Maximize Your Tone: Setting Up Strymon Cloudburst Ambient Reverb with MiniSwitch

Summary

This informative video guide delves into enhancing the functionality of the Cloudburst reverb pedal using the Strymon Mini Switch. The presenter demonstrates how to set up three distinct modes - favorite, freeze, and infinite - each adding unique capabilities to the pedal. The favorite mode allows for an additional preset, the freeze mode captures and sustains a note or chord, and the infinite mode sustains all played notes until the switch is released. The video includes a step-by-step setup process, starting from configuring the expression MIDI jack to detailed demonstrations of each mode's effect on the sound, using a Fender Telecaster and Strymon Iridium for examples. The guide is aimed at guitarists looking to expand their pedalboard functionality without needing MIDI or extra power outlets, emphasizing the Mini Switch's versatility and ease of use.

Takeaways

• 👉 The Strymon Cloudburst is a powerful reverb pedal with multiple modes that can be expanded using the Strymon Mini Switch.
• 🔘 The Mini Switch allows you to switch between a favorite preset, a freeze mode, and an infinite sustain mode.
• ⚙️ Setting up the Mini Switch for the favorite mode involves configuring the expression jack through a power-up mode and saving a custom preset.
• ❄️ The freeze mode latches onto a played chord or note and sustains it, allowing you to play over the frozen sound without reverb.
• ♾️ The infinite mode sustains all played notes indefinitely while the switch is held down, acting like a sustain pedal.
• ⚡ Configuring the Mini Switch for freeze and infinite modes requires physically moving a jumper inside the pedal.
• 🔊 Each mode offers unique creative possibilities for expanding the sonic capabilities of the Cloudburst.
• 🔧 The power-up mode is essential for configuring the expression jack and setting up the different modes.
• 💡 The Mini Switch is a compact, unpowered solution for adding functionality to the Cloudburst without MIDI setup.
• 🤝 The presenter provides a comprehensive walkthrough on setting up and using the Mini Switch with the Cloudburst.

Q & A

What are the main devices discussed in the video?

The main devices discussed are the Strymon Cloudburst reverb pedal and the Strymon Mini Switch.

What are the three different modes that the Cloudburst can be set up with the Mini Switch?

The three modes are: favorite setting, freeze setting, and infinite setting.

How does the favorite setting work?

The favorite setting allows you to save a preset on the Cloudburst, which can be switched to by engaging the Mini Switch. Disengaging the switch returns to the settings on the pedal's knobs.

What does the freeze mode do?

The freeze mode allows you to play a chord or note, engage the switch, and it will latch onto that note, sustaining it indefinitely. You can then play over the frozen note/chord without applying reverb to the new notes.

How does the infinite mode function?

The infinite mode is similar to the freeze mode but sustains any notes played while the switch is engaged. When the switch is released, the reverb tails trail off, giving a sustained effect like a keyboard sustain pedal.

What makes the Mini Switch a good choice for expanding the Cloudburst's functionality?

The Mini Switch is a small, compact device that doesn't require power and can be easily added to a pedalboard to provide extra functionality, such as switching between different settings or modes.

How do you set up the Mini Switch for the different modes?

To set up the different modes, you need to hold down the Cloudburst's main footswitch while powering on the pedal, then use the mix knob to select the desired mode (favorite, freeze, or infinite), and engage the footswitch to confirm the selection.

What setting do you need to change inside the Mini Switch to use it for the freeze and infinite modes?

Inside the Mini Switch, there is a small jumper that needs to be moved from the "favorite" setting to the "tap" setting to use the freeze and infinite modes.

How does the Cloudburst handle reverb with the different modes?

In the favorite mode, the initial sound and preset have reverb applied. In the freeze mode, the initial frozen note/chord has reverb, but any additional notes played over it do not. In the infinite mode, all sustained notes have reverb applied.

What other devices or gear are mentioned in the video?

The video also mentions using a Fender Telecaster guitar and a Strymon Iridium amplifier modeling pedal.