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Average Price: $100

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$80

$181+

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Description

Unleash the raw power of your guitar with the Walrus Audio Red, a distortion pedal that redefines intensity while offering the flexibility to tailor your sound. As a staple for guitarists seeking to explore the depths of heavy distortion, the Red provides an exhilarating, almost limitless gain that perfectly captures the essence of both classic death metal and lush shoegaze soundscapes.

At the heart of this pedal lies a two-way Texture switch, a unique feature that allows you to toggle between two distinct diode configurations. Whether you're looking for the high compression needed for searing lead tones or prefer the more open, less compressed roar for rhythm playing, the Walrus Audio Red has you covered. This pedal doesn’t just deliver raw power; it offers you a palette of tonal possibilities to sculpt your ideal sound.

Designed for musicians who demand versatility without sacrificing aggression, the Walrus Audio Red is more than just a pedal—it's a gateway to a world of sonic exploration. Its intuitive layout ensures that you spend less time fiddling and more time playing, making it an essential tool for both live performances and studio sessions.

Key Features:

  • Two-way Texture switch for selecting between high compression/clipping and low compression/clipping
  • High gain output ideal for death metal and shoegaze tones
  • Compact design for easy pedalboard integration
  • Durable construction for reliable performance on stage and in the studio

Product specs

Brand Walrus Audio
Model RED High-Gain Distortion, RED High-Gain Distortion Limited Edition - Black Friday, RED High-Gain Distortion Limited Edition - Guitar Center
Finish Black / Red Alien, Black / Red Scientist, Blackout
Year 2017
Made In United States
Categories Distortion Pedals
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the Walrus Audio Red distortion pedal best suited for?

The Walrus Audio Red is a high-gain distortion pedal, making it ideal for genres like metal, hard rock, and punk where a powerful, aggressive tone is desired.

Does the Walrus Audio Red distortion pedal have a true bypass?

Yes, the Walrus Audio Red features true bypass switching, ensuring that your guitar's signal remains unaffected when the pedal is not engaged.

Can the Walrus Audio Red distortion pedal be powered by a battery?

No, the Walrus Audio Red requires a 9V DC power supply and does not support battery operation.

How does the Walrus Audio Red distortion pedal handle low-end frequencies?

The Walrus Audio Red is designed to maintain clarity and punch in the low-end, making it suitable for both guitar and bass applications without losing definition.

What are the main controls on the Walrus Audio Red distortion pedal?

The Walrus Audio Red features controls for volume, gain, bass, mids, and treble, allowing you to fine-tune your distortion tone to match your style and rig.

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Walrus Audio Red High-Gain Distortion

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio Red High-Gain Distortion by ProGuitarShopDemos

Walrus Audio Red High-Gain Distortion

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio RED High-Gain Distortion (demo) by Living Room GD

Walrus Audio RED High-Gain Distortion (demo)

Living Room GD

Living Room GD

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio: RED High Gain Distortion by Brett Kingman

Walrus Audio: RED High Gain Distortion

Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio RED High-Gain Distortion - DEMO by Victor Hugo Targino

Walrus Audio RED High-Gain Distortion - DEMO

Victor Hugo Targino

Victor Hugo Targino

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio Red High-Gain Distortion | Reverb Demo Video by Reverb

Walrus Audio Red High-Gain Distortion | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio RED (Distortion) - Review by EytschPi42

Walrus Audio RED (Distortion) - Review

EytschPi42

EytschPi42

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio RED high gain distortion pedal demo with Les Paul by gearmanndude

Walrus Audio RED high gain distortion pedal demo with Les Paul

gearmanndude

gearmanndude

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio Red High Gain Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal Demo Video by Pedal of the Day

Walrus Audio Red High Gain Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal Demo Video

Pedal of the Day

Pedal of the Day

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio RED High Gain Distortion Pedal Review & Demo (Stompbox Saturday Ep.82) by Sean Pierce Johnson

Walrus Audio RED High Gain Distortion Pedal Review & Demo (Stompbox Saturday Ep.82)

Sean Pierce Johnson

Sean Pierce Johnson

Reviews

PROS

  • Delivers versatile high-gain distortion with excellent musicality across all settings

  • Features selectable clipping diodes for varied tonal textures

  • EQ section offers powerful and easy on-the-fly adjustments

  • Excellent build quality, with solid metal construction and quality knobs

  • Offers crisp, clear distortion perfect for lead and rhythm guitar

  • Works well with both single coils and humbuckers

  • Capable of producing both modern and early 90's metal sounds

  • Responsive pedal with fast, defined response and long sustain

  • Effective at blending into diverse soundscapes, ideal for band settings

  • Can function as a great overdrive or lighter distortion

CONS

  • Not ideal for bass-heavy, doomy distortion tones

  • Higher gain settings may introduce noise, especially with single coils

  • Requires a separate power supply to minimize noise, not suitable for daisy chain setups

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Walrus Audio Red.

Comparisons

  • The Walrus Audio Red is likened to an HM-2 style distortion, known for a niche sound not universally appealing.

    Source
  • The pedal surprised some users who anticipated a harsh beehive/buzzsaw tone, instead offering a responsive EQ that accommodates diverse styles like shoegaze.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Users note that the EQ and additional features on the pedal don't significantly enhance its functionality compared to the HM-2.

    Source
  • The toggle switch offers two clipping settings, but the bottom setting results in a noticeable volume drop, making the top setting more favorable for many users.

    Source
  • The 3-band EQ is robust, providing a wide range of tonal options, especially effective in sculpting low to mid-gain sounds.

    Source
  • The Textures switch provides a compressed sound that users find useful for a variety of tones beyond traditional HM-2 settings.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Criticism arises due to the $300 price tag for a sound profile similar to the less expensive HM-2.

    Source
  • The Walrus Audio Red has been noted as a great value at $100, with some users acquiring it for as low as $75, contrasting its original MSRP of $220.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report the pedal maintains clarity even at high gain settings, though it can sound "loose," suggesting the addition of a noise gate could enhance its performance.

    Source
  • A user successfully replicated Entombed's Wolverine Blues tone as a starting point, emphasizing the pedal's ability to achieve classic death metal sounds.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The pedal excels in low-mid gain settings, surprising users with its dynamic drive sound, making it suitable for genres beyond metal, such as shoegaze.

    Source
  • Inspired by the pedal, users have crafted mid-scooped, crunchy death-n-roll tones, showcasing its versatility beyond typical metal sounds.

    Source
  • The Walrus Audio Red functions well with a clean Mesa/Boogie Mark V, demonstrating its compatibility with high-quality amps for clear and authentic sound reproduction.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Guest Post: Walrus Audio RED High-Gain Distortion Pedal Review –

effectsbay.com

Walrus Audio's RED High-Gain Distortion Pedal is a versatile addition to any guitarist's toolkit, offering a wide range of tonal options suitable for genres from shoegaze to death metal. Its standout features include a two-way Texture switch for varied compression and a 3-band EQ for precise tonal control. The pedal's unique design and artwork are also praised, making it a visually appealing choice. While the review highlights its affordability and suitability for both new and seasoned players, it lacks critiques or downsides, making this review overwhelmingly positive.

positive

Walrus Audio Red review on pedal-of-the-day.com

pedal-of-the-day.com

The Walrus Audio Red High-Gain Distortion pedal is a powerhouse for those seeking versatile, potent tones. With its expansive EQ and dual clipping modes, it delivers everything from gritty overdrive to thick, amp-like distortion. Its standout feature is the texture switch, offering different compression and clipping levels for varied sonic experiences. However, those looking for a straightforward overdrive might find its complexities unnecessary. Overall, it's a stellar choice for those wanting to amplify their sound with bold, dynamic distortion.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

5 star
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1 star
themetalcellist

Got this used. Love it

Bought it used for 20 dollars. Very happy. I would be happy even if i bought this for retail price. It is very high quality made of a thick solid metal. The knobs are all quality knurled metal knobs. The pedal is great for high gain metal distortion to even a good overdrive/lighter distortion. 3 band eq control allows for good tone shaping

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themetalcellist

themetalcellist

Gear IQ 312

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