Walrus Audio MAKO Series: M1 High-Fidelity Modulation Machine

Over the last 8 years, we’ve reviewed and demoed over 30 pedals from our friends at Walrus Audio, and they just keep getting better with each new release. There have already been two big ones in 2022 – the MAKO Series D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay V2, which we recently checked out, and today’s pedal, the MAKO Series M1 High-Fidelity Modulation Machine. This powerful blue beast tackles a wide spectrum of modulated tones, giving you a plethora of sonic options with each mode. A tweakers delight, full of knobs and switches galore, the M1 brings the thunder to the front of the stage.

A powerful multi-function modulation machine, the M1 features six customized, studio-quality programs: Chorus, Phaser, Tremolo, Vibrato, Rotary, and Filter. Each program has a wealth of options to tune, tweak, customize and then save to one of nine onboard presets. A sound explorers delight, the M1 features a dedicated lo-fi knob allowing you to mix various lo-fi parameters to every program. Add subtle movement and texture to float under your playing or make a massive statement with a thick swirling chorus to choppy panning tremolo.

The Tune knob and toggle switch offer creative control over three additional modulation parameters and three “lo-fi” effects. These allow you to shape further each modulation program to taste. The lo-fi effects can add additional character and movement to your sound.

Tone: Controls the overall tone of your signal passing through the M1.
Symmetry: Controls the symmetry of the LFO waveshape modulating your signal with noon being “normal’ or fully symmetric.
X: Controls different parameters depending on the selected Program and Type, such as volume modulation, phase shifting amount, flutter control and more.

Each program can be fully customized to give you creative control over three different key modulation parameters as well as three “lo-fi” effects, allowing you to shape each program to taste with the Tweak knob and switch:

Shape: Choose sine, triangle, or square LFO wave shapes to modulate your signal.
Division: Controls the tap division used by the M1 to set the LFO speed when tapping a tempo. Choose between quarter, eighth, and quarter note triplet.
Type: Selects one of three different types for each program on the M1.

The M1 can save up to nine onboard presets, and 128 are accessible via MIDI. On-board presets are accessible with the bank switch. Cycle between presets in each bank by pressing Bypass and tap simultaneously. You will see the right LED change from Red to Green to Blue. Any adjustments made in a preset will change the tap LED to purple, indicating you have edited the preset. A multitude of Mono and Stereo connections are available here as well, with the Stereo settings really expanding the depth of field you get to explore and create with. Momentary switch functionality is also available, to momentarily engage a “skipping” effect like a needle skipping on a record player.

The MAKO Series M1 High-Fidelity Modulation Machine is a bit daunting at first, but once you dive in, it’s a truly magical piece of equipment. Covering just about any modulation sound you could ever need or imagine, you’ll get lost in this one for days, weeks…even years, probably. Along with the D1 Delay and R1 Reverb, the M1 pairs perfectly to form one of the greatest end-of-your-signal-chain trifectas ever created. Lots more info on the Walrus Audio website – be sure to check them out, and enjoy the deep dive we did in the demo video below. Cheers!

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