The Way Huge Smalls Red Llama Overdrive is a compact, pedalboard-friendly overdrive pedal from Way Huge12. Released in 2022, marking the pedal's 30th anniversary, it is the MkIII reissue of the Red Llama line3. On Sweetwater's demo, it delivers a hybrid overdrive-fuzz tonality ranging from light breakup to almost a fuzz lead sound, and it is very sensitive to the guitar's volume control position2. The Red Llama family now spans the original RL2, a MkII reissue, and this MkIII Smalls1.
What the pedal does depends on where you set its single Drive knob. Way Huge describes the range in characteristically colorful terms: "Beware: this llama can bite. But it also purrs. And screams, if you smack it just right."1. Reviewers heard everything from light breakup to near-fuzz: Sweetwater's Mitch Gallagher called it a "hybrid overdrive fuzz tonality," covering boost, overdrive, and fuzz-style sounds in a package that fits easily on any pedalboard2.
A compact Red Llama with two knobs
The front panel holds just two knobs, Volume and Drive, plus a footswitch. Guitar World described the design as "even more simple, with just two knobs for Volume and Drive on the front"6, and MusicRadar reported the MkIII as "more compact than ever"3. Sweetwater's demo called it "very pedal board friendly"2.
The sound it produces has been described several ways by the press:
- Delicious Audio characterized it as "crunchy, tweed-style harmonic overdrive," ranging from subtle grit to brutal crunch with outstanding touch sensitivity5.
- Sweetwater's Mitch Gallagher found it covers boost, overdrive, and fuzz-style sounds, and noted it "doesn't get flubby on the bottom end," staying fat sounding on the neck pickup2.
- He also found it very responsive to touch and to the guitar's volume control position, giving dynamics from both your picking and your volume knob2.
Premier Guitar's reviewer concluded that the pedal's overdrive makes it "suited for just about any rig in any style," and that it "remains distinct, characterful, and loveable even after 30 years"7.
"The Red Llama MkIII Small's juicy, succulent, and dynamic overdrive make it suited for just about any rig in any style."
In Premier Guitar's video review, John Bollinger highlighted one setting in particular: "i really like this with the with the drive way down and the volume up to me that's a real ampy overdrive"8.
The controls: Volume, Drive and footswitch
The manual defines each control plainly1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| VOLUME | Sets overall effect volume |
| DRIVE | Sets the amount of overdrive |
| FOOTSWITCH | Toggles effect on/bypass; blue LED indicates on |
Sweetwater's demo described the same two controls as a volume control that sets the output level and a drive control that sets the amount of gain, followed by the bypass footswitch: "that's it"2. The manual also lists a noise floor below -100 dBV, A-weighted, with all controls at their mid positions1.
Power and connections
The WM23 runs on 9 volts DC and draws 10 mA13. For comparison, Premier Guitar reported the larger MkII draws 15 mA9. The power input is a 5.5mm x 2.1mm jack with the positive voltage on the outer sleeve1.
The positive-on-sleeve polarity is the opposite of the center-negative arrangement most pedals use. A standard center-negative daisy chain or supply will not work without an adapter, so match the supply to the jack before powering the pedal.
On the battery question, the manual says the pedal is "powered by a single 9-volt battery (remove bottom plate to install)," and that using an external power supply disconnects the battery; it advises disconnecting the input jack to preserve battery life when the pedal is not in use1. Sweetwater's demo video, meanwhile, states plainly that "it doesn't take a battery" and that a 9-volt power supply is required2.
From the original Red Llama to the Smalls
The Red Llama Overdrive was Way Huge's first production pedal, introduced in 19924101. Sweetwater's demo dates the original to the early to mid 90s and calls it "a highly respected overdrive pedal"2. The line then developed through several versions:
| Version | What changed |
|---|---|
| RL2 Red Llama (1992) | Way Huge's first production pedal4 |
| MkII (2012) | A straight reissue of the original, in a larger case with an added Tone control359 |
| 25th Anniversary version | Anniversary edition between the MkII and MkIII2 |
| MkIII Smalls (2022) | Compact re-creation of the 1990s circuit with modern components, released for the 30th anniversary234 |
MusicRadar reported that the MkIII was designed to "conjure all the warm goodness of the original Red Llama Overdrive," and that it arrived in 2022 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of both Way Huge and the pedal3. Guitar.com likewise covered it as the 30th Anniversary Red Llama MK III overdrive11. Premier Guitar's review of the MkII noted that the original's high-volume capabilities were fully intact in that reissue, and that it was housed in a 0.09" aluminum anodized chassis shared with the rest of the modern Way Huge line9.
The practical difference for a player choosing between them: the MkII has a Tone control and a larger enclosure, while the Smalls WM23 drops the Tone knob and shrinks the box, keeping only Volume and Drive65. Delicious Audio described the WM23 as "a sonic re-creation of an early-'90s RL2 Red Llama"5.
What reviewers made of it
Published reviewers were positive across the board. Premier Guitar found the MkIII Smalls suited to just about any rig in any style7. Sweetwater's demo emphasized its versatility across boost, overdrive, and fuzz territory, its touch sensitivity, and its firm low end at fat settings2. Premier Guitar's video review singled out the low-drive, high-volume setting as amp-like8.
For players comparing it within the Way Huge line, the Smalls Red Llama sits alongside compact stablemates like the Way Huge Smalls Pork & Pickle, the Way Huge Smalls Green Rhino Overdrive MKV, and the Way Huge Smalls Geisha Drive, and its full-size siblings include the Way Huge Red Llama and the Way Huge Red Llama 25th Anniversary Overdrive.
Videos
Sweetwater
Premier Guitar
Way Huge Electronics
Questions
Does the Way Huge Smalls Red Llama take a battery?
The Jim Dunlop manual for the WM23 says it is powered by a single 9-volt battery, installed by removing the bottom plate, and that using an external power supply disconnects the battery. Sweetwater's demo video states the MkIII Smalls does not take a battery.
Is the Smalls Red Llama true bypass?
Yes. The manual lists a true hardware bypass using a 3PDT footswitch, with a blue LED that lights when the effect is on. Premier Guitar's review of the MkIII Smalls also describes it as true bypass.
How much current does the Red Llama Smalls draw?
The manual gives a current draw of 10 mA at 9 volts DC. For comparison, Premier Guitar reported the larger MkII version draws 15 mA. Either figure is light enough for most isolated power supplies.
What is the difference between the Smalls Red Llama and the original?
The Smalls WM23 re-creates the sound of the 1990s RL2 Red Llama, Way Huge's first production pedal from 1992, using modern components while keeping the original's touch sensitivity, in a smaller enclosure. The earlier MkII reissue used a larger case and added a Tone control the Smalls does not have.
What is the polarity of the Red Llama Smalls power jack?
The manual specifies a 5.5mm x 2.1mm power jack with the positive voltage on the outer sleeve, which is the opposite of the center-negative standard used by most pedals. Use a supply that matches, or an adapter, before plugging in.
Does the Red Llama MkIII Smalls take a battery?
Sweetwater's demo video says the MkIII Smalls does not take a battery and requires a 9-volt power supply. The Jim Dunlop manual for the WM23, however, describes a single 9-volt battery installed under the bottom plate. The two sources disagree on this point.
Sources (11)
- WM23.pdf, Jim Dunlop (jimdunlop.com), 2022
- Way Huge Red Llama Overdrive MkIII Smalls Pedal Demo, Sweetwater, 2022-07-06
- Way Huge celebrates 30th anniversary with the Red Llama Overdrive MKIII, MusicRadar, 2022-07-05
- WAY HUGE® SMALLS™ RED LLAMA, Jim Dunlop (jimdunlop.com)
- Way Huge Red Llama MkIII (Smalls), Delicious Audio, 2023-03-21
- Way Huge celebrates 30 years of pedalboard goodness with the WM23 Smalls Red Llama overdrive, Guitar World, 2022-07-04
- Way Huge Red Llama MkIII Small Guitar Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2022-08-23
- Way Huge Red Llama Overdrive MkIII Demo, Premier Guitar, 2022-07-15
- Way Huge Red Llama Overdrive MkII Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2012-01-25
- Yacana CMOS Drive / Way Huge Red Llama, Aion FX, 2021-11-12
- Way Huge goes way small with a compact Red Llama overdrive for its 30th anniversary, Guitar.com, 2022-07-04
