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TENSOR
Owner's Manual
Detroit, MI • www.redpandalab.com
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Summary of Contents for Red Panda TENSOR

  • Page 1 TENSOR Owner’s Manual Detroit, MI • www.redpandalab.com...
  • Page 2 TENSOR Owner’s Manual Version 1.0 February 2018 Red Panda LLC 4444 2nd Ave Detroit, MI 48201 ©2018 Red Panda LLC www.redpandalab.com...
  • Page 3 Please register your product at redpandalab.com/register Product manuals and firmware updates are available at redpandalab.com/support For technical support, email support@redpandalab.com...
  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Contents Getting Started Controls Overview Drift Expression pedal Hold Modes Recording and playback Hold/Record (REC) Mode Hold/Overdub (OVR) Mode Hold/Next (NXT) mode Loop directions (DIR) Loop decay (MIDI setting) Advanced Configuration Setting maximum input level Sample Settings Additional Techniques Stutter Transformer loops Pitch up / speed down Loop splicing...
  • Page 5: Getting Started

    To get familiar with the Tensor, start with a full wet, normal playback setting: Play a loop or some music through the Tensor and turn each of the knobs to see its effect on the sound. Try the SPEED, TIME, and PITCH knobs one by one, then combine them. Next, slowly turn up the RAND (random) knob and hear how it interacts with the other controls.
  • Page 6: Controls

    Controls Overview Hold switch Time stretch Momentary hold Expression pedal Hold indicator Input Wet/dry blend Pitch shift Hold mode Loop direction Tape speed Randomization USB MIDI Bypass indicator 9V DC 250 mA Output Bypass switch...
  • Page 7 The Tensor analyzes your playing to automatically adjust the size and timing of the reversed segments (See NXT hold mode or “Drift” if you need...
  • Page 8: Drift

    Drift While the Tensor is engaged (blue LED on), holding down the ON footswitch will cause the tape speed effect to continue playing at the set speed without splicing back to the current time. Releasing the footswitch will snap back to the current time. If playback falls too far behind, it will stop (tape stop ef- fect).
  • Page 9: Hold Modes

    Press the HOLD footswitch again to replace, overdub, or update the loop. Press the ON footswitch to stop loop playback. The Tensor will record to live play or bypass, whichever was active when you entered hold mode.
  • Page 10: Hold/Next (Nxt) Mode

    Hold/Next (NXT) mode NXT mode uses dual buffers, recording into one buffer while playing back the last buffer. Each time the LED blinks red, the buffers are swapped. You can think of it like playing rounds (row, row, row your boat...) or use it like tap tempo.
  • Page 11: Advanced Configuration

    Advanced Configuration Setting maximum input level The Tensor can handle signals up to +5.2 dBu (4 Vpp) in its default setting. The maximum input level is adjustable using MIDI System Exclusive (SysEx) messages, or via the TouchOSC template we provide.
  • Page 12: Sample Settings

    Normal Playback Tape Reverse Rewind Use an expression pedal to morph The Tensor listens in bypass. Hold from forward (heel down) to reverse down the ON footswitch to instantly (toe down). Set SPEED to 12:00 for rewind what you just played.
  • Page 13: Additional Techniques

    The Tensor listens in bypass, so pressing the ON footswitch will rewind what you just played. While playing in reverse, the Tensor is still listening to what you play, so you can seamlessly jump between forward and reverse. To play an entire solo in reverse, hold the ON switch down and momentarily lift it up when you want to retrigger the reverse segment, similar to how a horn player incorporates breathing.
  • Page 14: Using Midi

    Access additional hidden parameters The Tensor can work with any USB MIDI host, including: • Macintosh and Windows computers. The Tensor shows up as a MIDI device and is available to all pro- grams. • Apple iPad, iPod touch, and iPhone using the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter. We provide TouchOSC templates for download from our web site.
  • Page 15: Midi Continuous Controller Messages

    MIDI Continuous Controller Messages CC Num Destination Notes Expression pedal CTRL input Speed Reverse 100% Stop Forward 100% Time 1:4 stretch 4:1 compress Pitch -2 octaves Unison +2 octaves Blend 100% dry 100% wet Random Loop decay 0 dB -0.25 dB ...0.25 dB steps -31.5 dB Hold mode...
  • Page 16: System Exclusive (Sysex) Messages

    System Exclusive (SysEx) Messages Set maximum input level Byte (hex) Description System Exclusive (SysEx) Red Panda ID byte 1 Red Panda ID byte 2 Red Panda ID byte 3 Tensor ID Set maximum input level 01: +7.2 dBu max (5.0 Vpp) 02: +5.2 dBu max (4.0 Vpp)
  • Page 17: Support, Repairs, And Warranty

    Support, Repairs, and Warranty Technical Support Please register your product at redpandalab.com/register within 30 days of purchase. For technical support, send your question via email to support@redpandalab.com or use the contact form on our web site. Be sure to include your serial number. We are a small company with limited resources for technical support, so it might take us a few days to reply.
  • Page 18: Firmware Updates

    Firmware Updates The Tensor’s firmware can be updated via drag and drop using any Mac or PC. No driver or special soft- ware is required. To tell which version of firmware your pedal is running: 1. Hold down both footswitches and connect power.
  • Page 19: Specifications

    Specifications Maximum input level: +0.5 dBu (high gain) +5.2 dBu (default) +7.2 dBu (max) Frequency response: 20-20 kHz, +0/-0.5 dB Input impedance: 1 MΩ Output impedance: < 1 kΩ Bypass: analog buffered Power supply: 9V DC, center negative Power connector: 2.1mm I.D.
  • Page 20: Credits

    Testing Sylvie Demers Eric Iverson Randy Molina Thank You I would like to thank the following people who generously provided inspiration, ideas, and feedback during development of the Tensor. Juan Alderete Bobb Bruno Denver Dalley Jonathan Hischke Henry Kaiser Josh Klinghoffer...

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