The Walrus Audio Mira Optical Compressor is an analog, true bypass optical compressor pedal aimed at studio-grade compression on a pedalboard. Walrus Audio describes it as delivering "warm, analog optical compression with mountains of sustain and a smooth attack and release," and it is voiced for electric guitar or bass guitar12. Announced in August 2022 at an MSRP of $24934, it has since been discontinued and now appears among Walrus Audio's discontinued pedals356.
The Mira is a studio-grade optical compressor in a pedal format, with the controls found in classic analog studio units such as the Urei 1176 and an optical circuit Walrus Audio describes as being as smooth as the Teletronix LA-2A751. Guitar Pedal X's reviewer summed it up as follows: "Overall, this does look like a fully-fledged studio-grade compressor in a pedal," and saw it as an 'always on' style of effect for a consistent level3.
The controls
The Mira packs seven controls, more than most compressor pedals carry. Walrus Audio says it offers "in-depth control over Attack, Release, Ratio, and a Make-Up knob to help maintain unity levels after your signal has been compressed"1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Blend | Mixes your compressed sound with your clean tone to maintain note clarity while offering increased sustain1 |
| Attack | Sets how quickly the compressor responds to your playing1 |
| Release | Sets how quickly the compression lets go1 |
| Ratio | Sets how much compression is applied1 |
| Make-Up | Maintains unity levels after the signal has been compressed1 |
| High Pass Filter (push-button) | In the side-chain, prevents bass frequencies 120Hz or below from engaging the compressor as much as high frequencies1 |
The Blend knob is the one players coming from simpler compressors will notice most: instead of choosing between a squashed signal and a clean one, you mix the two, keeping note clarity while adding sustain17.
The side-chain high pass filter matters for low-tuned guitars and bass. Because low frequencies carry more energy, they can push a compressor harder than the rest of your playing. With the filter engaged, bass content at 120Hz and below triggers less compression, so low notes do not duck the whole signal1.
Where it came from
Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio placed the Mira's design in the lineage of classic studio compressors, writing that it is "a studio-grade optical compressor with all the controls found in classic analog studio units," citing the Urei 1176 for its control set and the Teletronix LA-2A for the smoothness of its optical circuit7. Optical compression works by using a light-sensitive element to control gain, which is why optical designs are known for smooth attack and release rather than abrupt grabbing.
gearnews' Jef, writing at launch, saw it as a pedalboard-friendly take on outboard studio gear: "Overall, this does look like a fully-fledged studio-grade compressor in a pedal," adding that he would be happy to use it on a pedalboard and saw it as an "always on" style of effect for a consistent level3.
The pedal came in a smoky gray enclosure with Cream, Orange, Red, and Dark Blue ink, with art by Adam Forster, in a die-cast enclosure measuring 4.77" x 2.6" x 2.28" including knobs1.
Power: 9V DC, 200mA minimum
The Mira runs on 9V DC, center negative, and draws 200mA minimum. Walrus Audio notes that it runs internally at ±15VDC for higher headroom1.
A power supply is not included. Walrus Audio recommends an isolated power supply for all of its pedals and does not recommend daisy chain power supplies. At 200mA minimum, the Mira also draws more current than many pedals, so check what your supply's outputs deliver before slotting it in1.
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Questions
Is the Walrus Audio Mira true bypass?
Yes. Walrus Audio lists the Mira as a true bypass optical compressor, and the company's product page describes it as a true bypass optical compressor offering studio-grade sound sculpting and sustain. That means when the pedal is off, your guitar signal passes through it without going through the compression circuit.
Is the Walrus Audio Mira discontinued?
Yes. Walrus Audio now lists the Mira among its discontinued pedals. In April 2026 the company released the High Point Optical Compressor, described by Guitar Pedal X as a larger replacement for the discontinued Mira, with a VU display, modes and a Sidechain High Pass Filter.
Does the Walrus Audio Mira come with a power supply?
No. Walrus Audio's product page notes that a power supply is not included, and recommends using an isolated power supply for all Walrus Audio pedals. Daisy chain power supplies are not recommended. The pedal needs 9V DC, center negative, at 200mA minimum.
What does the high pass filter on the Mira do?
The Mira has a push-button High Pass Filter in the side-chain. When engaged, it prevents bass frequencies of 120Hz or below from engaging the compressor as much as higher frequencies, so low notes do not push the compression harder than the rest of your playing.
Can I use the Mira with bass?
Yes. Guitar World's Jonathan Horsley wrote that the Mira is voiced for electric guitar or bass guitar, and gearnews' Jef called it perfect for both guitar and bass. The side-chain high pass filter is a useful tool for keeping low bass notes from over-driving the compression.
What replaced the Walrus Audio Mira?
Walrus Audio released the High Point Optical Compressor in April 2026. Guitar Pedal X described it as essentially a prettier and larger replacement for the discontinued Mira, with extra features onboard including a VU display and modes, at a price of $349.
Sources (7)
- Mira Optical Compressor, Walrus Audio
- Walrus Audio promises “mountains of sustain and a smooth attack from” the Mira Optical Compressor pedal, Guitar World, 2022-08-02
- Walrus Audio Mira Optical Compressor with warm analogue compression, www.gearnews.com, 2022-08-02
- Walrus Audio’s Mira is a studio-like optical compressor pedal you’ll both hear and feel, guitar.com, 2022-08-03
- Xero Polylooper, Walrus Audio
- Fable Granular Soundscape Generator, Walrus Audio
- Walrus Audio Mira Optical Compressor, Delicious Audio, 2022-09-07
