The Meris CXM 1978 is a stereo reverb pedal built as a collaboration between Meris and Chase Bliss Audio, announced on October 1, 20201. It is part of Chase Bliss's Automatone series, meaning it uses motorized moving faders in a robust industrial housing instead of the usual knobs, and the reverb engine inside is Meris's work2. The pedal is an adaptation of the Lexicon 224, the studio reverb introduced in 1978, which is where the number in the name comes from2.
Chase Bliss describes the reverb as "highly interactive and physical, built from a moving, evolving network of digital reflections," with each space having its own behavior and response, and an analog dry signal path through the pedal3. Delicious Audio called it "a modern take on its inspiration," one that takes guitars and synths to lush new soundscapes2.
A Meris and Chase Bliss collaboration
The CXM 1978 is a joint pedal between two makers with distinct roles. Meris designed and manufactured the DSP hardware and reverb algorithms, 100 percent in-house, while Chase Bliss built the Automatone enclosure, the moving-fader format it shares with the rest of that series12. Meris announced it as "our very 1st collaboration; CXM 1978, a new Automatone reverb with Chase Bliss" on October 1, 20201.
The two companies worked together closely on the pedal: Chase Bliss paid Meris a visit in early 2020 to prepare a prototype for the NAMM show3. The CXM 1978 was announced on October 1, 2020 as the first collaboration between the two makers23, and Chase Bliss describes it as "our fresh take on the iconic reflections of the 70's"3.
A Meris reverb in a Chase Bliss enclosure
The sound engine is Meris's. Guitar Pedal X notes that "Meris are obviously the creators / programmers for the CXM 1978's Reverb Algorithms," which are honed from the Meris Mercury7 and largely matched to the Lexicon 224 Digital Reverb56. Delicious Audio describes the pedal as "a 32 Bit AD/DA pedal adaption of the venerable (1978) Lexicon studio reverb built in collaboration with Meris"74.
What the pedal offers in terms of reverb shaping:
- Three classic reverb algorithms, with adjustable decay crossover and a fully shape-able reverb tail8
- LoFi, MidFi and HiFi modes, for classic to modern sounds1
- Moving faders with presets and MIDI control1
- Stereo input and output1
The three fidelity modes are the practical link to the 1978 original: LoFi leans toward the vintage character of the Lexicon hardware, HiFi toward a cleaner modern reverb, with MidFi between them1. Guitar.com's review called the pedal "a modern take on vintage studio reverb"9.
Control, power and connections
The Automatone format means the faders physically move when you recall a preset, so the pedal shows its own state on its face1. Beyond the faders, the pedal takes external control seriously:
- MIDI: program change and continuous controller messages3
- Expression pedal: control over all sliders1
Power comes from a 9V DC center-negative supply drawing roughly 500 mA3. Internally, the pedal runs plus and minus 15V rails through the standard 9V input, which is what lets it handle line-level signals as well as guitar level1.
At ~500 mA, the CXM 1978 needs a dedicated 9V output on a power supply. It is not a pedal for a small daisy chain, and there is no battery option3.
What reviewers said
Where it sits in the Meris line
The CXM 1978's algorithms come out of the same lineage as the Meris Mercury7, a stereo, pro-audio quality modulated reverb5. Meris later expanded that family with the Meris MercuryX, a modular reverb system10.
Videos
Pete Thorn
Vintage King
Mark Johnston
Questions
Is the Meris CXM 1978 analog or digital?
It is a digital reverb. Meris says the DSP hardware and algorithms are 100 percent designed and manufactured in-house, with 32-bit AD/DA conversion, and Chase Bliss describes it as a network of digital reflections with an analog dry signal path through the pedal.
What power supply does the CXM 1978 need?
It runs on a 9V DC center-negative supply drawing roughly 500 mA, which rules out a standard battery or a small daisy chain. Internally it uses plus and minus 15V rails, via the standard 9V input, to handle line-level signals.
Does the CXM 1978 have MIDI?
Yes. It supports MIDI program change and continuous controller messages, and the moving faders work with presets over MIDI. In an interview about the pedal, the makers described MIDI as one of the external elements the unit grows with.
Is the CXM 1978 stereo?
Yes, it has stereo input and output. Guitar.com's reviewer, who rated it 9 out of 10, strongly recommended hearing it in stereo through a pair of amps.
Who makes the CXM 1978, Meris or Chase Bliss?
Both. It is a collaboration: Meris designed the DSP hardware and reverb algorithms, while Chase Bliss built the Automatone moving-fader enclosure. Meris says the pedal is designed and built in California, USA.
Can you use an expression pedal with the CXM 1978?
Yes. It has an expression pedal input, and both makers list expression control over all sliders. Aux switch support is also included, alongside MIDI, as external control options.
Sources (10)
- CXM 1978, Meris, 2022-10-10
- Chase Bliss & Meris CXM 1978 Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2025-02-19
- CXM 1978, Chase Bliss
- Best Stereo Reverb Pedals For Synths For Texture, Ambiance, And Automation, Delicious Audio, 2024-02-23
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2021-08-16
- Meris Mercury7 Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2023-05-19
- Chase Bliss Audio teams up with Meris for the automated slider-equipped CXM 1978 Studio Reverb, Guitar World, 2020-10-02
- Chase Bliss Audio CXM 1978 opens for pre-orders: The reverb pedal of the decade?, gearnews.com, 2020-10-02
- Gear Of The Year: Best Premium Effects Pedal of 2021, Guitar.com, 2021-12-09
- Meris aims to shake up the ambient reverb pedal market with its MercuryX Modular Reverb System, MusicRadar, 2023-10-11
