Strymon Big Sky Plugin

[rezoneight]

...Spring, Shimmer, Plate, Hall etc are all separate purchase, same with Valhalla.

I keep seeing the Valhalla comparisons (because it's reverb, so yeah, kind of makes sense) but Valhalla isn't 1 algorithm per product like Eventide. Shimmer is their only plugin that does that...I guess you could make the case Plate only does Plates, but they're still different ones.

Allow me to cross-post from Gearspace...

ValhallaVintageVerb - 19 algorithms (a variety of types) - $50
ValhallaRoom - 12 algorithms (not just rooms) - $50
ValhallaShimmer - let's call this 1 algorithm - $50
ValhallaPlate - 12 algorithms (ok, these are just plates) - $50
ValhallaSuperMassive - 16 algorithms (lots of sounds to be had here) - Free

Cost: $200 for 60 algorithms. Price per algorithm: $3.30! If you leave out SuperMassive, that's 44 algorithms for $200, which is $4.54 per algorithm.

Strymon Big Sky - 12 algorithms for $199. Price per algorithm: $16.58.

They're different products. The Strymon verbs don't sound like Valhalla's and vice versa. The Strymon is on the pricier end of the spectrum. I'm sure they'll still be very successful with it and I hope to see more.

100%. I have all the Valhalla stuff. Love it. Also own a BigSky pedal. As you noted different products. I get that $200 isn’t $50. I get that $200 is too expensive for some on a single plugin. But the problem I see is that people are mistaking “it’s too expensive for me” with “ it’s too expensive”. Easy to handle. Get the trial. If you think it’s not for you don’t buy it.

[Scotty]

If you love the Strymon Big Sky hardware box, getting a plugin version makes a lot of sense if you integrate with a DAW. I can see someone considering that good value at $200.00 USD. The downside I see is that the VST limits you to the exact same compromises that the hardware box does which is limited controls. I see that as an unncessary limitation in the plugin. In hardware, when performing live, having great sounding options with limitations is ideal. You can only go so far wrong and you know what to expect.

If we could get under the hood a bit more in the plugin, I'd find it more compelling. Regardless, I'm happy for those that are going to enjoy this and that will be a pretty big audience no doubt.

[SLiC]

...Spring, Shimmer, Plate, Hall etc are all separate purchase, same with Valhalla.

I keep seeing the Valhalla comparisons (because it's reverb, so yeah, kind of makes sense) but Valhalla isn't 1 algorithm per product like Eventide. Shimmer is their only plugin that does that...I guess you could make the case Plate only does Plates, but they're still different ones.

Allow me to cross-post from Gearspace...

ValhallaVintageVerb - 19 algorithms (a variety of types) - $50
ValhallaRoom - 12 algorithms (not just rooms) - $50
ValhallaShimmer - let's call this 1 algorithm - $50
ValhallaPlate - 12 algorithms (ok, these are just plates) - $50
ValhallaSuperMassive - 16 algorithms (lots of sounds to be had here) - Free

Cost: $200 for 60 algorithms. Price per algorithm: $3.30! If you leave out SuperMassive, that's 44 algorithms for $200, which is $4.54 per algorithm.

Strymon Big Sky - 12 algorithms for $199. Price per algorithm: $16.58.

They're different products. The Strymon verbs don't sound like Valhalla's and vice versa. The Strymon is on the pricier end of the spectrum. I'm sure they'll still be very successful with it and I hope to see more.

If your quoting algorithms then there are many different algorithms witing each 'machine' in Big Sky, but the fact is you have to buy Plate top get Plate, Shimmer to get Shimmer, Room to get Hall etc so the cost is about the same (so it isn't pricier, it's just like buying 4 Valhalla's at the same time) and you still won't have several of the unique reverbs in BigSky.

Personally I think BigSky is a better proposition as all of the machines/algorithm are in one plugin, so I can try different verbs from plate to shimmer to spring without having to keep loading different plugs. I also happen to think Big Sky does sound better to me in many cases than my Eventide and Vallhala stuff, particularly on guitar, but everyone will have their own opinion there....

[FapFilter]

VVV has Plates, Halls and other stuff like Nonlin, etc, so you basically don't "need" much more else either.
ok, it doesn't have springs, but you have to decide how important those are to you and wether you need them, or not.

that's not to say that Big Sky, or other plugins in the $200 ballpark (or more) are not worth your money if you're loving the sound, even if it would just be for one single algorithm, especially if that one single algorithm would have so much fine controls that you could basically make any reverb type convincingly.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

If your quoting algorithms then there are many different algorithms witing each 'machine' in Big Sky, but the fact is you have to buy Plate top get Plate, Shimmer to get Shimmer, Room to get Hall etc so the cost is about the same (so it isn't pricier, it's just like buying 4 Valhalla's at the same time) and you still won't have several of the unique reverbs in BigSky.

That's just not the case and FapFilter is correct in saying...

VVV has Plates, Halls and other stuff like Nonlin, etc, so you basically don't "need" much more else either.
ok, it doesn't have springs, but you have to decide how important those are to you and wether you need them, or not.

VVV indeed does rooms, halls, random halls, plates, non-lin. That's still 19 algorithms for $50 which works out to $2.63 per algorithm. It's the closest thing in the Valhalla catalog to Big Sky in that covers a wide range of reverb sounds with algorithms for each. It doesn't sound anything like Big Sky but if we're going to compare Valhalla to Strymon's Big Sky, that would be the closest in terms of the variety of different reverb algorithms, which I think was your original point SLiC. It's not one algorithm-per-Valhalla-plugin.

But again, not arguing that Big Sky isn't worth it or saying it's an apples to apples comparison. My point is: it's not. But if one is going to bring Valhalla into the mix, then at least be fair. Valhalla plugins are far and away the best value in reverb and delays IMO and if we're being honest, we're paying a Strymon premium for the Big Sky plugin. Which is fine.

[zerocrossing]

Then again, I compare Big Sky to Cinematic Rooms Pro, and the same thing holds true: Big Sky sounds like $200 (or less) compared to the $400 CRP (in the areas of overlap, which is generally the only ones I care about, as the special FX of the Big Sky haven’t ever thrilled my ears).

I’ll disagree with you there. There’s something about all the Strymon algorithms that I just love, especially the weird ones.

[edit]Looks like LiquidSonics makes a $199 version of Cinematic Rooms. I’m not sure I need all the “Pro” stuff, so maybe that could get on my list as well. It’s going to be a software Christmas!

[SLiC]

But again, not arguing that Big Sky isn't worth it or saying it's an apples to apples comparison. My point is: it's not. But if one is going to bring Valhalla into the mix, then at least be fair. Valhalla plugins are far and away the best value in reverb and delays IMO and if we're being honest, we're paying a Strymon premium for the Big Sky plugin. Which is fine.

I just pointed out you have to buy several of them to cover the range as a reverb like BigSky (and others) so it isn't really like for like (so we agree on that!) as people are saying a Valhalla reverb is just $50...they are $50 'each'.... I own 4 so I have spent $200 on Valhalla reverbs and still and to buy Eventide Spring. For me, buying just this one plugin would have been better value (and I prefer the sound and convenience). Alos, I dint think Valhalla Shimmer is very good value for just one type of reverb (and the pre-set managements sucks), even Valhalla aren't perfect

Anyway- give it a few months and it will be discounted as is almost everything...isn't BF coming up soon!

[vitocorleone123]

Then again, I compare Big Sky to Cinematic Rooms Pro, and the same thing holds true: Big Sky sounds like $200 (or less) compared to the $400 CRP (in the areas of overlap, which is generally the only ones I care about, as the special FX of the Big Sky haven’t ever thrilled my ears).

I’ll disagree with you there. There’s something about all the Strymon algorithms that I just love, especially the weird ones.

[edit]Looks like LiquidSonics makes a $199 version of Cinematic Rooms. I’m not sure I need all the “Pro” stuff, so maybe that could get on my list as well. It’s going to be a software Christmas!

Fair enough. Like I said, I've never been enamored with the BigSky sound or FX when hearing it online, and using the demo has confirmed that for me. I also agree with the other person who said that it's a shame that the controls are so limited in the plugin, and that summing to mono is the only option. I do appreciate that another bigger name in pedals has released software.

I can't drag and drop instances, but one reason I appreciate my Meris pedals - other than the sound - is the MIDI, and using Studio One it's so easy I don't even have to use the hardware if I don't want, but can use them like single-instance plugins. In fact, my Mercury7 is not convenient to reach and it doesn't matter because of MIDI. I liked pedals and plugins that blur the line, and applaud Strymon for releasing this.

Cinematic Rooms: demo the Pro version vs the Standard. I heard a difference in the early reflections and wanted the best (for my ears) reverb. So I got CRP on the BF sale with loyalty discounts. Think I paid $225 or so and it's among the best money I've spent on music gear (wallet would've been happier if I hadn't heard a difference between Standard and Pro). For me, it's The One reverb - the one that immediately sounded right to me, unlike all the others I have/had.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Anyway- give it a few months and it will be discounted as is almost everything...isn't BF coming up soon!

Give what a few months? I already bought it!

[_leras]

Allow me to cross-post from Gearspace...

ValhallaVintageVerb - 19 algorithms (a variety of types) - $50
ValhallaRoom - 12 algorithms (not just rooms) - $50
ValhallaShimmer - let's call this 1 algorithm - $50
ValhallaPlate - 12 algorithms (ok, these are just plates) - $50
ValhallaSuperMassive - 16 algorithms (lots of sounds to be had here) - Free

phhhhtttt......

that's basically what I wrote back on page 12...

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

phhhhtttt......

that's basically what I wrote back on page 12...

You were right then, and you're still right now!

[ReverendLove]

FYI bigSky has 12 machjnes wich can have two or more algorithms. Any comparison is flawed here.
BTW, I could never use the plugins named after the hall of the slain in Northern European mythology. I would never feel good using them. To much hybris, darkness and drama.

[kevinsparks]

We need a more humble, less violent reverb

[WatchTheGuitar]

And yet they’d happily use a reverb named after Karl Bigsky, the notorious mass murderer?

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Seventh Heaven is another obvious non-starter.