EarthQuaker Devices Easy Listening
A Simple, Analog Approach to Amp-less Playing The original EarthQuaker Devices Easy Listening is a compact analog amp simulator designed to give guitarists a convincing amplifier-style sound through headphones or a recording interface. Its appeal is straightforward: no menus, no impulse responses, and just one control to worry about. EarthQuaker Devices Introduces the Stereo Easy Listening EarthQuaker Devices has given its Easy Listening analog amp simulator a stereo upgrade. The new Easy Listening Stereo keeps the original pedal’s all-analog approach but adds stereo connectivity, tone controls, and features aimed at players who want a more flexible solution for silent practice, recording, and live setups. The original Easy Listening was built around a simple idea: provide the feel and character of a classic American tube amp in a small pedalboard-friendly format. The new Stereo version takes that concept further, making it easier to integrate into modern stereo pedalboards and headphone-based rigs. A familiar analog foundation At the heart of the Easy Listening Stereo is an analog preamp and cabinet simulation designed around the character of a 1965 Deluxe-style amplifier. EarthQuaker Devices describes the circuit as delivering generous headroom, low noise, and a natural response without the latency or digital artifacts associated with some digital amp-simulation solutions. The original Easy Listening was deliberately minimal, featuring a single Volume control. The Stereo version adds Bass, Mid, and Treble controls, giving players considerably more room to shape the sound to suit their instrument, headphones, recording setup, or pedalboard. For bass players, the extra EQ control is particularly interesting. Although the Easy Listening was developed with guitar-oriented amp tones in mind, having direct access to the low end and midrange makes it easier to experiment with the pedal as part of a bass signal chain. It is worth remembering, however, that this is an amp simulator based on a guitar amplifier concept rather than a dedicated bass preamp. Stereo connectivity and headphone practice One of the biggest changes is the addition of stereo connectivity. The Easy Listening Stereo features dual inputs for stereo effects and stereo outputs, allowing it to sit at the end of a pedalboard without forcing a stereo signal back into mono. It can also widen a mono input signal through its outputs. The pedal includes a ¼-inch headphone output, as well as XLR outputs for connecting to other equipment. That makes it a potentially useful solution for players who want to practice with headphones, record directly into an interface, or send a signal to a live sound system without carrying a traditional amplifier. The stereo format also makes sense for players using delay, reverb, modulation, or a stereo modeler. Rather than treating the Easy Listening as a simple end-of-chain mono box, the new version is designed to accommodate a more expansive pedalboard setup. An auxiliary input for playing along Another useful addition is an auxiliary input with its own volume control. This allows players to connect a phone or another audio source to play along with backing tracks or music. The auxiliary signal bypasses the pedal’s preamp and cabinet simulation, keeping the playback signal uncolored. For home practice, this is a practical feature. A player can connect a pedalboard, plug in headphones, and play along with tracks without needing a separate headphone mixer or additional practice amplifier. Designed for straightforward operation Despite the added functionality, the Easy Listening Stereo remains an entirely analog pedal. There are no menus, digital presets, or IR-loading processes to navigate. A ground-lift switch is also included to help reduce unwanted hum in studio and live environments. That simplicity is central to the Easy Listening concept. It is intended to be something players can connect, adjust, and use immediately, rather than another piece of equipment requiring a setup session before it becomes useful. As with other EarthQuaker Devices pedals, the Easy Listening Stereo is built in Akron, Ohio, and follows the company’s hands-on approach to pedal design and production. Availability and pricing For players who already use stereo effects, record directly, or want a compact headphone solution with more tonal control, the Easy Listening Stereo looks like a meaningful expansion of the original concept. Bassists interested in using it should pay particular attention to its low-frequency response and available headroom, especially when pairing it with bass-specific drive, fuzz, or preamp pedals. For more information, visit the official EarthQuaker Devices Easy Listening product page .
