The Walrus Audio Slötvå Multi Texture Reverb is a reverb pedal from Walrus Audio, announced in January 2022 as an expanded version of the company's Slö Multi Texture Reverb123. Walrus Audio describes it as a pedal that "allows players to create lush, modulated, sleepy, and ambient soundscapes"1. What sets it apart from the Slö is simple: three preset slots, so you can save your settings and switch between them with your feet1.
The pedal is currently listed as sold out on Walrus Audio's product page1.
Three modes: Dark, Rise and Dream
A toggle switch on the pedal selects between three reverb modes: Dark (Lower Octave), Rise (Ambient Swell), and Dream (Latching Pad)2. Guitar World described the Slötvå at launch as a "souped-up version" of the existing Slö, with the same three modes available via the toggle switch1.
Each mode uses the X knob differently, which is worth understanding before you dial anything in1:
| Mode | What it does | What the X knob controls |
|---|---|---|
| Dark (Lower Octave) | Adds a lower octave to the reverb trail for deep, wide atmospheric sounds1 | The level of the -1 octave signal feeding the reverb1 |
| Rise (Ambient Swell) | An auto-swell reverb for cinematic swells1 | The time it takes the reverb to swell in after a note; lower for shorter rise times, higher for longer1 |
| Dream (Latching Pad) | Lush reverb with a latching pad function; press the sustain switch to latch signal1 | The depth of vibrato applied to the reverb trail1 |
The sustain switch gives Dream mode its pad behavior: press it to latch the signal and let the reverb sustain, then experiment with the X knob's vibrato depth on the trail1.
The controls and modulation wave shapes
Beyond the three reverb modes, the Slötvå adds modulation to the reverb trail, with three wave shapes. You reach them by holding down the bypass switch while switching the algorithm toggle7. The secondary functions on the toggle change between the different wave shapes for the modulation on the reverb trail1.
- Sine: smooth and even pitch up and down modulation1
- Warp: asymmetric pitch up modulation, similar to a warped record1
- Sink: asymmetric pitch down modulation for a sinking detune, similar to a Bigsby1
The bypass switch also has a momentary function. When the pedal is off, press and hold the switch to temporarily activate the effect for a moment of reverb; releasing the switch turns the effect off and fades it out1.
A Slö with three presets
The Slötvå is a variant of the Slö that adds the ability to create and save three presets1. MusicRadar put it plainly when rounding up its favorite pedals of 2022: "The Slötvå simply takes the existing Slö pedal and adds three preset slots"3.
Saving and scrolling presets is done entirely from the two footswitches:
- To save a preset, simultaneously press and hold down the bypass and sustain switches1.
- To scroll through the three presets, simultaneously press and release the bypass and sustain switches1.
One thing to know when switching sounds mid-song: preset spillover, where the reverb tail carries over into the next preset, only happens if the next preset uses the same algorithm as the one before it1.
The name is a play on the original. Walrus Audio explains: "Tva in Swedish translates to 'two'. Slö + Tva then means...well, you get it."7
Slötvå versus the Slö
The Slö offers the same three modes, Dark, Rise and Dream, selected the same way8. The difference is the presets. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson worked out the value at launch: the Slötvå was "$30 dearer than the original, or $10 per preset essentially, while all other features, functions and output remain the same"5.
The output is where some players should pay attention. The Slötvå has a solo mono output, and Karlsson was direct about what that meant for him5:
"For sure a cool textural Reverb whose solo Mono output kind of makes it unsuitable for my own rig / pedal-chain."5
He still rated the sounds themselves, calling it a cool texturizer with cool algorithms even in mono5. Players running stereo rigs have other options in the Walrus Audio range, such as the Slöer Stereo Ambient Reverb.
Power and what is in the box
The Slötvå runs on 9VDC with a center negative connector and needs at least 100mA16. A power supply is not included with the pedal1.
Walrus Audio recommends an isolated power supply for all of its pedals and does not recommend daisy chain power supplies1. With a 100mA minimum draw, make sure your supply has headroom for it.
Videos
Sweetwater
walrusaudioeffects
walrusaudioeffects
News
Questions
What does Slötvå mean?
Walrus Audio says Tva in Swedish translates to "two". The name is the Slö plus Tva, meaning two, because the pedal is the second version of the Slö with the added ability to save presets.
Is the Walrus Audio Slötvå stereo?
No. The Slötvå has a solo mono output, which is why Guitar Pedal X's reviewer found it unsuitable for his own stereo rig, though he still called it a cool textural reverb with cool algorithms even in mono.
How do you save presets on the Slötvå?
Press and hold the bypass and sustain switches at the same time to save your current sound into a preset slot. To move between the three presets, press and release the bypass and sustain switches simultaneously. Preset spillover only happens if the next preset uses the same algorithm.
What is the difference between the Slö and the Slötvå?
The Slötvå is a variant of the Slö that adds the ability to create and save three presets. Guitar Pedal X described it as $30 dearer than the original, or $10 per preset, with all other features, functions and output remaining the same.
Does the Slötvå come with a power supply?
No, a power supply is not included. It runs on 9VDC with a center negative connector and draws at least 100mA. Walrus Audio recommends an isolated power supply and does not recommend daisy chain supplies.
Sources (8)
- Slötvå Multi Texture Reverb, Walrus Audio
- Walrus Audio introduces revamped, preset-equipped Slötvå Multi-Texture reverb pedal, Guitar World, 2022-01-11
- Our 11 favourite effects pedals of 2022, MusicRadar, 2022-12-22
- Mira Optical Compressor, Walrus Audio
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2022-01-21
- Walrus Audio Unveils the Slötvå Multi-Texture Reverb, Premier Guitar, 2022-01-11
- Slötvå• Multi Texture Reverb, Walrus Audio
- Slö Multi Texture Reverb, Walrus Audio
