The Walrus Audio Mako D1 is a digital, stereo, multi-function delay pedal and the first pedal in Walrus Audio's Mako series, launched in January 202012. It is built around five studio-grade, high-fidelity, custom-tuned delay programs: Digital, Mod, Vintage, Dual and Reverse3. The line has since evolved through a V2 update in 2022 and a full MkII redesign in 2024, which adds a sixth Grain program and a screen-based control interface45.
The original D1 is discontinued: Walrus Audio's product page for the v1 states it is discontinued and no longer available, and the maker's V2 listings are marked sold out15. The MkII is the current version, listed by the maker at $399.996.
The five delay modes
The D1's five programs are selected with the Prog knob, and each shapes the repeats differently37.
| Program | What it does |
|---|---|
| Digital | A clean, crystal-clear delay Walrus describes as perfect for rhythmic parts where ultra-defined echoes are wanted5 |
| Mod | Modulation LFOs applied to random repeats at multiple rates, creating unpredictable pitch modulation5 |
| Vintage | Analog tape delay-inspired tones with complex filtering applied to the repeats5 |
| Dual | Two delays in parallel, each with different time divisions11 |
| Reverse | Reads the delay memory backward, creating reverse delay repeat character5 |
In Dual mode the division switch chooses the combination of repeats: quarter note position gives 1/4 note and 1/4 triplet repeats, eighth note position gives 1/8 note and 1/4 triplet repeats, and the dotted eighth position gives 1/4 note and 1/8 repeats57. On the MkII, the redesigned Dual mode lets you set unique tap divisions on each channel, with feedback that can run in parallel, ping pong or series10.
The MkII adds a sixth program, Grain, an all-new granular delay whose trails can be adjusted from short staccato-sounding glitches to full immersion10.
The controls
The original and V2 use a knob-based layout. Time, Repeats and Mix set the core delay sound, and an Attack knob softens the transient of the repeats1213. A Tweak knob, paired with a three-way mini toggle, reaches deeper parameters: flip the toggle to Mod for modulation on the trails, to Tone to brighten or darken them, or to Age to add grit and wear reminiscent of vintage delay units57. A division switch changes subdivisions between quarter, eighth and dotted eighth, and an A/B/C bank selector switch handles presets57. Two footswitches handle bypass and tap tempo7.
The MkII replaces this layout with two encoder knobs and a 2in OLED screen measuring 128x32 pixels106. The left encoder controls six parameters on all programs: Depth, Rate, Shape, Age, Tone and Spread. The right encoder adjusts BPM, Swell and Tap Division, and BPM can also be set with the tap tempo switch or MIDI, with a readout on screen10.
Presets and MIDI
The original D1 and V2 save up to nine onboard presets, selected with the A/B/C bank switch: pick a bank and hold down both footswitches to activate that preset17. Up to 128 presets are accessible via MIDI, and full MIDI support also covers control parameters and delay time111. The tap LED changes from red to green to blue when cycling presets and turns purple when a preset is edited5. The D1 also offers global and preset tempo modes: global keeps the tempo the same when changing presets, while preset mode uses the stored delay time5.
The MkII expands this to up to 128 onboard presets. Presets 0 through 9 are divided into Banks A, B and C, reached by tapping down on the bottom left and bottom middle knobs simultaneously; presets 10 through 128 are accessed through manual selection or MIDI10.
Power and stereo connections
All versions of the D1 require 9VDC with a minimum of 300mA110. Walrus Audio recommends an isolated power supply for all its pedals, does not recommend daisy chain supplies, and does not include a power supply with the pedal110.
The 300mA minimum draw rules out many compact 9V supplies and standard daisy chains. Plan for an isolated output rated at 300mA or more.
The D1 has stereo inputs and outputs (Left/Mono and Right) plus MIDI IN and MIDI OUT, with the power input and mono/stereo outputs on the lefthand side of the enclosure7. Various mono and stereo in/out options are possible, and the V2 adds an adjustable stereo width control145. The enclosure measures 4.9" x 2.52" x 2.64" with knobs on both the V2 and MkII, in an anodized silver finish with black, dark green, red, orange and purple ink510. MusicRadar describes the original's steel-gray enclosure as compact, around the size of a Boss compact pedal7.
Versions: the original, the V2 and the MkII
The D1 arrived in January 2020 as the first Mako pedal215. Two years later, Walrus updated it as the V2 based on user feedback, adding the adjustable stereo width control, a revised Reverse program, a revised Vintage program emulating a tape delay, and USB functionality for firmware updates165. Guitar World's Michael Astley-Brown noted the V2 arrived "just two years" after launch2.
The MkII, announced in September 2024 alongside the R1 MkII and M1 MkII at $399.99 each, is a deeper redesign4. Delicious Audio describes it as upping the ante "with sonic enhancements, new features and an LED screen for easier setting navigation," with the main new feature being programmable per-channel tap divisions in Dual mode and a Swell effect that can act as a side-chain effect8. Guitar.com's Richard Purvis cautions: "The D1 had an upgrade in 2022, but don't confuse v2 with MkII"17. All Walrus Audio products, the MkII included, carry a limited lifetime warranty6.
What reviewers said
Reviewers received the D1 well across its versions. MusicRadar's review of the original praised the onboard presets as coming in very handy, called the Attack knob inspired, and noted the good selection of delay types and MIDI connectivity as reasons to buy7. Guitar World's Trevor Curwen similarly listed the onboard presets, the practical set of delay types, MIDI capability and the Attack knob among the D1's strengths14.
"Cheers to Walrus Audio on an excellent start to the Mako Series, we can't wait to see and hear what they come up with next."
Delicious Audio added the D1 to its list of Best Multi-Mode Delay Pedals8, and the pedal has been described as award-winning following the attention and user feedback of its first years on the market16. Reviewers also received the D1 warmly as the opening move of the Mako Series, with one closing verdict reading, "Cheers to Walrus Audio on an excellent start to the Mako Series"18. The MkII D1 carries a list price of $399.994.
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Questions
What is the difference between the Walrus Mako D1 and D1 MkII?
The MkII adds a sixth delay program, Grain, alongside Digital, Mod, Vintage, Dual and Reverse, and replaces the knob-and-toggle control layout with two encoder knobs and a 2in OLED screen. It also expands onboard presets from nine to up to 128, redesigns Dual mode so each channel can have its own tap division, and gives the Swell effect a side-chain option. Both run on 9VDC at 300mA minimum.
How many presets does the Walrus D1 hold?
The original D1 and the V2 save up to nine onboard presets, arranged in three banks selected by an A/B/C switch, with up to 128 accessible via MIDI. The MkII saves up to 128 presets onboard: presets 0 through 9 sit in Banks A, B and C, while presets 10 through 128 are reached through manual selection or MIDI.
What power supply does the Walrus Mako D1 need?
All versions of the D1 require 9VDC with a minimum of 300mA. Walrus Audio recommends an isolated power supply and does not recommend daisy chain supplies, and no power supply is included with the pedal. A standard 9V supply that cannot deliver 300mA is not enough for this pedal.
What is the maximum delay time on the Walrus D1?
MusicRadar's review lists a delay time range of 60ms to 2s, set with the Time knob or tap tempo. In Dual mode the two parallel delays can each run different time divisions, and on the MkII each channel can be given its own tap division.
Is the original Walrus Mako D1 discontinued?
Yes. Walrus Audio's product page for the D1 v1 states the product is discontinued and no longer available, and the maker's listings for the V2 are marked sold out. The D1 line continues in the MkII, which Walrus Audio sells at $399.99.
What is the difference between the Mako D1 V2 and MkII?
The V2 was a 2022 update of the original D1: it added an adjustable stereo width control, a revised Reverse program, a revised Vintage program emulating a tape delay, an Attack knob and USB functionality for firmware updates, keeping the same five programs. The MkII, released in 2024, is a bigger redesign with a sixth Grain program, a screen-based control interface and up to 128 onboard presets.
Sources (18)
- MAKO Series: D1 High-Fidelity Delay v1, Walrus Audio
- Walrus Audio overhauls Mako pedal line with new MkII series, Guitar World, 2024-09-25
- MAKO Series: D1 High-Fidelity Delay, Walrus Audio
- Discover the Latest Walrus Audio Mako Series MKII, Premier Guitar, 2024-09-25
- MAKO Series: D1 High-Fidelity Delay, Walrus Audio, 2022
- Mako Series MKII: D1 High-Fidelity Delay, Walrus Audio
- Walrus Audio Mako D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay review, MusicRadar, 2020-06-04
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- D1 Stereo Delay, Walrus Audio
- Walrus Audio updates the Mako Series D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay with refined tones and new functionality, Guitar World, 2022-01-18
- Walrus Audio’s Mako D1 V2 adds stereo width control, USB firmware upgrades, Guitar.com, 2022-01-18
- Walrus Audio Mako D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay review, Guitar World, 2020-06-22
- Review: Walrus Audio Mako Series D1, Guitar.com, 2020-01-29
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- Walrus Audio Mako Series MkII D1 review, guitar.com, 2025-07-11
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