Walrus Audio's MAKO MkII Series offers premium all-in-one, multi-algorithm pedals with improved tonality, new UI, and added controls for versatility. Featuring new amplifier models, OLED navigation screens, and updated programs based on user feedback, these pedals are designed for inspiring studio-grade tones.
Walrus Audio is excited to announce the release of their highly ambitious and highly anticipated MAKO MkII series. With the original MAKO line, players were offered premium all-in-one, multi-algorithm models for with the D1 Delay, R1 Reverb, and M1 Modulation, as well as top-of-the-line amp and cabinet simulation with the ACS1. After four years of real-world use and experience with the first generation, the team went to work applying everything they learned and heard from players to make the next generation of MAKO pedals even better.
Each pedal in the MAKO Series has been redesigned and rebuilt for vast improvements in tonality, new UI with the addition of an OLED navigation menu screen, and added secondary controls for even greater versatility. Dialing in these inspiring studio grade tones has never been easier and has never sounded better.
The ACS1 MkII features three new amplifier models to go with the three existing models, all inspired by high-gain amps for heavy-style players to get people moving:
- The distinctively raw and punchy Peavey 5150.
- The warm, rich, and harmonically complex Orange Rockerverb.
- The world-famous, in-your-face Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier.
Additional updates on the series are as follows:
- OLED navigation screen menu for improved UI.
- Increased headroom and lowered noise floor for tonal improvement.
- Rebuilt and fine tuned programs based on user feedback.
- All six R1 programs completely rebuilt from the ground up.
- All new Grain Delay algorithm on the D1.
- Six additional cabinet models for the ACS1, designed by Justin York at York Audio.
- Total BPM Control and BPM Readout on screen for time-based effects.
- Now 128 on-board presets.
- Many new program controls (ex. size control on R1, noise gate on ACS1).
- Flanger sound added to the Chorus algorithm on M1.
MAKO MkII Series pedals are packaged in custom anodized aluminum enclosures. Exact sizes for all four pedals is 4.9” x2.52” x 2.64”. Power requirement for all four pedals is 9VDC (300mA minimum).
Walrus Audio is offering the R1 MkII, D1 MkII, and M1 MkII for $399.99. The ACS1 MkII is offered at $449.99. All are available for preorder now at walrusaudio.com and through authorized dealers with expected shipment starting in mid-October.
For more information, please visit walrusaudio.com.
Last August, metalcore giants Poison the Well gave the world a gift: They announced they were working on their first studio album in 15 years. They unleashed the first taste, single “Trembling Level,” back in January, and set off on a spring North American tour during which they played their debut record, The Opposite of December… A Season of Separation, in full every night.
PG’s Perry Bean caught up with guitarists Ryan Primack and Vadim Taver, and bassist Noah Harmon, ahead of the band’s show at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl for this new Rig Rundown.
Brought to you by D’Addario.Not-So-Quiet As a Mouse
Primack started his playing career on Telecasters, then switched to Les Pauls, but when his prized LPs were stolen, he jumped back to Teles, and now owns nine of them.
His No. 1 is this white one (left). Seymour Duncan made him a JB Model pickup in a single-coil size for the bridge position, while the neck is a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Staggered. He ripped out all the electronics, added a Gibson-style toggle switch, flipped the control plate orientation thanks to an obsession with Danny Gatton, and included just one steel knob to control tone. Primack also installed string trees with foam to control extra noise.
This one has Ernie Ball Papa Het’s Hardwired strings, .011–.050.
Here, Kitty, Kitty
Primack runs both a PRS Archon and a Bad Cat Lynx at the same time, covering both 6L6 and EL34 territories. The Lynx goes into a Friedman 4x12 cab that’s been rebadged in honor of its nickname, “Donkey,” while the Archon, which is like a “refined 5150,” runs through an Orange 4x12.
Ryan Primack’s Pedalboard
Primack’s board sports a Saturnworks True Bypass Multi Looper, plus two Saturnworks boost pedals. The rest includes a Boss TU-3w, DOD Bifet Boost 410, Caroline Electronics Hawaiian Pizza, Fortin ZUUL +, MXR Phase 100, JHS Series 3 Tremolo, Boss DM-2w, DOD Rubberneck, MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe, Walrus Slo, and SolidGoldFX Surf Rider III.
Taver’s Teles
Vadim Taver’s go-to is this cherryburst Fender Telecaster, which he scored in the early 2000s and has been upgraded to Seymour Duncan pickups on Primack’s recommendation. His white Balaguer T-style has been treated to the same upgrade. The Balaguer is tuned to drop C, and the Fender stays in D standard. Both have D’Addario strings, with a slightly heavier gauge on the Balaguer.
Dual-Channel Chugger
Taver loves his 2-channel Orange Rockerverb 100s, one of which lives in a case made right in Nashville.
Vadim Taver’s Pedalboard
Taver’s board includes an MXR Joshua, MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe, Empress Tremolo, Walrus ARP-87, Old Blood Noise Endeavors Reflector, MXR Phase 90, Boss CE-2w, and Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-200, all powered by a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus.
Big Duff
Harmon’s favorite these days is this Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass, which he’s outfitted with a Leo Quan Badass bridge. His backup is a Mexico-made Fender Classic Series ’70s Jazz Bass. This one also sports Primack-picked pickups.
Rental Rockers
Harmon rented this Orange AD200B MK III head, which runs through a 1x15 cab on top and a 4x10 on the bottom.
Noah Harmon’s Pedalboard
Harmon’s board carries a Boss TU-2, Boss ODB-3, MXR Dyna Comp, Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra, and a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus. His signal from the Vintage Ultra runs right to the front-of-house, and Harmon estimates that that signal accounts for about half of what people hear on any given night.
