When the original version of Walrus Audio’s Mako Series I [M1] emerged back in 2022 I wrote that there was much to like, but I kind of missed the absent Flanger and Dimension algorithms which are core to a couple of my other favourite Multi-Modulators (Terraform & Synesthesia) - and which I use a lot. I also use the 16 Modulations on my Eventide H90 - which has most everything I need, but lacks a Dimension Chorus too.
In fact the most expansive pedal in that category is the GFI System Synesthesia with its 38 onboard algorithms - which covers all my favourite types - including 3 types of Flanger and the Dimension chorus. The big downside with the Synesthesia though is that it’s Mono IN only [MISO] - which massively limits its use in my chain. For my rig I really need a full stereo modulator.
The Multi-Modulator that has the best mix of algorithms for me is still the Wampler Terraform - with the perfect mix of 11 - Auto-Wah | Envelope Filter | Flanger | Phaser | U Vibe | Rotary | Auto Swell | Tremolo | Harmonic Tremolo | Chorus | Dimension. Where of course the original [M1] was missing Flanger and Dimension as mentioned.
Mako II [M1] Alhorithms - Vintage Chorus | Tri-Chorus | Flanger | 2-Stage Phaser | 4-Stage Phaser | Uni-Vibe | Bias Tremolo | Harmonic Tremolo | Pattern Tremolo | Vintage Vibrato | Warped Vinyl | Tape-Vibrato | Full Rotary Leslie | Moving Horn Only | Moving Drum Only | Lowpass Filter | Highpass Filter | Bandpass Filter [x18].
The newer version kind of sets the record straight with some further refinements and finally a Flanger onboard. While compared to the Terraform - you get No Auto-Wah, Auto-Swell, and No Dimension Chorus - instead you have a 2-Stage Phaser, Warped Vinyl Vibrato and Tri-Chorus - so mostly even stevens as such. And it turns out I really like all of [M1] II’s 18 algorithms - while some of those I’ve only touched on fairly briefly so far.
I generally use a lot of Chorus, Flanger and Phaser, also Uni-Vibe and Rotary Leslie Speaker Emulator. I do dabble in the others, but don’t use Filter or Vibrato that much typically.
I snagged the last one of the first batch into Juno.co.uk - and I’ve had that one my board since November 10th. Indeed the experience has mostly been overwhelmingly positive, with just a couple or so minor niggles - and in particularly the onboard access to presets - but more of that later!
LEFT Parameters (2. Shape) | CENTRE (MODE [B]ank A-C, [P]reset #, Rate in Hz) | RIGHT Lo-Fi Variables (1. Envelope).
The screen actually is something of a revelation, and in contrast to other somewhat more hyped interfaces - this one really works well, AND is easily visible and legible from a standing position.
Generally I mostly really enjoyed using the interface. It has a couple of quirks - but largely works exactly how you would want it to - and all the necessary parameters and variables are easy enough to get to. The Left and Right segments of the screen in particular I found to be a breeze to adjust.
Controls - Rate (/10), Depth (/10), Lo-Fi (/10), Left Encoder / Parameters, Centre Encoder / MODES, Right Encode / Lo-Fi Variables, Bypass Footswitch, Tap Tempo / Vinyl Skip Footswitch, Dual Press on both Footswitches scrolls preset within 3 Preset Bank - A/B/C.
CENTRE 'MODES' ENCODER
LEFT 'PARAMETERS' ENCODER
A full colour OLED screen would have helped so much with colour-coordination between the Core Algorithms and their Parameters - where there is some significant variation in Parameters per type - and it mostly requires cross-referencing with the manual to make sure you bearings are set right! Generally through - these Parameters are easy to access and adjust - it's mostly just a matter of knowing what's in place for each Algorithm!
RIGHT 'LO-FI VARIABLES' ENCODER
The whole 'Lo-Fi' section is wholly genius - and is one of the elements that really makes this pedal a standout Multi-Modulator. Those 6 Lo-Fi variables can enormously alter the character and feel of the modulation - and make the pedal far more expansive, as well as more textural and immersive. I had a great time mixing up those variables in a myriad different ways - I really love the extra dimension that those elements deliver.
In fact all the main functions work really well. I would have liked to have seen a Technical Video Demo, and a more detailed Manual - which lists all the option variables, but mostly what you have now is enough to navigate the pedal.
UPDATE! : Turns out there is an easy way to switch between the 3 Banks - you simply press down the Middle Rotary Controller and you can flip between the 3 Banks - BA / BB / BC. So with my dextrous big toe I can now switch between 3 Banks and 3 Presets on each - which is most of what I really needed here!
The area that caused me the most challenges was the onboard 'Presets' part of the pedal - which mostly seems to have been written to be used with a MIDI Controller.
I thought there would be some way for me to flip through serial Banks and Presets on the fly as such - but it's all sort of hampered by a somewhat clunky 3 x 3 mechanics.
You can access the Presets manually by clicking simultaneously on the Left and Centre (MODE) Encoders - those give you access to the 'GLOBAL SOUND' Menu where Presets are the very first option. That is to say Banks in the Middle Column / portion of the screen and Individual Presets on the right.
Yet somewhat annoying you get access to just 3 Banks - A/B/C rendered onscreen as BA / BB / BC - and then followed by the respective 'P' presets.
ONBOARD BANKS & PRESETS
You also get alternative notations - which differ from the Algorithms reference list - where you see the truncated word 'TRAD' for many of those core modulations - rather than say 'VINT' - which all seems a little odd and unnecessarily confusing to me.
I was trying to remember the LED Colour and Algorithm Type Combinations by heart - and the deviation in vocabulary made the learning curve a touch longer than it needed to be.
It has to be said that much everything else about this pedal is pretty well considered and well executed - the Presets however are really clunky - for an inclusive feature. And the nature and grouping of those presets only make sense if you have a 3-footswitch pedal.
I thought I would be able to scroll through the first 9 Presets on those first A/B/C banks - but you only ever get to scroll through a set of 3 at a time. To switch Bank (BA / BB / BC) - you need to access the Global Sound menu and there select a different Bank - which is somewhat clunky. This means that there are actually only 3 presets available to you dynamically at a time - without having to fork out for an additional say Morningstar MIDI Controller. UPDATE! - as noted at the top of this section - you can actually flip between the 3 Banks - BA / BB / BC - just by pressing down on the middle rotary controller - a handy feature for sure. While I would probably still want to be able to footswitch stomp through a larger selections. For now I'm mostly good though!
I've already mentioned to Walrus Audio that GFI has a proprietary Triple Switch, Strymon has the Multiswitch, Eventide has the Barn3 OXU, and Wampler has just released its own proprietary Syntax pedal for similar preset switching purposes and more.
I don't want to need to program 128 presets into a MIDI Controller - I just want a simple pedal to advance the onboard presets 1 by 1 in either direction - like you get on most Workstation pedals. The fact that the Mako Series has those 3 x 3 structures is a hangover from the MKI - which relied on 3-way toggle switches.
At the minimum there should be a global setting that allows you to scroll through all 9 easy access presets - otherwise this pedal is severely limited without a 3rd party controller.
I feel strongly that you should be able to do everything onboard the pedal and in standalone fashion - and it makes no sense for this incarnation of the pedal to have those presets in threes! You only get that on the larger workstation pedals - where you have 3 footswitches within the real-estate - and those very much allow you to freely bank up and down as much as you want.
At a minimum here Walrus should allow you to cycle amongst those 9 (3 x 3 easy access presets!). And longer term it should evolve the footswitches so that you can properly page up and down through all 128 presets onboard within that compact pedal real-estate.
For these kinds of Multi-FX pedals - Presets are critical, and a lot of pedals don't get that part right! Ive always believed in the stand-alone functionality aspects of a pedal - where all the essential functions need to exist on the core pedal - without the need for added extras - you shouldn't need to buy in a separate accessory to have full control over your presets!
GLOBAL SOUND (Left + Centre Encoder Dual Press)
GLOBAL SETTINGS (Centre + Right Encoder Dual Press)
I've been in and out of the Global Sound options a lot - particularly the Presets Menu, but I've also dabbled with the Mix and the Output Gain / Master Volume - and all of those work beautifully!
And to date I've not really felt the need to adjust any of the Global Settings - those have stayed on default factory settings from the start for me.
While if you ever do something wholly unwanted on the pedal, and start to get in a muddle as to what you set and where - then you can always relatively easily reset to factory defaults as follows :
FACTORY RESET
Use the following procedure to restore the pedal to its factory settings :
NOTE : Performing a factory reset will cause any custom stored presets to be erased back to the factory default.