The Walrus Audio Slöer Stereo Ambient Reverb is a reverb pedal from Walrus Audio built for ambient soundscapes. It carries five reverb algorithms, five modulation wave shapes and true stereo width, so a single note can open into a wide, modulated space rather than a flat room sound1. Walrus Audio positions it as an expansion of its popular Slö lineup rather than a replacement, adding algorithms and stereo features the mono Slö does not have2.
Walrus Audio's own product pages for the Slöer, including the Black Friday 2024 Floral Series edition and the blemished listing, show the pedal as sold out as of October 202624. The blemished units were described as cosmetic flaws only, such as scratches or dents in the finish4.
Five ambient reverb modes in stereo
A five-way rotary dial selects the reverb algorithm. Three of the modes come from the Slö, and two are new to the Slöer2. Each mode also has an X control whose function changes with the algorithm.
| Mode | What it does | What the X control does |
|---|---|---|
| Dark (Lower Octave) | Adds a lower octave to the reverb trail for deep, wide atmospheric sounds | Sets the level of a -1 octave signal feeding the reverb1 |
| Rise (Ambient Swell) | Auto-swell reverb for cinematic swells | Sets how long the reverb takes to swell in after a note; lower is shorter, higher is longer2 |
| Dream (Latching Pad) | Lush reverb with a latching pad function | Sets the depth of vibrato applied to the reverb trail2 |
| Rain (Delay Tap Diffusion) | Lower diffusion lets the reverb delay taps audibly create an echo-like effect within the reverb | Sets the amount of diffusion of the delay taps1 |
| Light (High Octave Shimmer) | Bright, smooth reverb with an octave-up shimmer | Kept low gives a smooth pad-like reverb; pushed higher gives a bright shimmer effect2 |
The stereo side is the other half of the story. The Slöer offers true stereo width with a stereo width control, so the reverb can spread across two amps or a stereo interface instead of collapsing into mono1.
The controls
The Slöer's control set centers on the five-way rotary dial, the X control and two footswitches12.
- Five-way rotary dial: selects the reverb algorithm; secondary functions on the dial change between five different wave shapes for modulation on the reverb trail2.
- X control: changes job with the algorithm, from octave level in Dark to swell time in Rise, vibrato depth in Dream, diffusion in Rain and shimmer amount in Light21.
- Bypass switch: turns the effect on and off, and works with the sustain switch for preset save and scroll2.
- Sustain switch: when pressed, ramps the reverb trail to maximum for a long dreamy trail, then ramps back down when released1.
The sustain switch behaves differently in Dream mode. Pressing it latches the signal into a pad; pressing it again lets the reverb trail taper off based on the position of the decay knob1.
Walrus Audio describes the overall character of the pedal in its own words:
"Now you can create immersive, lush, modulated, sleepy, and ambient soundscapes with more width and depth than ever before."4
Modulation wave shapes
Secondary functions on the algorithm dial choose between five modulation wave shapes applied to the reverb trail2. Two more shapes than the Slö offers2.
| Wave shape | Character |
|---|---|
| SINE | Smooth and even pitch up and down modulation1 |
| SQUARE | Symmetric pitch up and down modulation for stepped modulation1 |
| WARP | Asymmetric pitch up modulation similar to a warped record1 |
| SINK | Asymmetric pitch down modulation for sinking detune similar to a Bigsby1 |
| RANDOM | Uses sample and hold that picks new random values1 |
For a player, the difference is between smooth motion (SINE), stepped jumps (SQUARE), one-way drift in either direction (WARP and SINK), and unpredictable jumps between random values (RANDOM)21.
Presets and trails
The Slöer holds three onboard presets. To save one, simultaneously press and hold down the bypass and sustain switches; to scroll through presets, simultaneously press and release the bypass and sustain switches2.
Bypass behavior depends on the trails setting. In trails mode, when the pedal is turned off, the reverb decay dies off naturally; in no trails mode, the decay is abruptly cut off when you turn it off3.
Slöer vs Slö
The Slöer builds on the Slö lineup but adds two additional reverb algorithms, stereo width control, two additional modulation wave shapes, and the ability to control the sample rate2. In practice that means the Slö covers Dark, Rise and Dream in mono, while the Slöer adds Rain and Light, runs in true stereo, and gives you more modulation options on the trail.
Gearnews covered the pedal at launch in July 2023:
"Walrus Audio makes some great effects pedals and this new Slöer Stereo Ambient Reverb looks to be one of them, as it adds all the good stuff."3
At launch, Gearnews listed the Blue finish at $345.00 and the Black finish at $366.003. Walrus Audio's current product page lists the pedal at $349.991.
Finishes and editions
The Slöer comes in a Lollipop Blue finish with light blue and off white ink featuring original artwork by Christi Du Toit, or a matte black finish with cream ink2. A Black Friday 2024 Floral Series edition was also released as part of Walrus Audio's Floral Series runs2.
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Questions
Is the Walrus Slöer true bypass?
No. Walrus Audio lists the Slöer as Buffered Bypass. In trails mode, when you turn the pedal off, the reverb decay dies off naturally; in no trails mode the decay is abruptly cut off when you switch it off.
How do you save presets on the Slöer?
The Slöer has three onboard presets. Save one by simultaneously pressing and holding down the bypass and sustain switches, and scroll through presets by simultaneously pressing and releasing the bypass and sustain switches.
What is the difference between the Slö and the Slöer?
The Slöer builds on the Slö lineup but adds two additional reverb algorithms (Rain and Light), stereo width control, two additional modulation wave shapes, and the ability to control the sample rate. It also runs in true stereo.
Does the Slöer have reverb trails when bypassed?
Yes, in trails mode. When the pedal is turned off in trails mode, the reverb decay dies off naturally. In no trails mode, the decay is abruptly cut off when you turn it off.
Can the Slöer run in mono?
The Slöer is a stereo pedal with a stereo width control, and Walrus Audio describes its five reverb algorithms and true stereo width as letting each note turn into a space. The maker's pages do not describe a dedicated mono mode.
Sources (4)
- Slöer Stereo Ambient Reverb, Walrus Audio
- Slöer Stereo Ambient Reverb, Black Friday 2024 Floral Series, Walrus Audio
- Walrus Audio Slöer Stereo Ambient Reverb: Now with Stretch, gearnews.com, 2023-07-18
- Slöer Stereo Ambient Reverb, Walrus Audio
