The Walrus Audio D1 is a multi-function delay pedal with five studio-grade, high-fidelity, custom-tuned programs, built as the first pedal in Walrus Audio's Mako series1. It runs stereo in and out, saves presets, and connects over MIDI, and each delay program can be customized with modulation, tone, decay age and subdivisions1.
The original D1 was released in 20202, and Walrus Audio updated it as the V2 in 2022 with a stereo width control, revised Reverse and Vintage programs, and USB firmware updates3. The original v1 is now discontinued and no longer available4, and a later MKII version added a sixth Grain algorithm and up to 128 onboard presets5.
What it does: five delay programs in stereo
The D1 is a compact delay packing five algorithms: Digital, Modulated, Vintage, Dual and Reverse8. Walrus Audio describes it as a powerful multi-function delay, and each program can be shaped with modulation, tone, decay age and subdivisions, so one knob setting can sound quite different from program to program1.
A Tweak section offers Mod, Tone and Age modes, which can be enhanced or dialed back via the Tweak knob9. Delay times run from 60 milliseconds to 2 seconds, with tap tempo on a dedicated footswitch1012.
The modes: Digital, Mod, Vint, Dual and Rev
The five delay types are selected via the Prog knob10. Here is what each program does, as Walrus Audio describes them:
| Program | What it does |
|---|---|
| Digital | Crystal-clear delay, suited to rhythmic parts and ultra-defined echoes1 |
| Mod | Unique modulated repeats with random LFOs that run at multiple rates1 |
| Vintage | Analog delay inspired tones with complex filtering applied to the repeats1 |
| Dual | Two delays in parallel, each with different time divisions1 |
| Reverse | Reads the delay memory backwards, creating a unique delay repeat1 |
The Dual program behaves differently depending on how the pedal is connected. When connected in mono, the two delays are added together; in stereo, one set of repeats goes to the left output and one to the right4.
On the V2, the Vintage program was revised to emulate a tape delay, and the Reverse setting was made stronger8. The later MKII version added a sixth algorithm, Grain, alongside Digital, Mod, Vintage, Dual and Reverse5.
Stereo width, routing and MIDI
The D1 offers stereo in and out jacks, with standard inputs labeled Left/Mono and Right, and matching outputs, plus MIDI IN and MIDI OUT110. Various mono and stereo in/out options are possible, including a Mono In / Mono Out routing option113.
The V2's headline addition was a stereo width control with two widening types: Panning and the Haas Stereo Effect32. Panning moves repeats between the left and right outputs, while the Haas effect uses tiny timing differences between the channels to widen the image.
The D1 saves up to nine onboard presets, with up to 128 accessible via MIDI4. Full MIDI support covers presets, parameter control and delay time1, and the MIDI connection can offer full control over all parameters13. Guitar World's V2 review notes the dedicated tap tempo footswitch and the nine onboard preset slots, or a full 128 if you use MIDI12.
The original Mako D1 v1 is discontinued and no longer available4. The V2 that replaced it in 2022 works in pretty much exactly the same way as the 2020 edition2, and the MKII that followed expanded the onboard preset count to 128, with presets 0 to 9 divided into Banks A, B and C and presets 10 to 128 accessed through manual selection or MIDI5.
What changed on the V2
Walrus Audio updated the D1 for 2022 with these upgrades3:
- Stereo width control with two widening types, Panning and Haas Stereo Effect3
- A stronger Reverse setting8
- A revised Vintage program emulating a tape delay8
- USB functionality for firmware updates3
The V2 shipped at a retail price of $349 and was available at launch814. Guitar.com described it simply as Walrus Audio upgrading its Mako D1 delay pedal to version two15.
What reviewers said
The original D1 was, in Guitar World's words, "incredibly well-reviewed"16, and Guitar.com called it "a beautifully made high-fidelity stereo delay" in its Best Guitar Pedals of 2020 awards17. Guitar.com's review of the original listed it as a stereo delay pedal made in the USA11.
Guitar World's review of the stereo delay highlighted its practical strengths: onboard presets, a practical set of delay types, MIDI capability, and an Attack knob among the reasons to buy13. MusicRadar's review noted the same core feature set: nine onboard presets, tap tempo, MIDI, and the 60ms to 2s delay time10.
Pedal of the Day reviewed the original in February 2020 and called it an excellent start to the Mako Series9. When the V2 arrived, the same site admitted the original had seemed complete:
"we didn't think they could improve upon it, or would need to. Well, we were wrong"18
Their verdict on the V2: "A brilliant, feature-packed machine filled with everything you could want in a delay"18.
Where it sits in the Walrus Audio range
The D1 was the first pedal in the Mako series1, a line Walrus Audio later expanded with modulation and reverb pedals. Within Walrus Audio's delay lineup it sits alongside the compact ARP-87 Delay and the Bellwether analog delay, and above the budget Fundamental Series Delay. Players comparing versions can also look at the Mako D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay, the MAKO D1 V2 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay, and the Mako Series MKII D1 High-Fidelity Delay.
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Questions
What is the delay time range on the Walrus D1?
The D1 offers delay times from 60 milliseconds to 2 seconds, with tap tempo available on a dedicated footswitch. Each of the five delay programs can be customized with modulation, tone, decay age and subdivisions.
Is the Mako D1 v1 discontinued?
Yes. Walrus Audio lists the original Mako D1 High-Fidelity Delay v1 as discontinued and no longer available, and the standard product page shows it sold out. It was superseded in 2022 by the V2, which works in much the same way.
What changed on the Mako D1 V2?
The 2022 V2 update added a stereo width control with two widening types, Panning and Haas Stereo Effect, a stronger Reverse setting, a revised Vintage program emulating a tape delay, and USB functionality for firmware updates. It shipped at $349.
Does the Walrus D1 work in mono?
Yes. The D1 offers a Mono In / Mono Out routing option alongside its stereo in and out jacks. In the Dual program, the two parallel delays are added together when connected in mono, while in stereo one set of repeats goes to the left output and one to the right.
How many presets can the D1 store over MIDI?
The D1 saves up to nine onboard presets, with up to 128 accessible via MIDI. Full MIDI support also covers parameter control and delay time. The later MKII version expanded this to up to 128 onboard presets.
Where is the Walrus Audio D1 made?
The D1 is made in the USA. Guitar World's review lists its origin as USA, and Guitar.com's review of the original Mako Series D1 describes it as a stereo delay pedal made in the USA.
Sources (18)
- D1 Stereo Delay, Walrus Audio
- Walrus Audio's new MAKO D1 V2 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay: Updated and revised, gearnews.com, 2022-01-18
- MAKO Series: D1 High-Fidelity Delay, Walrus Audio, 2022
- MAKO Series: D1 High-Fidelity Delay v1, Walrus Audio
- Mako Series MKII: D1 High-Fidelity Delay, Walrus Audio
- MAKO Series: D1 High-Fidelity Delay, Walrus Audio, 2022
- Walrus Audio R1 High-Fidelity Stereo Reverb, Pedal of the Day, 2021-05-08
- Walrus Audio updates the Mako Series D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay with refined tones and new functionality, Guitar World, 2022-01-18
- Walrus Audio D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2020-02-15
- Walrus Audio Mako D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay review, MusicRadar, 2020-06-04
- Review: Walrus Audio Mako Series D1, Guitar.com, 2020-01-29
- Walrus Audio Mako D1 High-Fidelity Delay V2 review, Guitar World, 2022-06-29
- Walrus Audio Mako D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay review, Guitar World, 2020-06-22
- Walrus Updates the D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay, Premier Guitar, 2022-01-18
- Walrus Audio’s Mako D1 V2 adds stereo width control, USB firmware upgrades, Guitar.com, 2022-01-18
- Walrus Audio's feature-rammed Mako Series expands with the dreamy R1 High-Fidelity Stereo Reverb, Guitar World, 2021-01-20
- Gear Of The Year: Best guitar effects pedal of 2020, Guitar.com, 2020-12-03
- Walrus Audio MAKO Series: D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay V2, Pedal of the Day, 2022-02-05
