The Walrus Audio EB-10 is a preamp, EQ and boost pedal in one box: a three-band tone stack where each band can cut or boost by up to 12dB, topped off with a 10dB MOSFET boost on its own rocker switch123. It stores three presets you can scroll through on stage, and Walrus Audio positions it as a way to get "studio-grade electric guitar tone in a live setting"4.
What the EB-10 does to your sound
Each of the three EQ knobs, Low, Mid and Hi, offers up to 12dB of boost or cut, and a mini toggle switch for each band chooses whether that knob cuts or boosts46. Every knob has nine positions, so you can dial in fine steps rather than all-or-nothing moves3. On the That Pedal Show interview, Walrus Audio's Colt Westbrook and Jason Stulce described it as having "up to 12 DB of gain on those stages," usable as three gain stages6.
What that means in practice, as Pedal of the Day put it:
"Cut the Lows for more clarity, or boost them to add some body to thinner-sounding pickups. Cutting Mids creates a hi-fi sound, while boosting them will punch your tone up a couple notches and slice up any mix."6
The mid band is the deepest part of the EQ. Guitar.com's reviewer found it "fully parametric, with internal trim pots offering precision control over centre frequency and filter bandwidth"2, and Delicious Audio reports those three internal trimpots let you tweak the bell (or Q) of the mid section and its center frequency, between 300Hz and 3kHz7.
On top of the EQ sits the boost: a rocker switch that adds a 10dB MOSFET boost when engaged4. Pedal of the Day found it "really ramping things up, giving your sound a pop and allowing for easy switching between different guitars in a live setting"6.
The controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Low, Mid, Hi knobs | Up to 12dB of boost or cut per band, nine positions each14 |
| Cut/Boost mini toggles | One per band, sets whether that band's knob cuts or boosts46 |
| Boost rocker switch | Adds a 10dB MOSFET boost when engaged4 |
| Internal mid trimpots | Three pots for the mid band's center frequency (300Hz to 3kHz) and bandwidth/Q27 |
| On/off footswitch | Bypass on and off; hold 3 seconds to enter or exit preset mode82 |
Live and preset modes
The EB-10 has two operating modes, Live and Preset4.
- Live mode: the pedal responds to the current position of all knobs and switches, and you turn it on and off with the bypass switch4.
- Preset mode: the pedal offers three preset slots for storing unique sounds. It is locked on while in this mode, and you scroll between presets by clicking the bypass switch4.
To enter preset mode, press and hold the bypass switch for 3 seconds until the preset light P1 turns on; repeat to exit8. Guitar.com's reviewer noted that "while in preset mode the pedal is always on, giving access to a trio of presets"2, and Pedal of the Day highlighted the three presets as a way to "easily switch between your favorite settings on the fly"6.
Power and build
Power requirements are 9V DC, center negative, with a 100mA minimum4. Walrus Audio recommends an isolated power supply and does not recommend daisy chains; the power supply is not included8.
The pedal comes in die-cast enclosures coated in Prismatic Powders, in Matte Black and Cream finishes, with art inspired by vintage studio equipment designed by Tyler Evans4. Guitar.com lists it as made in USA2, as it did the DEFCON4 before it9. All Walrus Audio products carry a limited lifetime warranty8.
What reviewers said
Guitar.com's Michael Watts reviewed the EB-10 and concluded:
"More than just a reskin, this is one of the most versatile boost/EQ pedals we've seen."2
Pedal of the Day called it "an extremely useful tone-shaping tool" that "improves on its younger, now-defunct brother, easily adding gusto and wow to your rig overall"6.
Walrus Audio founder Colt Westbrook has named EQ as one of his favorite effects, saying "my other favourite effects is EQ" in a 2023 MusicRadar interview10.
Videos
That Pedal Show
Sweetwater
walrusaudioeffects
News
Questions
Is the Walrus Audio EB-10 true bypass?
Yes. Walrus Audio lists the EB-10 as true bypass, so with the pedal off your signal passes through without active circuitry in the way. Power it with a 9V DC center negative supply delivering at least 100mA.
What is the difference between the EB-10 and the DEFCON4?
The EB-10 is the DEFCON4 rebranded and reworked. The layout and core functionality carried over, but the EB-10 adds programmability in the form of three preset slots you can scroll through on stage, plus a new enclosure design.
How many presets does the EB-10 store?
Three. In preset mode the pedal offers three preset slots for storing unique sounds, and you scroll between them by clicking the bypass switch. While in preset mode the pedal stays locked on.
How do you get into preset mode on the EB-10?
Press and hold the bypass switch for 3 seconds until the preset light marked P1 turns on. To exit preset mode, press and hold the bypass switch again for 3 seconds.
How much boost does the EB-10 boost switch add?
The boost rocker switch adds a 10dB MOSFET boost when engaged. Walrus Audio describes it as extra punch, and Pedal of the Day found it useful for switching between different guitars in a live setting.
Where is the Walrus Audio EB-10 made?
Guitar.com's review lists the EB-10 as made in USA, matching the DEFCON4 before it, which the same publication also described as Made in USA. It is built by Walrus Audio and covered by their limited lifetime warranty.
Sources (10)
- EB-10 Preamp // EQ // Boost, Walrus Audio
- Review: Walrus Audio EB-10, Guitar.com, 2019-09-25
- Walrus Audio At That Pedal Show Interview, Slö Pedal Demo, EB-10, Harmonic Trem & More, That Pedal Show (YouTube), 2019-10-04
- EB-10 Preamp // EQ // Boost, Walrus Audio
- Walrus Audio launches the EB-10 preamp, EQ and boost pedal, MusicRadar, 2019-09-23
- Walrus Audio EB-10 Preamp EQ Boost, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2019-10-22
- New Pedal: Walrus Audio EB-10 EQ/Boost, Delicious Audio, 2019-12-02
- EB-10 Preamp // EQ // Boost, Walrus Audio
- Walrus Audio Defcon4 Review, Guitar.com, 2018-10-16
- Is the DigiTech Drop the 21st century's unsung hero of effects pedals? Walrus Audio founder Colt Westbrook explains why he loves it, MusicRadar, 2023-04-19
