Garth wrote: Thu Jun 01, 2023 7:34 amStrymon makes a smaller one called Cloudburst that sounds pretty identical to that cloud mode to me and prob about 2 hundo less $

Interesting option - however looking at used ones it seems like there's only $50-100 in price difference, and maybe the billion other Big Sky modes might be worth that. However I see it disparaged pretty frequently as "worship band" sound along with Klon clones and active Strats so maybe I should just lean into that aesthetic. I'm coming at it more from a Slowdive angle, but a RAT it's not.

matttkkkk wrote: Thu Jun 01, 2023 9:17 pm However I see it disparaged pretty frequently as "worship band" sound along with Klon clones and active Strats so maybe I should just lean into that aesthetic. I'm coming at it more from a Slowdive angle, but a RAT it's not.

Haha. I started to reply something to that effect but I didn’t want to come across like PRF 1.0. My brother is a pro touring modern country guitarist with one of those guitar into pedalboard only rigs and loves that stuff

If it is slowdive thou seeketh...

https://catalinbread.com/products/soft-focus-reverb

mdc wrote: Fri Jun 02, 2023 2:07 pm If it is slowdive thou seeketh...

https://catalinbread.com/products/soft-focus-reverb

One step further, if you're only staying home and wanting to save bucks as well as ape Slowdive, I'd imagine you can still get an original FX500 for $100-$150.

I might have exposed a little too much flank there, but that’s a fun idea, thanks.

eh, listening to demos that's more the ultra-processed sound of theirs I don't like so much, I'm much more into this kind of infinite-drift thing:

You could almost certainly get extremely close to that sound with some futzing and a zoom MS70. I don't think there's a better way to spend $100 in guitar pedal land, honestly.

I agree w/ this:

mdc wrote: Sat Jun 03, 2023 8:35 pm I don't think there's a better way to spend $100 in guitar pedal land, honestly.

But am a little dubious of this:

mdc wrote: You could almost certainly get extremely close to that sound with some futzing and a zoom MS70.

I really like my MS70 but feel like the reverbs are the weakest part - and I want to be clear that I am NOT a cork-sniffer or audiophile or anything. They just sound kinda...gritty to me? I have to suspect at the price point that things were sacrificed like digital converters and/or at some sort of preamp stage maybe.

That thing is an amazing pedal but its limitations are certainly something to be aware of. There's a reverse verb on there that you can probably get in to shoegaze territory and if OP is not planning to leave the bedroom, that might be sufficient, IDK. But I don't think it comes close to delivering the glassy, pristine trails that a Strymon does at a much higher price point. Like many multi-effects units that came before, it doesn't really master one thing but again, it is still way better than any of its predecessors at this price-point for certain.

Kinda the conclusion I reached, listening to demos. Guys I promise to take it beyond the bedroom, at least to the garage. (and for clarity, I’m not looking for “shoegaze”, I like and even love some of those records but I don’t need to copy them. I just like that particular reverb. A little like the first time I played an amp with a spring tank.)

matttkkkk wrote: Mon Jun 05, 2023 8:32 am Kinda the conclusion I reached, listening to demos. Guys I promise to take it beyond the bedroom, at least to the garage. (and for clarity, I’m not looking for “shoegaze”, I like and even love some of those records but I don’t need to copy them. I just like that particular reverb. A little like the first time I played an amp with a spring tank.)

Got it - I think there were just a few key words in your post that we all latched on to help give you pointed advice.

Even if you don't leave the bedroom though, get what you love. We're all here for the experience of creating a sound that we enjoy and feel good about.
Doesn't matter how big or small the audience is if there's a thing you're feeling like will make the hairs on your neck stand up, go for it.

Getting back to the practical aspect though, if you buy used & the Strymon ends up feeling like an extravagant purchase or you just need to get rid of it, you can always dump it and not take a bath. They hold their value very well.