Walrus Audio elevates its Slö format to the Full Stereo Slöer Multi Texture Reverb with 5 algorithms, 5 Wave Shapes and 3 onboard Presets

Jul 24, 202313:00 by

Stefan Karlsson

Ambient EffectsDigital ReverbReverbReverb WorkstationShimmer ReverbSpacey ReverbWalrus Audio+-

Walrus Audio finally takes the obvious step to roll out the Slö Ambient Reverb as a more fully fledged proper stereo workstation. We now get all that lush ambient spatial reflection with the added immersion of full stereo delivery. The Slöer absorbs part of the Fundamentals range too - courtesy of those 2 slider controls.

I personally would have preferred a vertically oriented enclosure - where walrus could have saved some real-estate by utilising TRS Sockets. While overall this is about as perfect a take on the Slö as you could hope to find - with 2 new Algorithms over the existing pedals - the ones near the top of the options - Light, and Rain, where we also have 2 new Wave Shapes - Square and Random. We have a further new control for Stereo Width (Wide / Medium / Narrow). The Slöer then borrows a couple of sliders from the Fundamentals series - one for the previous X Variable per Algorithm Parameter, and for Stretch - an entirely new control which adjusts the sample rate of the onboard DSP chip.

This is for sure the Slö that most wanted - as for many of us for proper immersive ambient Reverb - it has to be stereo. So props to Walrus for finally getting there after so many mono devices. I feel the Slöer would be a good occasional alternative / rotation to my more full-featured Reverb workstations - particularly when I want to experience the more ambient side of Reverb.

I particularly like the flat black edition of this pedal - as everyone else seems to have - as that’s the one that’s sold out everywhere currently! The twin moon graphic with a Decaying and Whole crescent Moon does not make a while lot of sense to me - and the legends are far more visible and sensible on the flat black edition - so an all-round good move - now Walrus just needs to make more of those!

Controls : Decay, Filter (Tone / LPF), (Mod) Depth / Rate, Mix (Dry>Wet), Stereo Width : Wide / Medium / Narrow, X Variable Param Slider, Stretch Slider, Mode : Dream / Light / Rain / Dark / Rise (+Bypass = Wave Shape : Sine / Warp / Sink / Square / Random), Bypass Footswitch, Sustain Footswitch, Both Footswitches = Presets.

5 x ALGORITHMS

DREAM - Lush reverb with a latching pad function. Press the sustain switch to latch signal. Experiment with the X Fader to add vibrato over the pad. Press sustain again and pad will decrease according to where the decay knob is set

X Fader - Sets the depth of vibrato applied to the reverb decay

LIGHT [new] - Bright reverb with an octave up shimmer. Create ethereal sounds with the X Fader controlling how much shimmer is added to the reverb

X Fader - Sets the amount of +1 octave shimmer

RAIN [new] - Tappy and trippy, this program creates a unique effect with lower levels of diffusion allowing the reverb delay taps to audibly create an echo like effect within your reverb. Use the X Fader to set the amount of diffusion of the delay taps, with lower X for more echo and higher X for a smoother sound

X Fader - Sets the diffusion of the audible delay taps

DARK - Add a lower octave to your reverb trail. Create deep and wide atmospheric sounds and channel nightmarish soundscapes. The X Fader sets the level of a -1 octave signal that feeds the reverb.

X Fader - Sets the level of a -1 octave signal that feeds the reverb

RISE - Auto-swell reverb for beautiful cinematic swells. Don’t rush it. Let it breathe and gently wake up. The X Fader sets the amount of time it takes the reverb to swell in after a note is played. Set lower for shorter rise times and higher for longer rise times. Note - Rise works best in front of an amp, not through an FX loop

X Fader - Sets the amount of time it takes the reverb to swell in after a note is played. Set lower for shorter rise times and higher for longer rise times

STRETCH

Time stretch the reverb algorithm by lowering the sample rate of the onboard DSP chip, lengthening reverb time, darkening tonality, and introducing unique sample-based artefacts.

5 x WAVE SHAPES

SINE – Smooth and even pitch up and down modulation. A classic modulation sound
WARP – Asymmetric pitch up modulation similar to a warped vinyl record
SINK – Asymmetric pitch down modulation for sinking detune similar to a Bigsby tremolo arm
SQUARE [new] – Symmetric square wave pitch up and down modulation for stepped modulation. Hard edged transitions create unique modulation artifacts
RANDOM [new] – Randomized sample and hold style modulation

The Slöer comes in two different editions Flat Black and Graphics Blue both retail for $349 available direct from Walrus Audio and at leading international dealers.