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NAMM 2025: Walrus Audio has unveiled the Qi Etherealizer, a highly versatile modulation pedal crafted in secrecy over the last year with the collaboration of Yvette Young.
Yvette Young has emerged as a trailblazer in guitar technique and sound, establishing herself as a contemporary guitar icon through her innovative fingerstyle playing and composition.
The mastermind behind Covet has a unique tonal vision, which she has now channeled into her inaugural signature effects pedal, marking a significant achievement for the Ibanez signature artist.
Earlier this week, Walrus Audio teased the launch by sharing a clip from a June 2023 Premier Guitar Rig Rundown, where Young articulated her vision for the ideal signature pedal.
As expected, her dream has materialized into the Qi Etherealizer (pronounced Chee Ethereal-izer), thanks to the expertise of Walrus.
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The Qi Etherealizer appears to be a modulation powerhouse, featuring an array of buttons, knobs, and footswitches designed to deliver a thorough suite of chorus, delay, reverb, and granular soundscape effects.
In line with Young’s original vision from that June 2023 interview, the true magic of the Qi etherealizer lies in its capacity to blend and configure all the effects, allowing users to explore a “vast universe of sonic possibilities.”
at its core, Young’s signature pedal is powered by an innovative MDSP digital processing platform developed by Walrus, aiming to set a new benchmark in high-fidelity audio. The ARM-based Cortex M7 processor enables elite-grade algorithms in a compact, user-friendly format, ensuring “unmatched performance and limitless creative possibilities.”
Rather than turning this into a promotional piece for a new tech gadget, let’s focus on the demos – which, as was to be expected from a Yvette Young-endorsed pedal, sound absolutely phenomenal.
Players can navigate tones using three footswitches: one for bypass, and the others for Freeze and Tap/Osc functions, alongside a multitude of parameters to adjust delays, reverbs, and grains.
Mix knobs allow musicians to blend effects to their liking,while additional mode buttons unlock various grain,delay,and chorus types,as well as the series/parallel configuration options.
“I’m incredibly excited to share this with everyone and provide access to my favorite chorus sounds and a plethora of fun, abstract sounds that inspire me,” Young expressed in a Walrus Instagram post.
The Qi Etherealizer will be available in two colors – classic Black or a custom design by Young – and is currently available for preorder at a price of $449.
For more details, visit Walrus Audio.
