Walrus Audio Monument
All the tremolo you could ever want.
£169 at amazon.co.uk | £192 at thomann.com
Walrus Audio have a proven track record of crafting visually striking, robust, and incredibly feature-rich pedals. The Monument Tremolo pedal firmly follows this tradition, bringing a plethora of features to the table while staying within a compact footprint. This pedal justifies its premium price tag with a thoughtful design and powerful functionality.
Features
The Monument Tremolo has all the standard tremolo controls. The rate control modifies the frequency of the modulation. The depth control manages the signal's lowest volume point. Setting the depth control to its maximum will cut out the signal entirely at its quietest, while the minimum setting results in subtle volume fluctuations.
The shape control offers a wide range of volume modulation options. Standard sine and square waveforms are available for smooth volume transitions or instant flipping between volume levels. More advanced options are also included. The “Monument” mode introduces random transitions for every cycle, leading to novel and creative sounds, especially when combined with fuzz or distortion effects.
The pedal also features a volume control for overall volume adjustment when the effect is engaged, adding a punchy saturation to the sound as you increase the volume. A selector switch lets you swap between standard amplitude modulation and a harmonic tremolo. The harmonic tremolo separates the signal into high (treble) and low (bass) frequencies and modulates them independently, producing a unique, chorus-like univibe effect.
The tap tempo switch and note division selector add further precision to the pedal's performance. With these features, you can sync the tremolo with a song's tempo or swiftly toggle between fast and slow tremolo effects. An optional expression pedal controls rate, depth, shape, note division or any combination of these. Detailed instructions are provided in the accompanying manual.
The Monument Tremolo also introduces a momentary function, which engages the tremolo effect as long as the bypass switch is pressed down. There's also a “Ramp” function that gradually increases the tremolo rate when the bypass switch is held down while the effect is on, adding an extra layer of tension to your music.
Sound Quality
When it comes to sound, the Monument Tremolo stands its ground against the competition. In standard mode, it sounds almost identical to my Boss TR-2. However, the additional features of the Monument Tremolo, along with the saturated boost provided by the volume control, increase its versatility significantly. The flip of a switch gives access to a beautiful Uni-Vibe effect, a feature that fans of Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd will appreciate.
In an A/B comparison with the Boss TR-2, both pedals were almost indistinguishable. When switched off, the Monument Tremolo's true bypass design led to a high-end EQ roll-off, while the Boss retained the original guitar tone. If you use long cables and only true bypass pedals, it is common for the signal to degrade. This discrepancy can be resolved by placing a buffer pedal (like the Boss TU-3) at the start of your pedal chain.
Build Quality
Monument’s build quality surpasses even reputable brands like Boss. Its metal knobs offer smooth operation, and the textured artwork looks classy and durable. Top-mounted jacks help save valuable space on your pedalboard. Unboxing the pedal is also quite an experience. Included is a very beautiful and clear manual and Walrus Audio branded stickers, a guitar pick and a carrying pouch.
Bottom Line
Walrus Audio Monument is the one to beat in the world of tremolo pedals, offering a vast range of features in a well-designed package. While more affordable options could suffice if tap tempo and Uni-Vibe effects aren't critical to your sound, the Monument Tremolo's extensive features and superb build quality make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a high-end, versatile tremolo experience.