The Mantle is a premium preamp and DI box for electric bass, developed in close collaboration with Ian Martin Allison. It delivers an immaculate sonic foundation for any bass, bringing studio quality to any environment—whether on stage, in the studio, or styling your sound at home.
At the heart of the circuitry are our custom-designed, specially wound sapphire transformers. They deliver the powerful bass and punchy midrange reminiscent of classic Neve circuits, paired with an airy, precise treble range inspired by the renowned API preamp architecture. Together, they create a harmonically rich sound that elevates your playing while preserving every nuance of the instrument.
The Mantle allows you to shape the signal precisely, with a musical gain structure, intelligently tuned EQ, enormous headroom, and transformer-balanced outputs. Every component and every stage of the signal path is designed to ensure that the bass signal—whether before an amplifier, interface, or mixing console—is reproduced optimally and powerfully.
The Mantle is equipped with our proprietary "Sapphire Transformers." After more than a year of research, intensive feedback, and continuous development, the Walrus engineering team has set a new benchmark with these new input and output transformers. This underscores our commitment to providing musicians with innovative tools that inspire new ideas and creativity.
Based on Neve designs, the input transformer handles even very loud signals without distortion, delivering a clean, powerful, and low-noise signal. High-quality core material and copper windings ensure the necessary gain for optimal sound reproduction across the entire frequency spectrum.
The output transformer is based on the output stage of an API 312. It performs two functions: providing low-noise and effective signal equalization while simultaneously imparting a rich harmonic content to the amplified signal. As with the input transformer, the special core construction and adapted winding method ensure a strong signal that can be transmitted losslessly even over long cable runs.
Specifications:
Premium preamp and DI for electric bass, developed in close collaboration with Ian Martin Allison.
Designed to provide an optimal sonic foundation for live, studio, or home use.
At the heart of the design are the specially wound Sapphire transformers, developed through extensive research.
Delivers the punchy bass and low-midrange tone of classic Neve preamps.
Airy, articulate top end, inspired by API preamp architecture.
Provides a harmonically rich canvas that enhances the sound.
Preserves every nuance and detail of the instrument.
High-impedance JFET buffer for articulate dynamics and exceptional clarity.
Transformer-based gain provides up to +23 dB of boost.
Delivers clean headroom and tape-like saturation
Custom-designed bass and treble EQ, developed in collaboration with Ian Martin Allison
Utilizes a sophisticated blend of shelving EQ, bandpass, and various LP/HP filters
Transformer-balanced XLR output provides ample headroom and uncompressed dynamics
Offers impressive low-frequency reproduction for studio and live applications
Balanced XLR DI output and unbalanced 1/4" output for flexible routing
Simultaneous use in front of an amplifier and an FOH input, or recording interface
Active/passive pad reduces input sensitivity by 10dB
Ground lift switch eliminates ground loops
Reduces noise and increases the headroom of active subwoofers
Large headroom thanks to +24V internal signal processing for clean dynamics and a pristine low end
Power supply: 9V DC, 500mA, center negative (power supply) (Not included)
Designed and built in the USA
