BigSky MX support

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Due to the amount of differences between BigSky and BigSkyMX, presets from the original BigSky are not able to be loaded into BigSkyMX.

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Each of our Strymon digital effect pedals (excludes OB.1) have the ability to be used with mono or stereo connections.  Here are 3 different connection setups you can use with these pedals.

Mono Input => Mono Output

For Compadre, Riverside, and Sunset:  Connect a standard mono TS instrument cable into the INPUT and connect a mono TS instrument cable to the OUTPUT of the pedal.

For blueSky and Ola:  Connect a mono TS instrument cable into the LEFT INPUT and LEFT OUTPUT for a mono connection.

For BigSky, BigSkyMX, Mobius, NightSky, TimeLine, and Volante:  Connect a mono TS instrument cable into the LEFT INPUT and LEFT OUTPUT for a mono connection.  On the TimeLine and Mobius ONLY, make sure that the switch on the back of the pedal is set to STEREO IN/OUT.

For all other Strymon two footswitch Strymon pedals (including Iridium, Zelzah, and V2 pedals with mono/ stereo switch), connect a standard mono TS instrument cable into the INPUT and connect a mono TS instrument cable to the LEFT OUTPUT of the pedal.

Mono Input => Stereo Output

For Mono INPUT and Stereo OUTPUT on our small 2 footswitch pedals:  Connect a standard mono TS instrument cable into the INPUT and connect a mono TS instrument cable to both the LEFT and RIGHT OUTPUTS of the pedal.  (excludes Compadre, Riverside, and Sunset)

For blueSky and Ola:  Connect a mono TS instrument cable into the LEFT INPUT and a mono TS instrument cable to both the LEFT and RIGHT OUTPUTS for stereo output.

For BigSky, BigSkyMX, Mobius, NightSky, TimeLine, and Volante:  Connect a mono TS instrument cable into the LEFT INPUT and both LEFT and RIGHT OUTPUTS for stereo output.  On the TimeLine and Mobius ONLY, make sure that the switch on the back of the pedal is set to STEREO IN/OUT.

Stereo Input => Stereo Output

For Stereo input and Stereo output on our small 2 footswitch pedals (except V2 pedals, Iridium, Zelzah, blueSky and Ola), you must first open up the pedal to move the internal jumper over the LEFT 2 pins to set the pedal for TRS Stereo input.

Once the pedal is set for TRS Stereo input, make sure to use a TRS Stereo cable into the INPUT and connect a mono TS instrument cable to both the LEFT and RIGHT OUTPUTS of the pedal.

For blueSky and Ola:  Connect a mono TS instrument cable into the LEFT and RIGHT INPUTS along with both LEFT and RIGHT OUTPUTS for stereo input and output.  The internal jumper on these pedals does not need to be adjusted to work in stereo and should be left in its default position (connecting the left 2 pins when viewed from below).

For BigSky, BigSkyMX, Mobius, NightSky, TimeLine, and Volante:  Connect a mono TS instrument cable into the LEFT and RIGHT INPUTS along with both LEFT and RIGHT OUTPUTS for stereo input and output.  On the TimeLine and Mobius ONLY, make sure that the switch on the back of the pedal is set to STEREO IN/OUT.

For V2 pedals, Iridium, and Zelzah: Using a TRS -> dual TS cable, connect the TRS stereo cable into the input of the pedal, and a mono TS instrument cable to both LEFT and RIGHT OUTPUTS of the pedal. You will need to flip the switch on the back panel of the pedal from MONO to STEREO to enable stereo input.

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We have tested the Moog EP-2/EP-3, Mission Engineering EP-1 and EP-25K, and they will all work with our pedals to varying degrees. (There may be others but we haven’t tested them yet.)

For best performance, we recommend using expression pedals that have a minimum 25k ohm or higher potentiometer such as as the Moog EP-3 or Mission Engineering EP-25k.

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Performing the Reset Presets action restores all BigSky MX factory presets.

With BigSky MX currently powered off, press and hold both the A & INFINITE footswitches while connecting the power adapter—keep holding the footswitches until the RESET PRESETS – DO NOT TURN OFF message appears, then release the footswitches.

BigSky MX will power cycle itself. Once BigSky MX has powered back on, it is ready for use.

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To return all Global Settings to their factory default values, disconnect the power from BigSky MX, then hold the TYPE encoder while connecting power until you see the RESET GLOBALS message appear on the display. BigSky MX will automatically restart and then be ready for use with all its original factory Global Settings.

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To load an IR into your BigSky MX, follow the below instructions:

Download the free Strymon Nixie 2 application for macOS or Windows computers.

Connect BigSky MX to your computer’s USB port and launch Nixie 2

Click the IR Manager button from the Nixie 2 – Parameter Panel at the bottom of the screen

At the top of the BIGSKY MX panel, click the New Folder button to create at least one custom folder into which can import your IR files.

Within the MAC MEMORY or WINDOWS MEMORY panel at the left of the IR Manager window, browse to the folder where your reverb IR files are stored on your computer.

Select the IR file(s) you wish to import and drag and drop into your custom folder within the right BIGSKY MX panel.

You can also create additional folders and drag individual IRs and folders within the BIGSKY MX panel to move and arrange them however you like.

When you next enter the BigSky MX pedal’s Impulse parameter menu, you’ll have access to your added custom IRs and folders.

NOTE: For import of IR files, BigSky MX will accept mono or stereo .WAV files, 16 or 24 bit, and 48kHz sample rate. Upon import, Nixie 2 will conform IRs to the native format (stereo, 24-bit, 48kHz).

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All reverb machines on BigSkyMX share a set of common parameters in addition to some unique ones. Accessing the Parameters menu is easy.

1. Press down on Value.
2. Use the Value encoder to scroll through the different parameter menu options.
3. Press down on Value to access a certain menu option and press down once more to exit out of that menu option after you have made your changes.
4. Press down the Type encoder to exit the Parameters menu.

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1. Dial in your preset the way you want it to be saved.
2. Press and HOLD the TYPE encoder until the display changes to show a blinking arrow pointing towards the preset number. You may use the VALUE encoder to change the location of the preset while the arrow is blinking towards the preset number.
3. Use the TYPE encoder to scroll from the preset number to the preset name.
4. Use the VALUE encoder to scroll through the different characters. Once you are happy with a character, use the TYPE encoder to scroll over to begin selecting the next character in the name.
5. Press the TYPE encoder to save the preset.

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Configuring the EXP Jack

The BigSkyMX rear panel’s EXP jack can be set to work with an expression pedal, Strymon MultiSwitch/Multiswitch Plus device, or TRS MIDI for different types of external control. The first step is to choose the Global Settings menu’s EXP MODE settings for the device you’ll be connecting.

1. Push and hold the VALUE encoder for 3 seconds to enter the Global Settings (GLOBAL) menu.
2. Turn VALUE to select EXP MODE, then push-release VALUE to display its options.
3. Turn VALUE to select the desired EXP MODE option, then push-release VALUE to commit the setting.

EXP MODE Options

Choose the option that provides the desired control functions for the controller device that you’ll be connecting to the EXP jack.

• Pedal – For use with an external expression pedal (TRS, 25k Ohm potentiometer minimum) for control of BigSky MX’s knobs.

• Bank – For use with an original Strymon MultiSwitch or a MultiSwitch Plus set to “TimeLine, BigSky, and Mobius mode”
The MultiSwitch device’s footswitches perform the following functions:

• Footswitch A (left footswitch) – Bank down
• Footswitch B (middle footswitch) – Toggles between the A and B presets of the current bank
• Footswitch C (right footswitch) – Bank up

Preset – For use with an original Strymon MultiSwitch or a MultiSwitch Plus set to “TimeLine, BigSky, and Mobius mode” The MultiSwitch device’s footswitches perform the following functions:
• Footswitch A (left footswitch) – Preset down
• Footswitch B (middle footswitch) – Bypasses/engages the currently loaded preset
• Footswitch C (right footswitch) – Preset up

• MIDI – For use with an external MIDI controller (TRS MIDI) for preset access and parameter control or preset changes. Alternatively, for use with a Strymon MultiSwitch Plus set to “Preset mode” to recall three specific presets. The MultiSwitch
Plus’s device’s footswitches perform the following
functions:
• Footswitch A (left footswitch) – Loads preset 0B
• Footswitch B (middle footswitch) – Loads preset 1A
• Footswitch C (right footswitch) – Loads preset 1B

NOTE: The EXP MODE jack setting persists across power cycles and is not saved per preset.