We design and manufacture DSP-based pedals for experimentally minded musicians. We create algorithms that behave in an organic and natural way - effects that can warp, twist and bend your sound in new ways, but stay musical and in control. Our effects combine modern signal processing techniques with the character of classic digital hardware.
Red Panda started in 2009 with a bitcrusher. In 2011 we released the Particle, which has been recognized as the first granular delay pedal. The Particle brought granular synthesis from the computer to the stage, encouraging interactive sound design while allowing you to remain focused on your playing.
We are an intentionally small team that uses an engineering-based, methodical approach to product development, built around deep algorithm research and user-centered design. Our manufacturing process balances craftsmanship and highly accurate automated manufacturing to ensure reliability. Every pedal is assembled and tested in our metro Detroit workshop.
We are now building our second generation of pedals, adding stereo input and output, programmable presets, full MIDI control, and a web-based editor for advanced tweaking and configuration. The controls are carefully designed to be as intuitive as possible, while still offering a vast range of adjustability and a diverse palette of sounds.
We are a 1 percent for the Planet member and donate 1% of our annual sales to environmental nonprofits. We partner with nonprofits working in communities disproportionately affected by climate change. As an electronics manufacturer, we have a responsibility to minimize our environmental impact. As a four person company, the most efficient way for us to do that is to focus on designing sustainable products while supporting nonprofits that work directly on climate change, environmental justice, pollution reduction, and improving the environment.
Pre-history
1997 - Curt wrote ObjektSynth, a realtime, multi-timbral, polyphonic modular software synth, one of the first commercial applications for BeOS (PowerPC 603e).
2000 - ObjektSynth 2 was released. Curt spent the next decade working on unreleased software synths (PowerPC and x86).
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).
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.