Strymon is widely known for its exceptional digital effects pedals, which have become staples in the music production world. Recently, the company expanded into the realm of DAW plugins, making some of its most iconic effects available in digital form. The first two Strymon plugins to hit the market are BigSky and Deco. Both plugins are based on their respective hardware counterparts, offering a seamless translation of the pedal’s sound and features into the digital domain. With Strymon’s reputation for crafting meticulously detailed effects, it’s no surprise that these plugins have generated significant interest.
Strymon has ensured that the code used in these plugins is directly ported from the hardware pedals. This means that the digital versions are virtually identical to the physical units in terms of sound quality and performance. Additionally, while the user interfaces of Strymon’s pedals are already intuitive, the company has managed to streamline and enhance the workflow for these plugins even further.
These plugins support all major formats, including AAX, making them compatible with macOS (11.6.4 and up) and Windows (10 and above). Authorization is handled via an iLok account, though a physical iLok dongle isn’t required. For those unfamiliar with the original hardware, it’s worth checking out reviews of the BigSky pedal from January 2014 and the Deco pedal from October 2015, both available on Sound On Sound’s website.
Let’s first dive into BigSky, a multi-engine reverb plugin. Like its hardware version, this plugin offers 12 algorithms that range from conventional reverb types like real spaces, plates, and springs to more experimental and creative sounds. These include Non-linear, Cloud, Swell, Shimmer, Magneto (a multi-head tape echo with diffusion), and Bloom. The primary controls allow users to adjust algorithm selection, decay, pre-delay, tone, modulation, low-end, and mix. There’s also a Hold switch that engages freeze or infinite reverb modes, adding another dimension to creative sound design.
At the top left of the plugin interface, input and output levels can be easily adjusted, and a collection of presets helps users get started quickly. Of course, users can save their own custom settings as well. For those who prefer a more minimalistic interface, the plugin allows users to toggle control values on or off by clicking an eye icon.
Switching between algorithms in BigSky changes the plugin’s GUI, adapting the lower portion to reflect the specific algorithm in use. For instance, in the Reflections algorithm, the interface displays an overhead view of a room, complete with a draggable sound source cursor. In Chorale mode, users can choose between various vowel filters and resonance options. These algorithm-specific adjustments remain even when switching between different modes, preserving any tweaks made during a session. Some main controls also vary slightly depending on the algorithm. For example, in Bloom, the tone control becomes a resonant filter, while the modulation control adapts to suit the algorithm.
Now, turning to the Deco plugin, this effect emulates the analog warmth and saturation of tape machines, creating a range of effects from tape echo to flanging and double tracking. However, it’s also possible to use Deco purely for its tape saturation, giving tracks a vintage ‘recorded-to-tape’ sound. Users can choose between open reel and cassette emulation, the latter mimicking the auto-limiting circuit found in high-end 1970s cassette decks.
The plugin offers controls for saturation, volume, tone, low trim, blend, wobble, auto-flange rate, and lag time. Flanging and automatic double tracking (ADT) effects, originally achieved using two tape machines running the same material, are faithfully recreated in Deco. The plugin replicates the time differences between the two virtual tape machines to produce classic effects like phasing, through-zero flanging, chorus, echo, and ADT. These effects can either run free or be tempo-synced to the DAW, while the Auto Flange option ensures smooth, through-zero flanging without manual adjustment.
In stereo mode, the plugin offers a Bounce mode, where the right channel of the lag deck is polarity-inverted and fed into the left channel, resulting in a ping-pong style effect. Vintage tape flanging and John Lennon-style ADT are convincingly recreated, and the plugin also delivers conventional tape delays of up to 500ms.
Both plugins from Strymon are outstanding, with BigSky standing out for its ability to add a touch of magic to almost any instrument or voice. While these effects plugins are useful for guitarists, they can also be beneficial for producers and engineers working with other instruments and vocals. Even if you own the hardware versions, having access to these effects as plugins allows for additional flexibility in your workflow. You can apply multiple instances within a single project, automate parameters directly in the DAW, and experiment with effects post-editing, all without setting up MIDI controls.
There are free seven-day trials available for both plugins, but be prepared—once you try them, you may find yourself wanting to own them permanently. The BigSky plugin is priced at $199, while Deco is available for $79, making both a worthy investment for any serious producer.
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