Walrus Audio Lore review: this pedal takes you on a creative soundscape trip with algorithms exploring different facets of reverse delays and reverbs.
Working with pedals can be as fun as synthesizers, drum machines, or samplers. You can refine, finalize, or even take sounds to a new sonic level. The more sophisticated the engine, the more you can turn sounds into new something new.
In the past few months, I have already checked out two pedals from Walrus Audio, the Slö ambient reverb and ARP-87 delay. A third one is joining the party today. It’s the Walrus Audio Lore pedal, and here is the review.
Thanks to Klangfarbe.com for loaning me the pedal for the test.
Walrus Audio Lore
The Slö and ARP-87 focus more on classic reverb and delay sounds. Not the Lore pedal. It goes the experimental way with a unique, fresh concept oriented towards ambient sounds.
Lore’s core consists of two internal DSP chips connected in series with individual analog feedback paths. Both feedback paths build on each other and interact with each other. Plus, you have all this under control with the dedicated controls (feedback, rains).
All this is made accessible via five newly developed algorithms combining various effects. The signal chain of the Lore pedal is mono-to-mono. This means you have on the back a mono input and output on a 6.3mm socket—a downer, especially for Synthesizer players.
Guitarists can work well in mono since the instrument is mono, unlike synths. Here, many are in stereo and have a stereo signal path. So you are limited to mono synths, or you can buy two Lore pedals to make it stereo. Walrus Audio is happy, your wallet less so.
User Interface
On the lovely-designed fairytale front panel, you will find seven knobs, a switch knob for the algorithms (I-V), and two footswitches with two LEDs. The first is for turning the pedal on/off (bypass), while the other is a tempo switch. Using the same footswitch, you can pitch the effect up or down (clock speed). Plus, you can turn the trails mode on/off with the bypass switch.
In trails mode, when you turn the pedal off, the reverb/feedback decay dies off naturally. It’s different in no trails mode. Here, the decay is abruptly cut off when you turn the pedal off. I preferred the out-of-the-box setting (trials mode on) during the test period.
Lore has the following hardware controls:
- feedback – controls the gain of the first feedback path
- regen – gain of the second feedback path
- mod – the modulation of the effect signal
- mix – controls the dry/wet mix
- X – takes on different jobs depending on the program selected
- time – controls the time of the delay in the programs (1, 2, 3, and 5)
- tone – controls the filter, which varies depending on the program selected
- 1 – bandpass filter
- 2 – reverb lowpass filter
- 3 – reverb lowpass filter with harmonic distortion
- 4 – rev lowpass filter
- 5 – bandpass filter on the output and feedback loops
Algorithms
Lore has five newly developed algorithms that have rarely been seen in other pedals.
A1: Reverse Delay Into Reverse Reverb
The first algorithm shows directly where the journey is going. It matches a reverse delay with a reverse reverb with a focus on organically interacting feedback paths, says Walrus Audio. In this program, the X knob adjusts the amount to which the signal is reversed. So, it sets the size of the generated soundscape.
In practice, this algorithm generates beautiful atmospheres that harmonize perfectly with synths. The one-knob satisfaction moment is significant here. You don’t need to turn a lot of dry/wet mix to push the sound into wonderful, ambient, fluffy directions. It’s a door opener for instant ambient sounds.
A2: Reverse Delay Into Octave Up Reverb
In this, the developers have paired an octave-up harmonic feedback with an airy reverb. The Walrus Team describes it as a “light reverb”. With the regen knob, you can add shimmer, and the X sets the reverb’s decay.
Walrus Audio can’t ignore the shimmer topic, which is so trendy now. So, program 2 gives you a more or less classic shimmer reverb. The typical shimmer sounds are possible without effort, but also timbres where others reach their limits. For example, you can achieve rhythmic patterns by playing the delays backward. In addition, the shimmer effect is finer here and not as intrusive. He can also play a secondary role in the patch.
A3: Reverse Delay Into Octave Down Reverb
Codename, the “dark reverb”. This algorithm combines an octave-down harmonic feedback with heavy filtering and harmonic distortion. Regen sets the lower octave into the reverb decay, and X knob control the reverb decay.
In short, it’s the dark version of the second algorithm. It works great to make melancholic, sad sounds with it. Set all parameters feedback, regen, mod… to the maximum, and your sounds will dive into an endless dreamland where you will be trapped forever—a fascinating setting.
A4: Reverse Reverb Into Forward Reverb
Don’t worry, it gets wilder. The fourth algorithm is a dual reverb, consisting of a reverse reverb into a forward reverb. It hosts dual harmonic feedback paths with octave up/down and time stretching. Regen adds an octave up to the reverse reverb, and the X controls the decay of the forward reverb.
The idea of sending a reverse reverb into a forward reverb is weird? That’s what I thought, too at first. Well, I was wrong, it makes sense. Especially if you like “swoosh sounds”, this is the place for you. In my linked demo video (13:18), I achieved a reverb tone that sounds like ghosts live in the pedal. With high modulation and in combination with electronic waves, I had strong horror movie feelings.
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A5: Pitch Delay Into Pitch Delay
And program 5 features two “dueling” pitch delays, which shift the input signal up and down in complementary or opposing directions. Feedback and Regen control various amounts of pitched delay repeats. The mysterious X knob changes the order of the 4th, 5th, and octave intervals that the pitch delay steps through.
This algorithm takes the topic crazy and fresh a step further. The results that can be created here have little to do with classic delays or reverbs. They go from sequencer-like effects, doppler-like timbres, fine crystal effects, and more. It is also capable of creating lush delay/reverb timbres that put you in a fabulous fairy tale world with sparkling tones. Check 21:13 of my video demo.
It’s a pity that Lore doesn’t have any presets, so the sounds you make are actually just snapshots. At the next tweak, they are gone again. So don’t forget to analogy capture your patch with your camera.
User Interface Workflow
The user interface is beautiful and very playfully designed. The graphic transports you visually directly into the dream world. With its seven knobs, one knob switch, and two footswitches, the operation is very hands-on, which I like. However, this is only at first glance.
If you interact longer with the Lore pedal, you will notice some obstacles or weaknesses of the interface that confuse you. Algorithms are selected with the knob I-V. This is simple, but you have to have the manual next to it to know which algorithm you use. A more obvious description, like RD – RR, would be better, so Reverse Delay into Reverse Reverb.
In addition, the parameters for each algorithm are different. So the labeled knobs have different inner functions which is a bit confusing. So the manual next to you is not disadvantageous here. Here you see: beautiful interfaces are not always super intuitive.
Sound Demo
The Walrus Audio Lore pedal harmonizes very well with synths and electronic sounds. For this review, I combined it with various synths and a Roland sampler.
Walrus Audio Lore review
Lore is not your bread-and-butter delay or reverb. Don’t expect any Lexicon-style sounds. Lore has its own character and unique selling points that set it apart from other pedals. In practice, Lore is a fabulous pedal experience that you have to get involved with. Especially if you read the manual and see algorithms like reverse reverb into forward reverb, or pitch delay into pitch delay.
The algorithms are of high quality, are fresh and harmonize very nicely with electronic sounds. Also with synths. Lore triggers great GAS, especially with ambient musicians. It envelops every sound you give in a cloud and turns it into a dreamy soundscape. The name of the pedal “reverse soundscape generator” is right on the money and does just that.
Only the interface could be more immediate or closer to the user. With the changing functions per algorithm and the fixed hardware parameters, it can quickly become confusing. From a Synthesizer’s point of view, the missing MIDI for sync is not optimal either. But you can live with it.
Pro
- unique concept-based dual feedbacked DSPs and reversed effects
- versatile and fresh algorithms
- algorithm quality
- instant soundscape machine
- build quality
Neutral
- mono to mono pedal
- no MIDI for synths
Negative
- user interface workflow
- no presets storage
Walrus Audio Lore is available now for $299,99/339€. Currently on sale at Perfect Circuit for $259,99 (September 5, 2023)
More information here: Walrus Audio
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Thomann
Pretty cool demo of it sounds… Sounds a little like a cross between an Earthquaker Rainbow Machine and a Hungry Robot El Castillo with Reverse Reverb added…