Strymon Big Sky Plugin

[vinci]

I'll most likely get this one when it goes on sale. Definitely look forward to additional Strymon plugins. How's the performance on Windows?

CPU intensive, and still not better than Valhalla IMO, but it has vast creative applications that might interest people.

[stuman]

I'll most likely get this one when it goes on sale. Definitely look forward to additional Strymon plugins. How's the performance on Windows?

CPU intensive, and still not better than Valhalla IMO, but it has vast creative applications that might interest people.

Thanks vinci! Hope they improve the CPU performance

[rezoneight]

Comparing Big Sky with Cinematic Room Pro sound weird to me.

My first subjective experiments with BS impressed me.
There's of course many options in this effect family like many said before, but to me, Its still a quite unique one.
It really has "its own sound".
Really need to add YMVV?

So comparing room and halls across reverbs is weird? Interesting.

Is it interesting? What is the purpose of BigSky vs Cinematic Rooms? Lets see:

"For the most demanding score mixing and post-production workflows, the Professional edition is the ultimate room simulator combining the latest in modulated constant-density reverb technology with an interface tailored to the demands of modern surround production."

Not sure BigSky was created for "the most demanding score mixing and post-production workflows". Its an effects pedal with some unique algorithms.

So you only go by marketing statements and not sound? Interesting.

I have existing reverb plugins. I compare ones I am considering to the ones I have. I know I sure don't do demanding score mixing and post-production. I just hack together some music now and then.

Of course I go on sound, thats why I own a BigSky pedal. There are algorithms on there nobody else has that I like. So comparing BigSky room sounds with <insert whatever other room plugin here> is pointless to me. I own a ton of other reverbs between Valhalla, stuff built in to the DAWS, etc.

And yes, I DO look at marketing statements. Think it would be odd not to especially when Cinematic Rooms Pro is $399 and Standard is $199. They are pretty clear on what that reverb is designed for and who and I don't need something that fancy for what I do.

[zerocrossing]

Comparing Big Sky with Cinematic Room Pro sound weird to me.

My first subjective experiments with BS impressed me.
There's of course many options in this effect family like many said before, but to me, Its still a quite unique one.
It really has "its own sound".
Really need to add YMVV?

So comparing room and halls across reverbs is weird? Interesting.

Is it interesting? What is the purpose of BigSky vs Cinematic Rooms? Lets see:

"For the most demanding score mixing and post-production workflows, the Professional edition is the ultimate room simulator combining the latest in modulated constant-density reverb technology with an interface tailored to the demands of modern surround production."

Not sure BigSky was created for "the most demanding score mixing and post-production workflows". Its an effects pedal with some unique algorithms.

So you only go by marketing statements and not sound? Interesting.

I have existing reverb plugins. I compare ones I am considering to the ones I have. I know I sure don't do demanding score mixing and post-production. I just hack together some music now and then.

Of course I go on sound, thats why I own a BigSky pedal. There are algorithms on there nobody else has that I like. So comparing BigSky room sounds with <insert whatever other room plugin here> is pointless to me. I own a ton of other reverbs between Valhalla, stuff built in to the DAWS, etc.

And yes, I DO look at marketing statements. Think it would be odd not to especially when Cinematic Rooms Pro is $399 and Standard is $199. They are pretty clear on what that reverb is designed for and who and I don't need something that fancy for what I do.

From what I can gather, a big part of CRP is for surround applications, which is of zero interest to me. "Sharing the same reverb and reflection engines as the professional edition, Cinematic Rooms creates a convincing, pure ambience around your sources by simulating sophisticated early auditory cues for a wide range of realistic environments." So, in that respect, if you like the basic sound of CRP, you can get it for $200, same as Big Sky. Most likely, I'll end up with both, as I quite like the character of CR and BS. I don't see them overlapping in my world. Big Sky would be most likely used as an insert as an effect and CR would be on an effects bus for general mix reverb.

[quantum7]

REALLY loving the Big Sky plugin so far.

[vitocorleone123]

Comparing Big Sky with Cinematic Room Pro sound weird to me.

My first subjective experiments with BS impressed me.
There's of course many options in this effect family like many said before, but to me, Its still a quite unique one.
It really has "its own sound".
Really need to add YMVV?

So comparing room and halls across reverbs is weird? Interesting.

Is it interesting? What is the purpose of BigSky vs Cinematic Rooms? Lets see:

"For the most demanding score mixing and post-production workflows, the Professional edition is the ultimate room simulator combining the latest in modulated constant-density reverb technology with an interface tailored to the demands of modern surround production."

Not sure BigSky was created for "the most demanding score mixing and post-production workflows". Its an effects pedal with some unique algorithms.

So you only go by marketing statements and not sound? Interesting.

I have existing reverb plugins. I compare ones I am considering to the ones I have. I know I sure don't do demanding score mixing and post-production. I just hack together some music now and then.

Of course I go on sound, thats why I own a BigSky pedal. There are algorithms on there nobody else has that I like. So comparing BigSky room sounds with <insert whatever other room plugin here> is pointless to me. I own a ton of other reverbs between Valhalla, stuff built in to the DAWS, etc.

And yes, I DO look at marketing statements. Think it would be odd not to especially when Cinematic Rooms Pro is $399 and Standard is $199. They are pretty clear on what that reverb is designed for and who and I don't need something that fancy for what I do.

Of course there's unique algos. Nobody was saying otherwise. I certainly wasn't comparing those unique ones (well, I did compare some with Big Sky IRs using Reverberate 3 but the Big Sky plugin sounded better). What are you on about?

I only work in stereo, and I've never heard a general reverb (again, it doesn't do the weird things Big Sky does) as good to my ears - not saying it's true for anyone else - as Cinematic Rooms Pro. There was a noticeable difference to me in early reflections between Pro and Standard. Hopefully others do NOT hear the difference and can save money. I didn't set out to spend $145 (just looked up what I paid) on a reverb for the Pro version, but I also didn't want to settle anymore!

I don't look at marketing at all because it's pretty meaningless fluff. I just want the best sound to my ears. So of course I compare rooms and halls.

Anyway, you do you. The focus should be on the Big Sky plugin here. It's a great feeling to find a plugin your ears are happy with. Congratulations.

[rezoneight]

Of course there's unique algos. Nobody was saying otherwise. I certainly wasn't comparing those unique ones (well, I did compare some with Big Sky IRs using Reverberate 3 but the Big Sky plugin sounded better). What are you on about?

You asked me questions including a really ridiculous one: "So you only go by marketing statements and not sound? Interesting." I answered. Is it really that hard to understand? What are *you* on about? You made the comment that you compare things. I don't. I don't care that Cinematic Rooms sounds better than the room algorithm on the BigSky (remember? the plugin this thread is about?). As I said I didn't buy the BigSky for the room algorithm, I bought it for the things its well-known for that other reverbs don't have. Does it's 10-year old room algorithm sound as good as the latest state of the art one from LiquidSonics? I'd expect not. But it sounds good enough.

I only work in stereo, and I've never heard a general reverb (again, it doesn't do the weird things Big Sky does) as good to my ears - not saying it's true for anyone else - as Cinematic Rooms Pro. There was a noticeable difference to me in early reflections between Pro and Standard. I don't look at marketing at all because it's pretty meaningless fluff. I just want the best sound to my ears. So of course I compare rooms and halls. Anyway, you do you. It's a great feeling to find a plugin your ears are happy with. Congratulations.

I'm sure Cinematic Rooms Pro is the bees knees for you. I'd hope so for $399. It does seem to be the darling at the moment. And it does sound good. It doesn't sound $399 better than other reverbs I have to warrant spending that kind of money but then again its not a product that was made for me. Interesting that you can hear a difference between the standard and pro editions when they say those products share the same reverb and reflection engines but I know now thats only marketing fluff.

And good on you for being immune to reading marketing material. Truly. Definitely makes you better than the rest of us schmucks who actually read what a manufacturer writes about their own product on their website. That way I know that Cinematic Rooms was purpose-built for working in surround for people who need that. They say so right on the main page. But thats just silly marketing fluff right? Clearly the company doesn't know the true reasoning behind making the product. Doesn't mean it can't be used in stereo and sound good in stereo (and in fact I have seen many say so, including about 10 minutes ago by Anne-Kathrin Dern in a new video she posted about her favorite reverbs).

And to be clear - I am doing me. I never claimed to be speaking for you or anyone else in that post. I've found many reverb plugins that my ears are happy with. In fact I've yet to run into a bad one since I started buying DAWs and plugins years ago. The technology gets better as it should but they still all sound good. For *my* hacked together music something like Cinematic Rooms is total overkill, no matter how good it sounds. Its not going to make a $399 difference in how my stuff sounds. I get that you want the best sound you can get for yours. And if you want what the BigSky is known for it will be a bit hard to avoid it because it's still the best at those things.

[nordickvr]

Finally I think comparing Cinematic Rooms with Big Sky is really really weird.
But I'm a weird person

[osmancigil]

Hi everyone,

I also had the chance to use the trial version for a couple of days. It's indeed heavy on the CPU, no other reverb plugins had caused constant crackling noises in my system like Big Sky.

I also noticed some sizing issues. Even though I set it to 100% while recording, it sometimes opened up smaller.

Here's a demo video I made. Had to increase samples to record the screen and audio.

[counterparty]

This looks interesting, but I make pop songs and dance tracks rather than ambient stuff. Have people found it useful in that context?

[sl1200mk2]

This looks interesting, but I make pop songs and dance tracks rather than ambient stuff. Have people found it useful in that context?

You'll hear BigSky used on all kinds of electronic music and applied to synths. It's probably one of the most popular modern hardware fx out there along with the Eventide H9 for reverb. Reverb is a universal effect that can be used in any genre and almost any type of instrument to varying degrees.

[worldfever]

really liking this plugin so far! never used any strymon effect irl but I was too curious not to try this one cause its such a classic.
Only thing im a bit confused about is the mix knob, does anyone else feel it behaves weirdly?
it feels like exponential to me or something...lol

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

really liking this plugin so far! never used any strymon effect irl but I was too curious not to try this one cause its such a classic.
Only thing im a bit confused about is the mix knob, does anyone else feel it behaves weirdly?
it feels like exponential to me or something...lol

The Mix knob is VERY well dialed in. For a guitar pedal! 50/50 wet/dry is 3 o'clock on the knob, not noon. I love it. Very common on guitar verbs. Makes at easier to dial in a sound with a bit of verb..

[worldfever]

really liking this plugin so far! never used any strymon effect irl but I was too curious not to try this one cause its such a classic.
Only thing im a bit confused about is the mix knob, does anyone else feel it behaves weirdly?
it feels like exponential to me or something...lol

The Mix knob is VERY well dialed in. For a guitar pedal! 50/50 wet/dry is 3 o'clock on the knob, not noon. I love it. Very common on guitar verbs. Makes at easier to dial in a sound with a bit of verb..

ahh...so my "exponential" guess wasnt that far off then

[epiphaneia]

There's a note on Strymon's website that buyers out side of the U.S. can't purchase it directly from them, if I got that right. Not sure what the reason is. Maybe they don't use a payment provider which takes VAT into account.

Has anyone from the EU tried/succeeded in ordering straight from Strymon anyway? I wouldn't mind skipping the extra 19%