Cusack Pedal Cracker Pedal v2

The Cusack Music Pedal Cracker v2 lets vocalists, keyboardists, horn players, and percussionists alike use their favorite guitar pedals with ease. Simply plug into the Pedal Cracker, connect your pedals, and send your sound straight to the PA or powered speaker. It opens the door to huge reverbs, wild delays, gritty distortion, and anything else your pedalboard can do. If you have ever wished for complete control over your live or studio sound, this pedal makes it simple and fun.

Cusack Music Pedal Cracker Review

The Cusack Pedal Cracker was created to bridge the gap between XLR microphones and standard stompboxes. This is the control and versatility that guitar and bass players have been looking for in their rigs.

It features a clean mic preamp, a fully adjustable effects loop, and a separate instrument input that sums directly to the XLR output. The Pedal Cracker demo above shows some of these unique pedal features.

The updated version adds a soft-touch footswitch with both latching and momentary control, plus the ability to run on 9 to 18 volts for extra headroom. With ground lift, 48V phantom power, and a trails option for smooth effect decay, it is ready for both stage and studio use.

Cusack Music Pedal Cracker Pedal v2 Features

• Allows you to use guitar pedals with any XLR microphone
• Easy blend control to mix clean and effected sound
• One footswitch for on, off, or momentary effects
• Built-in instrument input for simple singer-songwriter setups
• The Trails switch keeps the reverb and delay from cutting off

Pedal Cracker Cusack Specs

• Power supply: standard center negative 9-18V DC not included
• Current draws approximately 190mA
• XLR input and XLR output
• 1 quarter-inch send and return effects loop
• FX loop send impedance less than 100 ohms
• FX loop return impedance 600k ohms
• Soft switch relay with latching and momentary operation
• Features recessed switches for Ground Lift and 48V Phantom Power

Cusack Pedal Cracker Mic Effects Loop Controls

Mic Gain

This gives mic gain a clean transparent preamp to add gain to low-level microphone signals without adding unwanted noise.

Mix

The mix controls dry wet mix of the Pedal Cracker v2. Turn it left for more of the clean signal or right for more effects.

Volume

Controls the overall output level of the effects loop after you set the Mix. This helps you balance your sound before sending it to the PA or speaker.

Inst Gain

Sets the instrument input volume. This signal goes straight to the XLR output and does not pass through the effects loop.

Footswitch

The soft-switch relay footswitch offers latching and momentary operation. Quick step to latch the FX loop on, hold for momentary operation so the loop stays active only while you press it.

Trails Switch

Keeps delay and reverb tails from cutting off when you disengage the effects loop. This allows effects to fade out naturally.

48V Phantom Power Switch

Provides phantom power to condenser microphones that require it. Slide it on when needed.

Ground Lift Switch

Disconnects the XLR output ground to help eliminate hum caused by ground loops.

XLR Input

Hook up your microphone to the Pedal Cracker via the XLR input connect jack. This is the main input for vocal or mic-level signals.

XLR Output

Sends your final mixed signal to a mixing board, PA system, or powered speaker.

FX Loop Send

This jack connects to the input of your first effects pedal.

FX Loop Return

Connect this jack to the output of your last effects pedal.

Instrument Input

Plug in a guitar, keyboard, or other instrument here. The signal is summed directly to the XLR output for a simple, streamlined setup.

DC Power Input

Connect a 9-18-volt DC center-negative power supply here. The pedal draws about 190mA of current.

Cusack Music Pedal Cracker v2 Mic FX Loop FAQ

Can I use the Pedal Cracker v2 with any microphone?

Yes. It works with microphones that use an XLR output. It even offers 48V phantom power, so you can use condenser microphones that require it.

Does this pedal work with standard guitar effects pedals?

Absolutely. The pedal is designed to connect your microphone signal to standard 1/4-inch stompbox pedals via its send and return loops. Check out the Cusack Pedal Cracker manual here for further information.

Can I use this live on stage?

Yes. Our Cusack Pedal Cracker review ensures that it is perfect for live gigs. You can send your processed sound directly to a PA system or powered speaker using the XLR output.

What does the instrument input do?

The instrument input lets you plug in a guitar or other instrument. It blends with the microphone signal and sends everything through the XLR output, making simple setups easy for solo performers.

Does the instrument input run through the effects loop?

No. The instrument input goes straight to the XLR output and does not pass through the effects loop.

What is the Trails switch for?

The Trails switch keeps delay and reverb effects from cutting off when you turn the loop off. This helps your sound fade out naturally.

How does the footswitch work?

A quick tap turns the effects loop on or off. If you hold the switch down, it works in momentary mode and stays active only while you press it.

What kind of power supply does it need?

It uses a standard 9-18-volt DC center-negative power supply. The power supply is not included, and the current draw is about 190mA.

Can this help reduce ground loop noise?

Yes. It includes a ground lift switch that can help remove hum caused by ground loops in certain setups.

Cusack Pedal Cracker v2 Dimensions

• Height: 2.3 inches
• Width: 3.8 inches
• Depth: 4.7 inches

More Cusack Music Products