Strymon NightSky vs. Strymon BigSky

►► Get your Strymon BigSky here → sweetwater.sjv.io/rQqBPR
►► Get your Strymon NightSky here → sweetwater.sjv.io/MmvWOo
(these Sweetwater affiliate links support my work at no extra cost to you. Thank you! 😊)
►► Free Mini-Course on Ambient Guitar Chord Structures: 🎁
→ www.ambientguitaracademy.com/...
__________
Should you get the Strymon BigSky or Strymon NightSky? Does the NightSky replace the BigSky? Which one is better?
That's what I'm answering in this video.
Short answer: the new Strymon NightSky has not been made to replace the BigSky. It's a totally different beast.
The BigSky will answer all of your delays needs with 12 reverb algorithms & 300 presets, and the NightSky will help you experiment, twist your reverbs and get sounds that wouldn't be possible with a 'regular' reverb pedal.
To learn more, watch the whole video!
__________
► Full list of the pedals and gear I use to make music (these Sweetwater affiliate links support my work at no extra cost to you. Thank you! 😊)
- Singular Sound Aeros Looper Gold Edition (get 10% off by entering ANTOINE10 at checkout): www.singularsound.com/product...
- Strymon BigSky: sweetwater.sjv.io/rQqBPR
- Strymon Timeline: sweetwater.sjv.io/JzvW0R
- Strymon El Capistan: sweetwater.sjv.io/4PxqY9
- Strymon Ola: sweetwater.sjv.io/21LJ6O
- Strymon Iridium: sweetwater.sjv.io/zN5O2M
- Mission Engineering VM Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/6eQD4N
- EHX Micro POG: sweetwater.sjv.io/eK5jjZ
- EHX Mel9: sweetwater.sjv.io/m5J1NM
- TC Electronic Polytune: sweetwater.sjv.io/PyvnnM
- Vox AC15 with Alnico Blue speaker: sweetwater.sjv.io/QyvEE9
- eBow Plus: sweetwater.sjv.io/4PxMoo
- Mogami Gold Cables: sweetwater.sjv.io/XYvKBg
- George L’s Patch Cables: sweetwater.sjv.io/OrvWjA
- Arturia Keylab 88: sweetwater.sjv.io/ZQvR51
- Arturia Keylab 49: sweetwater.sjv.io/AW1537
- Focusrite Scarlett 18i8: sweetwater.sjv.io/AW155J
- Shure SM57: sweetwater.sjv.io/VmvddJ
- Shure SM7B: sweetwater.sjv.io/XYvE5y
- Sennheiser MKE 600: sweetwater.sjv.io/0ZMzBY
- Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitors: sweetwater.sjv.io/OrvELK
- Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 4x4: sweetwater.sjv.io/R5NED2
- Sennheiser HD280 Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/4PxMBL
- Pedaltrain Classic Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/NkvEYP
- Cubase Artist: sweetwater.sjv.io/Y9vKkK
- Strymon BigSky Plugin: sweetwater.sjv.io/m5J1ky
More lessons and music:
► Ambient Guitar Academy: ambientguitaracademy.com/
► My Studio Albums : monochromeseasons.bandcamp.com
Subscribe:
►► kzbin.info...
This is the Ambient Guitar youtube channel of Canadian multi-instrumentist Antoine Michaud. Through original ambient music, chordal guitar lessons and tips on guitar pedals, Antoine is looking to educate and inspire aspiring ambient musicians to learn everything about the world of ambient guitar and chordal voicings on guitar.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

►► Get your Strymon BigSky here → sweetwater.sjv.io/rQqBPR ►► Get your Strymon NightSky here → sweetwater.sjv.io/MmvWOo (these Sweetwater affiliate links support my work at no extra cost to you. Thank you! 😊)

[@dillipphunbar7924]

I'm waiting for the Strymon Chemtrail Sky

[@handsomerube]

I’d buy the s#%t outta that

[@josephwright5921]

Just don’t buy the. Deepstate edition. It will listen in on your conversation and report you to the authorities.

[@dillipphunbar7924]

@@handsomerube of course you would, that's what the programmable nanobots that fell, landed on you, and are now telling you to do! duh!

[@xamphoa]

Ahhaahahahah best comment

[@kingtrance6826]

That was great Dillip! 😂

[@ShaighJosephson]

Missed a golden opportunity to run the NightSky into the BigSky for some unbelievable reverb effects... 😮😎

[@robertjarden9965]

So both… is effective?

[@DeanCasey]

God damn, it's a rollercoaster ride of which one to choose! I was all in on the Night Sky, then realized the Big Sky was maybe the better choice for a pure reverb pedal. Then I was back to the Night Sky for the step sequencer. Then I was back to the Big Sky for the straight forward access to controls, presets, etc. Then the Infinite setting on the Night Sky... Aaaaaaahhhhh!!! 😭😭😭

[@sarahrudymusic]

This is exactly where I am

[@DeanCasey]

@@sarahrudymusic I ended up buying the Big Sky and it's scheduled to arrive today! Going to be running it in stereo as well -- can't wait!

[@sarahrudymusic]

@@DeanCasey Wow, I actually ordered the Night Sky haha! Cheers!

[@DeanCasey]

@@sarahrudymusic Haha, nice!

[@IguitarVreakI]

Wow, great comparison. You really managed to show the differences between the two and gave a great overview of the strengths of each. Thank you!

[@JLP-333]

I have both, cant justify letting either go.

[@Deathlycream]

You Sir, are a man of taste.

[@ShaighJosephson]

Same here... Reverb stacking bliss... ☺️

[@EG.]

Superb. Thank you Antoine!

[@robtemple3445]

Great demo, thanks man!

[@jazzfullanaguitar]

Brilliant and veeeeery helpful comparison! Thank you, Antoine!🙏

[@alfredocaceresmusic]

Thanks for the video! Really helpful

[@SynthoidSounds]

Thanks for posting, excellent comparative demo between these two strymon pedals.

[@louierubio]

Another time saving video. Thank you so much

[@adammindykowski6984]

That was a helpful comparison Antoine. I'm pleased it wasn't a "shoot out" because they are so different in terms of adjustable parameters. I bought a Big Sky in 2015 and it quickly became my studio reverb of choice. I haven't played a Nightsky, but I do particularly like the sound of the filter and sequencer functions. Will I buy one? Probably not. However, I enjoyed your demo and will look forward to hearing you play with it on future songs.

[@marcusstrymon693]

Oh that makes me sad. I really think you miss out on it. The nightsky is like a good bottle of wine. gets better every day you have. I have bigsky and nightsky. They exist very well simultaneously and give an awesome synergy. Mostly bigsky as last verb but changing order can shake up stuff a lot (which I currently have - Bigsky then TL looper and then all looping into nightsky, live modulating). Just so creative. But Bigsky is easier to get pleasing sounds, nightsky is a diva

[@Paulo-ut1li]

Im really in love with my Nightsky, the sequencer is really inspiring and i can replicate many sounds i used to get from Dark World and Mercury 7.

[@Diego_Occhipinti]

Sequencer certainly makes a huge difference

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Yes but you can't beat the Gen loss algorithm on the dark world. My idea is to. Just own em all. Why not they cost a couple dollars but really.... You can have both of these for $700

[@Paulo-ut1li]

@@LoVeAmBiEnT yeah I’ve just got CB Thermae and I’m using itS LPF with Gen loss dark world ALGO… It’s just the most Lofi/nostalgic combo I ever listened. But I’ll look for Gen loss 2 when if it gets cheaper

[@stevenbrown6813]

I also have the Big Sky and was eying the nights as well but now thave I've been earing it I called Preston Fulford over at Sweetwater and now it'll be here in another few days.

[@philipTOMPSETT]

First class explanation. Much appreciated. Thanks

[@marcsouciepiano7772]

Vraiment cool comme démo. Ça m'a vraiment aidé à comprendre la différence entre les deux. Merci!

[@XPJV]

I have both. Both is a must!

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Yes we think alike I 💯% agree

[@norjects7495]

Recently got the Nightsky because it seemed designed more with synths and sound design in mind. With the mod and filter sections, essentially an LFO with multiple wave shapes, the 'freeze' and sequencer function it's a no brainer for ambient artists, sound designers and space cadets in general.

[@dontassumemyfender9866]

Bigsky=Walking on the clouds. Nightsky=Walking on the moon.

[@Gibson1976uk]

Sounds like a Steve Vai comment :)

[@kierenmoore3236]

Sounds like a The Police comment.

[@Diego_Occhipinti]

Thanks a lot for this review. Considering I´m a keyboard player I guess I would go for the NightSky as it could be a better partner for my synths. But at least as I could listen to them here y find BigSky audio kind of more crystal clear, which I love. None of them are cheap, but if money was not an issue I´d go for the BigSky and complete my gear with other pedals to add modulations that the NightSky brings. Anyway I find useful having all in one unit with the possibility of full midi control....Sorry for my english. Peace

[@proxymerchant]

i think I agree with you Nightsky yes

[@user-kc1cc5tt9l]

Nightsky is More clear-- it’s 32bit reverb.

[@Kwiatyciete]

This pedal has a 300 presets slots, but is only available via MIDI, these 16 what you mentioned is favorite.

[@Gibson1976uk]

I use guitars and synths! I love to be creative and experiment! I’ve had a few reverb pedals and I’m very fussy!! I prefer darker tones over clear for this effect! So I went with the night sky :) it’s on order

[@baltimoredestinado9999]

Thanks Antoine! Your video made me decide to buy one now.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Which one? :-)

[@TheNollu]

Great review!

[@Saganite]

Looking for one that will also be used with synths. Having to hold down the foot switch is less than ideal for that application. Thanks for the comparison!

[@norjects7495]

I send cv from a sequencer to the footswitch input of my nightsky in a DAWless synth setup and it works great. the nightsky allows you to assign anything the pedal does to the open and closed footswitch positions so the level of sequenced modulation to your reverb can be as subtle or dramatic as you want it to be. for sending cv to expression pedal inputs it's best to use a 'floating ring cable' just to be safe.

[@kingslyashish]

Hey Antoine, Thank you for this video. What patch cables you are using ?

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

George L's!

[@edwinkimmusic]

I had the Big Sky before, and now I have the Night Sky. I think the tone sounds better on the Night Sky, but I like the layout of the Big Sky.

[@johnnyflyy5873]

Night Sky is special you really can’t quite get those sounds anywhere else-it’s the most “psychedelic” pedal ever IMO-you can get the sounds of the Big Sky or comparable ones from lexicon plug ins in UAD etc Night Sky, Volante, Deco, El Cap and Flint are the top 5 Strymons IMO

[@AbeldeBetancourt]

Red Panda and Source Audio do it just fine @@johnnyflyy5873

[@pierrickmalchair4544]

Super vidéo merci !

[@marcusstrymon693]

The nightsky completely blows my head. The most beautiful sounds I have ever heard from a pedal. The sort of singing pads you can create underneath is completely perfect. I have an fx loop from my daw through my 18i20 into the pedalboard, so i can play vst instruments through my strymons and i can just imagine brass, strings or an organ through this unit, insane. I completely need this. I know, GAS, but this thing just sounds so awesome. Completely inspiring I think. And puts the sound on another level if you are willing to put time into this unit.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

what patch leads are you using please? Also, as I have a Boss DD7 delay and a Boss RV6 reverb, would you say it is actually worth the significant expense of upgrading?

[@ShaighJosephson]

Depends on the sounds you are looking for... The nightsky is a huge upgrade from the RV6...same as Timeline would be for the DD...

[@bryanmachado4027]

Génial ta vidéo ! Très intéressant le comparatif. En effet la night sky est plus ciblé expérimentation/studio et la big sky plus adaptée pour la scène.

[@henrikgerlach4765]

Aber klasse, dass Du so rücksichtsvoll bist und auf Englisch schreibst, wie es sich im Internet gehört und wie es der Anstand gebührt. Nur asoziale und ignorante Menschen schreiben in ihrer Muttersprache....

[@tobisteffen]

Could you try to dial in the Cloud Reverb into the NightSky? That would be an amazing video.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Sorry, I adore Strymon (as a company) not only do they make great products, but also very prompt & helpful with follow-up-support . . . When they Created the Big Sky = they broke the mold. That unit Hypnotizes me, every-time I play through mine. " Total Inspiration Machine "

[@rdean150]

Agreed. I have been exploring other reverb pedals just for variety, including Empress, Specular Tempus, Night sky and more. And none are in the same league as Big Sky. I have been spoiled by this magnificent machine. Even Night Sky just doesn't sound as smooth and gorgeous. There are more meh spots than sweet spots. Big Sky is 100% sweet spot. It's just a matter of how overwhelming you want the beauty to be.

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

@@rdean150 I would have to disagree....imo.... The GFI specular reverb v3 is right there w the big sky.... Super epic and beautiful. Easily get lost in it just playing single notes very slowly. I DO LOVE the big sky tho.. Jet pedals revalations also has a very gorgeous reverb... It has that "IT" factor...

[@LoKi6922]

I love my Nightsky!

[@softpillow9596]

Don’t think I’ll buy the Nightsky because I already have the Big Sky. Regardless, wonderful comparison! :)

[@geertmaertens7372]

I hope Strymon goes the plugin way like Elektron Overbridge (but better hopefully) to be able to control their wonderful hardware from DAW plugins 😉

[@jackflynn-oakley1937]

They are / have line level, you can run them straight out of your DAW and back in without a dedicated re-amp box

[@geertmaertens7372]

@@jackflynn-oakley1937 Thank you Jack. I indeed run the setup you mention, and I would also like to control all the parameters and program patches by means of MIDI in a plugin

[@raymacduff6568]

Antoine, great comparison of the two!! You do it the right way! Toie, tu connait ca!!

[@sittynine]

When is the Strymon Big Night-time Sky coming out? May as well put all 3 in one and charge an arm and a leg for it!

[@richardwalley2862]

It’s a very good pedal but if you like simple the only choice is the big sky

[@MSNGR415]

I love my nightsky as a hands on drone manipulator but I’ve been eying the big sky for those synth voice parts I don’t have enough hands to work at one time. I look at the big sky as a set it and forget it reverb and the nightsky a more hands on reverb.

[@joshwilson6172]

Hi Antoine is it possible to access different presets on nightsky using an extra footswitch?

[@Kwiatyciete]

yes, you can also have access to 300 presets via MIDI, check a manual, there is everything what you need to know.

[@lX-NDR]

Doesnt the big sky has a infinit preset so you dont have to hold down the button?

[@paradox7743]

I run the BigSky in stereo between my Orange n Peavy. And it's fuckin Mindblowing. Although there's a leaning curve it's still pretty straight forward . Nightsky is cool but I can get the same sounds outta my Astral Destiny.

[@trengag]

Great!

[@BadassBrutusGuitar]

Cóól toys for the boy Antoine... They both sound very good!

[@kulagun]

Have you thought about creating a video on the shimmer on U2's City Of Blinding Lights Vertigo Live version?

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

No, but thanks for the suggestion!

[@cycleoffourths8898]

Combine the 2 in a rack mount version

[@Creed_fan_69]

The perfect in between is the boss RV500

[@mangum766539333]

Kinda loving the gestural foot

[@mrsnrub6548]

thankyou for expanding my phrase vocabulary

[@kierenmoore3236]

Quentin Tarantino, is that you?!

[@johnbertotti8815]

I have the BigSky and really have been eyeing the NightSky. Love your video thanks and really loved the shag carpet they are on!

[@macaius]

To me the Big Sky is much more like "all-in-one" reverb, more simple to use with lush soundscapes, wereas the NS is much more suited to experimental (less musical to my taste) but you can do awesome things with both

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Exactly!

[@xiaoxia5]

from what you are saying, it seems like maybe the NS is better suited for synth players if you had to choose between the two?

[@macaius]

@@xiaoxia5 Not exactly, some guitar players will find it interesting also, it depends more on the style of music you're going to play, but sure synth players will find NS more attractive for that matter, because some parameters in the effect works like a synth.

[@the5chord]

Saying there is only one tone knob on the big sky is misleading. Most of the algorithms have 2 ways to control tone. Hall has 3 on its algorithm.

[@pierrelevesque8045]

Merci Antoine. Mystery Prog On.

[@carsonboi9326]

Night sky is my preferred pedal

[@vorakeyur]

If I have to get only one of them, which one should I buy.. I have neunaber immerse mk2 and walrus slo.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

You have 2 amazing reverbs already! What kind of reverb sound are you looking to get that you are not finding in the Immerse MkII or Slö?

[@vorakeyur]

@@AntoineMichaudGuitar To be honest not much. Just hear so much of big sky and almost all ambient guitarists have it. I don't have any pedals locally so can't try out to see what value can it add. Also have big G.A.S.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

@@vorakeyur Then, don't get the Strymon! Because other people have them doesn't mean you should have them too! You have awesome sounding, creative and flexible reverb pedals right now, no need for more!

[@vorakeyur]

@@AntoineMichaudGuitar Thanks ... Will invest in better looper then.

[@stevenbrown6813]

I would say if you only buy one buy the Big Sky unless ambient is your main thing.

[@thybolt]

Vidéo made in Québec selon l'accent non ?

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Oui! Je suis à Montréal.

[@user-xk8wp4bg3x]

Why does the night sky sound fuller to my ear, in the first half of the video. 🤷‍♂️

[@flimtok]

How does the Eventide Space Reverb compare to these?

[@surf_machine]

i think i'll go for the eventide blackhole. i am into synths and techno

[@xXStratoBlasterXx]

I’ve had all three, including the H9, and while I really liked a lot of the algorithms on the Space (especially Black Hole), I felt the analog dry-through on the Strymons put them over the edge. For me personally on guitar it was less something I could hear and more just the response/feeling while playing. Probably wouldn’t be an issue on instruments with longer transient responses. Big Sky is the one I kept. Don’t think you could go wrong with any of them though!

[@ShaighJosephson]

Space compares more to BigSky with all the same base reverb algorythms... NightSky is more advanced control with a trail sequencer on three base reverbs...

[@hekakain4108]

Should you get the Strymon BigSky or Strymon NightSky? Does the NightSky replace the BigSky? Which one is better? There's only one way to find out...FIGHT!!!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Hahaha! :-)

[@ShaighJosephson]

Both is a must, IMO...

[@robertjarden9965]

So you’re telling me I need both 😂

[@georgerichardson7728]

I'm gonna stick with Big Sky for now, the night sky looks too fiddly for me .

[@rdean150]

I was unpleasantly surprised to find that, while Night Sky has a USB Jack (which Big Sky does not) but it is not compatible with Strymon's Nixie app that allows you to control the pedal and manage presets on your computer. That would have been really useful for Night Sky, particularly for visualizing/editing the sequences that are saved on the pedal.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

I don't see why they would not add it in a future update of the app. Let's hope so!

[@josephwright5921]

It is probably forthcoming

[@koitka2037]

I am confused, now it feels like i kinda want them both

[@pclindholm]

The answer seems to be - "Yes." As in, buy both.

[@tomsawyer60]

sound of heaven

[@Bartolomeusable]

I would never touch them with my shoes :) ... use them with synths btw

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Yeah, I always get synth players freaking out in my comments. That's funny :-)

[@stevesynth]

Big sky for me 😱 have to sell something 😂

[@consciouscoma85]

my night sky works great on my synths and my theremin...

[@jestermask6460]

Ahhh ce pied!

[@kentlofgren]

Educators: "When Strymon Vygotsky?"

[@rjadamz9117]

I’m waiting for twilight horizon

[@DJKibutz]

Thank. Your shag carpet has turned into thousands of worms moving to the sound of strymon. Amazing !

[@JIMJAMSC]

I have been accumulating pedals since the late 70s and could open a store. Worst than women with shoes, I would gas over new pedals and think that maybe a new pedal would bring back my passion. Well other than that initial honeymoon, most start collecting dust.The market is BLOATED with overdrives, reverbs and delays. Lately I have been running directly into a nice tube amp and find I play/practice more rather than tinker endlessly with meaningless, soulless, DMT trip garbage.

[@AbeldeBetancourt]

para-meters

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

You love when I say that, uh?

[@revelationsoundstudio]

Those odd reverb sounds are not sounds that will work with most songs. The Night Sky should have not had so much of the Strymon sparkle but more of a natural reverb instead of those weird sound effects

[@Justaguy11199]

Both overrated & overpriced.

[@cruisenblues2597]

Make some lyrics and music so that people will actually care about you music... all this yotube buy this and that is bullshit.. :)

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

You have obvisouly not taken a look at my channel. I have a playlist of 120+ original songs and 5 albums.

[@danielvinklar1105]

What I like very much about Antoine's channel is that he is focusing much more on music, and teaching me things, intervals, chords, voicings etc... And I also appreciate his no-bullshit approach very often in fact saying "don't buy this" and or "you don't need this"... nice, modest, enthusiastic guy, I really like this channel a lot! :)

[@cruisenblues2597]

@@AntoineMichaudGuitar sorry it was not for you respect what you are doing