Red Panda is an independent pedal manufacturer based in metro Detroit. We combine cutting-edge digital signal processing with intuitive, hands-on controls to create unique guitar effects for experimentally minded musicians. Our original algorithms let musicians warp, twist, and transform their sound in ways that feel organic, natural, and musical.
Founded in 2009, Red Panda helped pioneer the shift toward DSP-based boutique pedals with the introduction of the Particle in 2011, the first granular delay pedal. By bringing granular synthesis from the computer to the pedalboard, we helped open up new possibilities for interactive sound design. We continue to take an engineering-driven approach to creating effects that inspire creativity and encourage experimentation.
Pre-history
1997-2000 - Curt Malouin wrote ObjektSynth, a realtime, multi-timbral, polyphonic modular software synth, one of the first commercial applications for BeOS (PowerPC 603e).
History
2009 - Bitcrusher module for Line 6 ToneCore platform (Motorola DSP56364).
2010 - Subdivision octave/suboctave multiplexer for Line 6 ToneCore platform (Motorola DSP56364).
2011 - Particle granular delay pedal, the first granular delay pedal and the second pedal to use the Spin FV-1 chip (after the EHX Holy Stain, AFAIK) (Spin FV-1).
2012 - Context reverb pedal, with laser etched graphics (Spin FV-1).
2013 - Moved into small workshop at the Green Garage, Detroit.
2014 - Bitmap bitcrusher pedal (Spin FV-1). Moved into larger workshop at Green Garage.
2015 - Raster delay with pitch and frequency/phase shifter (Spin FV-1).
2018 - Tensor pitch- and time-shifting/warping pedal, with MIDI and user-updatable firmware (ARM Cortex-M7).
2019 - Particle 2 granular delay, with stereo I/O and web editor (ARM Cortex-M7 STM32H750).
2020 - Context 2 (ARM Cortex-M7). Moved into larger office/workshop/warehouse.
2021 - Bitmap 2 and Raster 2 (ARM Cortex-M7).
2022 - Particle 2.2 firmware added a slew of new granular capabilities and preset management in web editor.
2024 - Radius ring modulator and frequency shifter released (ARM Cortex-M7).
2026 - RD-1 Pitch Delay released, using the Raster 2 algorithms (ARM Cortex-M7).