Walrus Audio Releases Second Evolved Compressor Pedal - the 8-Controls Mira Analog Optical Compressor

While Delays would seem to make up the most significant of recent releases - we are seeing quite a few formidable new Compressors along the way too! Said phase kind of kicked off late last year with Crazy Tube Circuits’ incredible 3-Analog-Circuit Compact Phi Golden Ratio V2, we then had Source Audio’s impressive Atlas Multi-Compressor (Digital), and DSM & Humboldt’s innovative ClearComp 1078 earlier this year.

It’s interesting to see that Walrus has released the Mira in parallel with its long-term legacy 5-Controls Deep Six OTA Compressor. That may be discontinued eventually as the new Mira looks quite a bit more capable with its extended controls. The Deep Six has - Level, Tone, Sustain, Blend, and Attack Controls.

The Mira has - Threshold, Ratio, Make-up (Unity Level Adjustment / Boost), Level, Attack, Release, Blend, and Sidechain HPF (particularly handy for Bass!) on the right-side edge of the pedal.

So there is quite a bit more granularity of control for the Mira, but no Tone control in effect - albeit I guess you could classify the Sidechain HPF as such!

Interestingly - the keyhole artwork with floating people reminds me somewhat of a Muse artwork - possibly something to do with the Absolution album. Artwork is cool as always - while the colour-choices are a little odd here for me - and I’m not sure of the symbolic significance of the artwork towards the mechanic of compression (beyond the keyhole) - perhaps someone can explain all those floating people to me!

I feel Walrus has a really serious contender now for Studio-style Compressor - but I’ve not done the due diligence recently of who I have at the top of that tree - for sure Becos FX, Crazy Tube Circuits, DSM & Humboldt, Empress Effects, and Origin Effects are in the mix - and the new Mira is definitely up there too!

I’ve long since considered Compression essential for my rig and the choice of premium compact compressors has never been better - for sure the Mira is another worthy contender within that space - but for me and my preferences it possibly comes just after after the Becos FX CompIQ Stella, CTC Phi Golden Ratio and DSM & Humboldt ClearComp 1078 in terms of overall appeal.

Pricing for the Mira is about right too at $249 - of course available right now from the Walrus Audio Webstore, and imminently at leading dealers.

Where are all of you with your Compressor choices currently? I know my friend Bob Guido is a particular advocate of the Stymon Compadre, while I tend to typically favour more multi-functional devices like current incumbent JA Bloom, DryBell’s Unit67, and Hamstead Soundwork’s Zenith!