Site logo
The Red Panda Bitcrusher features envelope and LFO modulation, wet/dry blend, and stereo in/out. Compatible with all Line 6 ToneCore® docks. The modules are swappable, so any Line 6 ToneCore® pedal will work, but we recommend a stereo dock for flexibility. If you do not already own a Line 6 ToneCore® pedal, you can usually find the Space Chorus in a stereo dock for $69.99 online.
Stacks Image 7
A bitcrusher reduces the sampling rate and resolution of a signal without any filtering, resulting in aliasing and quantization noise. When a digital signal is resampled at a lower sampling rate it creates copies of the signal (aliasing). Unlike a fuzz, these copies are not harmonically related to the original signal. Samplers and digital audio workstations use filters to remove the aliased components, but they are essential to a bitcrusher’s character.

When too few bits are used to represent a signal, each sample is rounded to the nearest allowed value and no longer matches the true signal level. The rounding errors cause noise, called quantization noise, because the actual signal is approximated using a small set of values. 8-bit computer audio is a good example of quantization noise, but the Red Panda Bitcrusher can go all the way down to 1 bit.

Bit crushers are great for shredding your signal, but they can also make your ears bleed. We spent months tweaking to make a more musical bit crusher (but it can still shred).

Buy now for $85
Scroll down for videos.
Stacks Image 8
  • Stereo bit crusher
  • Works with guitar, bass, and line level instruments
  • Flexible inputs and outputs for self-oscillation and feedback loops
Stacks Image 9
  • Developed using the Line 6 ToneCore® DSP Development Kit
  • All new custom DSP code
  • Works with stereo or mono ToneCore® docks
    We highly recommend a stereo dock!
Stacks Image 10
  • Custom knob responses provide wide range along with more control in the most useful ranges
  • Proprietary bit reduction algorithm incorporating a noise gate and fractional bit depths

Samples


Switching between clean signal, envelope, hold, tracking down, and tracking up modes (in that order). Thanks to Jeremy Withers of The Inclined.
MP3

Delay-esque sound with gentle crushing, track up mode, and random LFO. Thanks to Jeremy Withers of The Inclined.
MP3

Dave Smith Instruments Mopho playing “Moroder 1” preset through the Red Panda bitcrusher. First few seconds are dry.
MP3


Noise: Red Panda Bitcrusher with Big Muff Pi in feedback loop.
MP3

Demo by FrankZ00

More videos below.
Stacks Image 11

Technical Specs

Bit depth: 1 to 24 bits fractional)
Sampling rate: 152 Hz - 39 kHz
LFO rate: 0.125 - 32 Hz
LFO waveform: sine/square/random
Pitch tracking: monophonic
Size: 3.2" wide x 5.1" long x 2.8" tall (with knobs)
100 MIPS DSP
3,837 bytes code size
Stereo or mono operation
Tap/bypass switch
Requires 90 mA, center negative 9V DC power supply or 9V battery
(we recommend using the Line 6 DC1 power supply)
90 day warranty
Download the instructions here (PDF).
We also have a patch sheet (PDF) to record your favorite settings.
Mix knob controls wet/dry balance.
Env knob does two things:
  • Modulate the wet/dry mix by the input signal’s envelope.
  • In “env” tracking mode, it also modulates the sampling rate by the envelope.
Crush control reduces the number of bits used to represent the signal, from 24 bits (0%) to 1 bit (100%). With quiet guitar pickups, the signal level will increase as the crush control is cranked up. Line-level signals will be attentuated. (When necessary, you can mix in some of the dry signal to keep the level more consistent.)
Freq control sets the sampling rate. Middle settings add inharmonic distortion, lower settings shred the input signal.
LFO knob controls how much the sampling rate is modulated by the LFO.
Speed knob controls the LFO rate, from slow modulation (0%) to audio rates (100%).
The LFO waveform can be switched between sine, square, and random step (sample and hold). Sine is good for modulation. Square has a similar sound to ring modulation at higher rates. Random works well for computers in sci-fi movies.
The tracking mode switch has different functions depending on whether tracking is on or off:

Tracking on (green LED):

  • Track - Sampling rate decreases as pitch increases.
  • Env Sampling rate modulated by the envelope detector.
  • Track + Sampling rate increases as pitch increases.

Tracking off (orange LED):

  • Hold (Track -): Sampling rate is held at its last value (including modulation).
  • Off: Sampling rate is unaffected.
  • Hold (Track +): Sampling rate is held at its last value (including modulation).
Guitar Demo
Bass Guitar Demo
Stacks Image 12
The Red Panda bitcrusher is designed for use with all Line 6 ToneCore® pedals and docks. If you already have a mono or stereo ToneCore® dock, you can buy the bitcrusher module alone.

Line 6 and ToneCore are registered trademarks of Line 6, Inc.
[Sleeker_special_clear]