Red Panda CONTEXT 2 Owner's Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Red Panda Manuals
  4. Music Pedal
  5. CONTEXT 2
  6. Owner's manual

Red Panda CONTEXT 2 Owner's Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

CONTEXT 2
Owner's Manual
Detroit, MI • www.redpandalab.com
1

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Related Manuals for Red Panda CONTEXT 2

Summary of Contents for Red Panda CONTEXT 2

  • Page 1 CONTEXT 2 Owner’s Manual Detroit, MI • www.redpandalab.com...
  • Page 2 CONTEXT 2 Owner’s Manual Version 2.2 (firmware 2.2.0+) September 2020 Red Panda LLC 44712 Helm St Plymouth, MI 48170 ©2020 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/downloads For technical support, email support@redpandalab.com...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Contents Introduction Signal Flow Getting Started Inputs and Outputs Controls Reverb Algorithms Bypass Trails Reverb Hold (∞) HI / LO Response Tremolo (Spring Only) Dynamics DELAY Presets Tap Tempo Control Input Using MIDI Web Editor (beta) Reset to Factory Defaults Support, Repairs, and Warranty Firmware Updates Specifications...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    New in Version 2 The Context 2 uses a much more powerful processor than the original Context, allowing it to run two reverb engines simultaneously so that you can change presets with spillover. Holding down either of the footswitches will sustain the reverb indefinitely (reverb freeze).

  • Page 6: Signal Flow

    Signal Flow...

  • Page 7: Getting Started

    Getting Started Connect the input and output using 1/4" TS cables (for mono) or TRS cables (for stereo). When using TRS cables, the left channel is on the tip and the right channel is on the ring. Plug in a 9V DC regulated power supply rated at 250 mA or more. If the pedal's LED turns magenta and it switches to bypass mode, that means it detected a problem with the power supply.

  • Page 8: Inputs And Outputs

    Inputs and Outputs DC POWER Connect a 9V DC center negative power supply rated at 250 mA or higher. USB mini B connector for MIDI, web editor, and firmware updates. 1/4" TRS mono or stereo input. CTRL 1/4" TRS jack for expression pedal, remote, or MIDI. 1/4"...
  • Page 9 Maximum Input Level Mode Max. Signal Level Description (Volts peak-to-peak) +12 dB with -3 dB pad 8.2 Vpp For extremely hot input signals. DSP output will be reduced by -3 dB. Analog bypass signal is not affected (so DSP bypass or kill dry work best). +8 dB 5.7 Vpp Works well with synthesizers.

  • Page 10: Controls

    Controls Each knob on the Context has a primary and secondary function. Editing Alternate Controls [SHIFT] Press and hold the [SHIFT] button to adjust alternate parameters shown in light blue. Settings are stored in presets and remembered when the pedal is turned off. Alternate functions are labeled [SHIFT] in the following sections.
  • Page 11 MOD / [RATE] Adjusts reverb modulation amount and character. REV: adds forward reverb. SPRING: tremolo depth. [SHIFT] Adjusts modulation speed. HI / [DYNAMICS RECOVERY TIME] High-frequency response. Reverb damping is increased as knob is turned down. Flat at 3:00. [SHIFT] Dynamics recovering time. Center position is off. Turning the knob farther from the center posi- tion will lengthen the time it takes for the reverb level to recover.

  • Page 12: Reverb Algorithms

    1:30. SPRING Spring reverb. It is not a model of a specific spring reverb. The Context 2 simulates a spring reverb us- ing the algorithms and techniques used in 1980's reverbs, but with more processing power available. Low decay settings work well for vocals, bass, and addnig subtle ambience to your instrument without an obvious reverb effect.

  • Page 13: Bypass

    Bypass The right footswitch turns the effect on and off. Tap to toggle between bypass and effect. Press and hold the right footswitch to turn on the effect in momentary mode - it will return to bypass when the footswitch is released. The Context remembers its bypass state when power is removed.

  • Page 14: Hi / Lo Response

    Tremolo (Spring Only) Tremolo varies the volume of your signal in a rhythmic pattern. The Context 2 tremolo affects the vol- ume of the wet and dry signal after the reverb. The MOD control adjusts the tremolo depth, from off to subtle sine wave to choppy near-square-wave tremolo.

  • Page 15: Dynamics

    Dynamics While holding down the [SHIFT] button (or SHIFT LOCK), the HI and LO knobs adjust reverb dynamics - How the reverb level responds to your playing level. The LO knob adjusts how it responds to level, and the HI knob adjusts the time response. The threshold control ([SHIFT]-LO) sets the signal level at which the dynamics kick in.
  • Page 16 The release (SHIFT-HI) control sets the amount of time it takes for the reverb input signal to recover, increasing clockwise from 12:00. The range is 30 - 3000 ms. Dynamic reverb techniques To get a feel for how it works, set the release ([SHIFT]-HI) control to 11:00 (ducking) or 1:00 (expansion) to give the most dramatic effect.

  • Page 17: Delay

    DELAY Context 2 has delay available in all modes. Each reverb engine has its own stereo delay line. The input signal is fed into both the delay and reverb. The delay feedback signal is also fed into the reverb. The DELAY ([SHIFT]-PRE) control sets the delay time and the FDBK ([SHIFT]-DECAY) control sets the feedback amount.

  • Page 18: Tap Tempo

    Tap Tempo You can set independent note divisions for delay time, reverb pre-delay, and tremolo rate. The tap divi- sions are stored in presets, and delay note division set via the mode knob is remembered when power is removed. The CTRL port supports external tap tempo switches that use a normally open contact, including multi-output tap controllers.

  • Page 19: Control Input

    Control Input The CTRL (control) input supports different methods of remotely controlling the pedal: • Expression pedal • Control voltage (CV) with 0-3.3V range • Tap Tempo • TRS MIDI in (tip active) • Remote switch To configure a expression pedal or remote switch, hold down the right footswitch while plugging it in. The pedal will detect which device is connected using the steps below.
  • Page 20 Control Voltage Control voltage input is configured the same way as an expression pedal. CV Range: 0-3.3V (with over/under-voltage protection) Tip: 0-3.3V input Ring: 3.3V output (with current limiting) Sleeve: ground The expression input has current limiting in case you use a TS cable, but it is preferable to use a 1/4” TRS cable with the ring unconnected.
  • Page 21 Remote Modes Mode Switch Function LED Indication Preset 1 (hold to save) Blinks green when saved Preset 2 (hold to save) Blinks green when saved Preset 3 (hold to save) Blinks green when saved Preset 4 (hold to save) Blinks green when saved Preset / live knob settings Bypass / on Reverb hold (latching)

  • Page 22: Using Midi

    Using MIDI Your pedal supports USB MIDI (in/out) and 1/4" TRS MIDI (input only). USB MIDI Your pedal is a class-compliant USB device, which allows you to: • Control all parameters • Access additional hidden parameters The pedal can work with any USB MIDI host, including: •...
  • Page 23 MIDI Timing Clock MIDI timing clock messages are used to synchronize multiple MIDI devices to a single clock transmitter. The clock is typically provided by a DAW in computer-based setups and a sequencer or drum machine in hardware-only setups. Dedicated MIDI clock generators are available for more complicated setups that need tight synchronization, and some devices can convert between MIDI clock, DIN sync, and taps.
  • Page 24 MIDI real time messages are high-priority messages that can interrupt other MIDI messages to ensure the best possible syncronization timing. However, the accuracy of the clock depends on the transmit- ter and any devices it passes through. It is common to have +/-1 milliseconds of jitter, with is irregular timing due to individual clock ticks arriving too early or too late.
  • Page 25 MIDI Continuous Controller Messages CC Num Destination Notes Expression pedal CTRL input Blend Reverb predelay Reverb decay Low response High response Modulation amount Modulation rate Delay time Delay feedback Reverb / delay balance Dynamics threshold Dynamics recovery time 0-63 Ducking 65-127 Expansion PRESET / [∞]...
  • Page 26 CC Num Destination Notes Bypass 0-63 Bypass (Receive only) 64-127 Effect On 64-127 Remote tap (Receive only) Algorithm Room Hall Cathedral Gated Reverse Plate Spring Grain Delay note division See “Note Divisions” table Predelay note division See “Note Divisions” table Tremolo note division See “Note Divisions”...
  • Page 27 Note Division Continuous Controller Values Allowable values for each parameter are limited by the minimum and maximum parameter values. Note that values are grouped by dotted/basic/triplet notes for each division and are not in strictly decreasing order. CC Value Note Division Off (tap tempo disabled) 8 measure 7 measures...
  • Page 28 Context. The basic format is the same for all messages: Byte (hex) Description System Exclusive (SysEx) Red Panda ID byte 1 Red Panda ID byte 2 Red Panda ID byte 3 Context family ID Context product ID...
  • Page 29 Properties Firmware Version ID 1 ID 2 Data Bytes Data Firmware version: 0: Major 1: Minor 2: Patch 3: Release type (ascii) 4-7: Build number Returns the firmware version. Input voltage ID 1 ID 2 Data Bytes Data 100 * PSU voltage in Volts Returns the approximate input voltage.
  • Page 30 MIDI Channel ID 1 ID 2 Data Bytes Data 00: channel 1 (default) 01: channel 2 0F: channel 16 Get or set MIDI channel. Save preset ID 1 ID 2 Data Bytes Data Preset location (MIDI program number) Save a preset to internal memory. Get / Set Parameter Value (high resolution) ID 1 ID 2...

  • Page 32: Web Editor (Beta)

    Web Editor (beta) The web editor can be used to configure your pedal, access hidden parameters, and fine-tune presets. It is intended for "offline" configuration and editing. For live performance editing, we recommend using dedicated MIDI hardware or software and MIDI control change messages. Connect your pedal to a computer using a USB cable and go to the web editor URL using Chrome: https://www.redpandalab.com/content/apps/context-editor/index.html Note the https in the URL.
  • Page 33 This tab also displays the installed firmware version and the input power supply (PSU) voltage. A low PSU voltage may indicate that the power supply is not able to provide enough current to properly power the pedal. Help The Show MIDI Devices button on the Help tab will display all of the MIDI devices accessible by your browser.

  • Page 34: Reset To Factory Defaults

    Reset to Factory Defaults Use the following procedure to reset the Context's configuration data to factory default settings. This will erase any advanced configuration and control port settings, but presets will not be affected. Note that this is rarely useful for troubleshooting problems with your pedal. 1.

  • Page 35: 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 re- sources for technical support, so it might take us a few days to reply.

  • Page 36: Firmware Updates

    Firmware Updates The Context'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 the PRESET (left) footswitch and connect power. 2.

  • Page 37: Specifications

    Specifications Maximum input level: +0.5 dBu (high gain) +5.2 dBu (default) +8 dBu (max with unity gain) +12 dBu (max with -3 dB pad) 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...

Table of Contents