Death By Audio

Death By Audio

59

Also known as: DBA

Unclaimed

Death By Audio is a boutique effects pedal company founded in 2002 by Oliver Ackermann, the guitarist and vocalist of noise rock band A Place to Bury Strangers. Starting from a desire to build custom, extreme effects, Ackermann developed a line of handmade pedals in Brooklyn, New York, drawing on components including obsolete transistors, medical-grade IC chips, and military surplus electronics...

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Death By Audio is a boutique effects pedal company founded in 2002 by Oliver Ackermann, the guitarist and vocalist of noise rock band A Place to Bury Strangers. Starting from a desire to build custom, extreme effects, Ackermann developed a line of handmade pedals in Brooklyn, New York, drawing on components including obsolete transistors, medical-grade IC chips, and military surplus electronics to achieve distinctive, often confrontational sonic results. The company later relocated to Queens, where it continues to handcraft all of its pedals.

Death By Audio's catalog is distinguished by its uncompromising approach to sound design. Flagship models like the Fuzz War, Total Sonic Annihilation, and Evil Filter have made the brand a touchstone in noise rock, shoegaze, and experimental guitar circles. Other notable pedals include the Echo Master, Echo Dream 2, Interstellar Overdrive, Supersonic Fuzz Gun, Reverberation Machine, Space Bender, and the Moonbeam Phaser — spanning fuzz, distortion, delay, reverb, and filtering, all united by a loud, abrasive sensibility that sets the brand apart from more conventional effects builders.

Beyond manufacturing, Death By Audio became central to the Brooklyn DIY music scene through its warehouse venue in Williamsburg, which hosted underground concerts, art events, and served as a recording space and live-work collective from the mid-2000s until its closure in 2014. The space's legacy includes Death By Audio Records, a label started to release music by acts associated with the warehouse. A 2016 documentary, Goodnight Brooklyn – The Story of Death by Audio, chronicles the venue's history and cultural impact.

Death By Audio has 50 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Fuzz Effects Pedals, Multi Effects Pedals, and Delay Effects Pedals. Their gear is featured by 230 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Electronic, and Pop. Notable users include Camila Grey, Lee Kiernan, and Jamie Stewart. Most Death By Audio products sit firmly in the high-end, boutique range.

Artists Who Use Death By Audio

Camila Grey uses 7 Death By Audio products

Camila Grey

Singer, Guitarist · Summer Moon

Lee Kiernan uses 6 Death By Audio products

Lee Kiernan

Guitarist · IDLES

Jamie Stewart uses 6 Death By Audio products

Jamie Stewart

Singer, Guitarist · Xiu Xiu

Oliver Ackermann uses 6 Death By Audio products

Oliver Ackermann

Singer, Guitarist · A Place to Bury Strangers

Jeramy "Rainbow" Gritter uses 6 Death By Audio products

Jeramy "Rainbow" Gritter

Guitarist, Composer · The Voidz

The Edge uses 5 Death By Audio products

The Edge

Guitarist · U2

Ty Segall uses 5 Death By Audio products

Ty Segall

Singer, Guitarist · Fuzz

Spencer Hazard uses 5 Death By Audio products

Spencer Hazard

Guitarist · Full of Hell

Mauro Remiddi uses 5 Death By Audio products

Mauro Remiddi

Singer, Keyboardist · Sunny Day Sets Fire

Gerard Way uses 4 Death By Audio products

Gerard Way

Singer, Guitarist · My Chemical Romance

Daniel Fox uses 4 Death By Audio products

Daniel Fox

Bassist, Music Producer · Girl Band

John Fedowitz uses 4 Death By Audio products

John Fedowitz

Singer, Guitarist · A Place to Bury Strangers

Trentemøller uses 4 Death By Audio products

Trentemøller

Music Producer

Chad Ubovich uses 4 Death By Audio products

Chad Ubovich

Guitarist, Bassist

Ray Toro uses 3 Death By Audio products

Ray Toro

Singer, Guitarist · My Chemical Romance

John Dwyer uses 3 Death By Audio products

John Dwyer

Singer, Guitarist · Thee OhSees

St. Vincent uses 3 Death By Audio products

St. Vincent

Singer, Guitarist · The Polyphonic Spree

Mark Bowen uses 3 Death By Audio products

Mark Bowen

Guitarist · IDLES

Michael Guy Chislett uses 3 Death By Audio products

Michael Guy Chislett

Guitarist · Hillsong United

Josh Carter uses 3 Death By Audio products

Josh Carter

Guitarist, Music Producer · Phantogram

Community setups featuring Death By Audio

Show yours
jk47

jk47

Gear IQ 266

fadetobeige

fadetobeige

Gear IQ 117

michael

michael

Gear IQ 42242

J

joshua_metz_josh

Gear IQ 188

jk47

jk47

Gear IQ 266

supersonic_fuzz_cvnt

supersonic_fuzz_cvnt

Gear IQ 148

supersonic_fuzz_cvnt

supersonic_fuzz_cvnt

Gear IQ 148

twiixo

twiixo

Gear IQ 2369

sadfvzz

sadfvzz

Gear IQ 58

fredford

fredford

Gear IQ 261

fulvio_di_marco

fulvio_di_marco

Gear IQ 178

stravoxid

stravoxid

Gear IQ 836

mkn_upa

mkn_upa

Gear IQ 1171

K

kuveshen_naidoo

Gear IQ 59

wadeluigi

wadeluigi

Gear IQ 1401

twiixo

twiixo

Gear IQ 2369

peyro_peyro

peyro_peyro

Gear IQ 173

fredford

fredford

Gear IQ 261

nightmaracausal

nightmaracausal

Gear IQ 142

hope

hope

Gear IQ 81

Gear Guides featuring Death By Audio

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