WALRUS AUDIO SLÖTVÅ

TOTAL GUITAR JULY 2022
94
I
f you buy pedals for instant
inspiration, Walrus Audio’s
Slö Multi Texture Reverb was
a real treat: one of the most
– and we know this word is
overused, but it is appropriate
here – cinematic eff ects pedals
we’ve ever tried. And the Slötvå is
the Slö with three programmable
onboard presets. A welcome
addition because this pedal has
bags of potential, and you’ll likely
never settle on just one sound.
You can run it as a subtle,
aways-on hall reverb by dialling
the mix back, but this is an
expensive way to have that alone.
Where the Slötvå excels is its
huge, otherworldly reverb via
three algorithms (Dark, Rise and
Dream) with three modulation
wave shapes you can apply to
them (Sine, Warp and Sink). In
summary, the Dark algorithm
adds a lower octave to the reverb
trail and it’s well-named for the
ominous atmospheres that it
generates. The Rise algorithm
adds an auto-swell, while Dream’s
lush reverb allows you to use the
Sustain switch creatively to
latch on to the signal.
In the other two modes that
switch works diff erently, adding
a reverb trail behind your playing
which enables you to jam with
yourself. It becomes the pedal’s
most addictive selling point for
both solo playing and creating
truly epic passages – often at
once. Detailed editing comes from
the X control (its functions depend
on the algorithm), a Depth control
that can push the decay
modulation into queasy places if
you wish, with Decay and Filter
shaping length and tone of reverb.
It’s extremely creative, a lot of
fun and yes, this pedal’s over
£200, but it sounds spectacular.
We’d have preferred separate
toggles for the algorithm and
wave shapes this time, rather
than dual function via holding
a switch, but for the extra £20
(street) over the Slö it makes
the choice a no-brainer.
Rob Laing
TYPE: Multi-texture reverb pedal
with sustain switch
CONT ROLS: Decay, Filter, Mix, X,
Depth/Rate, Algorithm / Wave
Shape selector
SOCKETS: 1x input, 1x output,
power
BYPASS: DSP bypass with
switchable trails
POWER: 9V power supply (100mA)
CONTACT: www.walrusaudio.com
AT A GLANCE
YOU’LL NEVER SETTLE ON
JUST ONE SOUND
TH
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OVERALL RATING
SUMMARY
VALUE FOR MONEY
BUILD QUALITY
FEATURES
SOUND QUALITY
USABILITY
WALRUS AUDIO
SLÖTVÅ
2022: A Reverb Odyssey
£209
TGR359.gear_quick.indd 94TGR359.gear_quick.indd 94 18/05/2022 15:0318/05/2022 15:03