Walrus Audio ’ s new ARP- 87 wins the prize for most aesthetically pleasing pedal that I ’ ve reviewed recently . Named after a pair of interacting galaxies — so it seems — the ARP-87 produces warm , analog-like delay or sparkling clean delay , depending on the setting . It ’ s a pedal whose look and sound conjure images of faraway starships which cruise across the depths of space .
Perhaps these thoughts owe their origins in part to the housing . Although it ’ s matte black , it sparkles like the stars in the sky . The details of the topside spaceship graphic are reminiscent of the great sci-fi and future-oriented painter John Berkey ’ s work . Even the color scheme reminds me of a vintage electrical device that could have been found on a spaceship .
The ARP-87 contains four echo or delay programs , each of which exhibits different “ moods ” with modulation . These programs include Analog , Digital , Lo-Fi , and Slapback . Depending on the current program , the ARP-87 ’ s X knob will control different parameters . For the Lo-Fi mode , X adjusts the frequency range of the repeated signal . For all other modes , X controls the depth
of the modulation circuit .
Program A produces a set of warm repetitions which are heavier on the mids than the highs , as if the signal had originally been recorded to tape , then degraded because of repeated passes over the playback head . Adding X bends the repeated signal up half a step , then returns it to the original signal , and then bends it down half a step , over and over . Increasing X seems only to intensify the bending , or make it more noticeable . I wasn ’ t able to control the speed of the modulation , however .
Program D produces a clearer , even crisper sounding
GEAR SPOTLIGHT
WALRUS AUDIO
ARP-87
REVIEW BY DAVID A . EVANS STREET PRICE $ 199.00
Walrus Audio ’ s new ARP- 87 wins the prize for most aesthetically pleasing pedal that I ’ ve reviewed recently . Named after a pair of interacting galaxies — so it seems — the ARP-87 produces warm , analog-like delay or sparkling clean delay , depending on the setting . It ’ s a pedal whose look and sound conjure images of faraway starships which cruise across the depths of space .
Perhaps these thoughts owe their origins in part to the housing . Although it ’ s matte black , it sparkles like the stars in the sky . The details of the topside spaceship graphic are reminiscent of the great sci-fi and future-oriented painter John Berkey ’ s work . Even the color scheme reminds me of a vintage electrical device that could have been found on a spaceship .
The ARP-87 contains four echo or delay programs , each of which exhibits different “ moods ” with modulation . These programs include Analog , Digital , Lo-Fi , and Slapback . Depending on the current program , the ARP-87 ’ s X knob will control different parameters . For the Lo-Fi mode , X adjusts the frequency range of the repeated signal . For all other modes , X controls the depth
of the modulation circuit .
Program A produces a set of warm repetitions which are heavier on the mids than the highs , as if the signal had originally been recorded to tape , then degraded because of repeated passes over the playback head . Adding X bends the repeated signal up half a step , then returns it to the original signal , and then bends it down half a step , over and over . Increasing X seems only to intensify the bending , or make it more noticeable . I wasn ’ t able to control the speed of the modulation , however .
Program D produces a clearer , even crisper sounding
54 GEAR SPOTLIGHT // Walrus Audio ARP-87