The Strymon Cloudburst Ambient Reverb is a compact reverb pedal aimed at ambient players. It builds on the Cloud algorithm, one of the standout sounds from the company's flagship BigSky, and adapts it to cover a wider array of sounds, from rooms and halls to its trademark ambient pads1. When it was unveiled in early 2023, Guitar World called it Strymon's most affordable and compact pedal yet1.
The Ensemble engine
What sets the Cloudburst apart from a straightforward reverb is what Delicious Audio's buying guide calls "an ambient reverb effect followed by a particular effect that goes beyond modulation (referred to as an 'Ensemble engine')". In practice, the pedal puts a reverb and then this Ensemble effect in series, so the wash can turn into sustained, orchestral-sounding pads behind your playing5.
The Ensemble is set with a 3-way toggle switch:
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Off | Ensemble effect off |
| Mezzo Piano | Gentler Ensemble intensity |
| Forte | More intense Ensemble5 |
The Ensemble setting at power-up also determines the bypass type: True Bypass with the Ensemble Off, Buffered Bypass with the Ensemble on Forte4.
Connections, control and power
The Cloudburst's top-mounted jacks include TRS inputs and outputs for stereo operation, and Guitar Pedal X lists its routing options as Mono, Mono to Stereo, or Full Stereo14. A single EXP/MIDI jack can be set for Expression Pedal, Favorite, Freeze, Infinite or MIDI control, so one connection covers expression, preset access and MIDI1.
Power comes from an industry-standard 9V supply, but Guitar World cautions that "you'll need at least 250mA of juice for this one", which rules out some low-current daisy-chain outputs1.
Where it came from
The Cloudburst was the first pedal in Strymon's compact series, introduced a couple of months before July 20232. Guitar World later noted that this generation "set Strymon on this new direction with an updated form factor and streamlined price tag"3.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson, reviewing the pedal in his 2023 round-up of time-based effects, was emphatic4:
"A triumphant launch of a new compact Strymon Pedal Format - brilliantly punctuated by an ingenious expansion"4
He went on to call it kind of a 5-in-1, sounding superb every which way, and the only must-have of the new compact series overall4. Pedal of the Day, introducing Strymon's follow-up compact pedal, referred back to "the amazing Cloudburst Ambient Reverb" as the pedal that started the format2.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
Sweetwater
Pete Thorn
Questions
Is the Strymon Cloudburst true bypass?
It depends on the Ensemble setting at power-up. Guitar Pedal X lists the Cloudburst as True Bypass when the Ensemble is switched Off on power-up, and Buffered Bypass when the Ensemble is set to Forte on power-up. If you want true bypass, make sure the Ensemble toggle is set to Off before you power the pedal on.
Does the Cloudburst work in stereo?
Yes. Guitar Pedal X lists its input and output options as Mono, Mono to Stereo, or Full Stereo. The top-mounted jacks include TRS inputs and outputs for stereo operation, so you can run it in stereo with a single TRS cable or with full stereo ins and outs.
What does the Ensemble switch do on the Cloudburst?
The Ensemble switch is a 3-way toggle that sets the Ensemble effect to Off, Mezzo Piano or Forte, with Forte being the more intense setting. Delicious Audio describes the Ensemble as an effect that follows the ambient reverb and goes beyond ordinary modulation.
Can you control the Cloudburst with an expression pedal or MIDI?
Yes. The pedal has an EXP/MIDI jack that can be set for Expression Pedal, Favorite, Freeze, Infinite or MIDI control, according to Guitar World. That means one jack covers expression pedal control, preset access and MIDI, depending on how you set it up.
What power supply does the Cloudburst need?
The Cloudburst takes an industry-standard 9V power supply, but Guitar World notes you will need at least 250mA of current for it. Check that your power supply or the outlets you use on a pedalboard power brick can deliver that much current on the relevant output.
How is the Cloudburst different from the BigSky?
The Cloudburst builds on the Cloud algorithm, one of the standouts from Strymon's flagship BigSky, and adapts it to cover a wider array of sounds, from rooms and halls to its trademark ambient pads. It is also Strymon's most affordable and compact pedal, where the BigSky is a larger, more expensive flagship unit.
Sources (5)
- Strymon unveils the Cloudburst Ambient Reverb, its most affordable and compact pedal yet, Guitar World, 2023-02-03
- Strymon Brig dBucket Delay, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2023-07-18
- Strymon's push towards compact pedals continues with its most affordable delay unit yet, Guitar World, 2023-07-19
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-12-20
- The Best Reverb Pedals With Modulation Or Fuzz/Distortion In 2023, Delicious Audio, 2023-01-30
