Red Panda unveiled a prototype of this cool digital delay with pitch shifter pedal at NAMM in January, but I didn’t get a chance to hear it there. The Raster ($249USD) delivers a an amazing array of Guitar Moderne-approved sounds including harmonizing delays, phase-shifted repeats, arpeggios, alien textures, chaotic self-oscillation, and continuously evolving soundscapes.

The core of the Raster is a clean delay with up to 750 milliseconds delay time. The low end of the delay control allows you to precisely dial in resonant feedback sounds. The feedback control covers a wide range from slapback delay to noisy, textured infinite feedback loops.  Knob responses are carefully tuned for exploration of self-oscillation and feedback on the verge of blowing up.

Three pitch shifting algorithms are integrated into the feedback loop.  Repeats can be pitch shifted up or down by an octave in semitone steps. The detuning mode gives smooth pitch changes from a fourth down to a minor third up. Slight detuning creates chorused delay sounds, while wider intervals with feedback create strange organ-like textures. Repeats can continuously shift up or down, or shift once and remain at that pitch. Two reverse delay modes can be used for reverse solos or with pitch shifting for crystal echoes. Delay time can also be minimized to use the Raster as an old-school pitch shifter.

Beyond pitch shifting, a phase 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 features an analog dry signal path with Burr-Brown op amps. It works with guitar, bass, synthesizers, drum machines, and other instruments.

It is available now through the Red Panda online store and Red Panda dealers.  For an up-to-date list of dealers, visit here.