Red Panda Radius: MIDI Ring Modulator/Frequency Shifter

16 Feb by Bob Malkowski |

4,6 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 2 Minutes

Red Panda Radius · Source: Red Panda

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The Red Panda Radius is an innovative ring modulator and frequency shifter with pitch tracking and an advanced LFO. Red Panda says that the “eight-quadrant multiplier” algorithm smoothly transitions from ring modulation to frequency shifting. With MIDI implementation and a host of audio mangling options, is this the most advanced Ring Modulator we’ve seen?

Red Panda Radius

Ring modulators eh? You wait for ages and then two show up at once! Just this week, Warm Audio released the Ringer Bringer, their tribute to the very analogue Moog MF-102. Now, Red Panda gives us the Radius, a very different, very high-tech approach to ring modulation and frequency shifting.

Typically, a ring modulator works by multiplying two signals together, creating new frequencies that are the sum and difference of the input frequencies. Typically, one signal is your instrument or audio input and the other is the internal oscillator of the ring modulator.

However, the Radius goes beyond the typical limitations of a conventional ring modulator…

Digital Design

Notably, the Red Panda Radius utilises a digital design architecture, with a 96kHz sampling rate. Going digital undoubtedly opens up many possibilities. You’ll find stereo inputs and outputs for starters, as well as a wealth of sound design possibilities.

For example, you can experiment with pitch tracking and envelope-triggered LFOs. You can even play the carrier oscillator via MIDI! All of this adds up to a pedal that could be a dream for sound designers, guitarists and synthesists alike.

The ability to control parameters via foot pedal, as well as sync and control parameters via MIDI, is very impressive. Sure, analogue snobs may moan but when the sound-sculpting possibilities are as numerous as this, who cares?

Good Value?

The Red Panda Radius hits the streets with an MSRP of $349. Granted, that’s not cheap for an individual effects pedal. However, if you watch and listen to the demo video, it’s obvious that this is far from a conventional pedal. In a world of absurdly priced overdrive and fuzz pedals, it’s refreshing to come across something innovative and fresh.

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