I’m intrigued to see the demos this morning. I’ve never owned any Walrus stuff before, so if the price is relatively high like someone else in this thread mentioned, I wonder what will set this one apart from other pre amp DIs and make it worth the jump.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
What pedal do you think IMA is teasing here?
- Thread starter lidl e
- Start date
Reading through the email sounds like a well thought out piece of kit. Like that the low boost isn’t just an ever growing shelf but one that attenuates as well (same as the highs). Input and output transformers are a nice touch as well, he’s offering 10% in the newsletter which might be worth cashing in on. Aesthetically it looks good, will it knock off my Arkham Oracle though 
$900 roughly based on thisWalrus Audio Mantle online kaufen Webshop
www.loopersparadise.de
Details leaked
; only other real detail is the JFET buffer on the front end. This thing is like a solid mic pre frontend on a pedalboard. I think Ian will sell plenty but if it’s that expensive it might keep me from buying new at least
In think $699 is going to be the US price based on what’s already gone out. Still going to be tough with the Colourbox also a very well done Neve DI.
That includes VAT so may be cheaper in USD but not sure how that math works.$900 roughly based on this
Regardless that is some sticker shock when you have so many good options in the $300 or under range
so I wonder what the nuances will be. Or is this just branding and it’s meant for the “money doesn’t matter” crowd.
I heard it will be around 830 euros in Europe. It's an expensive pedal and aimed for the boutique mic preamp in a pedal market, much like the Caveman Audio BP1.
It's way over my budget and not for my particular needs but I can see some people getting these preamps.
It's way over my budget and not for my particular needs but I can see some people getting these preamps.
I was not too far off...?
Left side (top to bottom) - XLR out | Ground Lift | 1/4" out - 1/4" out | XLR out | Ground Lift
Right side (top to bottom) - 9V in | 1/4" in | Active/Passive toggle
Knobs (left to right) - Bass | Mid | Treble - Bass | Gain | Treble
Let us hope the pricing is not totally ridiculous...! ;^p
EDIT TO ADD - Translation from above linked website...
Walrus Audio Mantle
MANTLE Bass Preamp/DI
MANTLE Bass Preamp/DI. A pedal for studio and live application, which is based on specially wound transformers,
and combined tonal properties of Neve and API Studiopreamps. Developed in collaboration with MARTIN ALLISON.
Mantle Features:
-Premium Preamp and DI for electric bass, developed in close collaboration with Ian Martin Allison
-Developed, for an optimal sound basis for live, studio or home use
-At the core of the design are the specially wound Sapphire transformers, which have been developed through extensive research
-Supplies the punchy bass and low-middle sound of classic Neve Preamps
-Airy, articulated top-end, inspired by the API preamp architecture
-Offers a harmoniously rich canvas that enhances the sound
-Preserves every nuance and detail of the instrument
-High impedance JFET buffer for articulated dynamics and exceptional clarity
-Transformer-based gain provides up to +23 dB gain.
-Supplies clean headroom and tape-like saturation
-Customized bass and height EQ, designed in collaboration with Ian Martin Allison
-Uses a sophisticated mix of Shelving EQ, Bandpass and various LP/HP filters
-Trafo-symmetrized XLR output ensures generous headroom and uncompressed dynamics
-Offers impressive low-frequency reproduction for studio and live assignments
-Simultaneous use in front of an amplifier and a FOH input, or recording interface
-Active/Passive Pad reduces input sensitivity by 10dB
-Ground lift switch, against hum grinding
-Reduces noise and increases the headroom of active bass
-Large headroom thanks to +24V internal signal processing for clean dynamics and clean low-end
Controller: Bass, Gain, Treble - Bass and Treble knobs gridded with 11 selectable presets each
Input: 1x 6.3 mm (jack)
Outputs: 1x 6.3 mm (jack), 1x XLR (m)
Dimensions: (W x D x H): 155 mm x 119 mm x 58 mm
Mantle Power Supply: 9V DC, 500 mA, Center Negative (Power supply not included)
Designed and built in the US
Requires: 9VDC 500mA Center Negative
Last edited:
Still cheaper than a Noble maybe was some of the thinking, but yeah I think it’s more in the thinking of Caveman audio, even though it’s coming from Walrus, which is a reputable brand although gives me a little caution after how bad the Badwater preamp was noisy and not at all usable imo. Their DI boxes and Canvas stuff have proven to be reliable though
Not that much cheaper... and the Noble has the ability to power other units. So the Noble is still cheaper that getting a Mantle and a good power supply.
Controller: Bass, Gain, Treble - Bass and Treble knobs gridded with 11 selectable presets each
I would hope the Bass and Treble selectable presets will be clarified, and I cannot help but notice the Gain goes to 11...! ;^p
The Noble power outputs are not isolated, and it is stated that it will not power a HX Stomp; so those are things to keep in consideration...?
I would hope the Bass and Treble selectable presets will be clarified, and I cannot help but notice the Gain goes to 11...! ;^p
The Noble power outputs are not isolated, and it is stated that it will not power a HX Stomp; so those are things to keep in consideration...?
Big Oof on that pricing though, 839 Euros is pretty steep, dunno what the US price might be without the added VAT that is part of the pricing on the above linked website; and even at a speculated US$699 pricing for the States, still kinda steep...
But I guess that is what you get with specialized components and whatnot...?
Looking forward to some demos and reviews, seems like a good match-up with the HX Stomp for a compact pedal board; thinking of a Nano board with the HX Stomp & Mantle up top, and a CIOKS SOL and Broughton Always-On HPF underneath...?
But I guess that is what you get with specialized components and whatnot...?
Looking forward to some demos and reviews, seems like a good match-up with the HX Stomp for a compact pedal board; thinking of a Nano board with the HX Stomp & Mantle up top, and a CIOKS SOL and Broughton Always-On HPF underneath...?
Last edited:
Okay, after reading the copy on the Walrus website, it appears I can nix the HPF pedal from the Nano board...!
Last edited:
Power Requirements: 9VDC, 500mA, Center-Negative, 2.1mm. Power supply not included.
So this means a power supply like a Cioks DC7 should be able to handle this no problem?
So this means a power supply like a Cioks DC7 should be able to handle this no problem?
Yes, both videos are on the product page (I searched for "Mantle" on their website), and I clicked the "YouTube" on the videos to have them actually open up on YouTube rather than play from the product page...
It sounds good… but everything Ian plays sounds good. Don’t know if it ticks enough boxes to warrant the price brand new. Will wait for the initial wave and response before jumping. Stick with the Oracle for now
It sounds good but my current needs don't justify the money it costs.
