The Walrus Audio Kangra Filter Fuzz is a true bypass, two-in-one pedal that provides a thick and spatty octave fuzz and a psychedelic filter in a single enclosure1. It was launched at Summer NAMM in July 2019 at a list price of $1992, and it was designed in collaboration with Jared Scharff, guitarist in the Saturday Night Live house band and, in Walrus Audio's words, a "fuzz fanatic"234. The circuit is inspired by Scharff's own vintage Kay Fuzz Tone, a cheap late-60s unit3.
The two halves are independent: the filter can run on its own, or with the fuzz feeding into it, and each effect has its own footswitch5. When both sides are engaged, the signal order is fuzz into filter6.
The fuzz side
The fuzz is described by Walrus Audio as thick and spatty, with an octave character. Guitar Pedal X's reviewer characterized it as slightly gated and "sort of octave-fuzz in variety, a Silicon derivative most likely"7. An M/V switch selects between two fuzz styles1:
| Setting | Character |
|---|---|
| M (Modern) | More forgiving fuzz with longer and tighter sustain15 |
| V (Vintage) | Grittier and spatty, a starved-battery tone with breakup and shorter sustain18 |
Gearnews described the two positions in similar terms: modern gives "a fuzz with a longer and tighter sustain," while vintage "is more classic and has that lovely 'splatty' starved battery tone, with breakup and a grittier, shorter sustain"8. A separate Mid switch engages a boost to the mids, choosing between chunky and scooped voicings3.
The filter side
The filter is controlled by four panel elements: Resonance, Sensitivity, Frequency, and an Envelope Filter switch1. With the envelope switch off, the Frequency control sets a static cut-off point for sweeps or frequency boost sounds; flipping the switch puts the filter into envelope-following mode, where it tracks your playing dynamics for funky sixties style tones13. Guitar.com's review lists the filter controls as sensitivity, resonance, frequency, and envelope on/off3.
An expression pedal can also be plugged in to move the cut-off frequency up and down, giving you direct control over the sweep35. Walrus Audio suggests using the filter on its own to add a unique shape to your sound, or with the fuzz feeding into it for the full octave-fuzz-plus-sweep effect1.
Controls and switching
The pedal carries two footswitches, one bypassing the fuzz and one bypassing the filter, so each effect can be brought in and out independently35. The full control set:
- Fuzz controls: M/V switch (fuzz style), Mid switch (mid boost, chunky or scooped)13
- Filter controls: Resonance, Sensitivity, Frequency, Envelope Filter switch1
- Footswitches: Separate fuzz and filter bypass switches35
- Expression input: Controls the filter's cut-off frequency35
History: Jared Scharff and the Kay Fuzz Tone
The Kangra came out of an approach from Jared Scharff. Walrus Audio tells the story on the product page: "SNL Guitarist and fuzz fanatic, Jared Scharff, approached us about doing a modern filtered and fuzz inspired by his favorite vintage fuzz pedal, the Kay Fuzz Tone"1. Guitar.com's review calls the Kay a "cheapo unit from the late 60s" and notes the pedal was designed in collaboration with Scharff from the Saturday Night Live house band3.
The pedal was unveiled at Summer NAMM 2019 and available immediately at $199, or £179 in the UK239. In November 2024 Walrus Audio released a limited Black Friday Floral Series edition, in a Prismatic Powder "Peach Ice Cream" diecast enclosure with art by Adam Forster in white and blue inks; that edition is now shown as sold out on the maker's page1.
What reviewers said
Guitar.com's Richard Purvis reviewed the Kangra at launch, rating it 9/10 and concluding3:
"Lo-fi fuzz at its most seductive, with or without the filter"
Gearnews' Jef was equally taken, writing that the pedal "is like crack cocaine to me" and advising readers to check out the demo videos to hear it in action8. Guitar Pedal X compared the Kangra against the TWA Minimorph, another filter fuzz, and found the Kangra significantly more controllable and more temperately behaved based on the demos available7.
Power and enclosure notes
The Kangra requires a 9V DC center-negative supply rated for at least 100mA1. Guitar.com's review notes it is powered by a 9-volt mains supply only, with the supply not included3, so plan on a dedicated spot on your power brick rather than a battery.
The diecast enclosure measures 4.77" x 2.6" x 1.39"1, compact enough for a standard pedalboard, and the circuit is analog4. Players comparing it with other filter-based pedals can read more at Filter Pedals and Fuzz Pedals, or explore Expression Pedals for the sweep control option.
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Questions
Can the Kangra filter be used without the fuzz?
Yes. The filter runs independently, or with the fuzz feeding into it, and the two effects have separate footswitches. Walrus Audio suggests using the filter on its own to add a unique shape to your sound, or flipping the Envelope Filter switch for funky sixties style tones.
Does the Walrus Audio Kangra take an expression pedal?
Yes. An expression pedal can be plugged in to move the filter's cut-off frequency up and down, which lets you sweep the filter by hand rather than relying on the envelope follower or the panel's Frequency control.
Is the Walrus Audio Kangra true bypass?
Yes. Walrus Audio describes the Kangra Filter Fuzz as a true bypass, two-in-one pedal, and Guitar.com's review also lists true bypass among its features.
What is the difference between the M and V settings on the Kangra?
The M/V switch selects two fuzz styles. Modern (M) is a more forgiving fuzz with longer and tighter sustain. Vintage (V) is grittier and spatty, with a starved-battery character, breakup, and shorter sustain.
Is the Walrus Audio Kangra discontinued?
The standard pedal was launched in 2019 at $199, and a limited Black Friday 2024 Floral Series edition followed in November 2024. Walrus Audio's product page for that edition now shows it as sold out.
Sources (9)
- Kangra Filter Fuzz, Black Friday 2024 Floral Series, Walrus Audio
- Summer NAMM 2019: Walrus Audio Unveils New Kangra Filter Fuzz, Guitar World, 2019-07-16
- Review: Walrus Audio Kangra, Guitar.com, 2019-07-15
- Kangra Filter Fuzz by Walrus Audio, RockBoard (www.rockboard.de), 2026
- Walrus Audio Kangra Filter Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2019-08-20
- Walrus Audio Kangra Filter Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2019-08-31
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2019-07-15
- Walrus Audio Kangra Filter Fuzz: Thick and dirty tones for fuzz freaks!, gearnews.com, 2019-07-16
- Summer NAMM 2019: Walrus Audio “maxes out the gain dial” with Kangra Filter Fuzz pedal, MusicRadar, 2019-07-15
Jared Scharff