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 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 — 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 io: 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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