Walrus Audio Mantle Analog Bass Preamp/DI Guitar Effects Pedal

Walrus Audio Mantle Analog Bass Preamp/DI Guitar Effects Pedal

The Mantle is a premium preamp and DI for electric bass, created in close collaboration with Ian Martin Allison. Designed to give your instrument an impeccable sonic foundation, the Mantle brings studio-grade refinement to any environment - whether you’re stepping onstage, tracking in the studio, or shaping your tone at home.

At the heart of the circuit are the proprietary, custom-wound Sapphire transformers, engineered to deliver the authoritative low-end and midrange push reminiscent of a classic Neve circuit, paired with an airy, articulate top end inspired by revered API preamp architecture. Together, they provide a harmonically rich canvas that elevates your playing while preserving every nuance of your instrument.

The Mantle empowers you to sculpt your signal with intention, offering musical gain, smartly tuned EQ, tremendous headroom, and transformer-balanced outputs. Every component and stage of the signal path is built to ensure whatever comes next - amp, interface, or mixer - receives your bass in its most confident, fully realized form.

FEATURES

• High-impedance JFET Input Buffer for articulate, touch-sensitive response and exceptional clarity.
• Up to +23dB of transformer-based gain offering clean, magnetic, harmonically rich amplification with premium depth and detail.
• Custom-tailored Bass & Treble controls co-designed with Ian, utilizing a sophisticated blend of shelving, bandpass, and selectable LPF/HPF behaviors.
• Transformer-balanced XLR output ensures expansive headroom, uncompressed dynamics, and commanding low-frequency extension.
• High-headroom +24V internal power supply for clean dynamics and effortless low-end.
• Active/Passive Pad & Ground Lift switches for enhanced compatibility to allow for more headroom if needed when using an active bass.
• Flexible routing with 1/4" in/out and balanced XLR direct output for modern routing needs.

Specifications

• Connections: 1/4" TS Unbalanced Input (Hi-Z), 1/4" TS Unbalanced Output, Male XLR Balanced Output:
• Headroom: Internally boosted to +24V
• Input Impedance: 1M Ω
• Output Impedance: 150 Balanced, 150 Unbalanced
• Noise floor: Balanced -101dBV, Unbalanced -94dBV
• THD @ 1kHz 1Vrms: 0.04%
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
• Gain Range: -6dB → +23dB
• EQ Boost Range: 0dB → +15dB
• Power: 9VDC, 500mA center-negative. Internally boosted to +24V for massive headroom and clean, authoritative bass response.
• Dimensions: 6.09” x 4.7” x 2.28” (154.78mm x 119.35mm x 57.98mm)