The Cusack Twirl is a compact tremolo pedal from Cusack Music, offering the maker's tremolo effect in what Cusack calls a scaled down, Never-Off version. It is based on the Cusack Tap-A-Whirl, which Cusack Music describes as "the world's first analog tap tremolo pedal"1. The Twirl is discontinued: Cusack Music's product page carries the marking "DISCONTINUED"1.
Controls
The Twirl keeps the Tap-A-Whirl's core functions down to two knobs and a tap jack1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rate | Sets the tremolo speed, mirrored by a blue LED |
| Level | Sets the volume |
| RCA tap jack | Accepts a tap switch for tap tempo |
On the full-size Tap-A-Whirl, the tap switch does more than set tempo. Jon Cusack's manual for the original explains: "Tap twice to set the tempo. It also acts as a modified 'brake' control. If you hold it, it slows the wave down. If you let go and hold it again it will speed up." The same manual describes a Wave knob selecting eight waveforms, from sine, ramp, blip, long blip, square, waver, echo, and ping pong, and a Brake Speed knob that sets how fast the tempo changes while the tap switch is held2. The Twirl's two-knob layout trims that set down to Rate and Level.
Power and connections
The Twirl runs from a standard center negative 9V DC supply, which is not included, and draws about 9mA1. It has no battery power capability1. Its tap tempo input is an RCA tap jack rather than a 1/4-inch jack, so a tap switch for it needs an RCA connection or adapter1.
The Twirl is a Never-Off pedal. Cusack Music states: "'Never-Off' pedals do not come equipped with true bypass switches, or battery power capability." These pedals are meant to sit in a loop of a switching system, which handles bypassing for you1. If you do not use a switcher, that is worth knowing before adding one to a board.
Twirl and Tap-A-Whirl
The Twirl and the Tap-A-Whirl share the same tremolo effect, but they are different formats. The Tap-A-Whirl V4, documented as back in production in 2024, carries basic Depth, Level and Rate controls, speed brake up and down speed controls, and runs from a standard 9V DC center negative supply3. The Twirl is the smaller, fixed-format take on that circuit: Rate and Level, an RCA tap jack, and no true bypass or battery option, in an enclosure measuring 3.67" L x 1.75" W x 1.75" H1.
Questions
Is the Cusack Twirl true bypass?
No. The Twirl is one of Cusack Music's Never-Off pedals, and the maker states that Never-Off pedals do not come equipped with true bypass switches or battery power capability. They are designed for players who run their pedals through a switching system, where the switcher handles bypassing and the pedal stays in the loop permanently.
Can the Cusack Twirl run on a battery?
No. Cusack Music states that Never-Off pedals, which include the Twirl, do not have battery power capability. The pedal runs from a standard center negative 9V DC supply, which is not included, and draws about 9mA.
What is the difference between the Cusack Twirl and the Tap-A-Whirl?
The Twirl is based on the Cusack Tap-A-Whirl, which Cusack Music describes as the world's first analog tap tremolo pedal. The Twirl offers the same tremolo effect in a scaled down, Never-Off version: a smaller enclosure with Rate and Level controls and an RCA tap jack, without true bypass or battery power. The full-size Tap-A-Whirl carries the complete control set, including depth and waveform selection.
Is the Cusack Twirl still made?
No. Cusack Music lists the Twirl as discontinued on its product page. The full-size Tap-A-Whirl line has continued, with the Tap-A-Whirl V4 documented as back in production in 2024.
What kind of tap switch works with the Twirl's RCA jack?
The Twirl's tap tempo is accessed through an RCA tap jack, so it needs a tap switch that connects by RCA rather than the 1/4-inch jack most pedalboard tap switches use. An adapter or an RCA-terminated tap switch is required to set tempos by foot.
Sources (3)
- Twirl Never-Off Tremolo for Loop Switchers, Cusack Music
- Date: 12/13/03, Cusack Music, 2003-12-13
- Cusack Tap-a-Whirl V4 Tremolo, Delicious Audio, 2024-06-10
