Preset
a.k.a. a patch / a tone
A preset is one complete saved tone on your pedal: the machine, every knob and setting. Strymon presets are stored as .syx files, which you can import and export with Nixie 2.
Everything you need to export presets from every Strymon pedal. Learn exactly how presets, the Nixie 2 librarian, .syx files and the Library work, so you can export your tones, back them up, import them, and get every preset ready to share or sell.
Before you export anything, it helps to know how Strymon organizes your tones. Everything runs through Nixie 2, the free editor and librarian that saves your presets as files on your computer.
A preset is one complete saved tone on your pedal: the machine, every knob and setting. Strymon presets are stored as .syx files, which you can import and export with Nixie 2.
Nixie 2 is the free Mac and Windows software to edit, organize, back up and restore your presets. It is also the firmware updater, and manages reverb IRs on the BigSky MX.
The Library panel holds every preset you save to your computer. Sort them into folders and collections by style, setlist or project, and drag them onto your pedal whenever you like.
A Strymon preset is a sysex file. One .syx can hold a single preset, and you can save all your presets to file too.
Newer pedals connect over USB. The original BigSky, TimeLine and Mobius connect through a MIDI to USB interface.
As soon as Nixie detects your pedal, it backs up your presets automatically, so your work is safe from the start.
Exporting presets from a Strymon takes just a few things. Get these ready first and the how to below becomes a two minute job.
A BigSky MX, BigSky, TimeLine, Mobius, Iridium, Cloudburst, Volante or a v2 pedal like Flint or El Capistan. All work with Nixie 2 for preset export.
The free Nixie 2 editor and librarian for Mac and Windows. Download it only from the official Strymon site.
A USB cable for USB equipped pedals like Cloudburst and Iridium, or a MIDI to USB interface for the original BigSky, TimeLine and Mobius.
Nixie prompts you to update firmware when needed. Let it finish, and back up your presets before you update.
Always get Nixie 2, firmware and manuals straight from Strymon, never a third party mirror. Nixie includes the Strymon Updater to keep your pedal current, and note that the BigSky MX and Volante must connect over USB, not 5 pin MIDI.
Nixie 2 makes this easy. Once your pedal is connected, you can export any preset as a .syx file, or save your whole set to your Library. Here is the full process.
Download and open Nixie 2, then connect your pedal over USB, or through a MIDI to USB interface for the original BigSky, TimeLine and Mobius.
Nixie automatically detects your pedal and backs up its presets. If it does not appear, click Detect Hardware in the Device Details window.
Select the preset you want in Nixie. You can copy it into your Library to keep and organize it on your computer.
Go to File then Presets then Export Preset and save the .syx file to a backup folder. That file is your exported preset, ready to store, share or sell.
If a BigSky MX preset uses an imported reverb IR, keep that IR file with the preset, so the tone stays complete when you move it.
Bought a preset pack, or restoring a backup? Importing is the same idea in reverse: bring the .syx into Nixie, then write it to your pedal.
If your download is a zip file, decompress it first. Inside you will find one or more .syx preset files.
Open Nixie 2 and choose File then Presets then Import Preset, then select the .syx file. You can also drag a preset straight into the Library.
The imported preset appears in the Library panel. Drop it where you want it in the list, using the yellow line to set its position.
Drag the preset from the Library to the Presets panel to write it into your pedal's memory. On BigSky MX, import any IR the preset needs too.
Match the preset to the pedal. A Strymon preset is made for a specific pedal, so a TimeLine preset will not load on a BigSky. Only load presets built for your exact model. Back up before a firmware update, and remember the BigSky MX and Volante connect to Nixie over USB, not 5 pin MIDI.
Nixie 2 makes backup effortless. Pick whichever fits your setup, and always back up before a firmware update.
The moment Nixie detects your pedal it backs up your presets, and you can run Backup Presets any time from the Device menu. Use Show Backups to find them.
Copy presets into the Library and organize them into collections and folders by style, setlist or project, all kept safe on your computer.
Export individual presets as .syx files into a backup folder. Perfect for the exact tones you plan to keep, share or sell.
Nixie 2 and .syx files apply across the Strymon lineup, but each pedal has its own connection and notes. Find your gear below.
Full editing, preset import and export, plus reverb IR import and management. Connect over USB, and share presets in Nixie 2.
The original trio connects through a MIDI to USB interface. Nixie backs up and exports their presets as .syx files.
Connect the Iridium over USB and manage its presets in Nixie 2, exporting each as a .syx file to keep or share.
The USB equipped Cloudburst plugs straight into your computer. Export and back up its presets through Nixie 2.
The Volante connects to Nixie over USB, not 5 pin MIDI. Manage, back up and export its presets as .syx files.
The v2 pedals, including Deco, DIG and blueSky, connect over USB for preset backup and export in Nixie 2.
The classic Librarian for BigSky, TimeLine and Mobius uses Fetch and Save All to store every preset as one .syx file. Nixie 2 now replaces it.
If your pedal connects to Nixie 2, over USB or a MIDI interface, the .syx export steps above apply.
Nixie backs up automatically, but run Backup Presets and export your key tones as .syx files before a firmware update, just to be safe.
Use collections and folders in the Library to group presets by song, gig or style, so switching your set is fast.
Newer pedals use USB, while the original BigSky, TimeLine and Mobius need a MIDI to USB interface. Match the right link to your pedal.
A BigSky MX preset can use an imported reverb IR. When you share or move it, include that IR so the reverb sounds right.
Quick answers about Strymon presets, Nixie 2 and backups
Strymon presets are stored as .syx sysex files. You import and export them with Nixie 2, and one .syx can hold a single preset.
Nixie 2, the free preset editor and librarian for Mac and Windows. Download it only from the official Strymon site, and connect over USB or a MIDI interface.
Connect your pedal, open Nixie 2, select the preset, then choose File then Presets then Export Preset and save the .syx file to your computer.
These pedals have no USB, so you connect their MIDI IN and MIDI OUT ports to your computer through a MIDI to USB interface, then launch Nixie.
No. A preset is made for a specific pedal, so a TimeLine preset will not load on a BigSky. Use presets built for your exact model.
Yes. As soon as Nixie detects your pedal, it backs up all your presets. You can also run Backup Presets any time and find them with Show Backups.
You have exported your Strymon tones. Turn them into income on Tons of Tones, the world's first marketplace built just for guitarists.
