Strymon Big Sky "Hall of Infinity" Demo! (BigSky)

Follow along as I step through the creation of a Strymon Big Sky "Hall of Infinity" reverb! Watch as I use the Infinite setting of the Hold parameter to create luscious lovely layers of reverb laden ambient swells.
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Equipment used in this video (in order of the signal chain):
PRS SE-277 Baritone Guitar amzn.to/2E8SMSr
Fender The Bends Compressor amzn.to/2FEx5yg
Morley Little Alligator Volume Pedal amzn.to/2EpVAKR
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Chords of Orion - Ambient guitar music for the mind and heart.
Bill Vencil - Guitars
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[@agerven]

Very clear and easy to follow lesson, thank you Bill! Seemed to me that when you release the hold button and rather quickly press it again the initial freezed sound slowly releases with the long tail, while the new incoming sound is freezed again, without these two interfering with one another. When that is true, it is really very useful and more than a pretty cool!

[@chordsoforion]

Agreed. There are all kinds of subtle freeze effects that you can get based on the timing of holding down the button. Thanks!!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Its an Inspiration Machine and ( kinda like ) an Instrument unto itself. As Bill has shown ( numerous times ) it really is: Much More then a Reverb Pedal. It also has Cab Simulation. Love mine and will Never be without.

[@-vb-1592]

Fantastic! I’ve had a Big Sky for just a couple of months, still crawling through the learning curve. Can’t wait to play with this!

[@antman2826]

That is amazing. I saw your infinite reverb video and I was dying to know how you did it. Thanks so much for explaining this. Love your channel.

[@chordsoforion]

Glad you liked it!

[@RickySweum]

Best pedals ever! Thanks for sharing your music

[@RED_indiemusic]

The possibilities are endless! (no pun intended)

[@PsyCodeqz]

What you said at 8:08 is the part that really got my 2nd attention, the 1st being the awesome layers those things can generate, but all in all 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, in the end who cares? i needed this ambient disclosure, thank you for what you do

[@garethowen6701]

Great work. Excellent 👌

[@georgerichardson7728]

Big Sky is a gift from God , with a little help from Strymon.

[@tomserotoninandthedopamine4375]

Great video. Thank you.

[@arjunlama3446]

wtf cool is this man?!!

[@jessekerley8625]

I've owned a Big Sky for a year now and didn't realize it had a freeze function! Thanks!!!!!

[@chordsoforion]

You are welcome!!

[@jfo3000]

I've had one for a couple years, never explored the Hold function. Thanks Bill, this is a great tutorial.

[@rickspyder6159]

Same with me . . typical male... never read the manuals

[@12166971]

Incredible

[@gregg_msk]

Whatching this video I've found out that my pedal(EHX Cthedral) actually can do freeze=) Thank you!

[@chordsoforion]

Awesome!!!

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

Thanks for the helpful tips, on creating this style of music. Might have to get this pedal.

[@chordsoforion]

Definitely a wonderful pedal!

[@standaklapuchambientmusic4373]

Amazing..👍 Thank You 😊

[@CorvinRayne]

Cool stuff!

[@dogboydar1202]

Good stuff, Maynard!

[@grantburgh1]

Ser Davos Seaworth, also known as the onion knight

[@chordsoforion]

:-)

[@jonridley]

Hahah, I was going to say the same!

[@bjhale542]

Kind of like Ser Davos, Bob Ross of guitar, sprinkle some yoga vibes, mix some whole picture construct teaching methodology combined with sequential detail oriented emphasis to arrive to the final thought and you get this guy, the Chord of Orion beyond Alpha centauri...and it makes my world a more beautiful place,

[@chakuseki]

Chords of Onion

[@twegan]

Hey Bill great video as always, you should checkout Earthquake Devices Transmisser resonant reverb pedal, great for ambient. Thanks take care.

[@chordsoforion]

Perhaps some day I will. Thanks!

[@georgemavimbela]

This sounds so devine.. Please share your nice ambient adventures using the HeadRush Party Verb(Particle Reverb) which came with the Version 2.6 Firmware Updates

[@jesserediger5979]

hit 2:51 repeatedly until it gets old

[@jameswebber-salmon7105]

So good! Made me laugh a lot. You do an amazing job of teaching and demonstrating btw Chords of Orion. Lots of love

[@jameswebber-salmon7105]

I subbed :)

[@ProdWoo]

Why did this remind me of "Ron Swanson" the guitar guy.

[@UnixStudios]

Have you ever messed with the Alesis Wedge??? Or the Lexicon LXP-15II, The Edge had one in his rack at some point

[@planetpjr]

I think you can freeze the Timeline as well. You ever try an Eventide Space? It also has a freeze function. Very intense complex box, but I prefer Strymon Reverb and TC delay. The choruses on the Mobius are beautiful.

[@AUGUSTALLEN28]

I have a Eventide Space,how do you get the freeze function to work on it?

[@planetpjr]

There's a system upgrade download available from Eventide website for older Space pedals. If you have a recent pedal, the freeze function may already be installed. Mine was before 2013 and it did not. Try holding down one of the buttons, otherwise you can upgrade to the next version. The freeze function should be included with whatever advances they've done. check with Eventide. cheers.

[@chordsoforion]

Correct - Timeline has a delay freeze function too.

[@maxjpind]

Thanks for yet another enjoyable (and informative) video sir! Question(s): whenever you are running delay and reverb together, do you prefer to have a modulation going on both? Or do you find that they interfere with one another? And in that case do you prefer the modulation on the delay or the reverb?

[@chordsoforion]

I think the answer depends on the sounds I am going for. I tend to go easy on the modulation because it can muddy things up. For reverb, I definitely prefer a lighter more subtle mod. And if I am using modulation on a delay, it will generally be something like the Strymon DIG type of modulation, which is light and unobtrusive sounding.

[@neilgroves3592]

How would you rate the big sky against the Neunaber Immerse Reverberator Bill?.... or the reverb on the Mooer Ocean which I already own?

[@aleccarey5877]

Can you achieve the same infinite sound with blue sky? Thank youuu

[@jhmbpc]

hmm, any chance there's a transcript/photo somewheres of the dial-ins on the pedal :-)). Thanks for mentioning that (Bank 9A, I think) Timeline preset, I have not really explored that much on all the features ... these multifaceted pedals are not so "intuitive" to me .. so much power for the amateur ;-)) In case anybody tracking comment thread, here's is my glean on the details: Hall Reverb (Set at Arena)** Global parameter set at Persist Decay time 18.1 Pre-Delay 40% Mix at … 3.-0-5 o’clock position? Modulation 70% … is that a bit less than 3 o'clock position? Low, Mid @ Center position Press and Hold the foot switch, configured for these settings, to place in infinite sustain. Hmm, to Freeze sustain you hold the foot switch and what? Turn one of the Param knobs, or Value Knob? **Sorry to be, um a bit dense, it's been a while since I have explored the Big Sky, is Arena setting on one of the two PARAM knobs, while in Hall mode? Love this ambient sustain effect! Thanks for any further advice.

[@cfibanez]

I finally got the BigSky (!) Any tips on how to manage and navigate through presets efficiently? I find it rather overwhelming. And the interface on the device is not the most helpful. Thanks! /C

[@chordsoforion]

Agreed that the interface can be intimidating at first. I've found that it gets easier to navigate the more you use it. As far as presets go, I like to organize my most used presets in the 1st couple of banks for easy access. If I used a lot more, I would probably consider getting a MIDI foot controller and linking in multiple pedals.

[@jamesr6497]

Bill I was wondering what you think of virtual online pedals vs. real life pedals and amp modeling?

[@chordsoforion]

By " virtual online pedals" do you mean software plugins? Assuming so, I think they can be great. The main issue I have is actually the use of a volume pedal. I can't effectively put it in the middle of the chain like I would with real pedals. If I can ever figure out how to solve for that, I could see myself going with all software. There are some rocking guitar-based packages out there.

[@jamesr6497]

@@chordsoforion Right I meant software plugins. I think their awesome too, I notice their popularity is growing for players who want to jam and record on a fly. I just wonder how much actual use their getting in the music industry. Thanks for getting back to me. : )

[@alaspoorjordan]

Love your work! Any chance you will demo the Meris Polymoon?

[@chordsoforion]

Not sure. I need to contact them to see if they are interested in sending me a demo unit.

[@alaspoorjordan]

I hope they do! It's a really great sounding unit! Especially when paired with their Mercury7 reverb

[@treyvisqueux7973]

Let me second this request -- I've had the Polymoon for a few weeks and it's pretty amazing. It has a freeze feature similar to the Big Sky, but without the option to create layers.

[@drumhead96]

Would you be able to tell me what tuning you’re in? I’ve been interested in buying a baritone

[@chordsoforion]

The tuning is BEADF#B. What I call "baritone standard".

[@daren.t.housse2121]

Nice one bill i am just waiting for my tc triple delay to come and it will be going into the tc trinity2 reverb What you think bill ?

[@chordsoforion]

i think it will sound great!!

[@robdonell9915]

Hi Bill, what kind of guitar amp ?

[@chordsoforion]

I don't use an amp. I switched to amp modelers several years ago. Avid Eleven Rack is what I use. Full gear list is in the video description. Let me know if you have any questions!

[@ryleuty]

Oceans 11 has hold/infinite

[@dannyvalentine468]

The more I watch your videos the more I want a Bigsky but I just can't afford one :(

[@jimmyw2802]

i guess i cant do this live.anybody who can operate two pedals standing up on stage live is god to me.

[@chordsoforion]

Back in my prog rock band days, I used to keep a stool on stage for pieces that required more complex "footwork".

[@michael_caz_nyc]

It's Amazing. I just purchased this pedal, and it allows you to do things that were previously only obtainable with a Synthesizer. Nice Thick " LUSH " Pad's Bill. Love your Chord work. Reminds me of an old CD . . . Artist: Patrick O'Hearn Title: Between Two Worlds.- you would Love it.

[@cbashe]

Of all the channels I've watched about reverb your use of reverb is the fullest, cleanest and nuanced. That includes the professional pedal builders. Thanks

[@whispereddusk]

I want to make hundreds accounts to like your videos hundreds of times! thank you very much for quality, informative content, and of course for all the beautiful music!! love

[@rcknicholson]

I continue to explore the vast non-fast food possibilities of the infinite with telescopes and guitar microscopics

[@peaceman8588]

Did you make the sound track for firewatch

[@abitpoet]

Zen guitarist, par exeleance!

[@jmproductions59]

Hi Bill, @chordsoforion great advice and playing as always. Do you know if there is any way of getting the infinite or freeze sound to persist without keeping one's foot on the pedal? (am thinking like the preset Persist ON parameter, but without decaying away - only the Cloud engine seems to be able to do that with its long decay times) This would be brilliant for jamming over the top 🙂 Cheers

[@linushyper300]

God talks to us through your instruments

[@lenp00]

At the risk of coming across as a newbie… I assume your volume pedal is plugged into the Strymon?

[@Zanthxs]

That Big Sky is Heaven.

[@chordsoforion]

It is certainly an inspired pedal!

[@dpgoguen]

As always, we appreciate the lesson. It would be interesting to hear how it all sounds if you ran the effects through the effects loop (post rather than pre) through the Avid Eleven. Just curious. I learn so much with your videos.

[@chordsoforion]

Ah. The effects are in the 11R effects loop. That's the way I always run volume, delays and reverbs. Hope that makes sense.

[@dpgoguen]

Thank you. It does make sense. You get such clarity with your different guitars along with the effects. Never muddy. Always beautifully rendered.

[@archivosrockchile]

Nice video, and his voice * . * is like a deeper reverb, haha :)

[@cfibanez]

Do you see any circumstance that would call for stacking reverb pedals on top of each other like you have done for delays?

[@chordsoforion]

I don't normally do it, but if you are looking for super washed out sounds then it might just be the solution.

[@lightnintrucker]

Excellent walk through! Not only did I really like thst piece, but loved seein how it's put together. And it's givin' me even more inspiration fer my next post. I can do similar things to this with my Boss DD-6 Digital Delay's warp function. And that's what my next ambient piece will intail. As always, keep up the good work!

[@chordsoforion]

Cool! I did not realize the DD-6 had a Warp function.

[@robertclarkguitar]

My channel will be insane when I finally get one of these. No doubt. This is needed badly for my material inside me. It is dying to get out. The boss Gt1 I've almost exhausted using the meager settings it has for this style of mine. But it's a great pedal. Thus the lush deep verbs will scream Robs Atmospheric Blues. Just wait! Its coming!

[@VinceVega303]

Thank you for such an interesting video, it was a great learning opportunity and your music is beautiful!

[@chordsoforion]

You are very welcome!

[@johnpowell3767]

So...this is the strymon time line , the strymon big sky and a volume pedal?

[@chordsoforion]

No, it also included a Fender compressor and an older Avid Eleven Rack amp modeler.

[@friededms]

Amazing tones! Just want to buy a BigSky soon! But what is this clicky noise when you pull off your feet after holding the switch.. sounds wrong in between the nice reverbs.

[@toanjuan]

Would anyone mind sharing how to get the same reverb on the Strymon BigSky but on the Boss-RV-500? That's the unit I have and would love to follow along!

[@Genesis_Flux]

Good to know what Persist does! Is there any option to turn on, that a reverb persist when you switch for example from a to b (switch to anther reverb)

[@TheChenny73]

What can you do with it? You can write an album called Passengers: Original Soundtracks part 1.

[@nodrog5150]

how about the ocean machine does it have a hold function for the reverb and delays

[@TheParanoidAndroid79]

If Stannis Baratheon had listened to you, he might have survived season 5. Great demo.

[@peterjones4732]

Oh no - really! No spoiler alert ... :P

[@Giannett0]

AMAZING!!! Thanks for the demo.

[@1954surya]

...pretty cool...😊

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks!!

[@tweedguitar9103]

Bill, is it possible with the big sky, timeline and a volume pedal , using the settings you have described, but using the infinite setting or freeze function on the big sky, to play melodies over the the top of the the " drone' layer ? thankyou for you guidance. cheers

[@chordsoforion]

Yes - if you switch the Hold setting from Infinite to Freeze. You could then play something to create a reverberant drone, hold down the switch and play over top.

[@robertlittle7314]

The Eventide H9 (and probably the Space as well) allows the expression pedal to map onto the infinite and freeze functions. Build a chord with the infinite pedal sweep section, then floor it to freeze it.

[@chordsoforion]

Perfect!!

[@jamescassidy3995]

Another great video, thanks Bill. JC / England 🎸✨

[@Pasha_Aeon]

Great sound!

[@treyvisqueux7973]

Thanks for this walkthrough -- useful as always!

[@earfulaudio5199]

Beautiful ...

[@connormitchell4863]

id love to here this with more modulation

[@chordsoforion]

The modulation on that reverb engine is pretty subtle. I think you would probably need to add in something else to amp up the overall modulation tone.

[@setomanda3272]

what's the point of this, just buy a synth lmao

[@MinaxSkate]

so that you dont have to buy a synth... and you get to look cool holding a guitar lol

[@christopherecatalano]

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice. Really, truly beautiful demo and info. It is dig in time. Thank you.

[@Abyssaeon]

@Chords Of Orion - Bill, which is your favorite of those mentioned? The Big Sky? The RV-500? Or the Audio Ventris? I'm hunting for the mother of all vast reverbs.

[@chordsoforion]

They are all great reverbs, but each has different strengths. Not sure what you mean by vast. Do you mean a large cavernous reverb? If so, one of my favorites is the Hall reverb type of the Neunaber Immerse. But the truth is that any of the 3 you mention can do large and cavernous. You will want to look at other features to see which is the best fit for you.

[@Abyssaeon]

Chords Of Orion yes, I suppose I meant the longest decay time. Forgive me if using the wrong terminology. Just searching for something that sounds massively deep. That hold function may be just what I’m looking for, since I could have a kind of infinite sustain, so to speak. Thanks, and a merry Yule to you and yours.

[@profd65]

For evaluating the reverb, this is worthless. The guy's sound is so encrusted with effects that you can't really tell how the reverb is impacting the sound.

[@F-Andre]

profd65 hahahahaha;,,)

[@F-Andre]

moron, you can hear the reverb... thats what the video is about