Walrus Audio R1 Stereo Reverb | Secret Weapons Demo & Review

[@majorbalna]

I don't always watch a pedal review that's half an hour long but when I do, it's yours.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Hey, if I don't take 3 times longer than necessary to showcase a pedal, who will?

[@aaronsanchez93]

@@markjohnstonofficial that’s why you the man bro!

[@jasonmusic9938]

totally worth it

[@barefootbeardedwizardry]

I literally got chills when you took the plate algo super wide... that is fantastic! I don’t even need to hear the rest (but I’m gonna)

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Right? The coolest Easter egg in this pedal.

[@murraymcleod7605]

There's something very special about this pedal. I can't really describe it but listen and you'll feel it. I've ever believed things like when they say "it has mojo" but I do think that someone has poured their heart and soul in to this design.

[@Gibson1976uk]

I agree, I just got one and ignored the negative reverb snobs :) it just has this dreamy smooth reverb effect about it! and your guitar signal stays in the mix very well, one thing that sold it to me was the slow gear effect! It’s really really good!! and that alone really adds something extra special to the R1

[@johnbryan1049]

Dude your base clean tone is incredible. Even a boss metal zone would sound good with that base tone.

[@arphod]

I have one of these on my board. I'm not called upon to play ambient washed-out sounds very often, so I don't know much about it. After watching you go through the right side of the R1 I went and imitated what you were doing (at high volume) and was blown away. The R1 + edibles = quitting your job. Thanks, Mark.

[@TheSalinski]

Thanks for this excellent video! Just got my R1. The layout is very intuitive and well thought out. I've got a Meteore that I like but it's not stereo and it's hard to wrangle. The Meteore does a wild overdriven spring reverb but doesn't tame down easily. This R1 does that and so much more ... in stereo to boot. The Rfrct (Refract) program on the R1 is endless glitch fun. This is a keeper.

[@lachlanhiggs]

The into track is absolutely glorious! It's the kind of ambient reverb you can drown in and die happy

[@Allthingsambient]

i couldn't have said it better

[@ryanryanhustonhuston]

I'm literally losing my mind. This thing is amazing.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

It's pretty neat. I am a fan.

[@nomusebefriends]

I already knew I was getting this pedal, but damn this is a great demo.

[@HobbyRoomGuitarist]

Well, that last stimulus didn’t last long 😂

[@rookie_hero8682]

Wonderful representation of that pedal’s capabilities. Thanks for sharing!

[@Robertkelleymusic]

So beautiful!.. Thanks for all the work you put into the development, and thanks for showcasing it so beautifully.

[@slowercrush6182]

Awesome review! And how cool that you got to be so involved with the making of this pedal! Love your content.

[@FendCore]

This video should be delivered with the pedal!

[@timbalint]

1) great job 2) love that they made it firmware upgradable and like actually stereo. I love the D1 but I wish it had those features. 3) your use of “wonky” makes me appreciate you more.

[@drewg3087]

I just bought a fathom and it’s my favorite reverb now I want a D1 and this! Walrus is now my favorite pedal company in reverb!! You sound amazing man.

[@Calle565]

Love the fathom!!! The best second reverb. But I think you need a warm non modulation reverb for Always-on.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

This was a absolute amazing video! I had to watch it twice just to get lost in these sounds! Your the man Mark!!! What you do with these pedals is unworldly! This with the Strymon go together perfectly!!

[@xav3ng3rx]

First demo i am watching for this pedal!

[@matheusferreira.youtube]

This is my fav channel!

[@seanmurrayguitar]

Intro was gorgeous. Both sound and video! The R1 sounds great! 🤘

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Thanks so much 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@lukemundy]

Wow, Mark! What a great demo. Thank you! Those auto swells with the Volante are incredible.

[@en6737]

great review as always! excited to see stuff with the planetarium in the background ;)

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

U did a great job... I bought this pedal after watching your review a while back

[@guitarsandnoises463]

What a nice demo, Mark! Rfrct mode is otherwordly and awesome as well. In fact, all modes on the right side are wonderful!

[@XIIMonkeysMusicGroup]

Stereo spread has me sold! I need to order this!

[@javiermp81]

Great review, I think you sold me on the R1 (and got me very curious about other pedal on your mega awesome pedalboard!!!). I was holding on buying a reverb pedal, as I was hoping Walrus would release an R1... glad that came true and that it has all these sounds! I also love the USB port. I do not know why they did not include it in the D1... that should come standard with any digital pedal (and hopefully also some sort of editing with a computer). As much as I wanted to buy into the hype and like the D1, I ended up returning mine... manly because of the lack of USB and the flexibility of the dual delay algorithm. I am looking forward to the D1 version 2...

[@es5679]

Thank you this great review. You have a natural way of explaining complicated things in a way a simpleton like myself can grasp.

[@andreashess2260]

I have their Mako Series Delay and my head just exploded.

[@jackduxburymusic]

Beautiful stuff. You can here your input, in the best way!! Much love and respect 🙌

[@JohnWWarrenGuitar]

Awesome demo. Very thorough and musical. When are you doing more on the Microcosm? It would be great to see you do more of an overview with that. This one is going to be on my board soon- and I have a Microcosm on order as well. 2021 is looking bright already.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

There is plans for a deep dive on the microcosm coming soon.

[@sweetmotash]

Wooo I really like your approach. Unique and passionate. Subbed.

[@binarylung]

Killer demo as always dude

[@dylanclay5267]

Wow that super wide stereo granular reverb might have just convinced me to figure out a stereo rig

[@davidwoods358]

This is a very well thought out pedal (like the D1.) The ability to be able to adjust the stereo width is (for me) one of the most useful features of the R1.

[@kevinhartley7298]

This is so wonderful!!! Thank you!

[@chrisjs6123]

Awesome and beautifully musical demo man. I've pre-ordered this, haven't been this excited about a pedal in a long time. Well, this and the benson fuzz, it has been an expensive week.

[@BipityBopity93]

Sounds great man! Love your reviews and appreciate your knowledge. 🙏🏽

[@sunnyschramm9650]

got mine yesterday - love the sound on my synths...but the brightness of the led´s are killing me - can not see the rest of the pedal in an darker enviroment because of the R1-Laser-LED´s :D

[@Wild_Echoes]

I noticed the Neon Egg Planetarium in the background. Any chance you’ll be doing a video with that at some point?

[@nedstark333]

i was thinking that same thing!

[@bis5260]

What a great Sound!

[@dr6934]

Wow, this is it! What an amazing sounding pedal. Great review and solid playing. Does the swell work by itself? As good as the enzo?

[@0tchii]

Sounds great! I love the M7 but this might actually bump it off my board

[@Subtle-System]

Great as always... I might have to switch my Mercury7... but I know I will be switching the iridium for the acs1 for sure

[@benass14]

Love this pedal, and great demo! that white noise sound you're talking about with the air setting. The shiftline astronaut v2 has an otherworldly setting like this called Skynet. No shimmer with it. Its amazing. Only downside is the pedal isn't stereo, but it still takes you on a journey lol

[@michaeltwiz8477]

It says it's stereo

[@benass14]

@@michaeltwiz8477 haha the R1 is yes, but I was referring to another pedal 😏 shiftline astronaut v2.

[@ronnieredneck9162]

Awesomeness… do u have a video on how you capture your sound?

[@kylefyock4369]

Awesome video!! 2 Quick Questions since you had a lot of involvement with this pedal: 1. You mentioned spillover at 15:06 but I didn't quite understand. If I switch presets on this pedal via MIDI, is there reverb spillover from preset to preset? Or does the previous preset reverb die right before the new one comes in? 2. If I'm switching presets via MIDI, is there any lag time/drop in signal between switching presets?

[@Lizard_Wizard212]

I’m trying to decide between this and a mercury 7.

[@DelScully]

me three

[@chrisjs6123]

If it helps, I just got mine. I have never played a Mercury so take my opinion with a pinch of salt. I personally think there is a very slight latency to the D1, maybe the lack of analogue dry through? Maybe it's all in my mind. It's not bad but I find it perceptible, almost like a noise gate. The swell function is given a very prominent spot front and centre, but I think it triggers poorly. I have limited other experience but I find that it is only usable in some rare circumstances- the included presents do implement swell very well though. It's just not an everyday feature which is odd given where there knob is. I can't say i like it much. The latch function is amazing- best I have ever encountered especially as the reverb remains. That's cool. The reverb sounds are lovely, the interface is excellent and it pairs with the D1 perfectly.

[@KunchangLeeMusic]

Sounds amazing

[@antonbandmann8071]

Hey! Great video. I was wondering why you have the R1 after the Iridium?

[@glennmcmullen5192]

Great video - You are easily one of my fave reviewers of pedals. I see a lot of people asking about the comparison to the Specular Tempus. I don't have a dedicated reverb yet and I do need one but I am curious about your thoughts as to how it compares with source audio's ventris and boss's RV-500 which are all "around" the same price range - $350-$400. I play ambient, post-rock and rock/dream pop/alternative mostly if that helps and I am not a huge fan of shimmer. :)

[@Memo55CS]

Ok Mark This thing is awesome and now I need to get one. I have the D1 and love it. Only thing I haven't been able to dial in is a reverse that sound like your playing a record backwards. I can get a great one on my flashback delay but haven't quite been able to replicate that on the D1 yet. Its probably there somewhere though so I'll have to keep trying. Love your videos.

[@josephestes7076]

Any idea if this can do tremolo as the modulation on any of these reverb algorithms? I love trem / verb at the end of the chain, especially when the tremolo can be post reverb. I love the Keely Hydra but I need the midi capability.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Nope, pitch mod pretty much across the board. If you’re looking for midi verb-trem I would look at either the Specular Tempest from GFI or Res Panda’s Context 2 that has a spring + trem. Both midi

[@josephestes7076]

@@markjohnstonofficial killer, thank you!

[@elijahwalling1246]

I currently own a D1 and absolutely love it! My current reverb pedal is the Meris Mercury7. I’ve been looking into replacing it with a gfi system specular tempus as I would like to have more reverb algorithms available on my pedalboard to be accessible via Morningstar MC8 presets :) but now watching this video I am torn between purchasing the Mako R1 and the Specular Tempus. I would love to know your thoughts!

[@GamingHouseCinema]

I own the Tempus and it’s great, I’m on the same boat as you though since you can’t go wrong with Walrus

[@scrummyvision]

wow, i didn't know about the stereo width hidden feature, that's huge! i bought this to put on a stereo send on my mixer to then route back into the DAW, it seemed like it covered a ton of bases even as a studio "rack" reverb. thanks for the video!

[@scrummyvision]

these are a crash course in the details of ambient guitar sound design, loving it!

[@thomas_S.O.P.]

Hey thanks for the great review as always. How does it stack with other reverbs ? Especially I mean the Mercury

[@gabeadams87]

Would you have both this & and the sloer on your board -- or does this cover all the bases?

[@MaxChillin]

Great Channel.

[@andrewsmall4865]

Since you're running this through a DAW - have you A/B's it against the Valhalla plugins? I think those are pretty darn great.

[@sunnyschramm9650]

eventide blackhole plugin (blackhole pedal sounds different) default preset makes everything else obsolet ;-)

[@alexheltemes]

If I'm not wanting to spend big on the big sky or a big box reverb, would you take the Walrus R1 or GFI Skylar? (worship and ambient mostly) Really struggling to decide, haha.

[@deaglebee9194]

Love it!!! :D

[@drewb9995]

Mark love your content man, thank you for the very thoughtful content you create! Curious if you've ever dabbled with the DSM Simplifier? I used to have an Iridium but quickly came to prefer the Simplifier and would love to hear your thoughts comparing the 2

[@21asantacruz]

I’ve had the Boss RV-500 for quite some time now. Thought I wanted to have everything at my use. Turns out I really don’t use a whole lot, this thing sounds amazing! I’m thinking of making the switch. Does this have midi capability so I can have a least a couple presets??

[@aandhimilne1626]

It has full midi capabitility, including full size in/out plug atop

[@Theylieohio]

On the opening sound scape of this video, where do you get your low end Bass sound from? I love it!

[@grupoboheme906]

Wicked!!! What cables do you use for the midi connections? CHEERS from Costa Rica!! 🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷

[@lucasrreboucas]

Hey mark. I read about some issues because of a noise gate inside this pedal. What was your experience with it? It sounds amazing, btw.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I’m not sure I am familiar with the issue you are referring to. The swell function? I am not sure I know about a “noise gate” in this

[@john808welk]

I know how much you love comparisons butttt.... I live in Hawaii and can't try anything before buying. I got the Specular Tempus after your secret weapons demo, and I share your love for the 70's plate and Tape delay. Unfortunately, you can't use both, so after seeing you use the Volante, I'm wondering if that would be a better bet to pair with the specular tempus then just getting two GFI's. It seems to be able to cop the same core tone of the tape in the Tempus but takes it way further with all the options. Also, If I wasn't in a serious long term relationship with the 70's plate, this video would have convinced me to get the R1.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I get it man. The 70’s Plate is not something I am ever willing to let go of. One of the best plate sounds ever, probably the best in pedal format.

[@Jotapecaster]

Fantastic as always! I really need this to pair with my CXM!! On other hand, maybe a dumb question but, Why do you connect the R1 to the PROD2 Stereo box? Why not connect it to the Iridium and have it come out in Stereo out there directly?

[@mitchwoodbine]

Damn! I just bought a specular tempus yesterday too... 😔. Guess I'm gonna be broke this month lol

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Hey you can't go wrong with the Tempus. Great delay sounds and I main that the 70's Plate on the ST is the best plate algo around.

[@mitchwoodbine]

@@markjohnstonofficial Ive been playing around with it for a bit now and you’re totally right, the Tempus sounds phenomenal and don’t regret it.. Still might pick up the R1 as external hardware for mixing with that stereo spread feature. It sounds a-lot better than most of my plugins!

[@bodyminusMe]

They mail out today Wooo!!! Cant wait!!

[@ronnieredneck9162]

Yes awesome

[@Oneill240Si]

Sounds great! Would this be the top contender for all around reverb of this size and form factor?

[@MusicFillsTheQuiet]

Awesome sounding pedal and the best demo of it I've seen so far! Speaking of reverb though, how are you getting on with the Supro 1605R? I saw your video on that a year ago and am curious if you still like it? Thinking of picking up a used head version...

[@jat5am]

seems like source audio's ventris stays on my board.

[@theworshippost]

Intrigued running the R1 after the iridium. What was your thoughts on doing that?

[@jsook]

Have you figured out how to change the midi channel? I can’t seem to do it with my ES-8

[@jessetoews2446]

So the microcosm doesn't actually send it's grains in stereo, but the R1 does?

[@reverendg5937]

Thanks

[@stevenwang3396]

Thinking this may kick the Fathom off of my board eventually... Walrus always taking my cash

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I think that’s a solid prediction. This is a huge step up.

[@pariahgaming365]

Hey man, I basically bought my D1 and recently my R1 after watching your videos. I actually much prefer them over UA’s Starlight and Astra by a long shot. I do have a question, what is your signal chain after the R1 here. I see you’re going through your Radial stereo DI; but basically, how are you recording your sound on this video?

[@FAIRWEATHER_MUSIC]

gonna eat a few less burgers this month

[@richnewman]

Does it do 100% wet in the mix?

[@markjohnstonofficial]

It does

[@markferguson3745]

Walrus are making a move on the entire pedal market, - even the high end church burners aren't safe; I know my board is reflecting that. At first, I thought it was a designer or two with a unique, advanced , sensibility, but now I see they've got the engineering firepower to take on all platforms. Amazing stuff; they are going to be game changers before this is over. The only thing they missed was Fuzzes( though there's plenty of specialist's out there that ONLY do Fuzz, so NBD, but -),- the Kangra is cool, but I know they've got a Cherrybox or Limelight in them, - just because they can. You don't like Spring reverb? Not for everything, of course, but for certain applications , you can't beat it .I recently got the Source Audio True Spring, because it was the only pedal as good as real spring, like the Surfybear.Spring can be an instrument in itself, though it took me years to come to truly appreciate it. INSPIRING playing, - thourgh demo.Peace.

[@rhcpschipper]

Sounds totally killer. You’ve got some great sounds going on here. Silly question, but why do you put your Reverb after your Iridium? Is there a specific reason? Thanks!

[@markjohnstonofficial]

In this situation it was because a lot of the parts I have been writing recently use the Marshall mode with the gain pushed harder and I don't want to compress/overdrive my reverb trails. Especially not in a review of said reverb.

[@rhcpschipper]

Understood! Thanks for the info. I was intrigued by this, so now I know.

[@real_anxst]

@@rhcpschipper With something like the Iridium running to the DAW, think of being between it as being in the fx loop. The Iridium is the preamp and the DAW is the power amp.

[@boomerbutler7569]

What's your opinion using the R1 for bass?

[@danbobakov]

Now that I know you helped make this thing...

[@spencerdeaton7202]

Aww Man.. I love Pearl Jam!

[@zachvargas122588]

I know my next buy! I was just thinking about getting the Mercury 7 too smh lol

[@markjohnstonofficial]

They're both great. The Cathedra is still, for my money, one of the single best pedal reverb algos. And that holds a lot of weight. But this is more versatile and has a much more robust feature set.

[@kulagun]

How does the compare to the Chase Bliss Audio CMX 1978?

[@TheShadowvaultAwaits]

Is it analog dry though?

[@thekramer1097]

x2

[@PabloOrtegaMusic]

nop

[@mougabo]

so the only pedal going after your iridium is the R1? wouldn´t you want to place all those delays after as well? just wondering

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I don’t mind my delays getting chewed up a tiny bit and the volante has a sweet spot with the input gain that I didn’t want to mess with. But I wanted the R1 to stay totally clean because this video is meant to showcase that as clearly as possible.

[@mougabo]

@@markjohnstonofficial got ya

[@spitz3389]

Has anyone noticed the BFR mode resonates WAY too much around the 246-277Hz range (C, C#, & D on the G string)? Using my Tele with noiseless pickups, those notes are essentially unusable because the resonance gets out of hand even with low mix and decay.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I tend to roll back the low end on a lot of modes just based on how I play and I’ve never noticed any issues w resonant frequencies

[@spitz3389]

I just found out on Reddit other people are having issues with the resonant overtones as well. Essentially they only reverbs I bought this for are unusable. Oh well, maybe they'll do better with firmware updates.

[@Pandamasque]

Is the R1 chip as noisy as the Slo? The Slo produces a hiss (even when bypassed) that becomes rather annoying if you put it before overdrive.

[@granap]

Do you use mostly alt tunings? If so, which?

[@jnsaudio81]

Could you run down some the guitars you're using in this video

[@claude_stucki]

great review! I'm guessing it's not analog dry through, right?

[@ronychavesarguedas1753]

HI..... Question.... R1 or Iluminne?

[@dbraven1981]

What are those flat patch cables you are using?

[@markjohnstonofficial]

There are a few different ones here. Some are Sinasoid, some are Ernie Ball I think.

[@livefromthepsy-op1170]

Are those GameCube controllers in the back?

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Smash forever

[@XIIMonkeysMusicGroup]

Does it still spillover with a midi switch?

[@stevieknighten]

I’m pretty sure it does. Walrus Audio has their own demo video showing presets being switched with a Morningstar controller and they spill.

[@GamingHouseCinema]

Specular Tempus vs Walrus Audio R1?

[@markjohnstonofficial]

As in almost all things, it depends on what you need. The Tempus has a bunch of amazing delays and a few "delay + reverb" modes that can cover a ton of territory with very little space on the board The Tempus runs at 100mA The Tempus has my all time favorite Plate algo The R1 is a more full featured reverb with a ton of flexibility, MIDI In AND Thru, more experimental sounds, and the best sustain / stereo swell features I have used.