Strymon BigSky Pedal vs Plugin: Which One Wins?

[@ProfessorSaibertin]

A drink on the desk - brave.

[@charliebryant686]

Great comparison. To my ears the sound is the same (or so close I cannot tell). Of course you are 100% correct in your breakdown of how the pedals would be used, live performance vs recording/home use. Before you mentioned it my first thought was I am sure the plugin is a lot cheaper than the pedal.

[@marcusstrymon693]

It is. I wrote with strymon about this. 100 percent the same. Same algorithms, same stereo processing, all the same. Sound difference is just Imaginary

[@Jason75913]

​@@marcusstrymon693 here they are nearly close (if your playback system is particularly hi-fi) but in most folks setups, the plugin will sound better because they probably may not have top-notch ADCs and what not - the plugin doesn't need to go through multiple amp stages and conversions to end up on your recording, which all will change the sound a bit each step of the way for the pedal for folks using cheap little Scarletts, those things are junk quality, they'll hear a more noticeable difference through their HD280s and M50s, and then some musicians will be playing with these effects going through their pedal board and out into a mic'd amp together with their band, depending on the situation, so that's more to affect the sound of the pedal versus the plugin (as more extreme examples)

[@marcusstrymon693]

@@Jason75913 oh on that regard you are absolutely right, spot on, of course the plugin is much more easy to utilize in an amateur setup. However regarding just Big sky pedal vs big sky plugin, they are 100 percent the same algorithm wise. That comes from an email from strymon support themselves. So if one sets them up ideal, they shall sound 99,5 percent the same.

[@palewine]

Thanks for doing the comparison video between the two! May I make a suggestion for future comparison videos? I would recommend throwing in variations of sounds between your A/B examples. So for instance, instead of going: pedal(dry) -> pedal(delay) -> plugin(dry) -> plugin(delay) You could go: pedal(dry) -> plugin(dry), then pedal(delay) -> plugin(delay) It's much easier as a listener to directly sound timbres this way. Otherwise our ears quickly forget the exact sonic characteristics due to a variation being thrown in between. But anyway, a big thanks for the video, it was helpful! I love your stuff. :)

[@Jason75913]

or just move that time slider at the bottom of the video if your memory is that damn short

[@WildAnalog]

This is the comparison I have been waiting for!

[@macsarcule]

The plug-in was definitely always louder, but otherwise I couldn’t hear a difference. They both sound great! For me, I don’t record or gig, I play to relax. I’m also looking at screens all day, so I love the no-screen-ness of pedals. Just personal preference! Great video, Bill! ✌️😌🎸

[@sunnyschramm9650]

? the pedal always sounds more dynamic with lots of clarity. the plugin sounds muddy and smeary and takes away the guitar too much.

[@cmcg5788]

Thanks for the comparison, Bill. To my ear, the tone seemed cleaner and more full-bodied with the plug-in. It wasn't a huge difference, really. If I had the choice to use one or the other for recording, I'd use the plug-in.

[@FranciscBaculea]

Beautiful Fender , together with the sound! Nice playing!

[@TaggerGT]

Really useful and really great results from both pedal and plugin actually. Thank you. 🙏

[@samseitz9937]

Love the new set up with the desk. I really like plug-ins from a company called Voxengo. They have several free plugins. I love their reverb called “old skool verb” it’s a relatively small reverb great for vocals or acoustic instruments. I wouldn’t say it’s a high quality plugin but something about the sound really hits me.

[@CraigAllenMusic]

Great demo! I just made a demo of the plugin as I unfortunately don't have the pedal anymore. I was really impressed with how good it was and true to the pedal's sound.

[@sunnyschramm9650]

would love to see a video comparing the eventide blackhole plugin and pedal. the default-preset/setting of the plugin is a masterpiece but you can not get this on the pedal at all - which was confirmed by eventide itself when I ask them. kind of an missleading marketing trick in my eyes 😞 even when the pedal can also sound very good but not the same.

[@artosirkia2121]

Hey Bill, You should check out the GFI Systems Specular Reverb!!! Ambient heaven! I’m loving my ver.2 of that!

[@mash4home]

You are one of the first to do the comparison. Love ur videos. Love from Canada

[@andy80sdrums]

Can't focus on the comparison. Your tone and playing is too good. Your touch on the guitar is poetic. Glad I came across your channel of ambient guitars. Subbed!

[@mrblablablabla]

I love running differently voiced reverbs in series, so they complement each other’s frequency spectrums for super full reverb washes. Should experiment with parallel signal paths as well…

[@Jason75913]

My favorite combo is the Eventide Space or Blackhole fed into a GFI Specular Tempus. Incredible sound.

[@chadr2843]

Great comparison! I too have both the plug in and pedal. They both sound wonderful. I’ve seen quite a few complaints about the price of the plug in which is a head scratcher for me. It’s a bargain imo. Stacking multiple reverbs with nothing but the different big sky reverb types is now a possibility… I’m sure the timeline will be coming at some point

[@BrentAdams]

Reverb..... for me, I wanted something versatile, and compact for my pedalboard. I chose the TC Electronic Hall of Fame II Reverb. True Stereo with a wealth of styles to choose from along with the Tone Print options. Perfect for my needs.

[@Pablo_Anunnaki]

I play a Godin grand concert with a Roland GR 55. Planning to record and upload my music, hope this year. Now the facts: To give you an idea, here in Bolivia a Mac costs exactly, exactly the double. Amazon dealers bring you products in no less than 60 days, plus a considerable fee; and no really guarantee. I really love the Big Sky sound enough to buy it. Those dreamy sounds are like heaven, exactly what I look for. But in my circumstances... you guessed. I'll get the plugin as soon as I can. Thank you so much. Just until today: january 26th that I know of the plugin existence.

[@chordsoforion]

If you do not already have it, another plugin you may want to consider is the free Valhalla SuperMassive reverb: valhalladsp.com/shop/reverb/valhalla-supermassive/

[@Pablo_Anunnaki]

@@chordsoforion Thank you. I'll check it.

[@Tilin15267]

Por que no usas un casillero ? Y así no pagas el doble ni tampoco los extras

[@PeteKowalsky]

Signal is just a touch hot/clippy (only noticed with headphones) but the comparison is great! I bought the BigSky plugin the day after it came out (keyboard guy here wanting to get into ambient guitar) and I've been very much aware of Strymon's influence in this genre for a while. Great comparison - Thanks! PS - For plugins on synths I LOVE Eventide Blackhole (maybe you did a hardware vs software of that one before IDK), anything Valhalla (Shimmer is amazing, and Supermassive is FREE), and there's a new one from SoundBetter called Butterfly Effect that would sound fantastic on a clean delayed Strat... This is something I'm hoping to experiment with sometime in the near future on guitar. I'm looking to get a G&L Tribute Legacy to get started.

[@allendesomer]

To my ears, the plug-in sounds are comparatively wetter, so I can't judge which I prefer. I suspect the plug-in could do a super job with the tiniest bit of tweaking to taste.

[@gaetanofontanazza]

They ‘re definitely the same, even if the plugin sounded a bit louder than the pedal. I don’t know maybe it depends on something set on the computer. I agree with your conclusions. I recently got the Neunaber wet plugin. More affordable than the BigSky one, and it sounds awesome

[@georgemavimbela]

Very very nice... may you please simulate the Nimbus and Breathe Out Sounds on the Headrush... especially now with the Particle Reverb.

[@reid1967]

Very nice indeed and surprising, I often use Amplitube 5 with a preset I found called interstellar shimmer though I also made up my own preset based on your pedalboard that works too, add in a line 6 FBVmkII to control the Virtual volume pedal and the looper for a drone and it works pretty well. I did try to use it all on a laptop at a friends house and the laptop crashed! Also on my quest for the smallest ambient rig I was able to hook up the FBV to an ipad running Amplitube (through a powered USB hub) and it worked, but not very well.

[@davidsummerville351]

I've been watching your demos and putting a pedalboard together following all your recommendations. Now I have to sell them all for 30 dollars apiece and get all the plug-ins you feature! The sound on this video is really good. My opinion is the pedal makes the guitar more prominent. Keep doing these comparisons. I say a combination of both depending on the task at hand. Thanks

[@marcusstrymon693]

Both are 100 percent the same. Wrote about it with strymon themselves

[@internalreality]

i cant wait to buy this pedal for my elektron digitone synthesiser. (lookin to build a dawless ambient setup)

[@marcusstrymon693]

Check oit also the strymon nightsky and volante if you are into synths. Magic. I love the nightsky more than bs these days

[@uluiepra]

Почему то не могу насладиться звуком - моя аудио карта скрипит во время вашей игры.

[@scott7521]

reverb is my best friend

[@johnsmith-lb4mo]

I can't tel the difference in sound to my ears but the overall sound is amazing, i guess the choice would be made in price and whether you are live or in a studio as has been said.

[@marcusstrymon693]

Just usability. What 8s best for your workflow. Strymon themselves told me in a mail that they are comletely the same

[@aris9125]

Are you using the plugin inside FX loop of an amp?

[@revbaxter3681]

Helix native is easily my favourite plugin.

[@colinjames2469]

?? your post makes no sense.

[@dichdasoul]

Hardware sounds def. more softer. there are more feelings

[@tbdaemon]

Acoustically, I can't tell the difference. I reckon preference would boil down to form factor.

[@marcusstrymon693]

I have been writing about this with strymon themaelves. They are 100 percent the same. same algorithms, same stereo processing, same same same. So all sound differences is either your playing, imaginary or maaaaybe A/D conversuon (but I dont think you would hear that tbh)

[@freakyLittlefunnyman]

For me noway the pedal sound better

[@thebreakfastmenu]

I use a free plugin called the Spaceship Delay. It's loosely based on the Space Echo, but it's extremely versatile, with some effects loop options, preamp flavors and filters. I use it on pretty much everything when I mix. For long delays to short slapbacks to just the preamps.

[@bobisadrummer]

I've been using Neural DSP's Archtype: Rabea plugin for ambient stuff. Has a reverb "pedal" that has a freeze function and a twin stereo delay. Has a neat mono synth feature as well.

[@chordsoforion]

Nice - I have been wanting to try out the Neural stuff.

[@helisoma]

i came here to see the comparison as i don't have the hardware and was considering the plug-in for my Juno-6 and i found myself forgetting about the comparison and just enjoying your playing 😂...seeing how much you enjoy that Fender made my day 😎👍🏻

[@iandeegrees1509]

really nice played 🤩

[@BrentAdams]

They sounds pretty much the same to me through my headphones..... I will stick with my pedalboard and physical pedals. That way I can take my rig and play anywhere...anytime with the effects that I am familiar with. If I was only going to do everything from my home studio, the plugins might be a simpler solution, but why not plug in my pedalboard?

[@MATTHEWJOHNBELL]

Neunaber has a plugin for their wet reverb (which I prefer to Strymon reverbs). Their plugin is only $40! A steal IMO.

[@mrchain.6289]

Thanks for this!

[@City2x]

The pedal is running code just like the plugin

[@responsesMTL]

Thank you for pointing it out! People definitely are biased based on their preferences but in the end it is a digital pedal running code through a DSP chip. In the case of the plugin, the chip is the computer hardware. They're the same and I see no reason why Strymon would have done something different and claiming it is a bigsky anyway

[@kevincrandall2751]

That was great. I'd be curious to pick you brain. I have seven high end synths. I have the big sky plugin and an Eventide h90. I am thinking about adding either a Meris LVX or a second h90 for four algorithms. Not sure which way to go. What would you add to the h90 and big sky plugin for synths? that Meris is pretty amazing for ambient and that is what I will be writing.

[@fubopnation8624]

I'm testing the plug in now. The pedal sounds very good in your demo. Since i'm more of a studio guy i'll purchase the plug in after the demo expires. Diffently one of the best reverbs i've heard on the market today. Great demo. Aaron c Brown

[@MasterControlKnob]

I appreciate the effort! Just a nitpick: I would have preferred to not do two different sounds (with / without delay) before switching because it breaks the A/B comparison. Like another commenter to me the plug-in either sounds wetter or less subtle but more in your face. I have the plug and like it. But in this video liked the pedal more. But I don‘t know if this was just about the settings…

[@dereklammers2977]

Hi Bill, been a while since I've watched anything from your channel. Like yourself, I am a musician who mostly records. I do have the BigSky pedal, and I'd been wondering whether I should sell my pedal and switch to the plugin. Your comparison has made things a whole lot easier. Plus, I might have some money leftover if I switch! Sidenote: your new studio looks great! I wish I could set myself up that way :D one day, hopefully.

[@clicksavant]

Hi Bill. Your Sweetwater link is going to the home page. Maybe that's on purpose but I was expecting a link to the plugin. Just thought I'd let you know in case you wanted to check the link. And thanks for reminding me I wanted this plugin.

[@judeworth938]

Great video comparison Bill.. If I were still a touring musician, it would be easier, and much less cumbersome having a laptop loaded with infinite plugins as opposed to a board with several pedals.

[@goslingmarcus]

Beautiful playing

[@chordsoforion]

Thank you very much!

[@user-ic7cj8lq9z]

With the pedal you don't have to worry about cpu or latency

[@timbaugh1944]

An excellent demo Bill - there was no difference in terms of sound between the pedal and plugin so well done Strymon. I have the Big Sky pedal, so I am sorted. I can see the plugin being popular for people recording on a PC or Mac .. but .. you could buy four Vallaha plugins for the same money. The reverb plugin market is very competitive.

[@Jason75913]

But will the Valhalla plugin get you that Strymon sound? That may be a dealbreaker for a few folks (not me, I don't care for Strymon, lol).

[@cinemalulli]

Obviously, as the code is the same in both the pedal and the plugin, the only difference is in the converters and preamps

[@Larry30102]

The hardware electronics MAKE the difference. That said, this sounds so close I’m buying it. Multiple instance?…awesome. I couldn’t believe all the whiners over on the Strymon web site complaining about the price. I guess I come from a hardware era, where anything this close would have been cost prohibitive, and I for one appreciate the price. These developers deserve support. Bill, you are hands down one of THE best review around. Big thank you.

[@floridamankyle5461]

Hey, I know you own a Ibanez SRC6, and a NEW version came out this year, the SRC6MS, do you plan on reviewing it or buying it? I am looking at getting one.

[@chordsoforion]

I have been eyeing that one myself. If I end getting one, will def demo!

[@floridamankyle5461]

@@chordsoforion I am eyeing one as well, I have a Squier CV BassVI, and it is good, but the new SRC6 is a major upgrade for my playstyle.

[@AvianBreak]

Definitely looking to pick up the plug-in for my VST synths (I already have the pedal). I’d recommend checking out FabFilter Pro-R and Timeless. They are very creative, sound great, and are easy to use.

[@chordsoforion]

Agreed - the Fabfilter plugins are great!

[@Jason75913]

Pro-R is quite good, but not as good-sounding as Raum, among others, in my experience. The parametric EQ is an excellent feature of the Pro-R, but I can just add one to Raum (as I always do) or anything else already, really.

[@hummer222]

Listening on headphones I can "feel" the depth of the pedal whereas the plugin is more one dimensional. Not miles apart though but noticeable. I find this with all my hardware rack verbs vs plugins.

[@Jason75913]

Just EQ your reverb for less flatness, and experiment with adding subtle distortion.

[@hummer222]

EQ and reverb algorithms are quite different things. Software can't hold a candle to quality hardware reverb units.

[@DadoSimicStudiostriver]

Real deal every time it hits it has more depth and 3D sound compare to plugin, every single time. It (plugin) gives faitfull representation of the tone , but it simple not gell well together as real deal. Its very close , but i prefer real deal way much more. It simple sounds more alive and fuller. Not too much thou, but i miss it when its not there.

[@TheFlutecart]

The pedal has Strymon's world class JFET preamp and buffers + pristine conversion. The plugin is just the program, it's frontend, backend and conversion are limited to what you use in your computer rig. And your mixing digital dry and digital wet with the plugin, - post a/d conversion analog mixing with the pedal. I think if your recording mic and cab, use the pedal. If your faking it all with IR boxes and interfaces, use the plugin. If it's production time and everything is already recorded, use the plugin to add it in. But the analog part of these Strymon pedals is some very silky nice electronics to treat your signal with, and I am not over hyping it. It will take a very pricy interface to match it. I like the idea of "playing the pedal" in the studio, vs adding such things in later, I mic the amp and cab for sure. Our studio has an actual stereo plate reverb and it's fun to put other effects and pedals before and after that wall hanger!

[@Jason75913]

I'm pretty sure no one would notice the difference in a finished mix, unless your mix is just your guitar and soft drums or a drone and the reverb will stand out. But even then, a fairly subtle difference.

[@Larry30102]

Nicely put!

[@karlcolon5299]

I need to experiment, but at at guess I think spending the $ on a good recording interface makes sense because it lifts everything you record. I’ve got an UAD Apollo for that reason. I costed out all the Strymons I’d like to use (used and new) and it is $2-$3K. I’d get it for love, but I have no illusions about how I will do chasing the crazy mad ambient guitar Benjamins out in the marketplace to pay for the gear . . . 😂 So for now, I will get a couple of select pedals and focus on plug ins.

[@TheFlutecart]

@@BihlerOfficial I doubt you know what JFET is. You may never understand this stuff, just use the computer, it's what you do.

[@logve3161]

@@TheFlutecart Maybe try your pedal at 437hz 😂🤦‍♂

[@stevesmith3990]

The plugin sounded better every time.

[@colinjames2469]

lmao. no it didnt

[@VincentPersee]

Thank you so much for this clear comparison, and great musicality as usual. They sound very close in my Eris monitor speakers, and with the price and ease of use of the plugin (no physical device to strore, carry, repair/maintain...) it makes a clear winner for me