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 Dumble Overdrive Special Amp Head and the Fender Deluxe Reverb.
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.
- reverb
- modulation
- ambient
- decay
- experimental
- dry
- attack
- bypass
Good for
- Live
- Studio
- Worship
Price updated Aug 27, 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. - Lo Fi
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Cusack Music Reverb SME
Pedals that stack with the Cusack Music Reverb SME
MXR Distortion+
MXR
10% matchMXR Distortion+'s own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Beetronics Swarm
Beetronics
10% matchBeetronics Swarm's own fuzzy character is the real reason this is worth trying
Electro-Harmonix Small Stone
Electro-Harmonix
9% matchKeep Cusack Music Reverb SME's modulated voice out front: Electro-Harmonix Small Stone goes after Cusack Music Reverb SME in the signal chain so its analog warmth voice doesn't muddy it
Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII The Analog Leslie Simulator
pedal
9% matchPut Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII The Analog Leslie Simulator after Cusack Music Reverb SME in the signal chain, clear of Cusack Music Reverb SME's own gain stage
Cheaper alternatives
Mooer A7 Ambience
Mooer
72% similarityShared character: true_bypass, ambient, reverb
TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb
TC Electronic
69% similarityShared character: ambient, reverb
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano
Electro-Harmonix
68% similarityShared character: ambient, reverb
Fender Hammertone Reverb
Fender
68% similarityShared character: true_bypass, ambient, reverb
NuX Komp Core Deluxe mkII
Nux
61% similarityShared character: attack
Mooer woodverb
Mooer
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Old Blood Noise Endeavors Dark Star V3
Old Blood Noise Endeavors
70% similarityShared character: signal_chain, attack, ambient
Death By Audio Dream Station
Death By Audio
66% similarityShared character: modulation, reverb, boutique_stuff
Walrus Audio Mako R1 Reverb MkII
Walrus Audio
93% similaritysimilar tone character
EarthQuaker Devices Towers
EarthQuaker Devices
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath V2
EarthQuaker Devices
69% similarityShared character: ambient, reverb, boutique_stuff
EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath Eurorack Module
EarthQuaker Devices
68% similarityShared character: ambient, reverb
Strymon Cloudburst
Strymon
68% similarityShared character: attack, ambient, reverb
EarthQuaker Devices Ghost Echo V3
EarthQuaker Devices
67% similarityShared character: reverb, ambient, modulation
Keeley Luna
Keeley
65% similarityShared character: ambient, reverb, modulation
Strymon NightSky
Strymon
94% similaritysimilar tone character
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 Strymon Cloudburst. Budget picks: Mooer A7 Ambience, TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb, Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano. Boutique upgrades: Old Blood Noise Endeavors Dark Star V3, Death By Audio Dream Station, Walrus Audio Mako R1 Reverb MkII.
What pairs well with the Cusack Music Reverb SME?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Dumble Overdrive Special Amp Head, Fender Deluxe Reverb, MXR Distortion+ — Dumble Overdrive Special Amp Head leans toward dynamic, and that's a real, usable character to pair with.
How much does the Cusack Music Reverb SME cost?+
Around $185 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).