The Expression Ramper is a mini expression pedal controller from Old Blood Noise Endeavors. Instead of rocking a treadle with your foot, you pick two expression settings, called A and B, and the Ramper moves between them: either in one motion, or as a continuous LFO that you start and stop with a footswitch1. Hooked up to any pedal with an expression input, it automates a parameter the way an LFO or a ramp would, which is why Guitar World described it as a controller that aims to help you "conjure sounds you never thought possible from any pedal with an expression input"2.
Old Blood Noise says it should suit most effects pedals out of the box, naming pitch shifters, expression-enabled phasers and delays as examples3. The idea was born out of the brand's own desire for a unit that would aid with automated expression control2. It was announced in May 2021, listing at $59 in the US and £59 in the UK at launch43, and the current webstore price is $84.001.
What it does
The Ramper stores two expression presets, the A and B positions. You dial in your first expression setting for the A position, then your second for the B position3. From there, a Shape toggle determines how the pedal moves between them1:
| Mode | Motion |
|---|---|
| Tri | A linear triangle wave LFO sweep between A and B4 |
| Sqr | A square wave for an instant change between A and B4 |
| A<>B | A one-shot sweep between the two positions that stays there until the footswitch is pressed again4 |
In A<>B mode, each footswitch press triggers a single ramp to the other position rather than a repeating cycle4. Beyond the three main shapes, alternate wave shapes are accessible via the Tap switch: smooth random, sharp random, or one-shot random1.
The controls
The front panel is deliberately small, and one knob does several jobs1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Assignable knob | Sets the A position, the B position, and LFO Rate1 |
| Rate | Sets the speed of movement78 |
| Shape toggle | Determines LFO motion: triangle, square, or one-shot1 |
| Tap switch | Accesses alternate wave shapes: smooth random, sharp random, or one-shot random1 |
| Footswitch | Sets the expression output in motion, with momentary or latching operation1 |
Each of the two settings can have its own speed and its own wave shape, either triangular or square7. The footswitch choice matters for playing style: in momentary operation the motion runs only while your foot holds the switch down, while latching operation starts it with one press and stops it with the next1.
Power and connections
The Ramper needs a 9V DC center negative power supply with a 2.1mm jack, capable of 50mA, and the supply is not included1.
There is no battery option. The pedal needs a 9V DC center negative supply delivering at least 50mA, so plan for a power supply output or a pedalboard power brick1.
On the connection side, the expression output is configurable for TRS, reverse-polarity TRS, or TS expression inputs471. That configuration is set internally, which is what lets one Ramper drive pedals with different expression wiring conventions1. The mini enclosure, 2" x 3.75" x 2", is meant to take up minimal space on a board while creating new sounds out of any pedal with an expression input1.
The digital potentiometer
By default, the Ramper ships with a 50K digital potentiometer. That potentiometer is socketed rather than soldered in, so it can be replaced with a 10K version (part code MCP41010-I/P) or a 100K version (part code MCP41100-I/P)97. This matters because expression-enabled pedals expect different potentiometer values at their expression inputs; a pedal designed around a 10K pot can behave incorrectly with a 50K one, so the socketed digipot lets one Ramper be matched to whatever the target pedal wants19.
Versions and limited-edition art
The Expression Ramper is offered in several art versions: Basic, HK, Setback, Parting Algae, and Beam Splitter1. The art of the HK colorway is by Holey Kids, whose colorful artwork Old Blood Noise has rolled out across more of its utility pedals16. There have also been one-off limited editions, including a colorway matching the distorted CRT look of Screen Violence, a stereo boost reverb pedal released in collaboration with CHVRCHES in May 202210.
In July 2024, Old Blood Noise introduced an all-new Expression Ramper with extra features including Tap Tempo, random algorithms and a dual LED display, alongside the expanded Holey Kids artwork6. Guitar Pedal X noted at the time that "there's nothing out there really equivalent to the Expression Ramper, in that Mini form factor"6.
The X3 and related pedals
For players who want to drive more than one pedal at once, Old Blood Noise also makes the Expression Ramper X3, announced in May 2024. It packs three individual Expression Rampers into one unit, with separately adjustable and syncable expression outputs for footswitch-activated motion on up to three external devices, plus a Tap Tempo switch and a Tap/Exp input jack on Ramper I11. It shares the same 9V DC center negative, 2.1mm, 50mA power requirement11. The maker's range also includes the Expression Slider and the MTET MIDI to Expression Translator for players who want other ways to control expression parameters.
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Questions
Does the Expression Ramper work with any pedal that has an expression input?
Old Blood Noise Endeavors says it should suit most effects pedals out of the box, including pitch shifters, expression-enabled phasers and delays. Inside, the output can be configured for TRS, reverse-polarity TRS or TS expression jacks, so pedals with different expression wiring conventions can be matched.
Can I swap the digital potentiometer in the Expression Ramper?
Yes. It ships with a 50K digital potentiometer, and that pot is socketed rather than soldered, so it can be replaced with a 10K (part code MCP41010-I/P) or 100K (part code MCP41100-I/P) version to match pedals that expect a different resistance range.
Does the Expression Ramper take a battery?
No. It requires a 9V DC center negative 2.1mm jack power supply capable of 50mA, and the supply is not included with the pedal. There is no battery option, so it needs a spot on a power supply or an isolated output.
Does the Expression Ramper work with TS expression jacks?
Yes. The expression output is configurable internally for TRS, TRS reverse polarity and TS expression compatibility, so pedals that use a two-conductor TS expression input can be driven as well as the more common TRS wiring.
Can the Expression Ramper footswitch be momentary?
Yes. The footswitch that sets the expression output in motion can run in either momentary or latching operation, so you can hold the motion only while your foot is down, or press once to let it run.
Sources (11)
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors, Old Blood Noise Endeavors
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors unveils expression pedal parameter controller, the Expression Ramper, Guitar World, 2021-05-12
- Your pedalboard's new secret weapon? Old Blood Noise Endeavours reveals the Expression Ramper, MusicRadar, 2021-05-21
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors launches the Expression Ramper, an affordable way to automate and rethink expression, Guitar.com, 2021-05-12
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors, Old Blood Noise Endeavors
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-07-09
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors Expression Ramper, Delicious Audio, 2024-04-19
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-05-09
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors, Old Blood Noise Endeavors
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors and CHVRCHES unveil Screen Violence, a shoegazey stereo boost and reverb, Guitar.com, 2022-05-26
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors, Old Blood Noise Endeavors
