Strymon, the renowned California-based effects pedal manufacturer, has just announced the release of their most ambitious reverb pedal to date: the BigSky MX Multi Reverb. Building upon the legacy of the original BigSky, which has been a staple on many professional guitarists’ pedalboards for years, the BigSky MX takes things to a whole new level.
Unparalleled Processing Power
At the heart of the BigSky MX lies a high-performance tri-core 800 MHz ARM processor, dedicated entirely to crafting the most breathtaking reverbs possible. Strymon’s engineering team has meticulously created brand-new reverb algorithms by hand, and then employed a state-of-the-art gradient descent optimization algorithm to eliminate any undesirable ringing or artifacts. The result is a collection of reverbs with unmatched richness and complexity.
In this video, BigSky MX designers Dean Miller and Pete Celi dive into the exciting depths of the pedal, demonstrating its capabilities and sharing the thoughts behind its design:
Seven New Algorithms and Enhanced Classics
BigSky MX features seven entirely new reverb algorithms, offering fresh sonic territory to explore. Additionally, the pedal includes enhanced versions of the classic algorithms found in the original BigSky, such as Spring, Plate, Hall, Room, and Shimmer. Users can access both the new and original versions of these algorithms, providing an incredible palette of reverb sounds to work with.
Dual Reverb Engines and Stereo I/O
One of the most exciting features of the BigSky MX is its dual reverb engines, which can be routed in Series, Parallel, or Split modes, and individually panned per engine. This opens up a world of creative possibilities for crafting unique and immersive reverb soundscapes. The pedal also boasts full stereo I/O with discrete Class A JFET input preamps, ensuring pristine signal integrity and massive stereo width.
Impulse Response Editing and Capture
BigSky MX offers powerful editing tools for manipulating impulse responses in real-time, allowing users to fine-tune their reverb sounds with unparalleled precision. The pedal comes preloaded with 22 unique stereo impulse responses, including meticulous captures of legendary analog studio gear made by the Strymon team. These impulse responses are sure to inspire countless hours of creative exploration.
For a comprehensive review of the BigSky MX and its features, check out this video from PlayJason:
Pricing and Availability
The Strymon BigSky MX Multi Reverb is available now at a price of $679 USD/749 EUR. Quite steep, I hear you. The pedal’s processing power, innovative features, and stunning sound quality may make it a worthwhile investment for serious musicians and producers seeking the ultimate reverb tool.
For more information and detailed specifications, visit the official Strymon BigSky MX product page.
In conclusion, the Strymon BigSky MX Multi Reverb represents a significant leap forward in reverb pedal technology. With its cutting-edge algorithms, dual reverb engines, and impulse response editing capabilities, the BigSky MX is poised to become the new gold standard for professional-grade reverb effects.
For some users, the BigSky MX might look like a response to last year’s impressive Meris MercuryX reverb pedal, which retails for $599. Both are excellent, professional-grade reverbs with their own unique strengths and tonal characters (if you are a Lexicon 224 fan, for instance, you might want to check the Meris before investing in the new Strymon pedal). Preference between them may come down to the specific reverb sounds and feature sets each user prioritizes.
