The Cusack Resound V2 is a programmable digital reverb pedal from Cusack Music, a re-design of the original Resound with updated programs, a dedicated expression pedal input and dedicated Left and Right outputs1. It carries eight reverb programs with a preset system that Cusack Music says involves no menus to scroll through1, at a list price of $280.001. The line goes back to the original Cusack Resound, which is now discontinued21, while the V2 is the current version of the pedal1.
Like the original, the Resound is built around the Spin Semiconductor FV-1 microprocessor, a DSP chip that Premier Guitar's reviewer called a favorite among pedal builders3. The original Resound is now marked discontinued by Cusack Music, with the V2 carrying the line forward2.
The eight programs, from Room to Hall/Freeze
The V2 keeps the eight-program structure of the original but Cusack Music says the programs have been tweaked and fine tuned, giving each more complex characteristics for a smoother, lusher tone4. The fifth slot changed from the original's Glisten algorithm to a new Swell program1. The programs Cusack Music documents for the V2 are:
| # | Program | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ROOM | From a very short, closet type of reverb to larger room sizes; pre-delay is effective with shorter decay times for slap-back, small-room or chamber effects1 |
| 4 | MODULATED | A lush chorus/reverb with the effects running in parallel instead of series, which Cusack says results in a clearer, more useable pairing1 |
| 5 | SWELL | New for the V2; reverses your guitar's sound and ducks in response to your dynamics1 |
| 6 | HALL/FREEZE | Everything from Hall reverb to a dry freeze, with custom blends in between1 |
| 7 | SPRING | Tone control left for a "blackface" style of reverb, right for the earlier spring tank sound1 |
| 8 | SHIMURMUR | Independent control of upper and lower voicings for a shimmer program that can be ominous or choir-like1 |
The manual details the parameter layout for two of these. Program 5, Swell, offers Sensitivity and Recovery Time parameters with a Dry/Wet mix, and its Extend function gives maximum decay. Program 6, Hall/Freeze, offers Cascade Amount and Tone parameters with a Dry/Wet mix, and its Extend function is Freeze6. The original Resound's manual describes the same three-knob structure per program, with Par. 1, Par. 2 and Decay controls, and its Hall/Freeze program allowed a very long tail up to freeze7.
The original's eight algorithms were room, plate, spring, shimmer, cathedral, modulated, freeze and glisten8. Its Spring program was modeled on a 60's spring reverb tank and amplifier reverb, and its Plate program offered brighter texture plate reverb sounds7.
Footswitches, Extend and expression
The V2 has three footswitches and a dedicated expression pedal input, the latter a change from the original, whose right jack doubled as a stereo output or expression input12. An expression pedal can be assigned to any one of the Resound's parameters, as Premier Guitar's reviewer noted of the original3. On the V2, configuration works by holding all three footswitches for half a second, setting the expression pedal heel down and adjusting the desired knob, then setting it toe down and adjusting the same knob, and tapping any footswitch to exit6.
The Extend feature is central to the pedal. Cusack Music describes it as maxing out the decay for additional variations within a preset, usable on either preset side1. On the original, the Extend footswitch instantly maximized the decay knob settings, and a Cascade toggle determined whether notes played after Extend was engaged added to the extended notes or were unaffected57. Guitar.com described the original's Extend as maxing out the reverb's decay, with the Cascade toggle letting you add new notes to the extended reverb8.
The original's manual also documents the footswitch scheme: L and M cycle banks, L or R select presets, M engages Extend, L and R together enter Save Mode, and holding M and R about two seconds toggles Live/Preset mode7. It also notes the footswitch height is adjustable by removing the back cover and adjusting the nut on the bottom side of the footswitch7.
"Resound makes eight distinct programmable presets available, which are divided into four banks with two presets each."
Power and connections
The Resound V2 runs on a standard 9V DC center negative power supply with a current draw of about 85mA1. There is no battery option; the original Resound was specified as 9V power supply only with no internal battery connection5, and the V2's B stock listing likewise specifies the 9V DC center negative supply4. The manual gives an input impedance of 350k Ω and an output impedance under 100 Ω6.
For connections, the input is mono. For a mono output signal, use the Left output; for a stereo output signal, use both the Right and Left outputs6. The original Resound offered stereo outputs with a wet/dry choice for the second output5, and Guitar.com noted it was capable of a 100% wet signal8.
At about 85mA the Resound V2 draws more current than many analog pedals, so plan power supply capacity accordingly, and there is no battery option.
B stock units
Cusack Music also sells the Resound V2 as B stock at $238.00, against the regular $280.00 price41. B stock pedals may have minor scratches, paint chips, overspray, misprints or other small finishing blemishes, but Cusack Music says you will not get major or hideous defects, and that they are in perfect working condition, coming with the original box, box goodies and a warranty4.
What reviewers said
The original Cusack Music Resound is discontinued9, and the V2 carries the line forward as the current version at a $280.00 list price1. Cusack Music also offers the V2 as a B stock option at $238.004: these pedals may have minor scratches, paint chips, overspray, misprints or other small finishing blemishes, but no major defects, and they come in perfect working condition with the original box, box goodies and warranty4.
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Questions
Does the Cusack Resound V2 run on a battery?
No. The Resound V2 is powered by a standard 9V DC center negative power supply and draws about 85mA. Cusack Music lists no battery option, and the original Resound was likewise specified as 9V power supply only with no internal battery connection, so a pedalboard power supply is required.
Is the Resound V2 true bypass or buffered?
It uses a buffered bypass, which Cusack Music says is based on the circuit of their More Louder pedal. Players who prefer true bypass switching should note this before adding it to a board, though a buffer at the end of a chain can help drive long cable runs.
Does the Cusack Resound V2 have stereo outputs?
Yes. The V2 has dedicated Left and Right outputs for a stereo signal, with a mono input. For mono operation the manual says to use the Left output alone; for stereo, use both the Right and Left outputs.
What replaced the Glisten program on the Resound V2?
The fifth program on the V2 is a new Swell setting, which Cusack Music describes as reversing your guitar's sound and ducking in response to your dynamics. The original Resound carried eight algorithms including Glisten, and the V2 keeps eight programs with the fifth slot changed to Swell.
What is a B stock Resound V2?
A B stock unit is a fully working pedal sold at a lower price, $238 versus the $280 regular price, that may have minor cosmetic blemishes such as small scratches, paint chips, overspray or misprints. Cusack Music says B stock pedals come in perfect working condition with the original box, its contents and a warranty.
Sources (9)
- Resound V2 Reverb Pedal with Presets, Cusack Music
- Resound Reverb Pedal with Presets and Extend, Cusack Music
- Cusack Resound Review, Premier Guitar, 2018-11-06
- Resound V2 Reverb, B-Stock Discount, Cusack Music
- Cusack Music Unveils the Resound Reverb, Premier Guitar, 2018-07-26
- Resound v2 draft.ai, Cusack Music, 2023
- Microsoft Word, Cusack Music, 2022
- Cusack Music unveils digital reverb pedal, Guitar.com, 2018-07-27
- Updated Pedal: Cusack Resound V2 Stereo Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2023-05-16
