Old Blood Noise Endeavors introduces the triple Expression Ramper X3 with additional Sync options, along with the Scooch Tap Tempo

May 9, 202408:00 by

Stefan Karlsson

ExpressionOld Blood Noise EndeavorsUtility

OBNE have really excelled at smart utility pedals over the years - and I have a number of their mini Expression Rampers and Expression Sliders in different colourways - to match specific OBNE pedals. In fact I have Basic White, Screen Violence, and Float Filter variants. I’ve included a Mini Expression Ramper also in the above visual - for further context!

So with this release we get a triple Expression Ramper - where you can see a 3rd Middle 3-way Toggle Switch - which additionally allows you to Sync up all 3 Rampers if you wish. That 3rd toggle switch gives you Sync options for - All / Rate / Off - on two of the 3 Rampers, where the first on essentially has a Tap function instead - to set the Rate.

It’s a large pedal for sure, while presumable one of the OBNE uber users - like say Andy Othling - has requested this. For me the utility and usefulness of the Expression Ramper and Expression Slider - is specifically to do with their diminutive form factor - while here you’re tripling down on the format.

I can see why you would want 3 expression controllers in one pedal - while it’s not something I would consider calling up for my rig. Of course the ability to sync Expression / LFO Oscillation across those 3 internal units is a useful facility to have - while I would more likely just employ 3 of those mini varieties - and without the high sync!

Controls - I } Shape : Triangle / Square / 1 Shot, Tap, Set : A / B / Rate, Adjust Knob, Footswitch; II } Shape : Triangle / Square / 1 Shot, Sync : All / Rate / Off, Set : A / B / Rate, Adjust Knob, Footswitch; III } Shape : Triangle / Square / 1 Shot, Sync : All / Rate / Off, Set : A / B / Rate, Adjust Knob, Footswitch.

The other release on this occasion is a mini ’Schooch’ Tap Tempo pedal - obviously to give you control over speed / rate functions on specific pedal - that is as minimal as these come - with no additional features - just the ’Tap’ output!

The Expression Ramper X3 retails for - $199 | €229 | £199, and the Scooch Tap Tempo is @ $30 | €35 | £30. Of course available for orders from the Old Blood Noise Endeavors Webstore immediately, and imminently at International dealers.

Here are the Key Details for the Expression Ramper X3 :

Expression Control Pedal, with storable expression preset settings
3 x Expression - separately adjustable and syncable outputs to create footswitch activated motion on up to three external devices
Ramp between the two presets (A and B) - set via Adjust Knob
3 new random shapes (Smooth, Sharp and 1 Shot) in addition to the classic shapes (Triangle, Square, and 1 Shot) for movement between settings
Ability to sync across all three Rampers, with subdivided rate or direct output matching
Tempo syncing via tap switch on the device, external tap switch, and tap out in order to sync multiple Expression Ramper X3s
Expression input for Ramper 1, allowing X3 to become a 1-in-3-out Expression splitter Rate control, sets the speed of movement
Configurable EXP output (TRS, TRS reverse polarity or TS)
LED indicates which setting is currently active
Smart footswitching for momentary or latching operation
Powered by regular 9 V DC PSU (centre -, 2.1 mm, ~50 mA current draw)

The Expression Ramper X3 is more than just three Rampers in one box, there are a plethora of additional controls to tempo sync multiple Rampers. Changing the Rate knob assigns subdivisions: 1⁄4, 1⁄2, 1x, 2x, 3x, and 4x speeds are all available. You can Sync All - Rate and Movement, or just the Rate / Tempo.

Ramper 'I' (the green one) has a TAP button. This can be used to tap in the desired LFO speed. It begins syncing at two taps, but multiple taps in a row at similar BPMs will average out to increase accuracy. Note: the slowest possible tap tempo is 30 BPM, so taps outside of this range will be disregarded.

OBNE have engineered in the maximum utility here with some clever additions over the standalone Mini Rampers. I still feel this is a somewhat specialist pedal - as you need to give up a lot of real-estate to accommodate it. Would be interesting to know upon whose request this was created, and which pedals and scenarios it's been engineered for. I like the idea of it, but have certain mental blockers regarding its size!

I would be interested to know if any of you plan to use this - and how?

Note that there don't see to be any new demos for this pedal yet - as OBNE has simply referenced 3 older videos on the product page - the same 3 as I included below! I will of course include any new ones as and when they materialise!