EarthQuaker Devices Astral DestinyFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 49 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment69%
PROS 69%
CONS 31%

Rank based on 49 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want huge, otherworldly shimmer and pitch-shifted reverb textures for ambient or experimental playing
  • You value expression pedal/CV control and the ability to save custom presets
  • You want strong value, since many feel it outperforms pricier rivals like NightSky or Mako R1

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need stereo ins/outs for your existing reverb workflow
  • You mainly want a simple, subtle 'normal' reverb without deep menu diving
  • You play dense, detailed mixes where big ambient reverbs are hard to fit in

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

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Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
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Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
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MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
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Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
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Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
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Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
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Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
EarthQuaker Devices Astral Destiny
Huge range of reverb and pitch texturesInspiring and addictive to useExceptional value for the priceNo stereo ins/outsMissing footswitch/knob features some wantCan be hard to mix or fit sonically
EarthQuaker Devices Astral Destiny
Huge range of reverb and pitch textures
Inspiring and addictive to use
Exceptional value for the price
No stereo ins/outs
Missing footswitch/knob features some want
Can be hard to mix or fit sonically

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

An enormous range of reverb and pitch textures in one box. Commenters describe going from very subtle natural reverb all the way to church-bell, choir, and cosmic shimmer sounds, often citing Abyss and Cosmos modes as standouts. The onboard presets and live mode let players save custom sounds without losing stock patches. Several called it their favorite pedal after just one session, describing it as endlessly inspiring and addictive to explore.

Exceptional value compared to competing shimmer/octave reverbs. Multiple commenters expected the pedal to cost $300+ and were shocked it landed near $200, comparing favorably to the pricier Strymon NightSky and Walrus Mako R1. Several called it a 'best seller' or top value pick, praising the build quality and feature set for the price. This affordability pushed a number of hesitant buyers to finally purchase one.

Mono-only design is the pedal's most cited drawback. Several users explicitly wished for stereo ins and outs, with some saying it kept the Astral Destiny out of their main pedalboard despite loving the sounds. Others speculated the mono design was a tradeoff to keep the price low, hoping for a stereo version in a future model. A couple of users said it still worked fine on single-note or mono signal chains regardless.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?