Tutorial Breakdown - How to Create a Strymon Cloudburst Style Preset on the Fractal Audio In this tutorial, John Cordy will guide you through the process of creating a Strymon Cloudburst style preset using the Fractal Audio FM3. The Cloudburst is renowned for its lush, ambient textures. By the way: What a beautiful intro... Introduction The Strymon Cloudburst is known for its expansive reverb and ensemble settings, which create a synth-like, ethereal sound. In this tutorial, John aims to replicate this effect on the Fractal Audio FM3 by leveraging the Plex Delay, Pitch and Reverb blocks, among others. Signal Chain and Detailed Steps Input Block (In 1): The starting point where your guitar signal enters the FM3. Drive Block (Engaged in Scene 3 & optional in Scene 4): Selection: Add subtle overdrive for warmth with a drive pedal such as the Love Pedal Eternal Love. Settings: Drive: 2.41 Tone: 5 Level: 5 Amp Block: Selection: Choose an amp model that provides a clean, clear sound. A neutral amp like the "Class-A 30W Brilliant" can be a good starting point. Settings: Gain: 5.7 Bass: 5 Mid: 5 Treble: 5 Cab Block: Selection: Choose a cab that complements your amp choice. The "Legacy 103" cab is a reliable option known for its balanced response. Parallel Split: Dry Path: Continues straight from the Cab Block and merges with the wet path before hitting the Plex Delay Block. Wet Path: Volume/Pan Block (Autoswell): Used for controlling overall signal volume and panning, configured as an Auto-Swell block. Settings: Swell Time: 650ms Pitch Block: Selection: Configure the Pitch Block as Virtual Capo to shift the pitch up an octave. Settings: Pitch: +1 octave Tracking: Smooth Detector Source: Input 1 High Cut: 2800 Hz Bypass Mode: Mute In Purpose: This creates the high-pitched, synth-like quality characteristic of the Cloudburst ensemble. Reverb Block: Selection: Choose a Reverb block and select a large hall setting to blend and soften the sound. Settings: Type: Large Hall Decay: 4.2s Mix: 58% Purpose: The reverb block adds space and depth, making the sound lush and immersive. Chorus Block: Selection: Use a chorus block like Dimension or Tri-Chorus to add modulation and richness. Settings: Rate: 1000 Hz Delay Time: 7.5 MS Mix: 100% Level: -17.7 dB Purpose: The chorus effect thickens the sound, adding movement and a sense of depth. Blend the level to mix it properly with the dry signal. Merge the Paths: Both the dry and wet paths merge before entering the Plex Delay block. Plex Delay Block: Selection: Use the Plex Delay block and set it to Plex Verb on Channel A. For Channel B, configure a Reverse Oct 8 for example. Settings: Channel A: Type: Plex Verb Delay Time: Stock settings Feedback: Stock settings Mix: 25% Channel B: Type: Reverse Oct 8 Number of Delays: 4 Decay Time: 0.01s Diffusion: 38.9% Input Diffusion Mix: 53% High Cut: 2542.3Hz Mix: 28.9% Control the Voices in the Time Menu. Purpose: The Plex Delay adds a layer of complexity and depth, mimicking the expansive reverb of the Cloudburst. Channel B settings add an ethereal, reversed octave effect. Output Block (Out 1): The final output stage where your processed signal exits the FM3. Scene Configuration John Cordy uses four scenes to manage different aspects of the preset. Here’s how you can set them up: Scene 1 - Clean: Blocks: Drive: Bypassed Pitch: Bypassed (Bypass-Mode: Mute In) Plex Delay: Enabled (Channel A) Purpose: Provides a clean tone without additional wet effects. Scene 2 - Wet: Blocks: Drive: Bypassed Volume/Pan (Auto-Swell): Enabled Pitch: Enabled Reverb: Enabled Chorus: Enabled Plex Delay: Enabled (Channel A) Purpose: Adds the wet path effects for a lush, ambient sound. Scene 3 - Drive Clean: Blocks: Drive: Enabled Rest: Same as Scene 2 Purpose: Adds drive to the clean tone without additional wet effects. Scene 4 - Drive Wet: Blocks: Drive: Bypassed Pitch: Bypassed Plex Delay: Enabled (Channel B) Purpose: Combines the drive with wet effects, and the Plex Delay set to Reverse Oct 8 on the B Channel for a more expansive sound. Additional Tips and Information Control via Footswitches: Configure footswitches to switch between scenes easily during live performances. Expression Pedal: Consider using an expression pedal to control the volume or other parameters in real-time for more dynamic playing using modifiers. For example, control the drive block Level with your pedal to add drive and volume to your sound when playing. Fine-Tuning: Tweak the settings based on your specific gear and environment to get the best sound. Conclusion This preset is perfect for creating ethereal soundscapes and adding depth to your performances.
Awesome! I received my fm3 from you guys a few weeks back and I’m loving it. Have since sold my whole pedalboard and a few amps - as they’re not needed anymore
Sounds stellar! I’ve been exploring the pitch tab within the plex verb for my cloudburst attempts (also has its own modulation). Could apply an envelope modifier in that tab for the pitch swell, and get kinda close with just that one block.
Tutorial Breakdown - How to Create a Strymon Cloudburst Style Preset on the Fractal Audio
In this tutorial, John Cordy will guide you through the process of creating a Strymon Cloudburst style preset using the Fractal Audio FM3. The Cloudburst is renowned for its lush, ambient textures.
By the way: What a beautiful intro...
Introduction
The Strymon Cloudburst is known for its expansive reverb and ensemble settings, which create a synth-like, ethereal sound. In this tutorial, John aims to replicate this effect on the Fractal Audio FM3 by leveraging the Plex Delay, Pitch and Reverb blocks, among others.
Signal Chain and Detailed Steps
Input Block (In 1): The starting point where your guitar signal enters the FM3.
Drive Block (Engaged in Scene 3 & optional in Scene 4):
Selection: Add subtle overdrive for warmth with a drive pedal such as the Love Pedal Eternal Love.
Settings:
Drive: 2.41
Tone: 5
Level: 5
Amp Block:
Selection: Choose an amp model that provides a clean, clear sound. A neutral amp like the "Class-A 30W Brilliant" can be a good starting point.
Settings:
Gain: 5.7
Bass: 5
Mid: 5
Treble: 5
Cab Block:
Selection: Choose a cab that complements your amp choice. The "Legacy 103" cab is a reliable option known for its balanced response.
Parallel Split:
Dry Path: Continues straight from the Cab Block and merges with the wet path before hitting the Plex Delay Block.
Wet Path:
Volume/Pan Block (Autoswell): Used for controlling overall signal volume and panning, configured as an Auto-Swell block.
Settings:
Swell Time: 650ms
Pitch Block:
Selection: Configure the Pitch Block as Virtual Capo to shift the pitch up an octave.
Settings:
Pitch: +1 octave
Tracking: Smooth
Detector Source: Input 1
High Cut: 2800 Hz
Bypass Mode: Mute In
Purpose: This creates the high-pitched, synth-like quality characteristic of the Cloudburst ensemble.
Reverb Block:
Selection: Choose a Reverb block and select a large hall setting to blend and soften the sound.
Settings:
Type: Large Hall
Decay: 4.2s
Mix: 58%
Purpose: The reverb block adds space and depth, making the sound lush and immersive.
Chorus Block:
Selection: Use a chorus block like Dimension or Tri-Chorus to add modulation and richness.
Settings:
Rate: 1000 Hz
Delay Time: 7.5 MS
Mix: 100%
Level: -17.7 dB
Purpose: The chorus effect thickens the sound, adding movement and a sense of depth. Blend the level to mix it properly with the dry signal.
Merge the Paths: Both the dry and wet paths merge before entering the Plex Delay block.
Plex Delay Block:
Selection: Use the Plex Delay block and set it to Plex Verb on Channel A. For Channel B, configure a Reverse Oct 8 for example.
Settings:
Channel A:
Type: Plex Verb
Delay Time: Stock settings
Feedback: Stock settings
Mix: 25%
Channel B:
Type: Reverse Oct 8
Number of Delays: 4
Decay Time: 0.01s
Diffusion: 38.9%
Input Diffusion Mix: 53%
High Cut: 2542.3Hz
Mix: 28.9%
Control the Voices in the Time Menu.
Purpose: The Plex Delay adds a layer of complexity and depth, mimicking the expansive reverb of the Cloudburst. Channel B settings add an ethereal, reversed octave effect.
Output Block (Out 1): The final output stage where your processed signal exits the FM3.
Scene Configuration
John Cordy uses four scenes to manage different aspects of the preset. Here’s how you can set them up:
Scene 1 - Clean:
Blocks:
Drive: Bypassed
Pitch: Bypassed (Bypass-Mode: Mute In)
Plex Delay: Enabled (Channel A)
Purpose: Provides a clean tone without additional wet effects.
Scene 2 - Wet:
Blocks:
Drive: Bypassed
Volume/Pan (Auto-Swell): Enabled
Pitch: Enabled
Reverb: Enabled
Chorus: Enabled
Plex Delay: Enabled (Channel A)
Purpose: Adds the wet path effects for a lush, ambient sound.
Scene 3 - Drive Clean:
Blocks:
Drive: Enabled
Rest: Same as Scene 2
Purpose: Adds drive to the clean tone without additional wet effects.
Scene 4 - Drive Wet:
Blocks:
Drive: Bypassed
Pitch: Bypassed
Plex Delay: Enabled (Channel B)
Purpose: Combines the drive with wet effects, and the Plex Delay set to Reverse Oct 8 on the B Channel for a more expansive sound.
Additional Tips and Information
Control via Footswitches: Configure footswitches to switch between scenes easily during live performances.
Expression Pedal: Consider using an expression pedal to control the volume or other parameters in real-time for more dynamic playing using modifiers. For example, control the drive block Level with your pedal to add drive and volume to your sound when playing.
Fine-Tuning: Tweak the settings based on your specific gear and environment to get the best sound.
Conclusion
This preset is perfect for creating ethereal soundscapes and adding depth to your performances.
This is so unbelievably helpful. I realise it must have taken quite a bit of time to do but it's so much appreciated. Great video
Thanks for the kind words - we'll try to keep it going :)
Awesome! I received my fm3 from you guys a few weeks back and I’m loving it. Have since sold my whole pedalboard and a few amps - as they’re not needed anymore
really great recreation and John : beautiful playing on this one, kudos 🙌
Fantastic video mate! Well done.
Sounds stellar! I’ve been exploring the pitch tab within the plex verb for my cloudburst attempts (also has its own modulation). Could apply an envelope modifier in that tab for the pitch swell, and get kinda close with just that one block.
Nice sneaking in Claire de lune in there!
Man, i just got a Big Sky MX to replace a cloudburst... now you're saying I dont need either!? Great sounds 👌