Walrus Audio Voyager MKII Overdrive Pedal: An Honest Take on Walrus’ Latest Attempt

The highly anticipated Walrus Audio Voyager MKII is here, promising to build upon the original Voyager’s success and adding some new tricks. But does it deliver the same magic that Klon lovers or even general overdrive enthusiasts crave? Let's dig into the details.

First Impressions: A Lack of Dimensionality

The Voyager MKII enters the scene with a promising multi-mode setup, but the initial experience can feel surprisingly two-dimensional. Compared to other renowned overdrives—especially the Origin Effects Halcyon Gold, which has captivated many as one of the best Klon clones—this pedal falls short in depth. Where the Halcyon provides a “three-dimensional” richness that interacts with your playing in a natural, almost magical way, the Voyager MKII feels somewhat “plasticky.” You can coax interesting tones out of it, but it requires work and a lot of tweaking to get something special.

Volume Issues: Low Output Struggles

For players who rely on their overdrive to give their amp a kick, the Voyager MKII may feel underwhelming. Even with the volume maxed out, it doesn’t quite reach the level of boost that many expect from Klon-inspired pedals. While it technically qualifies as a boost, it lacks the sheer impact needed to push your amp in a way that feels dynamic and robust. This can be a significant drawback, especially if you're accustomed to the powerful boost capabilities of other pedals in this class.

Limited Gain Range and Lack of Reactivity

One of the biggest limitations with the Voyager MKII is its gain range. Even at the lowest gain settings, it remains perched at the edge of breakup without offering much flexibility. Turning up the gain only intensifies this edge-of-breakup effect rather than providing the gritty, higher-gain drive that a Klon pedal can achieve. If you’re a fan of cranking up a Klon-style pedal to tap into its reactivity and nuance, the Voyager MKII might feel constrained and somewhat uninspired.

Mid Mode: A Mixed Bag

The new mid control, intended as a selling point for the Voyager MKII, has its moments—but it can also feel like an obstacle. Cutting the mids around the 750 Hz mark (and rolling off about 6-8 dB) proved useful for taming the brightness. However, attempts to boost the mids typically resulted in an "ice-pick" effect, pushing the pedal’s sound into overly harsh, almost “half-cocked wah” territory. For soloists needing a mid boost to cut through, this could work; for everyone else, it’s a narrow usable range. In practice, the mid control ended up being more effective for rolling off frequencies rather than boosting them.

Bass Boost: Overkill?

Modes 3 and 4 on the Voyager MKII incorporate bass boosts designed to fill out the low end. Unfortunately, the bass boost feels overdone. It adds an overwhelming amount of low-end “thud” that only seems usable with a particularly weak-sounding guitar, like a Strat bridge pickup. Even then, it tends to come across as forced and unnatural, detracting from the pedal’s overall tonal appeal. For players looking to add a tasteful amount of low-end punch, this setting may be too much.

Silicon and Asymmetric Clipping: Touch Sensitivity Misses the Mark

The Silicon diode modes and asymmetrical clipping aim to add variation, and while the effort is appreciated, they don’t quite hit the mark. Rather than offering a touch-sensitive, reactive feel, these modes can feel “twitchy” and aggressive. Instead of compressing and blooming in response to digging in, they tend to deliver an abrupt, almost hammer-like response, making them less inspiring for dynamic playing.

Tone Control: A Narrow Sweet Spot

The tone control on the Voyager MKII has a very limited sweet spot, effectively usable only between noon and 1 o’clock. Settings below noon make the sound too muffled, while settings above one o’clock quickly enter “ice-pick” territory, which can be unpleasantly bright and sharp. The narrow range may disappoint those who are accustomed to more forgiving and versatile tone controls in similar pedals.

Who Might Enjoy the Voyager MKII?

While it might not be the best pick for the avid overdrive enthusiast, the Voyager MKII does have a niche appeal, especially in the ambient or praise and worship community. It can add texture when drenched in reverb, sitting low in the mix without drawing too much attention. For those looking to layer effects and create a bed of sound, this pedal could serve as a “utility” overdrive rather than a main attraction.

Final Thoughts: A Missed Opportunity for Overdrive Lovers

The Walrus Audio Voyager MKII tries to innovate with extra controls and multiple modes but ultimately lacks the magic many players seek in an overdrive pedal. It’s functional and capable of producing decent “kid tones”—basic, safe overdrive sounds that serve a purpose but don’t stand out. If you’re an overdrive pedal junkie who loves dialing in a unique, characterful tone, the Voyager MKII may fall flat. This one’s a “nice try” but, unfortunately, a bit too two-dimensional and uninspired to compete with the overdrive titans of today.

Want to Develop Your Own Opinion? Borrow one from us

If you're keen on discovering what this new pedal has to offer, you can borrow it on-demand from us on our Opener plan for just $19 / month. Click here to check out our subscriptions or if you want to dive right in, you can buy or borrow the new Walrus Audio Voyager Mkii at this link.