Best Guitar Effects Pedals · head-to-head

Strymon BigSky MX vs BOSS DS-1 Distortion

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. BOSS DS-1 Distortion is cheaper at $69.99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Strymon BigSky MX or BOSS DS-1 Distortion?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The BOSS DS-1 Distortion is the cheaper at $69.99.

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Full spec sheet

✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Strymon BigSky MX BOSS DS-1 Distortion
US price $679 $69.99
BrandStrymonBOSS
Released2024-051978
Effect type multi reverb — 12 algorithms (Room, Hall, Chamber, Plate, Spring, Bloom, Cloud, Chorale, Shimmer, Magneto, Nonlinear, Impulse) with dual-engine series/parallel/split routing distortion
True bypass Yes No
Power draw (mA) 500 10
Preset count 300 —
Stereo I/O Yes No
Tap tempo — —
Midi support Yes No
Expression input Yes No
Dimensions (in) 7 x 5 x 1.87 2.9 x 5.1 x 2.4

Sources — Strymon BigSky MX: strymon.net (verified 2026-08-01). BOSS DS-1 Distortion: boss.info (verified 2026-08-01).

What's the difference between the Strymon BigSky MX and BOSS DS-1 Distortion?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Effect type: Strymon BigSky MX multi reverb — 12 algorithms (Room, Hall, Chamber, Plate, Spring, Bloom, Cloud, Chorale, Shimmer, Magneto, Nonlinear, Impulse) with dual-engine series/parallel/split routing vs BOSS DS-1 Distortion distortion
  • True bypass: Strymon BigSky MX true vs BOSS DS-1 Distortion false
  • Power draw (mA): Strymon BigSky MX 500 vs BOSS DS-1 Distortion 10
  • Stereo I/O: Strymon BigSky MX true vs BOSS DS-1 Distortion false
  • Midi support: Strymon BigSky MX true vs BOSS DS-1 Distortion false
  • Expression input: Strymon BigSky MX true vs BOSS DS-1 Distortion false
  • Dimensions (in): Strymon BigSky MX 7 x 5 x 1.87 vs BOSS DS-1 Distortion 2.9 x 5.1 x 2.4

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