The Cusack Orthrus is a high-gain distortion pedal from Cusack Music, built with what the maker calls the intuitive controls of an amplifier. Its tone section is based on a hybrid of two legendary amp tone stacks, and the EQ controls work together with the Gain and Level controls, each having an effect on the others, so the controls are meant to be dialed in as a set rather than one at a time1. Premier Guitar described it as a rather full-featured overdrive with a 3-band EQ2.
Controls and the boost switch
The pedal carries two footswitches, and each has a job on stage:
- Bypass switch: takes the effect in and out of the signal path1
- Boost switch: switches on the pre-selected boost level chosen with a toggle switch1
- Both switches together: converts the Boost switch to a kill switch, in either normal or boost mode; hitting both again reverts to the Boost function1
That gives the Orthrus two voices on one box: the distortion channel for the main sound, and a boost level you can set separately and bring in with a stomp1.
| Switch action | What it does |
|---|---|
| Bypass footswitch | Takes the effect in and out of the signal path1 |
| Boost footswitch | Engages the pre-selected boost level set with the toggle switch1 |
| Both footswitches at once | Boost switch becomes a kill switch, in normal or boost mode1 |
| Both footswitches again | Boost function returns1 |
There is a third function hidden in the switching. Hitting both the Bypass and Boost switches simultaneously converts the Boost switch to a kill switch, in either normal or boost mode; hitting both switches again reverts to the Boost function1. Premier Guitar's reviewer flagged it in the review:
"Super-fun kill-switch mode"
It is a practical tool for cutting your signal between songs or for dramatic stops on stage12.
Power and bypass
The Orthrus runs true bypass: the manual describes the OUT jack as true bypass enabled, so when the pedal is off, your signal passes straight through1. Power comes from a DC power jack with the same pin-out as most standard pedal supplies: tip is ground, sleeve 9V. Power consumption is listed at about 19mA1, a light draw that fits easily on a shared pedalboard supply.
| Power item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Supply | 9V DC1 |
| Pin-out | Tip is ground, sleeve 9V, same as most standard pedal supplies1 |
| Power consumption | About 19mA1 |
| Battery | Optional; the input jack disconnects power1 |
| Bypass | True bypass, OUT jack true bypass enabled1 |
A battery option is available, but the input jack disconnects power. The manual's advice: unplug when not in use if you have chosen the battery option, or the battery will drain while the pedal sits on the board1.
Where it sits
Cusack Music later brought out the Cusack Music Meta Plexi, another amplifier-preamp-based distortion boost design from the same maker. Players comparing the two will find the Orthrus positioned as the high-gain, amp-style EQ option, with the boost and kill-switch switching described above12.
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Questions
Is the Cusack Orthrus true bypass?
Yes. The manual describes the OUT jack as true bypass enabled, so when the pedal is off your guitar signal passes straight through to the output without going through the circuit. That matters on a large board, where a pedal that buffers when off can dull your clean tone.
Can the Cusack Orthrus run on a battery?
A battery option is available. The manual notes that the input jack disconnects power, so if you choose the battery option you should unplug the guitar from the input when you are not playing the pedal, or the battery will drain. Most players run it from a 9V DC supply instead.
How much current does the Orthrus draw?
The manual lists power consumption at about 19mA. That is a light draw by pedal standards, so it sits comfortably on a standard 9V DC daisy-chain or isolated supply, with the same tip-ground, sleeve-9V pin-out as most standard pedal supplies.
What does the kill switch function on the Orthrus do?
If you press the Bypass and Boost footswitches at the same time, the Boost switch becomes a kill switch, in either normal or boost mode. Press both switches again and the Boost function returns. Premier Guitar called it a super-fun kill-switch mode in its review.
Sources (2)
- on:, Cusack Music, 2017-03-23
- Quick Hit: Cusack Music Orthrus Review, Premier Guitar, 2017-05-09
