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Walrus Audio Completes its Mako Series Compact Workstation Trifecta with its new M1 High-Fidelity Modulation Machine

Jan 21, 202208:00 by

Stefan Karlsson

DelayDelay WorkstationDigital DelayDigital ReverbModulationModulation WorkstationReverbReverb WorkstationWalrus Audio+-

Walrus Audio surprises no one by finally releasing its Mako Series Modulation Workstation variety. I was expecting Source Audio to be next to have a Multi-Modulator out - to partner its Nemesis Delay and Ventris Reverb in that same format - but Walrus has got there first!

This now Mako Series Trifecta is one of the most formidable to be found - with each of these pedals a category leader in its own right - and especially for compact enclosure types. For me the D1 is missing my much loved multi-head tape delay variant, and is therefore the weakest of the three - the R1 is still pretty impressive, and while it only looks like the M1 has 6 Algorithms - each type actually has 3 variants - i.e. for Phaser we have 2-Stage, 4-Stage and Uni-Vibe. So there’s actually 18 variants available - but where the Rotary and Filter ones are more like Parameters - so we’ll be fair and say 14 proper variants all considered.

I’ve long said that the most perfect mix of Modulation algorithms (11) is to be found on the Wampler Terraform - Additive Flanger, Subtractive Flanger, TZ (Through Zero) Flanger, 90 Phase (4-Stage), Vibe(Uni-), Slow (Auto Swell), Tremolo (Bias / Amplitude), Harmonic Tremolo, Dimension C, 3-Voice Chorus, and Classic Chorus. While the GFI Synesthesia is the current most capable Multi-Modulator around with its Dual Channels and no less than 38 algorithms - although it is handicapped by only having a mono input - please can we have a V2 with full stereo!

There’s much to like with the new M1 - which is something of a game-changer for compact Multi-Modulators - while I’m pretty sure Mooer will have its X2 Series Multi-Modulator out soon enough. For my own needs the M1 comes really close - but I’ll probably hang in there for the hopefully forthcoming Source Audio unit or else a V2 Synesthesia with full stereo ins and outs!

Here follow the pertinent details for each :

M1 High-Fidelity Modulation Machine - $349

There's a lot to love with this M1 Multi-Modulator - where there are numerous innovations - including the 3 variants per Program, and a really cool extended-range Lo-Fi element with all kinds of cool parameters. Obviously two of my favourites are missing here - Dimension C and Flanger, while there is so much else on offer that I'm sorely tempted to try this out.

I've been using the Boss GT-1000 Core as a Multi-Modulator for these past couple of years so I'm ready for another change. The chain has changed since I had the GFI Synesthesia active - and its solo mono input is likely to continue to keep it out of the chain - as the arrangement has long changed since it was last accommodated. So on current form my frontrunners are this M1 and the Wampler Terraform. If GFI issue a V2 Synesthesia with full stereo ins and outs its game on - while I'm still hanging in there for a Source Audio take on the same lines as its Nemesis and Ventris.

In any case the M1 definitely goes in on the wishlist!

Lo-Fi Parameters - Envelope | Drive | Space (Tweak) + Age | Noise | Warble

Tune - Tone, Symmetry, X (as below)

Tweak - Shape : Sine / Triangle / Square, Division : Quarter / Eighth / Triplet, Type - I | II | III as below

Programs :

Chorus I-III : Classic | Dual Chorus | Tri-Chorus : X is Lag
Phaser I-III : 2-Stage | 4-Stage | Uni-Vibe : X is Feedback
Tremolo I-III : Bias | Harmonic | Pattern : X is Stereo Width
Vibrato I-III : Classic | Vinyl | Tape Warble : X is Stereo Phase / Flutter Depth
Rotary I-III : Leslie | Horn Spin | Drum Spin : X is Cab Sim
Filter I-III : Lowpass | Highpass | Bandpass : X is Resonance

D1 High-Fidelity Delay - $349

This was recently updated - mostly to bring it into line cosmetically with the R1, while it also benefits from some upgrades in that iteration :

Updates to 2022 Edition :

Added stereo width control giving the D1 two different widening types – Panning and Haas Stereo Effect
Revised the Reverse program for a stronger effect
Revised Vintage program to emulate a tape delay
Added USB functionality for firmware updates via walrusaudio.io

Oddly this one has only 5 Programs versus 6 for is two siblings - and while it now has a rudimentary tape delay - it doesn't do that Multi-Head Echo Space thing that is so essential for me. There's plenty of other algorithm that could have been incorporated as the 6th choice - and this doesn't have the 'Lo-Fi' innovation of the M1 or the 'Swell' innovation of the R1. Making this alas the weakest link, and the one with the least appeal for me.

For sure it still does some clever things but it's just nowhere near as impressive as it's two siblings, and hence ends up somewhat in their shadow!

Controls - Time, Repeats, Mix, Tweak, Program : Digital / Modulated / Vintage / Dual / Reverse, Attack, Tweak Target : Modulation | Tone | Age, Presets : A | B | C, Divisions : Quarter / Eighth / Dotted Eight, Bypass Footswitch, Tap-Tempo Footswitch.

Divisions :

In the quarter note position, the D1 offers 1/4 note and 1/4 triplet repeats
In the eighth note position, the D1 offers 1/8 note and 1/4 triplet repeats
In the dotted eighth note position, the D1 offers 1/4 note and .1/8 repeats

Programs :

Digital : Crystal Clear Repeats
Modulated : Unique LFO Modulation with random Pitch Modulation
Vintage : Vintage Tape Delay inspired
Dual : Two Delays in Parallel with different Divisions
Reverse : Backward repeats

R1 High-Fidelity Stereo Reverb - $349

This came out early last year and went straight in on the wishlist - while I did not get around to acquiring it in hat year, but instead got the AmpliTube X-Space and Neunaber Illumine both of which I love. The R1 has a decent mix of algorithms - but not really when compared to the X-Space and Illumine - in fact the former there has my perfect mix of algorithm for Reverb - while the Illumine is probably just a touch more 'Pristine' say for its 'Wet' algorithms.

The R1 has much going for it including form factor and that really cool Swell parameter which is possibly the main innovation here. I'm still looking to get one of these in, but it's not a pressing priority, and it's unlikely to shift my other more capable workstation - but a nice to have for sure!

Programs :

Spring : Tube Amp Spring Tank Type, X is Warm Grit
Hall : Concert Hall style Reverb, X is Room Size
Plate : Emulates Smooth Analog Plate Reverb - like EMT-140, X is Warm Grit
Big F'ing Reverb : Cavernous Massive Reverb, Xis Diffusion
Refract : Glitch-like Diffused Reverb, X shapes tone of glitch
Air : Large Diffused Reverb with Subtle Shimmer, X controls amount of Wind and Shimmer

Final Thoughts

Overall I'm really impressed with the M1 - which is probably the greatest technical achievement of all 3 of these varieties - with its smart mix of multiple algorithms and parameters - and in particular the Lo-Fi elements. Even though there is no Flanger or Dimension C I still really rather like and will still probably get it at some stage - while as mentioned I would prefer GFI to make a full-stereo in and outs V2 Synesthesia, or Source Audio to hurry up and deliver a Modulation sibling for the Nemesis and Ventris.

The D1 is sort of a miss for me - while I'm still in the ring for an R1 - where neither of these is a particular priority right now. If I end up eventually with a M1 and R1 - the completist in me will want to complete the set. While more imminently my next Multi-Modulator is likely to be the Wampler Terraform which I always intended to get but did not get around to it yet. I really don't need any more Delays or Reverbs currently. While I'm of course alway open to persuasio's

As a bonus round / addendum to this I don't feel it's worth doing a separate Slötvå post - so I will tag that onto the end here!

Addendum - Slötvå Multi Texture Reverb - $229

So the first surprise Walrus Audio update of the year was that we have an updated Slö essentially with new functionality - where you can recall and savel 3 presets by simultaneously pressing or holding both footswitches. The new variant is $30 dearer than the original - or $10 per preset essentially, while all other features, functions and output remain the same. The artwork has also has a subtle update which is clear when you place the two pedals side-by-side as above.

For sure a cool textural Reverb whose solo Mono output kind of makes it unsuitable for my own rig / pedal-chain. While I still might snag one eventually as just an interesting texturizer! For sure has some cool algorithms on board - even though they are in mono!

Next: Death by Audio's New Germanium Filter combines a Germanium Boost / Overdrive / Distortion with Highly Potent EQ Filter