Known for their DSP-based effects for experimentally minded musicians, Red Panda crafts powerful algorithms to plug directly into your creativity.

Founded in Detroit, Red Panda was formed in 2009 with a mission to bring granular synthesis from the computer to the stage. Their first product, the industry-defining original Particle granular delay pedal, was released a couple of years later. With their focus on algorithms that behave in an organic and natural way, Red Panda create effects that can warp, twist and bend your sound in new ways, but stay musical and in control. Their effects combine modern signal processing techniques with the character of classic digital hardware.

Based on an intentionally small team with an engineering-focussed, methodical approach to product development, built around deep algorithm research and user-centered design, Red Panda’s manufacturing process is a perfect balance of craftsmanship and highly accurate automated manufacturing. Every single pedal is assembled and tested in their workshops to ensure the highest reliability.

These stellar effects fit perfectly into any modern-day rig, be it simple grab-and-go fly-boards or elaborate MIDI-controlled sonic spaceships. Whether you are into advanced pitch-shifting granular delays, like those of the Particle 2, 1980’s rack unit inspired reverberations such as densely packed into the Context 2, or the unabashedly digitally pitch and frequency-shifted repeats of their latest marvel – the Raster 2, Red Panda makes it easy to find all the ambient goodness that your heart could desire.

However, if you are looking for more extreme sounds Red Panda has you covered too. Sample-rate reduced and fractally bit crushed distortion from the Bitmap 2 or pitch-shifted reverse tape stop effected looping madness found in the Tensor all can increase your aural soundscapes. In addition, Red Panda offers a smart range of compact switching and signal routing utility devices helping to make your pedalboard life easier.

Latest Red Panda News

Red Panda Raster 2 – Pitch and Frequency Shifting Digital Delay – NOW SHIPPING!

November 22, 2021

Initially previewed by the brand in 2020, Raster 2 is inspired by the magic of classic rack mount digital delay units. This update to the original Raster delay pedal adds even more new performance-friendly features ...
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Context 2

1980’s Rack Unit inspired Algorithmic Reverb

The Context is a reverb pedal inspired by 1980’s rack mount reverbs.  It has 8 algorithms, including room, hall, cathedral, gated reverb, reverse reverb, plate, spring, and a granular reverb.  Each algorithm features separate high and low frequency damping controls, pre-delay, modulation, dynamics (duck/expand), and infinite hold.  In addition, delay is always available, along with tremolo in spring mode.

The modulation knob changes the amount and character of the internal reverb modulation, specific to each algorithm.  It gives you a mix of different modulation types from 1980’s and early 90’s reverbs, including chorus modulation, random modulation that keeps the pitch stable, and deep modulated reverbs.  Holding down the shift button adjusts the modulation rate.

Reverse reverb fades in louder and brighter over time, giving the impression of playing backwards.  Modulation adds a wash of normal reverb.

The spring reverb was designed using the techniques and algorithms that were used in 1980’s reverbs, but with enough DSP power to drip and feel like a spring tank. You can adjust the length of the decay, high and low frequency damping.  The modulation is tremolo with adjustable intensity and speed.

Grain mode is a granular reverb inspired by the Ursa Major SST-282 Space Station.  The SST-282 was released in 1978 and used multiple delay taps with modulation to create reverb effects.  The Context can create ghostly reverb effects, slowly sweeping resonances, and at higher modulation settings is a multi-voice granular processor that creates clouds of detuned sound fragments for entirely new reverb sounds.

When the shift button is held down, the top row of knobs adjust delay parameters. The low and high damping knobs adjust dynamics for ducking reverb or an expander for more reverb on louder notes, with adjustable threshold and recovery time. Holding down the foot switches gives you two different types of infinite sustain.

One preset available on the left footswitch, 4 using a remote footswitch, and 127 via MIDI.  The expression pedal can be assigned to any combination of parameters. We also have a web-based editor for tweaking and managing your presets.

Raster 2

Pitch and Frequency Shifting Digital Delay

The Raster is a digital delay with a pitch and frequency shifter integrated into the feedback loop.  Forward or reverse delay can be shifted once or have continuously shifted repeats. It delivers a wide range of sounds including modulated and harmonized delays, reverse delays, chorus, arpeggios, infinite descents, chaotic self-oscillation, and continuously evolving soundscapes.

The core of the Raster is a clean delay with up to 1600 milliseconds of delay time. Three delay ranges allow you to precisely dial in resonant feedback sounds and instantly change delay time with rhythmic shifts. The feedback control has infinite repeats at 3 o’clock and chaotic, textured feedback loops at higher levels.  Knob responses are carefully tuned for exploration of self-oscillation and feedback on the verge of blowing up. A tone control sweeps from dark analog-style repeats to digital clarity and emphasizes the attack at higher settings. The left and right delay times can be set as a ratio, so a single knob changes both in sync. The two delay channels can be arranged in series, parallel or ping pong.

Pitch shifting repeats up or down in semitone steps creates tempo-synced arpeggios and alien organ sounds.  The detune setting can dial in micro pitch shifts and chorused repeats.  The left and right channels can be shifted by the same amount, a ratio, or opposite directions. At subtle settings, repeats evolve in a way that sounds natural, but different from analog delays.

Beyond pitch shifting, a combination phase/frequency shifter creates subtle evolving repeats, dissonant harmonies, and barber pole flanging.  It can be pushed to extremes for ring modulation and inharmonic shifted delays that distort and break apart.

The Raster’s modulation section has seven waveforms that can be assigned to delay time, pitch shift, or effect level (for tremolo). There are two random waveforms for glitchy pitch jumps, wow and flutter, and broken tape deck effects. Envelope and inverse envelope enable dynamic flanging and pitch bent delays. Stereo controls adjust the modulation amount and phase between channels, for subtle shifts or swirling psychedelic washes.

Capable of extreme sonic mayhem, the Raster can also be used with restraint to add unique character to your sound.

The Raster 2 is performance friendly, with 6 knobs and 9 switches. The original Raster was praised for its knob response and immediacy, and the Raster 2 maintains that simplicity while adding flexible modulation and extensive stereo functionality. Alternate knob settings are related to the primary knob function, labeled, and off at the center position. Both footswitches can be latching or momentary, for instant pitch jumps or quick blasts of echo.  The bypass switch can also mute the output in bypass while always listening, to catch, repeat, and manipulate what you just played.

While designing the Raster 2, we wanted to enable as many classic rack mount digital delay tricks as possible while keeping the fast and intuitive control that made the original Raster so fun to use.  Instead of multiple modes with generic knob names, all of the parameters are always available, so you can mix and match different effects and explore new sounds in between.