The first Dirt Transmitters started shipping in January of 2008, and these original units were housed in a small enclosure with only three controls: Fuzz, Tone, and Level. Shortly after the release, Jamie decided to add the external Bias control, which opened up the circuit and brought it to life. By varying the Bias the transistor is starved of voltage. The Dirt Transmitter is properly biased when the Bias control is all the way up; when turning it down, the voltage is starved, and the fuzz tone becomes gated. This produces a sputtery ripping velcro tone that increases in character as you roll it back.

After the session, there was talk about doing a pedal release in conjunction with the album, and the Dirt Transmitter was the perfect fit; seeing as it was used so much during the session. Dave was down and the plan was solidified. He suggested we use his friend, Mike Egan, to create some super special Rancho-themed art to celebrate the occasion. It just so happens that Mike is from Ohio and lives just a short drive from EQD headquarters. It all just seemed to fit together perfectly. 

We couldn’t be more excited to have worked on this project with Dave. He is such an amazing human, and we’re beyond stoked to bring this to the world. 

Fuzz: Clockwise for heavier tones, counterclockwise for lighter tones.

Tone: Clockwise for a brighter, more cutting tone, counterclockwise to roll off top end for more mellow tones.

Bias: This is the heart of the Dirt Transmitter, where all of its voices can be found. It affects the voltage to the transistors which will create more gated Velcro® fuzz tones counterclockwise and thicker, natural fuzz tones clockwise. It is “properly biased” at 5 o’clock.

Level: Clockwise for more, counterclockwise for less.

Fender Stratocaster with Dispatch Master into Valhalla Jötunn 20.

Lead Guitar: Gibson Les Paul into Universal Audio OX Stomp Dynamic Speaker Emulator and Valhalla Jötunn 20. Rhythm Guitar: Echopark 58 Albert V into Valhalla Jötunn 20.

Lead Guitar: Gibson Les Paul into Universal Audio OX Stomp Dynamic Speaker Emulator and Valhalla Jötunn 20. Rhythm Guitar: Echopark 58 Albert V into Valhalla Jötunn 20.

Guitar: Fender 61 Stratocaster into a Supro Tremolectric. Bass Guitar: Fender Precision Bass into Ampeg SGT-DI into Rupert Neve Designs 517.

Guitar: Gibson Les Paul direct into Neotek console.