Red Panda Announces Updated More Compact Context V2 Digital Reverb with more Algorithms and Stereo Input and Output via TRS
When I first caught sight of the new pedal without reading the notes I looked rather disappointingly at the singular input and output, and the apparently just singular Preset onboard. This of course is the much improved and more compact version of the Context Reverb which brings it into line with the Tensor and Particle V2. Bizarrely though all of those are quite systematically different - with different control topologies and Preset executions. I really like my Particle V2 Granular / Pitch-Shifting Delay with the 4 presets onboard, but am not happy with the lack of footswitchability of those, nor the fact that you need to use TRS for stereo output, and that there is no equivalent on the input - which limits pedal placement and versatility.
On the new Context we have much more of everything - secondary / alt functions galore to go with the 2 more presets - now numbering 8.
The previous version had :
- Room
- Hall
- Cathedral
- Gated
- Plate
- Delay
While the new V2 one has :
- Room
- Hall
- Cathedral
- Gated
- Reverse
- Plate
- Spring
- Grain
Controls are :
- Blend
- PreDelay
- Decay
- Hi Frequency Damping
- Lo Frequency Damping
- Modulation Depth
With Alternative / Secondary knob functions as :
- Reverb/Delay Balance
- Delay Time
- Delay Feedback
- v-o-^ - Dynamics Ducking/Off/Expander and Recovery Time
- /\-_-_ - Dynamics Threshold
- Tap Divisions (On Mode knob)
- Modulation Rate
Note also that if you hold the Left Footswitch it acts like an infinite sustainer, while holding the right engages Freeze function.
I have a slight pet peeve for lack of onboard footswitchable presets and lack of proper stereo support, and the need to use Midi to get the most out of the pedal - which is sort of the case here (127 Presets via Midi, 1 on the pedal). This is no doubt a very significant improvement over the previous Context, but I personally don’t find it quite as evocative or appealing as the Particle V2 or Tensor - but it may well grow on me - we’ll see!
