Strymon cloudburst User manual

ambient reverb
USER MANUAL

Contents
Knobs and Switches ......................................................................................... 3
Front Panel Controls ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3
Rear Panel I/O and Control .............................................................................. 5
Mono and Stereo I/O Cable Connections��������������������������������������������������������������������� 5
Power Up Modes............................................................................................... 8
Bypass Mode for Mono I/O ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8
Spillover Mode �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9
Dry Signal�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 10
Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11
External Control ............................................................................................. 13
Expression Pedal Setup ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13
Favorite Switch Setup and Compare Mode ��������������������������������������������������������������� 14
Freeze or Infinite Mode Switch Setup������������������������������������������������������������������������ 16
Configuring MultiSwitch Plus ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 18
Using MultiSwitch Plus ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 19
Saving cloudburst Presets with MultiSwitch Plus: �������������������������������������������������� 19
MIDI Functionality........................................................................................... 20
Configuring cloudburst to Use MIDI �������������������������������������������������������������������������� 20
Saving Presets in MIDI Mode ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 25
MIDI Specifications......................................................................................... 26
MIDI Program Changes���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 26
MIDI CCs ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 27
Factory Reset.................................................................................................. 28
Features.......................................................................................................... 30
Specifications ................................................................................................. 31
Power Adapter Requirements������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 31
Appendix 1: Sample Settings ......................................................................... 32
Appendix 2: Power Up Modes Quick Reference ............................................. 34
Strymon Non-Transferable Limited Warranty............................................... 37
Safety and Compliance Information............................................................... 38

pg 3
Knobs and Switches
Front Panel Controls
LED INDICATOR
Lights RED when the effect is engaged� Use
the FOOTSWITCH to engage and disengage the
effect� Also indicates Power Up Mode features�
(See page 8�)
DECAY
Controls the decay time of the reverberated
signal from very short to over 50 seconds� Lower
settings reduce the size of the reverberated
space�
PREDELAY
Sets the amount of time before the reverberated
signal appears, an essential control in creating
an accurate and pleasing reverb� For most
natural results, use lower MIX settings when
using higher PREDELAY�
FOOTSWITCH
Engages and disengages the effect� The RED LED
on at the top of the pedal indicates that the effect
is engaged�
NOTE: Press and hold the footswitch to configure Expression Pedal parameter
assignments� Please see page 13�
You can optionally configure an external footswitch for FREEZE or INFINITE
mode functions� (See page 16�)

pg 4
Knobs and Switches
Front Panel Controls
ENSEMBLE
Analyzes the input signal and generates a harmonically rich
pad reminiscent of a string section:
off:(left position) no ensemble effect
:(middle position, mezzo piano, meaning “medium soft”)
a medium amount of ensemble for a subtle enhancement
:(right position, “strong” or “loud”) maximum amount
of ensemble effect creating a lush soundscape
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
approximately 3 o’clock on the knob�
(See page 8for Dry Signal selection�)
TONE
Adjusts the high-end content of the reverb�
Lower settings create darker, warmer
reverberation� Higher settings are bright and
crisp�
MOD
Adds a wide range of modulation to the
reverberated signal� Modulation is off at the
minimum setting�

pg 5
Rear Panel I/O and Control
I/O MODE SELECTOR
mono: (left position) use with a mono input signal, such as a guitar�
Output is mono� Defaults to True Bypass�
mono stereo: (middle position) use with a mono input signal�
Output is stereo� Bypass mode is Buffered Bypass�
stereo: (right position) use with a stereo input signal� Output is
stereo� Bypass mode is Buffered Bypass�
Stereo I/O requires a TRS adapter or cable� (See the following examples�)
IN
High impedance, ultra
low-noise, discrete Class A JFET
TRS stereo preamp�
OUT
Low impedance TRS stereo
output�
Mono and Stereo I/O Cable Connections
The cloudburst In and Out jacks can accept either TS or TRS type 1/4”
cables for mono or stereo connections, respectively:
NOTE: With a TRS stereo connection, the Tip carries the left signal and the
Ring carries the right signal�

pg 6
Mono In - Mono Out: To connect cloudburst in a mono signal chain, use
TS cables for both cloudburst’s IN and OUT� Set the I/O Selector switch
to mono�
Mono In - Stereo Out: To feed a mono signal into cloudburst, use a TS
cable to cloudburst’s IN� Connect a TRS + dual TS cable to cloudburst’s
OUT to route cloudburst’s stereo signal to a stereo pedal� Set the I/O
Selector switch to mono stereo�
Stereo In - Stereo Out: To connect cloudburst in a stereo signal chain,
use TRS + dual TS cables into both cloudburst’s IN and OUT� Set the I/O
Selector switch to stereo�
*NOTE: Alternatively, you can use a TRS - TRS cable when connecting a pedal
with a TRS stereo input (such as connecting to the TRS stereo input of an El
Capistan tape delay)�

pg 7
Rear Panel I/O and Control (continued)
USBC
Computer connection for MIDI
I/O and firmware updates�
9VDC
Only use an adapter with the
following rating:
• 9VDC, center negative
• 250mA minimum
(Adapter sold separately�)
EXP/MIDI
Multifunction communication jack for external control of cloudburst’s
features and functions� Can be set to operate in one of the following
modes� (See “Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack” on page 11 for details�)
Expression Pedal Mode (see page 13)�
Favorite Mode (see page 14)�
Freeze Mode (see page 16)�
Infinite Mode (see page 16)�
MIDI Mode (see “Configuring MultiSwitch Plus” on page 18 or
“Saving Presets in MIDI Mode” on page 25)�

pg 8
Power Up Modes
Bypass Mode for Mono I/O
With the rear I/O Mode Selector set to mono, the cloudburst pedal
is set for True Bypass as the default� Setting cloudburst to Buffered
Bypass Mode preserves the high frequency response of your
instrument’s signal through your pedal chain and long cable runs�
NOTE: With the rear I/O Mode Selector set to mono stereo or stereo, the
bypass mode is automatically set to Buffered Bypass�
1 Press and hold the footswitch for at least 2 seconds while powering
up cloudburst� Once the LED flashes, release the footswitch�
2 Toggle the ENSEMBLE (BYPASS MODE) switch to choose between
True or Buffered Bypass Modes� The LED will change color to
indicate the current status as you toggle the switch�
• True Bypass: set the switch to the off (left) position� The LED
lights GREEN (default)�
• Buffered Bypass: set the switch to the (right) position� The
LED lights RED�
3 Press the FOOTSWITCH to store the Bypass Mode and begin using
cloudburst�
NOTE: The Bypass Mode setting persists across power cycles�

pg 9
Power Up Modes
Spillover Mode
Setting cloudburst to Spillover Mode allows the wet reverb signal of the
currently selected preset to “spill” into bypass—or into the next loaded
preset if you’re using a Multiswitch Plus or MIDI for preset switching�
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 footswitch for at least 2 seconds while powering
up cloudburst� Once the LED flashes, release the footswitch�
2 Turn the MOD (SPILLOVER MODE) knob to set Spillover Mode on or
off� The LED will change color to indicate the current status as you
turn the knob�
• Spillover Mode Off:AMBER (default, minimum)
• Spillover Mode On: PURPLE (maximum)
NOTE: When Spillover is set to On, Bypass Mode is set to Buffered Bypass�
3 Press the footswitch to store the Spillover Mode setting and begin
using cloudburst�
NOTE: The Spillover Mode setting persists across power cycles and is not
saved per preset�

pg 10
Power Up Modes
Dry Signal
The Dry Signal can be set in one of three different ways�
• Digital Mode uses the converted dry signal and allows the MIX knob to
dial out the dry signal when turned past the 3 o’clock position�
• Analog Mode keeps the dry signal in analog�
• Kill Dry Mode mutes the analog dry path signal, allowing the MIX
knob to strictly control the “wet” effect output level� This is often
preferable if using cloudburst within an amp’s parallel effects loop
or a mixer’s aux or effects send�
1 Press and hold the footswitch for at least 2 seconds while powering
up cloudburst� Once the LED flashes, release the footswitch�
2 Turn the TONE (DRY SIGNAL) knob to select one of the three Dry
Signal options� The LED will change color to indicate the current
status as you turn the knob�
• Digital Mode:GREEN (default, minimum)
• Analog Mode:RED (12 o’clock)
• Kill Dry Mode: BLUE (maximum)
3 Press the footswitch to store the Dry Signal setting and begin using
cloudburst�

pg 11
Power Up Modes
Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack
1 Press and hold the footswitch for at least 2 seconds while powering
up cloudburst� Once the LED flashes, release the footswitch�
2 Turn the MIX (EXP/MIDI JACK) knob to select the function of the rear
panel’s EXP/MIDI jack� The LED will change color to indicate the
current status as you turn the knob�
• Expression Pedal Mode: GREEN (default, minimum) - Using a
standard TRS expression pedal, allows continuous control over
any of the knobs� (See page 13 for details�)
• Favorite Mode: AMBER (11 o’clock) - Using a Strymon MiniSwitch,
allows you to recall a Favorite setting� (See page 14 for details�)
• Freeze Mode: RED (12 o’clock) - Using a Strymon MiniSwitch,
allows for infinitely sustained reverberation of the current input
signal without new notes played being added to the reverb� (See
page 16 for details�)
• Infinite Mode: PURPLE (2 o’clock) - Using a Strymon MiniSwitch
allows for infinitely sustained reverberation of the current input
signal with new notes played also being added to the reverb� (See
page 16 for details�)
(Continued, next page )

pg 12
Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack (continued)
• 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 18 or “Saving Presets in MIDI Mode” on page 25�)
3 Press the footswitch to store the EXP/MIDI Jack Mode and begin
using cloudburst�
NOTE: The EXP/MIDI jack setting persists across power cycles and is not
saved per preset�

pg 13
External Control
Expression Pedal Setup
Use a TRS expression pedal to remotely control the knobs of cloudburst�
By default, cloudburst is configured so that an Expression pedal controls
the MIX knob�
1 Configure the EXP/MIDI jack for Expression Mode� (See page 11 for
configuration instructions�)
2 Connect an expression pedal to the EXP/MIDI jack of cloudburst using
a TRS cable�
RIGHT IN LEFT OUT RIGHT OUT EXP
MIDI IN
USB
MIDI OUT
3 Press and hold the footswitch for at least 2 seconds, until the LED
blinks GREEN�
4 Rock your expression pedal to the HEEL position� The GREEN LED
will stop blinking and remain lit�
5 Set the knob(s) you would like to control to the desired settings for the
HEEL position of the expression pedal�
6 Rock the expression pedal to the TOE position� The LED will turn RED�
7 Set the knob(s) you would like to control to the desired settings for the
TOE position of the expression pedal�
8 Press and release the cloudburst footswitch to exit and store your
expression pedal setup�
NOTE: Your expression pedal assignment is saved per Favorite setting or
MIDI preset�
NOTE: If cloudburst 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�

pg 14
External Control
Favorite Switch Setup and Compare Mode
Connect MiniSwitch or other external latching footswitch to store and
recall your Favorite setting�
NOTE: Your Strymon MiniSwitch’s internal jumper switch must be set to the
factory-default FAV/BOOST Mode setting for Favorite Switch functionality�
If you’ve changed the setting of this jumper switch, you’ll need to change it
back to FAV/BOOST Mode—see page 16�
1 Configure the EXP/MIDI jack for Favorite Mode� (See page 11 for
more info�)
2 Connect your MiniSwitch (or, optionally, an external latching switch
with a TRS cable) to the EXP/MIDI jack�
OR
3 Dial in your desired sound�
4 To save your sound as the new Favorite setting, press and hold the
cloudburst footswitch for at least 2 seconds, until the LED blinks
GREEN� Then, press and hold the cloudburst footswitch until the LED
lights BLUE to save the Favorite setting�
Step on the external footswitch to toggle between your current and
Favorite settings on cloudburst�

pg 15
Favorite Switch Setup and Compare Mode (continued)
Compare Mode
With the Favorite or MIDI preset recalled, as a knob or switch is
adjusted, the LED flashes GREEN when the current knob or toggle
switch position matches the setting of the preset�
NOTE: Power Up Mode settings are applied globally and not stored
individually per preset�
NOTE: Saving presets works differently when using MIDI� (See page 20 for
details�)
NOTE: The Favorite setting is stored at MIDI Program Change location 0�

pg 16
External Control
Freeze or Infinite Mode Switch Setup
You can use your Strymon MiniSwitch or an external, non-latching
(momentary) type switch to access the cloudburst Freeze or Infinite
modes�
The Strymon MiniSwitch includes an internal jumper switch that must
be changed from its factory FAV/BOOST Mode setting to work for the
cloudburst Freeze or Infinite momentary switch functionality� Follow
these steps to configure the MiniSwitch’s jumper switch and cloudburst’s
EXP/MIDI jack for Freeze or Infinite functionality�
1 Unscrew the four screws on the bottom of the MiniSwitch chassis�
2 Once opened, locate the small jumper underneath the circuit board
and switch it from the center and left pins (FAV/BOOST Mode) to the
center and right pins (TAP Mode)�
TAP
FAV/BOOST
TAP
FAV/BOOST
Close-up view of the MiniSwitch circuit board jumper switch
FAV/BOOST Mode
For cloudburst’s Favorite Switch
mode—place the jumper on the two
RIGHT pins. (This is how MiniSwitch is
configured from the factory.)
TAP Mode
For cloudburst’s Freeze or Infinite
Switch modes—place the jumper on the
two LEFT pins.
3 Once the jumper configuration is complete, secure the cover back on
your MiniSwitch�
4 Configure cloudburst’s EXP/MIDI jack for the Freeze or Infinite mode
as desired� (See page 11 for more info�)
5 Connect your MiniSwitch (or, optionally, a momentary switch with a
TRS cable) to the EXP/MIDI jack�

pg 17
Freeze or Infinite Mode Switch Setup - continued
OR
6 For Freeze Mode: Play a note or chord, then press and hold the
footswitch to capture and sustain the reverb applied to your signal
indefinitely while holding the external footswitch� As you play new
notes/chords while still holding the external footswitch, you’ll hear
them on top of your “frozen” signal without being added to the reverb�
Release the external footswitch to disengage Freeze mode�
For Infinite Mode: Press and hold the footswitch to hear reverb
applied indefinitely to all input signals while holding the external
footswitch� Release the external footswitch to disengage Infinite mode�

pg 18
External Control
Configuring MultiSwitch Plus
Configure cloudburst and MultiSwitch Plus for remote access to three
additional presets�
1 Press and hold the cloudburst footswitch while connecting power to
the pedal� Hold for at least 2 seconds, until the LED stops blinking�
2 Turn the DECAY knob all the way counter-clockwise to set the MIDI
CHANNEL to Channel 1� The LED should be GREEN�
3 Turn the PREDELAY knob to select the following MIDI OUT option:
• Send MIDI CC and Other Data: GREEN
• Send Other Data: AMBER
4 Turn the MIX knob all the way clockwise to set the EXP/MIDI jack to
MIDI Mode� The LED should be BLUE�
5 Press the cloudburst footswitch to exit and store the MIDI CHANNEL,
the MIDI OUTPUT setting, and the EXP/MIDI Jack Mode�
6 Connect a TRS cable to cloudburst’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 19
External Control
Using MultiSwitch Plus
Selecting and saving cloudburst presets using MultiSwitch Plus�
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 cloudburst�
Saving cloudburst Presets with MultiSwitch Plus:
1 Dial in the sound that you would like to save as your preset on
cloudburst�
2 Press and hold the cloudburst footswitch for at least 2 seconds, until
the LED blinks GREEN�
3 Press the A, B, or CMultiSwitch Plus footswitch to save the current
state of the pedal to the desired location�

pg 20
MIDI Functionality
Configuring cloudburst to Use MIDI
Using MIDI unlocks a set of tools that can be used to load any of
cloudburst’s 300 preset locations using a suitable MIDI controller or
interface connected to the cloudburst 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 24 for details�)
Please see strymon�net/support/cloudburst for a list of compatible
devices�
OR OR