The EarthQuaker Devices Avalanche Run V2 is a feature-packed stereo delay and reverb pedal built for everything from straightforward echoes and spacious ambience to reverse delay, volume swells, self-oscillation and huge evolving soundscapes.

Developed as an expanded stereo and tap-tempo evolution of the ideas behind EQD's Dispatch Master, the Avalanche Run combines up to 2 seconds of delay with lush plate-style stereo reverb, while keeping the controls immediate and hands-on rather than burying its sounds inside menus.

With Normal, Reverse and Swell modes, six tap-tempo subdivisions, assignable expression control, stereo I/O and selectable true or buffered bypass with trails, it's a particularly strong choice for ambient, shoegaze, post-rock and experimental players – but it's equally capable of handling everyday delay and reverb duties.

Why Choose the Avalanche Run V2? True Stereo Delay & Reverb

The Avalanche Run V2 offers stereo inputs and stereo outputs, allowing it to become the centrepiece of a stereo guitar, synth or recording setup.

You can run it as:

• Mono in / mono out
• Stereo in / stereo out
• Mono in / stereo out

The reverb itself is fully stereo in Normal mode, giving the Avalanche Run the width and spaciousness that makes it particularly effective for atmospheric sounds.

Up to 2 Seconds of Delay

The Time control runs from effectively 0ms to just under 2000ms.

Combined with Repeats, Tone and Mix, that gives you plenty of scope for:

• Short echoes
• Rhythmic delay
• Long atmospheric repeats
• Dark tape-inspired echoes
• Brighter digital-style delay
• Near-infinite regeneration
• Self-oscillation
• Ambient washes

The dedicated Tone control affects the delay line only, allowing you to darken the repeats or emphasise their upper-frequency content without changing the reverb.

Normal, Reverse & Swell Modes

A three-position toggle completely changes how the pedal behaves.

Normal

Standard forward delay combined with stereo reverb.

This is the most conventional Avalanche Run mode and works beautifully for everything from subtle ambience to huge atmospheric delay/reverb combinations.

Reverse

The delay line runs in reverse while the reverb remains conventional.

Perfect for:

• Shoegaze
• Psychedelia
• Experimental guitar
• Ambient textures
• Unusual lead sounds
• Sound design

Swell

Swell mode adds an automatic volume swell across the signal path, producing smooth pad-like sounds without manually working your guitar's volume control.

Tap Tempo with Six Subdivisions

The dedicated Tap footswitch makes rhythmic delay easy to control live.

This makes the Avalanche Run equally useful for straightforward tempo-synchronised echoes and more complex rhythmic patterns.

Assignable Expression Control

One of the Avalanche Run V2's best features is its assignable expression input.

Connect a compatible expression pedal and assign it to:

• Reverb Decay
• Reverb Mix
• Delay Time
• Delay Repeats
• Delay Mix
• Toggle

The Toggle assignment is especially interesting because it lets you crossfade between normal forward and reverse delay with your foot.

Expression control over delay Time can also create warped pitch-shifting effects that aren't achievable simply by turning the Time knob.

For experimental and ambient players, adding an expression pedal significantly expands what the Avalanche Run can do as a live performance tool.

Infinite Repeats & Self-Oscillation

Hold the Tap footswitch and the Avalanche Run can push the delay into infinite repeats.

At shorter delay settings, the repeats quickly move towards oscillation. Longer delay settings build more gradually.

This is excellent for creating:

• Drones
• Transitions
• Ambient layers
• Noise textures
• Feedback effects
• Sound-on-sound style passages

It turns the pedal into something you can actively perform rather than simply leave switched on.

True Bypass or Buffered Bypass with Trails

The Avalanche Run gives you a choice between true bypass and buffered bypass with tails.

Trails allow the delay and reverb to decay naturally after you bypass the effect instead of abruptly cutting them off.

There are five selectable tail-length settings, including an Infinite option capable of creating a degrading lo-fi looping-style effect.

That's particularly valuable for ambient playing where abruptly chopping off a large reverb tail can sound unnatural.

Flexi-Switch Technology

EQD's Flexi-Switch gives you both latching and momentary operation from the same Activate footswitch.

Tap: Conventional on/off switching.

Press and hold: The effect remains active only while you're holding the footswitch.

Release it and the effect bypasses.

Momentary switching is excellent for dropping delay and reverb into individual phrases without permanently engaging the pedal.

Avalanche Run V2 vs Dispatch Master

The Dispatch Master is the better option if you want compact, straightforward delay and reverb with minimal controls.

The Avalanche Run V2 is the stronger choice when you want:

• Stereo operation
• Tap tempo
• Rhythmic subdivisions
• Reverse delay
• Swell mode
• Expression control
• Longer delay time
• Trails
• More performance control

EQD originally developed the Avalanche Run in response to requests for a stereo and/or tap-tempo-expanded Dispatch Master concept. The original Avalanche Run appeared in 2016, with the revised version following with improved stereo imaging and Flexi-Switch operation.

More Than an Ambient Guitar Pedal

The Avalanche Run has understandably become associated with ambient guitar, but it's much broader than that.

It's a strong choice for:

• Ambient
• Shoegaze
• Post-rock
• Indie
• Alternative
• Psychedelic
• Experimental
• Progressive music
• Singer-songwriters
• Studio sound design
• Stereo guitar rigs
• Synthesizers
• Bass

EQD provides official sound examples using guitar, bass and multiple synthesizers, demonstrating that the Avalanche Run isn't limited to six-string applications.

Controls

Time – Delay time from 0ms to just under 2000ms.

Repeats – Delay regeneration from zero to near-infinite.

Tone – Shapes the frequency response of the delay line.

Delay Mix – Controls the delay wet/dry balance.

Decay – Controls reverb length.

Reverb Mix – Controls the reverb wet/dry balance.

Ratio – Selects one of six tap-tempo subdivisions.

Mode – Normal / Reverse / Swell.

Expression Assign – Determines which parameter is controlled by an external expression pedal.

EQD confirms the 24-bit/96kHz converters, analogue dry path, digital wet path, 410mA current draw and stereo architecture.

Power Requirements

The EarthQuaker Devices Avalanche Run V2 requires 9V DC centre-negative power and draws approximately 410mA.

Power Supply Included

The Fair Deal Music package includes the appropriate:

✔ 9V DC centre-negative 1A power supply

What's Included?

• EarthQuaker Devices Avalanche Run V2
• 9V DC 1A Power Supply

Fair Deal Music Verdict

The EarthQuaker Devices Avalanche Run V2 is one of EQD's standout choices for players who view delay and reverb as creative instruments in their own right.

Best suited for: Ambient, shoegaze, post-rock, alternative, experimental music and stereo setups.

Main benefit: It combines genuinely deep delay and reverb functionality without relying on menus or complicated programming.

Standout feature: Assignable expression control. Being able to manipulate delay time, repeats, mix or even crossfade between forward and reverse delay transforms the Avalanche Run into a much more expressive performance tool.

Customers usually upgrade from: Simpler delay/reverb combinations such as the Dispatch Master when they want stereo operation, tap tempo and deeper live control.

Most commonly paired with: Expression pedals, modulation, fuzz, overdrive and stereo amplifiers.

Our tip: If you're buying an Avalanche Run for ambient or experimental playing, add an expression pedal. Assigning it to Toggle or Time unlocks some of the pedal's most distinctive sounds.

Showroom feedback: Don't dismiss the Avalanche Run as an ambient-only pedal. Normal mode can deliver very usable everyday delay and reverb, while Reverse, Swell, expression and infinite repeats are there when you want to go much further.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Our Birmingham showroom is backed by a knowledgeable musician-led team with experience across guitars, effects, amplification, recording equipment and complete pedalboard setups.

Whether you're building a stereo ambient rig, choosing between the Avalanche Run and a simpler delay/reverb or working out how to integrate expression control into your setup, our team can offer friendly, knowledgeable advice.