The Walrus Audio High Point Optical Compressor is an optical compressor pedal released in April 2026. Guitar Pedal X described it as essentially a prettier and larger replacement for the discontinued Mira, with some extra features onboard, and reported it available everywhere for $349 and equivalent, including direct from Walrus1.
Controls and VU display
The High Point carries a full set of compressor controls, reported by Guitar Pedal X as Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, Output, Dry>Wet Blend, Makeup Gain, SC Sidechain HPF and VU Mode1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Threshold | Sets the compression threshold |
| Ratio | Compression ratio |
| Attack | Attack time |
| Release | Release time |
| Output | Output level |
| Dry>Wet Blend | Blend of dry and compressed signal |
| Makeup Gain | Make-up gain |
| SC Sidechain HPF | Sidechain high-pass filter |
| VU Mode | Selects what the VU display shows |
The VU display is the pedal's most visible feature. It shows three metering views, selected by color1:
- Green: input level
- Yellow: output level
- Red: gain reduction
High Point compared with the Mira
The High Point replaces the Mira Optical Compressor, which Guitar Pedal X lists as discontinued1. The new pedal is larger, in a portrait-format enclosure that follows the styling set by the recent Mantle Bass Preamp, and it carries a $100 higher price than the Mira1.
Guitar Pedal X's writer, Stefan Karlsson, weighed size against capability:
"There's no question that the High Point is the most capable and appealing here - but it is also the largest and priciest"
He added that it was a little too large for his compact-format preference overall, on both size and capability1. Players comparing the two should weigh the added controls and VU metering against the larger footprint and higher price.
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Questions
How much does the Walrus Audio High Point cost?
Guitar Pedal X reported the High Point at $349 and equivalent when it was released in April 2026, available direct from Walrus Audio and dealers. That is a $100 increase over the Mira it replaced, which the same outlet noted alongside the larger enclosure and added features.
How is the High Point different from the Walrus Mira?
Guitar Pedal X describes the High Point as essentially a prettier and larger replacement for the discontinued Mira, with some extra features onboard. It follows the enclosure styling of the Mantle Bass Preamp in portrait format, is larger than the Mira, and costs $100 more. The writer called it the most capable and appealing of the Walrus compressors, but also the largest and priciest.
What do the colors on the High Point VU display mean?
The VU display shows three things in different colors: input level in green, output level in yellow, and gain reduction in red. A VU mode control is among the pedal's controls.
Is the Walrus High Point an analog compressor?
It is an optical compressor pedal. Walrus Audio has also described the related Highpoint as an analog optical compressor, and the High Point is an optical design with a sidechain high-pass filter and full compressor controls.
Is the High Point bigger than the Mira?
Yes. Guitar Pedal X describes the High Point as larger than the Mira, in a portrait-format enclosure that follows the styling of the recent Mantle Bass Preamp. The same review noted the larger size was a drawback for the writer's compact-format preference.
Sources (1)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-04-23
