Happy Nerding FX Aid - Strymon Big Sky Reverb Comparison

Happy Nerding FX Aid is able to squeeze 32 effects into a slim 4HP. I was mostly curious to hear how the reverbs sound, especially the ones modelled after the Strymon Big Sky. In this video I give a quick overview of the module, then provide some examples of how it sounds.
Video Chapters
01:03 - Intro Overview
03:08 - Using the FX Aid App
05:17 - Generative Rings Melody
15:56 - Qu-Bit Chord Plays Some Chords
21:40 - Closing Thoughts And Favourite Algos
#eurorack #modular #synthesizer #happynerding #fxaid

[@bobborries]

The best video on the FX aid! Great job on this demonstration, any chance you could demo the other algorithms?

[@ScottMFR]

Glad to hear you say that, Bob! I felt that it would be too tedious to go through all the algorithms because there's so so many (the unit can fit 32, but there's even more on the website). I do have longer recordings of my Rings jam that goes into more algos so I could post that as a separate video if you'd like. Were there any in particular that you wanted to see demonstrated? I'm quite excited to try the new Karplus Delay!

[@saren6538]

Great overview of the happy nerding ... only critism about the video was having that metasonix RK3 staring at me throughout the whole review which I really want :)

[@ScottMFR]

You can see my reflection in it! This video probably won't help either then: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYjLp6OAZ5mgrtE

[@PayneSculptures]

Thank you for this video. After waffling for about 8 months I finally pulled the trigger on an FX Aid XL. I wanted to ask you, what is the oscillator creating these sounds in this video?

[@scottriesterer3236]

I think it was all either Mutable Instruments Rings and QuBit Chord V2 generating the sounds

[@PayneSculptures]

@@scottriesterer3236- Thank you!

[@lucafrancinimusic]

Sounds great to have all these algos in one module, I might get this even if I still love my BigSky :)

[@ScottMFR]

Yeah, there's definitely room for both! Plus this one has some flavours that the Big Sky doesn't cover.

[@CO5MA]

It sounds madly good ❤️ Thanks for the great video!

[@savagemessiah.]

It's weird hearing your voice outside of an intellijel video. You can replace the knobs with the befaco mini knobs (I got them from modularaddict). It's easier to get your fingers between those.

[@ScottMFR]

Ha! Even IRL? That's good to know regarding the knobs. I'll probably get some Sifam/Selco Intellijel style small tall knobs from Thonk. It's too bad Modularaddict doesn't carry those.

[@budfoon]

I got some 10mm diam "Bastl-style" knobs from Befaco for mine.

[@marcuspearson6214]

I stupidly sold my big sky, about 2 years ago, and have regretted it ever since. I have just ordered the FX aid XL for my rack. Great video thanks

[@ScottMFR]

Glad you enjoyed it! I'm sure you'll have fun with the FX Aid. New algorithms keep getting added too!

[@Marubi2]

Hi can you use the Fx aid as a standalone effect without with my guitar instead of a pedal?

[@marcuspearson6214]

@@Marubi2 it can be done, but you will need an attenuater to boost the signal from your guitar into the fx, as eurorack modules output +/- 5 v, and guitar output is a lot lower than that. You may need to attenuat the signal coming back out if your going into an amp, as it may be running a bit too hot, and will need turning back down.

[@Marubi2]

@@marcuspearson6214 thanks

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

It happens. I almost sold mine then traded it for a night sky.

[@kentinjivek]

Really nice video thanks for all these explanations

[@ScottMFR]

Thanks Kentin!

[@mtate]

Great video. Very thorough. Can't wait to get my module soon and get stuck in.

[@ScottMFR]

Thanks! I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with this little guy.

[@van.wolputte]

I packed my fxaid with only reverbs but somehow the 2 big sky reverbs effects are the only 2 that dont work. Strange. Could it be that those programs are too big and i need to clear some spots? Ill just make a programme with just the big sky effects and try, before complaining online :)

[@ScottMFR]

Good question! To be honest I'm not sure, as I've never encountered that. Probably best to try reinstalling the firmware as maybe something interrupted the transfer. If that fails I'd recommend reaching out to FX Aid to see what they say. I'd be curious to hear if you're able to resolve the issue!

[@LarsBjerregaard]

Divine! So happy I got this one....

[@ScottMFR]

It just keeps getting better as new algos come out! I’m excited to try the tremolo into reverb now...

[@LarsBjerregaard]

@@ScottMFR Do you know if the existing effects get updated, so I should fetch them on a regular basis? Otherwise there's no other type of firmware update for the FX Aid, right?

[@billB101]

Damn, that's really close on the Cloud setting. Need another listen in the studio, but you might have just sold me on this.

[@ScottMFR]

I'm pretty confident you won't regret adding it to your rack!

[@billB101]

@@ScottMFR I bought once a month or so ago, love it.

[@TerekkiTerekki]

Great demo thanks

[@ScottMFR]

Thanks Derek! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@TimeScribe]

Really informative video. Where do people discuss FX they are creating for FX Aid? Is there a compressor available like the Endorphin.es Milky Way module?

[@ScottMFR]

As far as I know, all of the FX are available from and made by Happy Nerding. I don't think there's any option to make your own effects. There's no compressor available right now, but that might be something they add down the road. I can see that being a useful addition!

[@heywoodfloyd9989]

Perhaps someone stumbling upon this video now would be interested to know that there are several compressor and limiter algos available. Even compressor with side chaining.

[@skormm-v7z]

​@@heywoodfloyd9989 Awesome. So all we need is to update the Firmware

[@steveturner1815]

Excellent video.

[@ScottMFR]

Thanks Steve! Glad you enjoyed it...

[@atdubya]

Great demo-thank you for this! What FX algos are you enjoying these days?

[@ScottMFR]

Thanks Aaron! I'm still mostly using the reverbs, especially the Strymon and Black/Grey Hole variations. The Space Station and Spooky are fun too.

[@atdubya]

@@ScottMFR Nice! Those algos sound fantastic. Have one arriving this week, going to drop it into my palette, I've found that's a good way to 'get to know' a new module. Cheers

[@unkyherb6505]

Ordered this straight from Australia as I couldn't find a dealer (please let me know) Heavy digital, but for what you get, you can't beat all this in a 4hp module

[@ScottMFR]

I'm confident you won't regret it!

[@joeymc5272]

Hey man i know this is old but what do you use to bring you pedals into the rack?

[@ScottMFR]

Yeah it's been a while since I made this one so I'm not 100% sure what I did. I do have both an Audio IO 1U and a Stereo Line Out 1U, so I may have recorded the Happy Nerding FX Aid on one output pair and the Big Sky on a separate output pair. At least that's how I'd do it now. Although I've since sold the Big Sky as it wasn't getting enough use. If I do want to run signal from my computer to the rack, I'll send an output from my interface to the Audio IO 1U. Hope that helps!

[@joeymc5272]

@@ScottMFR oh ok. Hmm i bought a external fx module called knob farm ferry but ive been underwhelmed by it. Seems like the fx get filtered out quite a bit and its harder to hear the fx for some reason. Would like to find a way that you can really hear your fx pedals on through your modular.

[@ScottMFR]

@@joeymc5272 Hmmm... I wonder if that's an impedance or a cable mismatch issue. Are you using a balanced TRS cable?

[@Marubi2]

Can you use the Fx aid as a standalone effect without with my guitar instead of a pedal?

[@ScottMFR]

It's possible, but you would need a eurorack case and power, and I would recommend an input and output module to get the guitar in and the FX signal out. The Befaco Instrument Interface provides a great mic/DI input for all kinds of sources: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4vOgJhsj9J5qtU

[@Marubi2]

​@@ScottMFR Thanks a lot

[@linkhostr]

can u use 2 effects at the same time? eg reverb and delay?

[@ScottMFR]

No, just one effect at a time. But many of the effect options provide both reverb and delay. It might be worth having a scroll through the list to see how many of them you might find useful.

[@Beatprisoner]

They definitely sound different but for most of the algos the FX Aid sounds better to me.

[@ritec]

Your arm hair pattern is very similar to the arm hair in the Intellijel videos. 🤔 Great demo! Need one of these, I hear they are in short supply.

[@ScottMFR]

That's funny. I've heard we have similar voices too... I've also heard that another batch is hitting stores soon.

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Well. I have 4hp left. This will do just fine.

[@ScottMFR]

Perfect! Yeah it’s a great choice for a 4hp gap.

[@markus6409]

Am i the only one who thinks the fx aid sounds much better than the big sky? And i have a big sky.