The Cusack Music Orthrus is a high-gain overdrive pedal with a 3-band EQ and a switchable boost. Premier Guitar's review described it as "a rather full-featured overdrive with a 3-band EQ and a switchable boost," and summed up its gain staging in three words: "So. Much. Gain."1 It was designed by Jon Cusack, whom the magazine called a circuit guru, and it carries a street price of $1891.
Controls and boost
The boost is engaged with the BOOST footswitch, and a BOOST TOGGLE switch selects between 3 dB, 6 dB, and 9 dB of boost2. Premier Guitar's reviewer found that with the boost on "it gave me a warm, saturated tone"1.
The EQ section is interactive rather than a set of independent filters. The manual explains that "The EQ controls work together with the Gain and Level controls, each having an effect on the others allowing for users to really dial in their tone"2. In practice that means turning one knob changes how the others behave, so the Orthrus rewards working the whole panel rather than setting each control in isolation.
Boost/Kill Mode
Beyond its boost duty, the second footswitch can act as a kill switch. The manual describes Boost/Kill Mode: "Hitting both the Bypass and Boost switches simultaneously converts the Boost switch to a kill switch" in either normal or boost mode, and hitting both switches again reverts it to the Boost function2. Premier Guitar called it a "Super-fun kill-switch mode"1, and it is a feature players with staccato, gated parts may find a use for.
What it is based on
Cusack Music describes the circuit as "Based on a hybrid of two legendary amp tone stacks"2. Premier Guitar's reviewer put it with a wink: "According to Cusack, the design was based on two legendary tone stacks, and I'm sure at least one starts with M"1. The tone-stack heritage is the design's stated foundation, and the 3-band EQ is where it shows up on the panel.
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Questions
Who designed the Cusack Music Orthrus?
The Orthrus was designed by Jon Cusack of Cusack Music. Premier Guitar's review called him a circuit guru and described the Orthrus as his latest high-gain creation, a full-featured overdrive with a 3-band EQ and a switchable boost.
How much boost does the Cusack Orthrus offer?
The Orthrus has a BOOST footswitch that engages a boost, and a BOOST TOGGLE switch that selects between three amounts: 3 dB, 6 dB, or 9 dB. Premier Guitar's reviewer found that kicking the boost on gave a warm, saturated tone.
What is the kill-switch mode on the Cusack Orthrus?
In Boost/Kill Mode, hitting both the Bypass and Boost footswitches at the same time converts the Boost switch into a kill switch, working in either normal or boost mode. Hitting both switches again reverts the Boost switch to its normal boost function.
What is the Cusack Orthrus based on?
According to Cusack Music, the Orthrus is based on a hybrid of two legendary amp tone stacks. Premier Guitar's reviewer noted the design was based on two legendary tone stacks and joked that he was sure at least one starts with M.
Sources (2)
- Quick Hit: Cusack Music Orthrus Review, Premier Guitar, 2017-05-09
- on:, Cusack Music, 2017-03-23
