The Cusack Music Reverb SME is a Cusack Music reverb pedal, currently around $185. Close alternatives include the EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath V2 and the EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath Eurorack Module. It pairs well with the Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt and the Mesa Boogie JP-2C 1x12 Combo.
Cusack Music Reverb SME
Cusack Music · pedal
The Cusack Reverb SME (Size Modulation Emulator) is a compact reverb derived from the company's Tap-A-Whirl, using a Size knob to sweep the simulated space from a small, springy, tight room through to a vast cavernous wash. Separate Wet and Dry controls rather than a single blend give a dual-path setup that keeps the direct signal clear and defined even at extreme ambient settings, so the dry attack never disappears into the tail. A Texture knob adjusts the tone of the reverb signal: rolled back it stays warm and rounded, and opening it clockwise makes the reflections progressively harsher and more metallic, useful for lo-fi and industrial-flavoured ambience. Four knobs cover a surprising number of variations. True bypass, and at roughly 60mA it needs a proper supply rather than a battery.
What stands out
“The Reverb SME delivers size-modulated reverb where the reverb space continuously shifts in character, creating evolving animated reverb textures that static decay reverb pedals cannot produce”
— from the community notes
“Its standout strength is the size modulation that creates evolving, animated reverb character”
— from the community notes
“A Texture knob adjusts the tone of the reverb signal: rolled back it stays warm and rounded, and opening it clockwise makes the reflections progressively harsher and more metallic, useful for lo-fi and industrial-flavoured ambience”
— from the listing
“Strengths: Size modulation creates continuously evolving reverb textures with animated spatial character beyond static decay reverb designs”
— from the reviews
“use-case wise it suits ambient and experimental players who want reverb with movement and evolution”
— from the community notes
- reverb
- modulation
- ambient
- experimental
- dry
- attack
- bypass
- animated spatial character
Good for
- Live
- Studio
- Worship
Price updated Oct 23, 2026
Genres the Cusack Music Reverb SME is commonly used in
- Experimental
- Ambient
- Post Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Shoegaze
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Electronic
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 Cusack Music Reverb SME
Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt
Diezel
22% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Cusack Music Reverb SME's modulated voice goes in Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt's effects loop — it's not there to compete with Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt's own high gain character
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Mesa Boogie JP-2C 1x12 Combo
Mesa Boogie
17% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Cusack Music Reverb SME's modulated voice goes in Mesa Boogie JP-2C 1x12 Combo's effects loop — it's not there to compete with Mesa Boogie JP-2C 1x12 Combo's own high gain character
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Marshall Plexi 1959SLP
amplifier
17% matchMarshall Plexi 1959SLP leans toward aggressive, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Dumble Overdrive Special Amp Head
Dumble
15% matchDumble Overdrive Special Amp Head leans toward dynamic, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes earlier in the signal chain
EVH 5150III LBX II
Evh
15% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Keep EVH 5150III LBX II's high gain voice out front: Cusack Music Reverb SME goes in EVH 5150III LBX II's effects loop so its modulated voice doesn't muddy it
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Randall KH75 Kirk Hammett Signature 2-Channel 75W 1x12 Combo
Randall
15% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Keep Cusack Music Reverb SME in Randall KH75 Kirk Hammett Signature 2-Channel 75W 1x12 Combo's effects loop, clear of Randall KH75 Kirk Hammett Signature 2-Channel 75W 1x12 Combo's own gain stage
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Friedman JEL-20
Friedman
15% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Run Cusack Music Reverb SME in Friedman JEL-20's effects loop, clear of Friedman JEL-20's own gain stage
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Engl Fireball 25 Goldface
Engl
14% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Keep Cusack Music Reverb SME in Engl Fireball 25 Goldface's effects loop, clear of Engl Fireball 25 Goldface's own gain stage
Comes earlier in the signal chain
See all 16 amps that pair with the Cusack Music Reverb SME →
Pedals that stack with the Cusack Music Reverb SME
Electro-Harmonix POG
Electro-Harmonix
24% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Keep Cusack Music Reverb SME after Electro-Harmonix POG in the signal chain, where it won't crowd Electro-Harmonix POG
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Dunlop Jimi Hendrix JH-1 Wah Pedal
Dunlop
18% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Keep Dunlop Jimi Hendrix JH-1 Wah Pedal's mid-forward voice out front: Cusack Music Reverb SME goes after Dunlop Jimi Hendrix JH-1 Wah Pedal in the signal chain so its modulated voice doesn't muddy it
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Hotone Skyline Djent Metalcore HiGain Metal Distortion
Hotone
15% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Cusack Music Reverb SME's modulated voice goes after Hotone Skyline Djent Metalcore HiGain Metal Distortion in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Hotone Skyline Djent Metalcore HiGain Metal Distortion's own aggressive character
Comes earlier in the signal chain
DigiTech Metal Master
Digitech
14% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Put Cusack Music Reverb SME after DigiTech Metal Master in the signal chain, clear of DigiTech Metal Master's own gain stage
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Amptweaker Tight Metal
Amptweaker
14% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Put Cusack Music Reverb SME after Amptweaker Tight Metal in the signal chain, clear of Amptweaker Tight Metal's own gain stage
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Warm Audio Fluff Drive
Warm Audio
14% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Keep Cusack Music Reverb SME after Warm Audio Fluff Drive in the signal chain, clear of Warm Audio Fluff Drive's own gain stage
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Electro-Harmonix Pocket Metal Muff
Electro-Harmonix
13% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Cusack Music Reverb SME's modulated voice goes after Electro-Harmonix Pocket Metal Muff in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Electro-Harmonix Pocket Metal Muff's own high gain character
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Digitech DOD Boneshaker
Digitech
13% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → ambient)
Put Cusack Music Reverb SME after Digitech DOD Boneshaker in the signal chain, clear of Digitech DOD Boneshaker's own gain stage
Comes earlier in the signal chain
See all 36 pedals that pair with the Cusack Music Reverb SME →
Cheaper alternatives
Mooer A7 Ambience
Mooer
63% similarityShared character: true bypass, ambient, modulation
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Max
Electro-Harmonix
49% similarityShared character: true bypass, ambient, modulation
Keeley Vibe-O-Verb
Keeley
45% similarityShared character: true bypass, ambient, modulation
Boss TE-2
Boss
45% similarityShared character: signal chain, attack, ambient
Laney Secret Path
Laney
45% similarityShared character: ambient, modulation, reverb
Fender Hammertone Reverb
Fender
45% similarityShared character: true bypass, ambient, reverb
Boutique & premium upgrades
Strymon Cloudburst
Strymon
49% similarityShared character: attack, ambient, modulation
Alexander Golden Summer Reverb
Alexander Pedals
46% similarityShared character: signal chain, ambient, modulation
Chase Bliss Dark World
Chase Bliss Audio
44% similarityShared character: ambient, reverb
Strymon NightSky
Strymon
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar character
EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath V2
EarthQuaker Devices
53% similarityShared character: ambient, reverb
EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath Eurorack Module
EarthQuaker Devices
50% similarityShared character: ambient, reverb
EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath
EarthQuaker Devices
49% similarityShared character: ambient, reverb
NuX Atlantic
Nux
47% similarityShared character: signal chain, ambient, reverb
Old Blood Noise Endeavors Dark Star V3
Old Blood Noise Endeavors
47% similarityShared character: signal chain, attack, ambient
Alexander Pedals SpaceXpander
Alexander Pedals
47% similarityShared character: true bypass, ambient, reverb
See all alternatives to the Cusack Music Reverb SME (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Cusack Music Reverb SME?+
The closest matches in character are the EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath V2, the EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath Eurorack Module, the EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath. Budget picks: Mooer A7 Ambience, Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Max, Keeley Vibe-O-Verb. Boutique upgrades: Strymon Cloudburst, Alexander Golden Summer Reverb, Chase Bliss Dark World.
What pairs well with the Cusack Music Reverb SME?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt, Mesa Boogie JP-2C 1x12 Combo, Marshall Plexi 1959SLP — Cusack Music Reverb SME's modulated voice goes in Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt's effects loop — it's not there to compete with Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt's own high gain character.
How much does the Cusack Music Reverb SME cost?+
Around $185 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).