The Oscillator Devices Trash Panda is a MIDI controllable expression pedal splitter series. Plug in your expression pedal and control up to four effects devices with expression pedal or CV inputs. All functions are controllable via MIDI, even the pedal position of the expression outputs. That also makes it a MIDI to expression translator/converter. The expression outputs can also be internally controlled by a LFO, that is synced to MIDI clock.
The expression outputs stay at their last position, when you select another expression output. Even when you select a expression output again, it only changes the value when you move the expression pedal. That way you can easily jump between expression outputs and dial in parameters.
Features:
- Control up to four expression outputs with a single expression pedal
- MIDI control of all functions
- All expression outputs can act as 5V CV output.
- Presets for controlling multiple ouputs at the same time with a selection of different tapers (Quad only)
- Setting a range for the expression outputs (Dual only)
- Individually inverting the expression direction
- Calibration of the expression pedal
- LFO waveforms to drive the expression outputs
- Selectable MIDI channel
- Compatible with all MIDI 1.0 compliant controllers
- High-quality Amphenol and Neutrik sockets
- Developed and handbuilt by Oscillator Devices in Germany
Differences between the models
| Outputs | EXP Input | MIDI Thru | Adj. Range | Dimensions* | |
| Dual | 2 | Yes | No | Yes | 100 x 50 x 31 mm |
| Quad | 4 | Yes | Yes | No | 119 x 94 x 34 mm |
*Dimensions of the enclosure without sockets and switches
Trash Panda Quad – Quad Expression Splitter Overview
The Trash Panda Quad features four expression outputs that can be controlled by an expression pedal and by MIDI at the same time.
With the two footswitches, you can cycle through the four expression outputs and choose which one is controlled by the expression pedal connected to the expression input. Alternatively you can set up one of the 8 presets and control every possible combination of the expression outputs at the same time. You can even invert heel and toe position individually.
Of course the Trash Panda Quad can be used as MIDI only device, without an expression pedal. Every expression output can be controlled individually by CC commands, or can be driven by the integrated LFO waveforms.
Manual vs. Preset Mode
The Trash Panda Quad has two main operation modes. Manual and Preset Mode. Manual mode is straight forward. Use the footswitches to jump back and forth between the expression outputs. Unused outputs are skipped, to ensure quick selection, when using less than four outputs. The outputs can be inverted so they’re heel to toe instead of toe to heel. That’s sufficient for most users. But what if I want to control more than one expression output at the same time? Here come preset mode into play. Here you can set up to eight presets with various combinations of the four expression outputs.
Trash Panda Dual – Dual Expression Splitter Overview
The Trash Panda Dual features two expression outputs that can be controlled by an expression pedal and by MIDI at the same time.
The single footswitch lets you toggle between EXP1 and EXP2, or depending on the setup, EXP1+EXP2 or both outputs disabled. Also, the outputs can be inverted. A unique feature with the Trash Panda Dual is the range feature, to limit the range of one or both outputs to set a distinctive value at heel and at toe.
Expression Pedal Calibration
Not all expression pedals are the same. While the resistance of the potentiometer can vary wildly, this is no issue. But expression pedals have different ranges. This is in particular the case with expression pedals with lower resistance, because a necessary series resistance can cause the range to be shorter. Because of that both Trash Pandas can be easily calibrated for your expression pedal, so you always can use the full range.
LFO-Waveforms
Like the Garbage Collectors, the Trash Pandas have an internal, MIDI clock synchronous, LFO engine with three different waveforms to drive the MIDI to expression converter. Choose between sine wave, square wave or saw tooth in both directions. The speed of the waveforms depends on MIDI clock, with one pass being either whole, half, quarter, eighth, or sixteenth notes. The waveforms can be further altered in starting point, amplitude and position.
Expression vs. CV
The outputs of the Trash Pandas can be switched between Expression and CV individually. But what’s the difference? An expression pedal is nothing else than a potentiometer. The pedal with the expression input delivers a voltage (+5V or +3.3V most of the time) on the ring of the TRS connector. The potentiometer divides this voltage down, depending on the state of the pedal. This lower voltage is then provided to the pedal on tip of the TRS connector. CV on the other hand provides this voltage on tip directly. It doesn’t need a voltage provided by the expression input it controls.
Can’t I Just Use an ABY Pedal?
Whenever the question arises, how an expression pedal can be split to more than one effects device, there’s always someone who recommends an ABY pedal instead of an expression pedal splitter. That’s wrong. The effects device that is currently connected to the expression pedal, will most likely work (if the ABY pedal is passive, or true bypass). But what about the one that isn’t connected? This one will either snap to heel, snap to toe or go completely haywire. Why is that? Because there is still a plug inserted in the expression socket und thus the effects device expects an expression signal.
But I can use it in Y mode to control two pedals at the same time, right? If you’re lucky, yes. If the pedals use different voltages, though, one of them could be damaged.
MIDI Connection
The MIDI sockets are assigned according to the official MIDI specification of MIDI TRS using MIDI TRS Type A, like pedals from Boss or Wampler. A 1/8″ (3.5 mm) stereo jack plug is used. The MIDI Thru socket is latency-free.
