Strymon Multi - Could it happen??

jellybelly

OK, so the HX Effects didn't quite float my boat - close, but not quite there for me. Part of it was the lack of 'plug and play' the M9 has - there was certainly a bit of a learning curve and some effects had LOADS of parameters. 

I've been thinking for half a decade that, if Strymon came out with an 'M9 Killer' (as TGP referred to it all those years ago) I'd be in, and every release the company has made since has had me thinking its more likely - or at least more possible. As far as I can see, they're missing (a) filters & wahs; (b) fuzz; (c) digital compression & (d) pitch shifting with everything else covered pretty well. And I'd suggest you could dump (a) and (d) and not upset too many people, adding them by USB update later. Surely a Fuzz "small box" and then a Drive "big box" are in the offing?!?!

Anyway, Strymon Multi - what would I like to see?

- Up to 4 simultaneous effects, with some way to have 'What You See Is What You Get' knob placement, sort of like the M13 - 4 discreet modules would be great. 3 would be adequate.
- The possibility of "analogue dry" throughout. Certain effects would NEED to be digital only but it'd be great if you could have an overdrive with some analogue dry mixed in and then a dry path through a delay and reverb that didn't go through AD/DA but I think that contradicts what I just said, so maybe not... having owned a Flint, I didn't mind the full digital conversion too much.
- All the Strymon effects (or close to), but with less tweakability - this would (a) differentiate them from the other models that allow continuous variation of all variables and (b) make finding tones simpler. For example, I don't need all the dBucket functionality of the Timeline or Brigadier, but it'd be cool to have a brighter, clearer '2 chip' delay tweaked after a DMM and a dirtier, darker '1 chip' delay modelled after a DM-2 or AD-9, with a single control mapping several factors like noise, bucket loss etc, kind of like the Volante has combined Crinkle and Tape Age into a single 'Wear' control. Doing this across the whole range would make the other pedals seem more specialist while the 'Multi' would be more utilitarian.
- Plug a standard kettle lead into it, no hassle or fussing with anything else. But I get some people want to incorporate big things into even bigger boards. How you guys aren't get around with those things is beyond me!

If we're talking Strymon, we're talking x1.5 to x2 what the HX Effects goes for, £700+ I'd guess. If it could truly replace top draw pedals, power supply and board then that's not so obscene. Getting closer to the £1k mark and it becomes a lot less appealing...

What do you guys reckon? Fantasy or possibility??

digitalscream

If you think the HX isn't plug-and-play, just take a moment to consider the fact that all of the Strymon effects have at least double the number of parameters per effect.

More appropriate, I think, would be a TC multi unit which brought together the Toneprint effects. They all use pretty much the same audio engine anyway, so it's not that much of a stretch. Hell, at their core they all use MIDI to communicate with the Toneprint Editor, so with a little bit of a push it could even be a firmware solution with a USB hub in the middle to make them all behave nicely with a MIDI controller.

Winny_Pooh

It's cost more than an AX8, better to buy an AX8.

mrkb

Winny_Pooh said:

It's cost more than an AX8, better to buy an AX8.

Did you mean Fx8?

jellybelly

digitalscream said:

If you think the HX isn't plug-and-play, just take a moment to consider the fact that all of the Strymon effects have at least double the number of parameters per effect.

More appropriate, I think, would be a TC multi unit which brought together the Toneprint effects. They all use pretty much the same audio engine anyway, so it's not that much of a stretch. Hell, at their core they all use MIDI to communicate with the Toneprint Editor, so with a little bit of a push it could even be a firmware solution with a USB hub in the middle to make them all behave nicely with a MIDI controller.

I thought the interface on the HX was fine, especially considering the level of complexity, though some of the delays DID match Strymon for number of parameters (I remember 'exploding' one across all the screens and still needing to look at the next set - can't remember which one) - my comment was only that the M9/M13, which usually had 5 parameters max and a knob for each was a bit quicker to get up and running on the fly.

My suggestion was that the Strymon stuff became more simplified rather than trying to maintain all that complexity if being packaged in a multi effects.

Winny_Pooh said:

It's cost more than an AX8, better to buy an AX8.

Well, we don't know the cost or the quality of this fictional pedal, so how can we recommend something over it?? Is this an agreement that it could happen but will likely cost too much?

Winny_Pooh

Fractal Ax8. Includes modelling too dinja know

octatonic

Complicated multi effects units aren’t their thing.
I don’t see it happening.

RandallFlagg

I'd love to see a Strymon multi with the all the features of the Sunset, El Cap & Flint for deffo and maybe some other modulation/delays/reverbs and a tuner all with some preset/patch management. That would do me, I'd pay £1K or more for it. 

WiresDreamDisasters

digitalscream said:

If you think the HX isn't plug-and-play, just take a moment to consider the fact that all of the Strymon effects have at least double the number of parameters per effect.

That's actually not really true. I thought this too previously, but when you actually throw up the NIXIE editor and look at the available parameters per model, they're pretty comparable to the HX Effects in terms of parameter count - in fact a lot of the newer HX effects have substantially more parameters than the Strymon ones. The Volante might be an exception to this.

Gassage

I think if they do it should be limited to left brain innovators with silly beards only.

octatonic

Maybe a partnership deal with Pete Cornish?

digitalscream

WiresDreamDisasters said:

digitalscream said:

If you think the HX isn't plug-and-play, just take a moment to consider the fact that all of the Strymon effects have at least double the number of parameters per effect.

That's actually not really true. I thought this too previously, but when you actually throw up the NIXIE editor and look at the available parameters per model, they're pretty comparable to the HX Effects in terms of parameter count - in fact a lot of the newer HX effects have substantially more parameters than the Strymon ones. The Volante might be an exception to this.

Really? One of the criticisms someone raised (ages ago) was the number of odd button combinations etc which gave different parameters. Of course, the method of parameter entry could've made it seem worse than it was.

WiresDreamDisasters

digitalscream said:

WiresDreamDisasters said:

digitalscream said:

If you think the HX isn't plug-and-play, just take a moment to consider the fact that all of the Strymon effects have at least double the number of parameters per effect.

That's actually not really true. I thought this too previously, but when you actually throw up the NIXIE editor and look at the available parameters per model, they're pretty comparable to the HX Effects in terms of parameter count - in fact a lot of the newer HX effects have substantially more parameters than the Strymon ones. The Volante might be an exception to this.

Really? One of the criticisms someone raised (ages ago) was the number of odd button combinations etc which gave different parameters. Of course, the method of parameter entry could've made it seem worse than it was.

That might be true for the Volante, coz it does use the feedback switches to access hidden parameters. But the Big Sky, Mobius, Timeline, and the smaller pedals... they're pretty "limited" in terms of parameters in my view. Certainly less than 15-20 parameters per model on each pedal.

When you look at something like the Transistor Tape, Cosmos Echo, or Ganymede effects on the Helix, they're quite bulky.

I like both approaches personally, for different things. Strymon is more 'curated' and Helix is more 'roll your own you clever sod'.

menamestom

I doubt a multi is in their business model.  There are plenty of boards that show people buy multiple Strymon pedals so why build a multi that takes away from these sales. Strymon are the Apple of guitar effects, they make very good products at a premium price and deliver it in the way they want it, not necessarily what the user asks for.
It’s similar with Eventide, they could easily make 3 H9’s in one box, but if they give too much, it undermines their existing business model.

WiresDreamDisasters

menamestom said:

I doubt a multi is in their business model.  There are plenty of boards that show people buy multiple Strymon pedals so why build a multi that takes away from these sales. Strymon are the Apple of guitar effects, they make very good products at a premium price and deliver it in the way they want it, not necessarily what the user asks for.
It’s similar with Eventide, they could easily make 3 H9’s in one box, but if they give too much, it undermines their existing business model.

Strymon make better products than Apple does.

jellybelly

WiresDreamDisasters said:

digitalscream said:

WiresDreamDisasters said:

digitalscream said:

If you think the HX isn't plug-and-play, just take a moment to consider the fact that all of the Strymon effects have at least double the number of parameters per effect.

That's actually not really true. I thought this too previously, but when you actually throw up the NIXIE editor and look at the available parameters per model, they're pretty comparable to the HX Effects in terms of parameter count - in fact a lot of the newer HX effects have substantially more parameters than the Strymon ones. The Volante might be an exception to this.

Really? One of the criticisms someone raised (ages ago) was the number of odd button combinations etc which gave different parameters. Of course, the method of parameter entry could've made it seem worse than it was.

That might be true for the Volante, coz it does use the feedback switches to access hidden parameters. But the Big Sky, Mobius, Timeline, and the smaller pedals... they're pretty "limited" in terms of parameters in my view. Certainly less than 15-20 parameters per model on each pedal.

When you look at something like the Transistor Tape, Cosmos Echo, or Ganymede effects on the Helix, they're quite bulky.

I like both approaches personally, for different things. Strymon is more 'curated' and Helix is more 'roll your own you clever sod'.

Interesting takes, both of you. Considering the Timeline for example, there are 7 controls plus usually 2-3 extra parameters (smear, boost, tap div, swell speed depending on ‘engine’ chosen. 

I think those who are saying Strymon wouldn’t compromise all that functionality might be right, but then as those ‘big box’ pedals hit 8 or 9 years old, surely they’ll reach market saturation for new sales and look to add new products that either simmer down existing assets (what I’m talking about here) or else produce something brand new - which I bet is the more expensive option. 

WiresDreamDisasters

jellybelly said:

WiresDreamDisasters said:

digitalscream said:

WiresDreamDisasters said:

digitalscream said:

If you think the HX isn't plug-and-play, just take a moment to consider the fact that all of the Strymon effects have at least double the number of parameters per effect.

That's actually not really true. I thought this too previously, but when you actually throw up the NIXIE editor and look at the available parameters per model, they're pretty comparable to the HX Effects in terms of parameter count - in fact a lot of the newer HX effects have substantially more parameters than the Strymon ones. The Volante might be an exception to this.

Really? One of the criticisms someone raised (ages ago) was the number of odd button combinations etc which gave different parameters. Of course, the method of parameter entry could've made it seem worse than it was.

That might be true for the Volante, coz it does use the feedback switches to access hidden parameters. But the Big Sky, Mobius, Timeline, and the smaller pedals... they're pretty "limited" in terms of parameters in my view. Certainly less than 15-20 parameters per model on each pedal.

When you look at something like the Transistor Tape, Cosmos Echo, or Ganymede effects on the Helix, they're quite bulky.

I like both approaches personally, for different things. Strymon is more 'curated' and Helix is more 'roll your own you clever sod'.

Interesting takes, both of you. Considering the Timeline for example, there are 7 controls plus usually 2-3 extra parameters (smear, boost, tap div, swell speed depending on ‘engine’ chosen. 

I think those who are saying Strymon wouldn’t compromise all that functionality might be right, but then as those ‘big box’ pedals hit 8 or 9 years old, surely they’ll reach market saturation for new sales and look to add new products that either simmer down existing assets (what I’m talking about here) or else produce something brand new - which I bet is the more expensive option. 

They certainly have more competition nowadays, but there aren't many pedals that are as easy to use and inspiring to use without even needing to read the manual. I think the Boss 500 series are probably 'up there' in terms of tonal flexibility and quality of sound for the most part... but they're not very intuitive.

ChuckManual

A combined Deco / El Capistan / Flint / Blue Sky multi-fx unit would be irresistible 'round these parts...

menamestom

WiresDreamDisasters said:

menamestom said:

I doubt a multi is in their business model.  There are plenty of boards that show people buy multiple Strymon pedals so why build a multi that takes away from these sales. Strymon are the Apple of guitar effects, they make very good products at a premium price and deliver it in the way they want it, not necessarily what the user asks for.
It’s similar with Eventide, they could easily make 3 H9’s in one box, but if they give too much, it undermines their existing business model.

Strymon make better products than Apple does.

Yes, but I always get a shit signal with my flint 

BintyTwanger77

Gassage said:

I think if they do it should be limited to left brain innovators with silly beards only.

Thank you, thank you, you're too kind *bows*

WiresDreamDisasters

menamestom said:

WiresDreamDisasters said:

menamestom said:

I doubt a multi is in their business model.  There are plenty of boards that show people buy multiple Strymon pedals so why build a multi that takes away from these sales. Strymon are the Apple of guitar effects, they make very good products at a premium price and deliver it in the way they want it, not necessarily what the user asks for.
It’s similar with Eventide, they could easily make 3 H9’s in one box, but if they give too much, it undermines their existing business model.

Strymon make better products than Apple does.

Yes, but I always get a shit signal with my flint 

No signal is exactly what you want!