The EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine is an EarthQuaker Devices octave pedal, currently around $229. Close alternatives include the Roger Mayer Octavia Classic and the Roger Mayer Octavia. It pairs well with the Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Combo and the Synergy SL2 Module.
EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine
EarthQuaker Devices · pedal
The EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine is a polyphonic pitch shifting modulation pedal and one of EQD's strangest, most experimental designs. It shifts pitch up or down in real time with adjustable tracking, adds shimmering modulated harmonies and detune, and features a Magic momentary switch that unleashes self oscillating, glitchy, runaway digital chaos. From subtle chorus like detune and octave shimmer to alien, arpeggiated and dissonant textures, it is built for sonic adventure rather than natural sounds. It suits ambient, experimental, shoegaze and psychedelic players who want lush shimmer, otherworldly harmonized textures and unpredictable, glitchy pitch effects in a single distinctive pedal.
- shimmer
- pitch
- tracking
- digital
- modulation
- ambient
- experimental
- chorus
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine is commonly used in
- Experimental
- Shoegaze
- Ambient
- Post Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Post Punk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Lo Fi
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine
Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Combo
Mesa Boogie
18% matchWhat Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Combo brings here leans toward high gain — that's worth building a pairing around
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchSynergy SL2 Module supplies the gain a transparent, clean tone doesn't provide on its own
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchFriedman BE-Mini Head supplies the gain a transparent, clean tone doesn't provide on its own
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchHughes & Kettner Warp 7 supplies the gain a transparent, clean tone doesn't provide on its own
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchCeriatone 2202H supplies the gain a transparent, clean tone doesn't provide on its own
Hiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head
Hiwatt
tonal matchHiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head supplies the gain a transparent, clean tone doesn't provide on its own
Friedman Jose LTD
Friedman
tonal matchFriedman Jose LTD supplies the gain a transparent, clean tone doesn't provide on its own
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchHughes & Kettner Coreblade supplies the gain a transparent, clean tone doesn't provide on its own
Pedals that stack with the EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
21% matchWhat Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz brings here leans toward fuzzy — that's worth building a pairing around
Suhr Rufus Reloaded
Suhr
21% matchSuhr Rufus Reloaded's own fuzzy character is the real reason this is worth trying
Red Witch Titan
Red Witch
7% matchKeep EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine's shimmer voice out front: Red Witch Titan goes after EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine in the signal chain so its ambient voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath
EarthQuaker Devices
6% matchRun EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath after EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes
Electro-Harmonix
tonal matchEarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes wants
MXR M249 Super Badass Dynamic O.D.
MXR
tonal matchEarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform MXR M249 Super Badass Dynamic O.D. wants
Catalinbread MontaVillian
Catalinbread
tonal matchCatalinbread MontaVillian's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine delivers it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz
Behringer
tonal matchBehringer SF300 Super Fuzz's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine delivers it
Cheaper alternatives
Electro-Harmonix Pitch Fork Plus
Electro-Harmonix
71% similarityShared character: pitch_modulation, single_rig, tight_tracking
Electro-Harmonix Slammi Plus
Electro-Harmonix
70% similarityShared character: pitch_modulation, tight_tracking, one_octave
DigiTech Whammy Pitch-Shifting Pedal
Digitech
69% similarityShared character: pitch_modulation, tight_tracking, one_octave
JHS Double Dragon
JHS Pedals
69% similarityShared character: tight_tracking, one_octave, digital
Behringer Octavia Octave Fuzz
Behringer
68% similarityShared character: tight_tracking, one_octave
Electro-Harmonix Intelligent Harmony Machine
Electro-Harmonix
65% similarityShared character: pitch_modulation, single_rig, tight_tracking
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar character
Roger Mayer Octavia Classic
Roger Mayer
69% similarityShared character: tight_tracking, one_octave, digital
Roger Mayer Octavia
Roger Mayer
68% similarityShared character: tight_tracking, one_octave
Walrus Audio Luminary
Walrus Audio
67% similarityShared character: tight_tracking, one_octave, ambient
Meris MR Hedra
Meris
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Meris Enzo
Meris
93% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine?+
The closest matches in character are the Roger Mayer Octavia Classic, the Roger Mayer Octavia, the Walrus Audio Luminary. Budget picks: Electro-Harmonix Pitch Fork Plus, Electro-Harmonix Slammi Plus, DigiTech Whammy Pitch-Shifting Pedal. Boutique upgrades: Alexander Pedals Fever Pitch.
What pairs well with the EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Combo, Synergy SL2 Module, Friedman BE-Mini Head — What Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Combo brings here leans toward high gain — that's worth building a pairing around.
How much does the EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine cost?+
Around $229 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).