Strymon
BigSky MX
$679
Released 2024-05
Best Guitar Effects Pedals · head-to-head
BigSky MX vs DS-1 Distortion
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. DS-1 Distortion is cheaper at $69.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
BOSS
DS-1 Distortion
$69.99Cheaper
Released 1978
Which is better: the BigSky MX or DS-1 Distortion?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The 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 | BigSky MX | DS-1 Distortion |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $679 | $69.99 |
| Brand | Strymon | BOSS |
| Released | 2024-05 | 1978 |
| 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 io | 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 — BigSky MX: strymon.net (verified 2026-08-01). DS-1 Distortion: boss.info (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the BigSky MX and DS-1 Distortion?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- Effect type: 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 DS-1 Distortion distortion
- True bypass: BigSky MX true vs DS-1 Distortion false
- Power draw ma: BigSky MX 500 vs DS-1 Distortion 10
- Stereo io: BigSky MX true vs DS-1 Distortion false
- Midi support: BigSky MX true vs DS-1 Distortion false
- Expression input: BigSky MX true vs DS-1 Distortion false
- Dimensions (in): BigSky MX 7 x 5 x 1.87 vs DS-1 Distortion 2.9 x 5.1 x 2.4