Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal Review: The New Gold Standard for Atmospheric Excellence

I have spent the better part of two decades chasing the perfect “space” in my signal chain. If you are a guitarist, synth player, or sound designer, you know the frustration: you have a beautiful dry signal, but the moment you engage a standard reverb, the tone becomes thin, metallic, or—worst of all—it gets swallowed by the mix. We search for products like the Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal because we aren’t just looking for an effect; we are looking for an environment. The problem is that most pedals lack the processing “brawn” to handle complex textures without sounding digital or “fake.” When you’re trying to evoke a cinematic landscape or a lush, 1970s studio plate, settling for mediocrity isn’t an option. Failing to find a high-fidelity solution means your music stays flat, lacking the professional sheen that separates a bedroom demo from a world-class production. I recently took the dive into the MX to see if it finally solves that “flatness” problem once and for all.

What to Consider Before Buying Electric Guitar Delay & Reverb Effects

An Electric Guitar Delay & Reverb Effects unit is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for any musician looking to add depth, dimension, and emotional weight to their sound. These pedals serve as the “glue” that connects your instrument to the listener’s ear, simulating everything from small wooden rooms to infinite cosmic voids. Without a high-quality spatial processor, even the most expensive guitars and amps can sound two-dimensional. By investing in a premium workstation, you gain the ability to place your sound in a specific physical or imaginary context, which is essential for professional recording and immersive live performances.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the limitations of basic “one-knob” reverbs or those who need a singular, powerful unit to handle all their ambient needs—from electric guitarists to synth enthusiasts and even vocalists. It is particularly suited for professional musicians who require MIDI control and presets for complex setlists. However, it might not be suitable for those who prefer a “set and forget” analog experience or players on a strict budget who only need a simple room sound. For those minimalist players, a basic analog spring unit might be a more streamlined alternative to the expansive feature set of the BigSky MX.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: When adding a high-powered workstation to your pedalboard, you must consider the “real estate” it occupies. Measuring 7 x 5 inches, this isn’t a mini-pedal. You need to ensure your board can accommodate its footprint and that your power supply can handle its specific current draw, as high-end digital units are power-hungry compared to vintage dirt boxes.
• Capacity/Performance: Look specifically at the processing power. Does the pedal allow for dual effects? Many standard pedals can only run one algorithm at a time. A high-performance unit should offer enough DSP (Digital Signal Processing) to run complex calculations, like impulse responses and pitch-shifting, without introducing latency or artifacts.
• Materials & Durability: Since this is a floor-based unit, the enclosure must be rugged. Anodized aluminum is the industry standard for a reason—it’s lightweight yet can withstand years of being stomped on. Check the quality of the footswitches and the clarity of the display, as these are your primary points of interaction during a dark gig.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: While deep editing is great, you want a UI that is intuitive. A crisp OLED screen and dedicated knobs for parameters like Decay and Mix are essential for making quick adjustments. Also, consider the software ecosystem; having a way to manage presets via a computer can save hours of tedious knob-turning.

Selecting the right reverb is a deeply personal choice, but understanding these technical baselines ensures you won’t outgrow your gear within a year.

While the Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing the Titan: First Impressions of the Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal

When the Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal arrived at my studio, the first thing I noticed was the weight and the finish. Strymon has always excelled at industrial design, but the MX feels like a significant evolution. It retains the classic blue hue of the original BigSky but adds a modernized, high-contrast OLED display that is a massive upgrade over the old segmented LED screens. We found that the knobs have just the right amount of resistance—they feel premium and precise, not loose or “plastiky.”

Setting it up was a breeze, though I did notice immediately that it didn’t come with a power supply, a point of contention for some. However, once plugged into my high-current power block, the screen roared to life. The initial aesthetic is one of professional-grade tool rather than a toy. Compared to the original version, the MX feels more “ready for the future” with its expanded I/O and the promise of massive computational overhead. You can explore its full technical specifications to see just how much they’ve crammed into this chassis.

Deep Dive: The Sonic Mastery of the Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal

The Power of Dual Processing: Two Reverbs, One Vision

The standout feature of the Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal is undoubtedly its ability to run two reverb machines simultaneously. In my testing, I found this to be the “secret sauce” that the original unit was missing. I experimented with a short, punchy Room reverb on Machine A and a massive, ethereal Cloud reverb on Machine B. By routing them in parallel, the short reverb provided the necessary “weight” and “presence” for my guitar’s dry signal, while the Cloud reverb acted as a shimmering tail that didn’t wash out the initial attack. This level of control is something we usually only see in high-end studio rack gear or complex VST plugins.

We found that the panning ability for each engine is a game-changer for stereo setups. You can literally place one reverb on the left and another on the right, creating a stereo field that feels wide enough to walk through. Whether you are using it for a lush synth pad or a delicate acoustic guitar, the dual-engine architecture ensures that you never have to compromise between “clarity” and “vibe.” This is a feature that truly sets it apart, and you can see how it handles complex signal chains in more detail through the user manual links provided by the manufacturer.

Convolution Excellence: Realistic Spaces and Beyond

For the first time in a BigSky unit, we have a dedicated convolution engine. This is a massive leap forward. Instead of just mathematically simulating a space (algorithmic reverb), convolution uses Impulse Responses (IRs) to recreate the actual sonic footprint of real physical spaces or vintage hardware. The Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal comes pre-loaded with 22 stereo captures, including legendary studio plates and quirky vintage gear. I was particularly impressed by the “10-second IR” capability. Most pedals cut off IRs after a few hundred milliseconds, but the MX allows for massive, evolving decays that maintain the intricate details of the original space.

I tested the IRs not just as traditional reverbs, but as cabinet simulators—a trick I learned from other professional users. By loading specific cab IRs, the pedal can act as a final “polishing” stage for a direct-recording rig. The editing capability within the convolution engine is deep, allowing you to manipulate the IR’s start time and length. This isn’t just a static playback engine; it’s a creative tool. If you’ve ever wanted to play through a multi-thousand dollar plate reverb from a 1970s London studio, this convolution engine brings that reality to your feet.

The “Wild Hearts” Factor: Harmonics and Modern Algorithms

While the classics are all here (Room, Hall, Plate, Spring), the new “Ensemble” harmonics in the Cloud machine are what truly blew me away. I spent hours playing a simple synthesizer into a preset called “Wild Hearts.” The way the Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal generates organic, string-like textures based on your playing is nothing short of magical. It doesn’t just sound like a reverb; it sounds like a backing orchestra that reacts to your dynamics. This is perfect for solo performers who need to fill a massive sonic space without adding more band members.

The “Magneto” and “Nonlinear” machines have also been overhauled for the MX version. Magneto, in particular, creates these wonderful rhythmic, multi-tap delay-verb hybrids that are perfect for post-rock or ambient soundscapes. I found that the new ARM processor in the MX allows these algorithms to breathe; there’s a “smoothness” to the tails that was noticeably more refined than the original BigSky. For anyone working in film scoring or experimental music, checking the latest price and availability of the MX is a smart move for your studio’s evolution.

Intuitive Workflow: The OLED Display and Control Surface

One of the biggest hurdles with high-end digital pedals is “menu diving.” We found that the Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal largely avoids this frustration. The OLED screen is crisp and provides real-time visual feedback of what every knob is doing. When you turn the “Decay” knob, the screen shows you the exact time in seconds. When you adjust the EQ, you get a visual curve. This tactile-visual feedback loop makes it much easier to dial in specific sounds during a hectic rehearsal or session.

The dedicated Freeze/Infinite footswitch is another highlight. It allows you to sustain a lush chord indefinitely while you play over the top of it. On the MX, this feels more integrated than ever, especially when using the dual engines. You can “Freeze” Machine A while Machine B continues to process your new notes. This opens up live performance possibilities that were previously impossible without two separate pedals. To truly appreciate the ergonomics, you should view the full feature set and see the layout for yourself.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general consensus among the community is that the Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal is a “sick” upgrade, especially for those who bridge the gap between guitar and synthesizers. One user mentioned spending their entire first day lost in the “Wild Hearts” preset, describing it as having four distinct layers of sound, including a “massive yet subtle organic string section” that responds to the input. We confirmed this in our testing; the harmonic generation is incredibly musical and far exceeds the “shimmer” effects of yesteryear.

However, it hasn’t been without its critiques. A common point of frustration is the lack of an included power supply. As one professional musician’s brother noted, they were unable to use the gift on the first day because they didn’t have a high-current 9V adapter on hand. Furthermore, some advanced users who rely heavily on software integration have noted that as of late 2024, the PC/Mac app is mostly limited to IR management, meaning you still have to do your fine-tuning on the pedal’s screen. While the screen is excellent, those expecting a “plugin-style” editor on their computer might have to wait for further software updates. Despite these minor hurdles, the overall sentiment is that the sonic quality is “unmatched.”

Comparing the Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal to its Top Alternatives

1. JHS Pedals 3 Series Reverb Pedal

If the MX is a high-end luxury sports car, the JHS Pedals 3 Series Reverb is a reliable, high-quality commuter. This pedal is perfect for the minimalist who wants a simple, great-sounding reverb without the complexity of screens, MIDI, or dual engines. It features a simple three-knob layout and a toggle for “pre-delay.” While it sounds fantastic for basic room and hall sounds, it lacks the “otherworldly” textures and convolution power of the Strymon. We would recommend this for players who want a “set and forget” reverb for their live board where simplicity is king.

2. MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay

The MXR Carbon Copy is a legend in the industry, but it serves a very different purpose. This is a purely analog delay, not a digital reverb workstation. However, many guitarists use it to create a sense of space. It provides dark, warm repeats that sit perfectly behind your dry signal. While the Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal can technically emulate delay-like textures with its Magneto engine, it cannot replicate the specific bucket-brigade “grit” of the Carbon Copy. We suggest this as a companion to the BigSky rather than a replacement, especially for those who love vintage warmth.

3. Orange Crush 35 2-Channel Reverb Amplifier

This alternative is actually a full amplifier that includes a built-in digital reverb. For a beginner or an intermediate player, the reverb inside the Orange Crush 35 might be all they ever need to add a bit of “spring” to their practice sessions. However, comparing the onboard reverb of a practice amp to the BigSky MX is like comparing a flashlight to a lighthouse. The Orange is a great value-all-in-one solution, but it lacks the stereo width, dual engines, and impulse response technology that makes the Strymon a professional workstation. It’s a great choice for those who don’t want to deal with pedals at all.

The Final Verdict: Is the BigSky MX Worth the Hype?

After weeks of intensive testing, our verdict is clear: the Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal is arguably the most powerful reverb pedal ever created. Its ability to blend the hyper-realism of convolution IRs with the creative flexibility of its world-class algorithmic engines makes it a powerhouse for any serious musician. While the price point is high and the lack of a power supply is a minor annoyance, the sonic results are undeniable. It transforms thin sounds into cinematic masterpieces and provides a level of control that was previously reserved for high-end studio engineers.

We recommend this pedal to professional performers, ambient soundscapers, and studio owners who need a “do-it-all” spatial processor that will not be obsolete in two years. If you are ready to elevate your sound to a professional level and want a tool that inspires you every time you click it on, now is the time to invest. Stop settling for “good enough” and experience the pinnacle of reverb technology—secure your own Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal today and redefine your sonic boundaries.