Do I need a buffer?

[JeffB]

I've got 22-ish feet of cable, 4 true bypass pedals with a couple of 6" ( hosa type) patch cords and 2 of the jack to jack connectors.

I was talking with a reputable local dealer today who said I should probably think about using one straight out of the guitar, but I was under the impression they were for people with a whole slew of pedals and patch cables.

Or is this dealer just having a slow week?

Signed,
Confused

[PFDarkside]

Re: Do I need a buffer?

How often do you play with no pedals engaged? What are the 4 pedals? (Not using active pickups or on board preamps, right?)

Stand alone buffers are the hot thing now, post-true bypass era. You've got a Boss pedal laying around, right? Just put it at the head of your effects chain to see if it sounds better or not. One of the signs you need a buffer is when you step on a pedal everything sounds ice pick trebley. (You've compensated for the treble roll off by cranking the amp treble, then the pedal kicking in restores that treble) On the other hand, IMO buffers before wah, fuzz and Vibe just mess with the pedal's tone too much.

[JeffB]

Re: Do I need a buffer?

No Boss pedals anymore..havent had one in years...sacrilege, I know!

Majority (75%?) of play time is no pedals engaged. Rarely more than two at a time, usually one or two.

Not experiencing the ice pick phenomenon you described.

Chain: amp> flashback mini> echoplex pre> heptode virtuoso (maestrophase clone)> mxr micro chorus> guitar.

[TimmyPage]

Re: Do I need a buffer?

Generally I would say yeah, but it 100% depends on you. I find my delay and my tremolo sound kind of dark and lifeless if they don't have a buffer in front of them. I have a digital Source Audio pedal which has switchable bypass modes in it, and I flipped between them and found that my signal just sounded overall much better with the buffer on. At the same time I found that having a buffer before my overdrives made them a bit too tight and took away from the dark creamyness that I liked from them, so it's a more complex question than simply 'do I need one or not'.

I will say, that I find having one to jump your signal a little bit before modulation pedals and delays makes them sound much clearer, which my ears like. With as few pedals as you have I'd suggest you look for a pedal with more utility than just a buffer.. maybe a buffered tuner like the Boss TU-3 or the T-Rex Tuner, or replace the micro-chorus with the MXR Analog Chorus. Most Klones come with a built in buffer, or you could go with a simple uncoloured boost pedal (to contrast with your Echoplex Pre) like the Wampler Decible+, Keeley Katana boost or the TC Spark Mini. Finally, one of my favourite buffer replacements on a smaller board is to use a compressor with a blend knob, something small and simple like the Xotic SP Compressor set to low compression with a touch of volume boost to give your signal it's boost and spark back without changing your sound.

Of course, if you're generally happy with your tone then there's not much of a reason to go out of your way for one. Buffers are good at solving specific issues such as ticking clocks from modulation/delay pedals or correcting really dark/dull signals, but if you're happy with your tone as-is then it doesn't matter.

[ErikH]

Re: Do I need a buffer?

I would say with what you have, it's up to you. Your layout doesn't really need it. If you have quality cable that has a decent capacitance, you'll be fine. If you notice a significant change in the sound when you engage a pedal, one at the end of the chain wouldn't be a bad idea.

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Do I need a buffer?

Speaking of Wampler, check out his podcast Chasing Tone. He has many episodes dedicated to buffers. They do a lot of comparisons with and without. Should give you a good idea.

[PFDarkside]

Re: Do I need a buffer?

Texas Blues Alley did a good series on cables and buffers as well.

[JeffB]

Re: Do I need a buffer?

In fact, I'm more happy with my tone than I have been in months!

I run Monster Rock cables, which seem polarizing but I really have had great luck with them. Tried mogami gold about a year ago, and wasn't for me.

That said, I may try one out for sheetsandgiggles. I noticed sweetwater just put the wampler version 1 on sale today.

I think the gentleman at the store must have been trying to make payroll for the week

[PFDarkside]

Re: Do I need a buffer?

Wampler one makes a great clean boost too, and the clearance price is great. I might get one too....

[Hank-]

Re: Do I need a buffer?

Not needed unless you notice a drop in highs between the cable from guitar & just amp vs the pedal board & another long cable included between the guitar and first pedal.

[Mincer]

Re: Do I need a buffer?

If I notice a difference between playing with just a cord and then with my pedals and it bothers me, then I would worry about a buffer. But generally not. I never really heard about buffers until about 10 years ago. Now, for some reason, everyone talks about them. I am not saying they couldn't provide a stronger signal- that is what they do. I don't really need a stronger signal, though.

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Do I need a buffer?

Use your ears dude! do YOU notice a difference?

[jtougas]

Re: Do I need a buffer?

What amp are you running? If it has multiple ins and you have an A/B pedal or gate/loop sitting around, set up so that you can bypass the pedals and go straight in, then switch back and forth.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Do I need a buffer?

I need a buffer, too.

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Do I need a buffer?

here's a test.......

1. Play plugged straight into the amp, with no pedal board. Guitar, cable, amp.
2. Play plugged into your pedal board.

If you like the clean or primary tone plugged straight in, get a buffer. If you don't notice anything, or don't care about the difference, or possible difference after A-Being..... don't get a buffer.