Hello Elektronauts
I am planning to extend a bit my hardware and want to buy Strymon Big Sky which is stereo.
Can you advise if (and how) can I connect devices to reach:
Is it doable? Which cables I need to buy
Connect the individual output of the track you want to send to the BigSky with a ts cable to its input.
Edit, you need a splitter or insert cable since the track outputs are stereo.
Go from the output of the Bigsky into A4 external input with two ts cables (left&right). Raise volume on the A4 for the external inputs (I think it’s on the fx track, first page).
The individual Outputs are Stereo. You can also use a Stereo cable (Y cable) from an individual Output and connect it to the Big Sky Inputs and then two TS cables from the Big Sky Outputs to the Ext In (Audio Inputs) of the A4.
Ah, thanks! I have the Analog Keys with four individual track outs. Thought it was the same on the A4 mk2. Should have checked…
Y-Splitter or insert cable then!
It also has individual Stereo Outputs.
Oh shit, you’re right, they are TRS. Haven’t used them in a while. Thanks.
If we hard pan the track we want to send to an external effect, we could use a ts cable - best to still use a y-splitter and then connect only one side via ts.
If we connect it stereo, we could utilize panning effects as long as the effect is true stereo.
Does the Bigsky sum the inputs to mono for processing? Then mono connection would be enough.
On the website I found out information: Left output acts as mono output when only one channel is used. Do I miss a lot if connect only with one channel ? I would say I have not a lot of desk space so reducing cabling is benefit for me.
In fact: A4 Track Outputs are Stereo but you can use Mono (TS) also if you want a simple solution and don’t care about sending a panned signal out.
You can use Mono-In / Stereo-Out as expected. Or Mono/Mono then… you lose: Stereo width. Which is kind of the whole point for a stereo reverb if you ask me?
Do I miss a lot with sending no panned signal? Is is still acceptable quality?
Connecting only the left side for one track will work fine. Can’t use panning then of course.
If you want to use panning, maybe a slow lfo panning effect, you’d need to connect stereo and the BigSky has to process stereo. At least some Strymon fx sum to mono, meaning the stereo comes from the effect engine itself, but the stereo signal you send in will be made into mono.
Should be mentioned in the manual somewhere, but it’ only relevant if you’re working with stereo signals, so connecting one track from the A4 mono will work fine.
It’s not a question of quality, at least not in the technical sense. Just taste and how you want your sounds. Also many stereo effects sum to mono.
Not sure if anyone will be able to answer that question. If your music relies on panning individual sounds further to the left or right or swinging from one side to the other you’d miss a lot. If you don’t ever work like that, you don’t.
It sums to mono…not a big deal. Many stereo effects are not “true stereo”.
You will get a stereo signal out, it’s just the way this effect works. True stereo means it would need to process both sides and many effects don’t do that.
I have a true stereo effect that’s always connected via mono send lol^^
Love this faint hint of redundancy some threads generate sometimes a lot. 
Thanks. I think it is clear for me now. I will go with mono in/mono out to simplify hardware cabling.
BTW, do you think buying BigSky is good investment for amateur/hobby music producer? Or just overpower?
You mean because we’re all replying at the same time? Sorry, didn’t want to interrupt you^^
I’d think it’s a good investment, definitely! A good effect can bring synths alive and BigSky is really nice. 
Go mono in/stereo out. By going mono out, you’ll lose the whole stereo feel. Or just test both options and see what you like more!
OK I finally bought Big Sky and did some tests. It is already connected with one single cable from track output and single cable to external input. Unfortunately I am not really happy with new box. When I use cloud or bloom algorithm I often hear kind of overdrive or artifacts in sound (kind of noise). It happens with more complex sounds. I already disabled particular track in audio routing and set external input level on 100.
Can you help what am I am doing wrong? Is it how both cooperate? I expected way more spending so much money 
Now I consider to send it back.
I think found out right work to describing issue, It is clipping.
