Strymon blueSky User manual

blueSky - reverberator
Contents
Knobs and Switches ......................................................................................... 3
Front Panel Controls ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3
Rear Panel I/O and Control .............................................................................. 5
Live Edit Functions ........................................................................................... 7
Boost/Cut ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7
Respond/Ignore MIDI Expression �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8
Power Up Modes............................................................................................... 9
Input Level �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9
Bypass Mode��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 10
Spillover Mode ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 11
Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 12
External Control ............................................................................................. 14
Expression Pedal Setup ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 14
Favorite Switch Setup and Compare Mode ��������������������������������������������������������������� 15
Configuring MultiSwitch Plus ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 17
Using MultiSwitch Plus ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18
Saving blueSky Presets with MultiSwitch Plus: ������������������������������������������������������� 18
MIDI Functionality........................................................................................... 19
Configuring blueSky to Use MIDI������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 19
Saving Presets in MIDI Mode ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 24
MIDI Specifications......................................................................................... 25
MIDI Program Changes���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 25
MIDI CCs ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 26
Factory Reset.................................................................................................. 27
Features.......................................................................................................... 29
Specifications ................................................................................................. 30
Power Adapter Requirements������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 30
Appendix 1: Sample Settings ......................................................................... 31
Appendix 2: Power Up Modes Quick Reference ............................................. 33
General Options���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 34
MIDI & Jack Options ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 35
Appendix 2: Live Edit Controls Quick Reference............................................ 36
Strymon Non-Transferable Limited Warranty............................................... 38

pg 3
blueSky - reverberator
Knobs and Switches
Front Panel Controls
FAV
Recalls your saved Favorite setting, indicated by the RED LED�
NOTE:
Press and hold for BLUE flashing LED, then press for Save�
DECAY
Controls the duration of the reverberated
signal’s decay�
LOW
Controls the amount of low frequencies
within the reverb decay trail� Select a
damped low end at minimum and no damp-
ing at maximum�
PREDELAY
Sets the amount of time before the re-
verberated signal appears, an essential
control in creating an accurate and pleas-
ing reverb� For most natural results, use
lower MIX settings when using higher
PREDELAY�
VERB
Switches between three reverb types�
plate: a high-quality vintage studio plate reverb
room: a versatile room ranging in size from a bedroom to an arena
spring: a re-creation of the best vintage spring reverbs

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blueSky - reverberator
Knobs and Switches
Front Panel Controls
ON
Engages and bypasses the reverb effect� RED LED on indi-
cates that the effect is engaged� Bypass mode is true bypass
by default� (See page 10 for details�)
MIX
Controls the reverb mix from full dry at
minimum to full wet with no dry signal at
maximum� A 50/50 mix occurs at approxi-
mately 3 o’clock on the knob�
HIGH
Controls the amount of high frequencies
within the reverb signal� Select a damped
high end at minimum and no damping at
maximum
�
SHIMMER
Embellishes the reverb with an added pitch
shifting effect, which varies per the VERB
type in use:
• plate: adds regenerative octave-up pitch
shifting
• room: adds an octave plus a fifth
• spring: adds an octave-down pitch effect
with a pulsing tremolo applied� The
tremolo speed increases as you turn
past 12 o’clock
MOD
Select between light, deep, or no modulation�

pg 5
blueSky - reverberator
Rear Panel I/O and Control
AUDIO INPUT SELECTOR
MONO: Use with a mono input signal, such as a guitar� Output is
stereo� Use OUT L for mono connection�
STEREO: Use with a stereo input signal� Output is stereo�
IN
High impedance, ultra low-
noise, discrete Class A JFET
preamp input� Use a TRS
stereo adapter/cable for stereo
input�
OUTPUTS
Low impedance stereo outputs�
Use OUT L for mono output�

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blueSky - reverberator
Rear Panel I/O and Control (cont.)
9VDC
Use the included power
supply or an adapter with the
following rating:
• 9VDC, center negative
• 300mA minimum
USB
Computer connection for MIDI
control as well as for perform-
ing firmware updates�
EXP / MIDI
Multifunction communication jack for external control of blueSky’s fea-
tures and functions� Can be set to operate in one of the following modes�
(See “Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack” on page 12 for details�)
Expression Pedal mode (see page 14)�
Favorite mode (see page 15)�
MIDI mode (see “Configuring MultiSwitch Plus” on page 17 or
“Saving Presets in MIDI Mode” on page 24)�

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blueSky - reverberator
Live Edit Functions
Boost/Cut
Boosts or cuts the volume by 3dB when the pedal is engaged�
1 Press and hold the ON footswitch� Once both LEDs flash, release the
footswitch�
2 Turn the MIX (BOOST/CUT) knob to smoothly adjust the amount
of output level cut or boost� Unity gain is at the 12 o’clock position
(default)� The ON LED will light to indicate your setting:
• -3dB: GREEN
• +3dB: AMBER
3 Press the ON footswitch to exit and store your Boost/Cut setting�
NOTE: The Boost/Cut setting is saved per Favorite setting or per MIDI preset�

pg 8
blueSky - reverberator
Live Edit Functions
Respond/Ignore MIDI Expression
When set to MIDI mode, this setting determines whether blueSky will
respond to MIDI Expression CC# 100, values 0 (heel) to 127 (toe), to
control the knob settings in the same manner as a TRS Expression
pedal�
1 Press and hold the ON footswitch� Once both LEDs flash, release the
footswitch�
2 Set the position of the VERB (MIDI EXP) switch to select whether
blueSky will respond to MIDI Expression CC #100� Both LEDs will
momentarily change color to indicate the current status as you set
the switch�
• Set the switch up to plate for On: both LEDs light BLUE (default) -
blueSky will respond to MIDI Expression�
• Set the switch up to spring for Off: both LEDs light RED - blueSky
will not respond to MIDI Expression�
3 Press the ON footswitch to exit and store your MIDI Expression setting�
NOTE: The MIDI Expression setting is saved per Favorite setting or MIDI
preset�

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blueSky - reverberator
Power Up Modes
Input Level
Selects the input level that is routed to the effect processing�
1 Press and hold the ON footswitch while powering up blueSky� Once
both LEDs flash, release the footswitch�
2 Turn the DECAY (INPUT LEVEL) knob to select the Input Level mode�
Both LEDs will change color to indicate the current status as you
turn the knob�
• Instrument: GREEN (default) - Input headroom is set for an in-
strument level source, such as a guitar or a bass�
• Line: RED - Input level is set for a line level source, such as a
keyboard or synthesizer� 10dB of headroom is added�
3 Press either footswitch to store the Input Level setting and begin
using blueSky�
NOTE: The Input Level setting persists across power cycles and is not saved
per preset�

pg 10
blueSky - reverberator
Power Up Modes
Bypass Mode
Setting blueSky to Buffered Bypass mode preserves the high frequency
response of your instrument’s signal through your pedal chain and
long cable runs�
1 Press and hold the ON footswitch while powering up blueSky� Once
both LEDs flash, release the footswitch�
2 Turn the MIX (BYPASS MODE) knob to choose between True Bypass
or Buffered Bypass modes� The ON LED will change color to indicate
the current status as you turn the knob�
• True Bypass: GREEN (default)
• Buffered Bypass: RED
3 Press either footswitch to store the Bypass Mode and begin using
blueSky�
NOTE: The Bypass Mode setting persists across power cycles and is not
saved per preset�

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blueSky - reverberator
Power Up Modes
Spillover Mode
Setting blueSky to Spillover mode allows the wet reverb signal of the
currently selected preset to “spill” into bypass or the next loaded preset�
NOTE: Because of the buffer architecture, the current preset must be active
for at least 5 seconds before Spillover between presets will be operational�
Spillover is available immediately when bypassing the effect�
1 Press and hold the ON footswitch while powering up blueSky� Once
both LEDs flash, release the footswitch�
2 Turn the LOW (SPILLOVER MODE) knob to turn Spillover Mode on or
off� Both LEDs will change color to indicate the current status as you
turn the knob�
• Spillover mode Off:AMBER (default)
• Spillover mode On: PURPLE
3 Press either footswitch to store the Spillover Mode and begin using
blueSky�
NOTE: The Spillover Mode setting persists across power cycles and is not
saved per preset�

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blueSky - reverberator
Power Up Modes
Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack
1 Press and hold the FAV footswitch while powering up blueSky� Once
both LEDs flash, release the footswitch�
2 Turn the MIX (EXP/MIDI JACK) knob to select the function of the rear
panel’s EXP/MIDI jack� The ON LED will change color to indicate the
current status as you turn the knob�
• Expression Pedal mode: GREEN (default) - Allows continuous
control over any of the knobs in any direction with a standard TRS
expression pedal� (See page 14 for details�)
• Favorite mode: AMBER - Allows you to recall a Favorite setting
using a Strymon MiniSwitch� (See page 15 for details�)
• MIDI mode: BLUE - Allows for the selection of three presets using
a Strymon MultiSwitch Plus� Full MIDI functionality is available
by sending MIDI Program Change messages via 1/4" TRS MIDI
connection using a Strymon Conduit or MIDI EXP cable� Up to 300
presets are available via MIDI�
(See “Configuring MultiSwitch Plus”
on page 17 or “Saving Presets in MIDI Mode” on page 24�)

pg 14
blueSky - reverberator
External Control
Expression Pedal Setup
Use a TRS expression pedal to control the knobs of blueSky�
1 Configure the EXP/MIDI jack for Expression mode� (See page 12 for
configuration instructions�)
2 Connect an expression pedal to the EXP/MIDI jack of blueSky using a
TRS cable�
RIGHT IN LEFT OUT RIGHT OUT EXP
MIDI IN
USB
MIDI OUT
3 Press and hold both footswitches until both LEDs blink GREEN�
4 Rock the expression pedal to the HEEL position� Only the FAV LED will
blink GREEN�
5 Set the knob(s) you would like to control to the desired settings for
the HEEL position of the expression pedal� Only the FAV LED will turn
RED�
6 Rock the expression pedal to the TOE position� Only the ON LED will
blink GREEN�
7 Set the knob(s) you would like to control to the desired settings for the
TOE position of the expression pedal� Only the ON LED will turn RED�
8 Press either footswitch to exit and store your expression pedal setup�
NOTE: Your expression pedal assignment is saved per Favorite setting or
MIDI preset�
NOTE: If blueSky is set to respond to MIDI EXPRESSION and the EXP/MIDI
jack is set to MIDI mode, you can send MIDI CC# 100 with values 0 (heel) to
127 (toe) to perform the expression pedal setup�

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blueSky - reverberator
External Control
Favorite Switch Setup and Compare Mode
Connect MiniSwitch or other external latching footswitch with a TRS
cable to store and recall your favorite setting�
OR
1 Configure the EXP/MIDI jack for Favorite mode� (See page 12 for
more info�)
2 Connect an external switch with a TRS cable to the EXP/MIDI jack�
3 Dial in your desired sound�
4 To save your sound as the new Favorite setting, press and hold the
FAV switch until the LED blinks BLUE� Then, press the FAV footswitch
once more to save the Favorite setting�
Step on the external footswitch to toggle between your Favorite set-
ting and the current setting on blueSky�

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blueSky - reverberator
Favorite Switch Setup and Compare Mode (cont.)
Compare Mode
With the Favorite or MIDI preset recalled, as a knob or switch is ad-
justed, both LEDs flash GREEN when the current knob or toggle switch
position matches the setting of the preset�
NOTE: Along with the knobs and toggle switches on the face of the pedal, all
Live Edit settings and blueSky’s bypass state are stored with the Favorite and
MIDI presets� Power Up modes are not stored with the presets�
NOTE: Saving presets works differently when using MIDI� (See page 19 for
details�)
NOTE: The Favorite setting is stored at MIDI Program Change location 0�

pg 17
blueSky - reverberator
External Control
Configuring MultiSwitch Plus
Configure blueSky and MultiSwitch Plus for remote access to three
additional presets�
1 Press and hold the FAV footswitch while connecting power to the
pedal� Hold until both LEDs stop blinking�
2 Turn the DECAY knob all the way counter-clockwise to set the MIDI
channel to Channel 1� The FAV LED should be GREEN�
3 Turn the PREDELAY knob to select any of the following MIDI OUT
options:
• Send MIDI CC, PC, and Other Data: WHITE
• Send MIDI CC and Other Data: GREEN
• Send MIDI PC and Other Data: PURPLE
• Send Other Data: AMBER
4 Turn the MIX knob all the way clockwise to set the EXP/MIDI jack to
MIDI mode� The ON LED should be BLUE�
5 Press either footswitch to exit and store the MIDI channel, the MIDI
OUTPUT setting, and the EXP/MIDI jack mode�
6 Connect a TRS cable to blueSky’s EXP/MIDI jack�
7 Press and hold the Afootswitch on MultiSwitch Plus while connecting
the other end of the TRS cable to any one of the three jacks to set it to
Preset mode�

pg 18
blueSky - reverberator
External Control
Using MultiSwitch Plus
Selecting and saving blueSky presets using MultiSwitch Plus�
Preset 1 Preset 2 Preset 3
NOTE: Footswitches A, B, and Con MultiSwitch Plus correspond to MIDI
Program Changes 1, 2, and 3�
1 Step on a switch that is not illuminated to recall the corresponding
preset�
2 Step on an illuminated switch to bypass blueSky�
Saving blueSky Presets with MultiSwitch Plus:
1 Dial in the sound that you would like to save as your preset on blueSky�
2 Press and hold both footswitches on blueSky until both the LEDs blink
GREEN�
3 Press the A, B, or Cfootswitch on MultiSwitch Plus to save the cur-
rent state of the pedal to the desired location�

pg 19
blueSky - reverberator
MIDI Functionality
Configuring blueSky to Use MIDI
Using MIDI unlocks a set of tools that can be used to load any of
blueSky’s 300 preset locations using a suitable MIDI controller or inter-
face connected to the blueSky EXP/MIDI jack� This requires a Strymon
MIDI EXP cable or a MIDI controller/interface, such as Strymon Conduit,
with at least one quarter-inch output�
NOTE: When using a Strymon MIDI EXP Cable, the MIDI OUT mode must be
set to Off� (See page 23 for details�)
Please see strymon�net/support/bluesky-v2 for a list of compatible
devices�
INPUT
MONO
IN OUT L OUT R
STEREO USB INPUT
MONO
IN OUT L OUT R
STEREO USB
MIDI Enabled Stompbox
MIDI Controller with
5-pin MIDI Outputs
MIDI Controller with
1/4" TRS Output
1/4" TRS
MIDI Interface
(such as Strymon Conduit)
OR
MIDI EXP cable TRS cable
OR
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