Blog: The Truth about True Bypass
- Thread starter Evan Skopp
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TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: Blog: The Truth about True Bypass
Sorry (not really), but this article sucks.
Sorry (not really), but this article sucks.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Blog: The Truth about True Bypass
The short answer is: "it depends".
A logic bypass pedal will buffer your signal, which is good, but the logic switching circuit itself may color your tone.
A true bypass pedal will not color your tone when bypassed, but you don't get any buffering.
An unbuffered signal will likely suffer from lost treble and dynamics over a long cable run. That said, maybe the subtle loss of treble will result in a good tone. Or maybe adding a buffer will change your tone in a way you don't like.
My final analysis: just buy the pedals you like best, and don't worry too much about bypass and buffering.
The short answer is: "it depends".
A logic bypass pedal will buffer your signal, which is good, but the logic switching circuit itself may color your tone.
A true bypass pedal will not color your tone when bypassed, but you don't get any buffering.
An unbuffered signal will likely suffer from lost treble and dynamics over a long cable run. That said, maybe the subtle loss of treble will result in a good tone. Or maybe adding a buffer will change your tone in a way you don't like.
My final analysis: just buy the pedals you like best, and don't worry too much about bypass and buffering.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Blog: The Truth about True Bypass
With simple one-switch (primitive/old school) bypass, the effect circuit is always partially connected in your signal chain. Depending on the effect involved, and the other stuff in your rig, this could alter your bypass tone in subtle, but noticeable, ways.
True bypass basically adds a second switch to divert the signal at both ends, keeping the effect completely out of the circuit.
With simple one-switch (primitive/old school) bypass, the effect circuit is always partially connected in your signal chain. Depending on the effect involved, and the other stuff in your rig, this could alter your bypass tone in subtle, but noticeable, ways.
True bypass basically adds a second switch to divert the signal at both ends, keeping the effect completely out of the circuit.
Gypsyblue
New member
Re: Blog: The Truth about True Bypass
Here's another nice read. This one's by Pete Cornish.
http://www.petecornish.co.uk/case_against_true_bypass.html
Here's another nice read. This one's by Pete Cornish.
http://www.petecornish.co.uk/case_against_true_bypass.html
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: Blog: The Truth about True Bypass
Matt, I found both articles useful and informative (I read the one about buffers too). I have a question though; I have several pedals that have built in gain controls (for example my Empress tremolo which allows you to use a gain knob to boost the signal up since tremolo takes out some volume).
Is this the same thing as a buffer? Will an OD at the start of your chain work the same way, or like an EHX LPB-1 boost; or is it electronically not the same thing?
Thanks!
Matt, I found both articles useful and informative (I read the one about buffers too). I have a question though; I have several pedals that have built in gain controls (for example my Empress tremolo which allows you to use a gain knob to boost the signal up since tremolo takes out some volume).
Is this the same thing as a buffer? Will an OD at the start of your chain work the same way, or like an EHX LPB-1 boost; or is it electronically not the same thing?
Thanks!
Laughing Kookaburra
Active member
Re: Blog: The Truth about True Bypass
Nicely written and to the point. And Matt, you handled the couple of rude replies well!
Nicely written and to the point. And Matt, you handled the couple of rude replies well!
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ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Blog: The Truth about True Bypass
Well, any amplifier (including your pedals) is also a buffer, in that it will lower the impedance. A buffer amplifier is a simple amplifier circuit set for unity gain (output is same as input). The main difference between that and the pedals you're talking about is that the pedals allow you to go above or below unity by turning the gain knob.
Of course, when you bypass those pedals, you're also taking the amplifier out of the circuit, therefore you lose the buffering.
Well, any amplifier (including your pedals) is also a buffer, in that it will lower the impedance. A buffer amplifier is a simple amplifier circuit set for unity gain (output is same as input). The main difference between that and the pedals you're talking about is that the pedals allow you to go above or below unity by turning the gain knob.
Of course, when you bypass those pedals, you're also taking the amplifier out of the circuit, therefore you lose the buffering.
Re: Blog: The Truth about True Bypass
What the hell kind of response is this? You could at least do him the common courtesy of saying what you don't like about it.
I swear to God, this friggen forum sometimes.... gah.
What the hell kind of response is this? You could at least do him the common courtesy of saying what you don't like about it.
I swear to God, this friggen forum sometimes.... gah.
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Re: Blog: The Truth about True Bypass
Nothing and No One is perfect, but there has never been too much B.S. at this place.
Comments, like above, do not happen too often here.
Don't let it get you down...
best
I am on a few forums (probably like most of you guys) and that is something I have always enjoyed about SD.
Nothing and No One is perfect, but there has never been too much B.S. at this place.
Comments, like above, do not happen too often here.
Don't let it get you down...
best
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: Blog: The Truth about True Bypass
With pedalboard real estate being precious, I am surprised no one offers a combo buffer and tuner. My Korg Pitchblack is a great tuner and has a 1M ohm buffer - but only when the tuner is on! Which does not help since when it's on it mutes the signal. When it's off it is true bypass as Matt describes and does not have a buffer.
Now I am considering getting a buffer but I'd have to move my tuner somewhere else in the chain because of pedalboard space constraints.
With pedalboard real estate being precious, I am surprised no one offers a combo buffer and tuner. My Korg Pitchblack is a great tuner and has a 1M ohm buffer - but only when the tuner is on! Which does not help since when it's on it mutes the signal. When it's off it is true bypass as Matt describes and does not have a buffer.
Now I am considering getting a buffer but I'd have to move my tuner somewhere else in the chain because of pedalboard space constraints.
Gypsyblue
New member
Re: Blog: The Truth about True Bypass
How to build a buffer in 10 minutes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMxwT7BT7oE:
How to build a buffer in 10 minutes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMxwT7BT7oE:
Dr. Vegetable
New member
Re: Blog: The Truth about True Bypass
All the "buffer" you will ever need.
Trust me on this!
All the "buffer" you will ever need.
Trust me on this!
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: Blog: The Truth about True Bypass
I do not think I need to quantify the XY coordinates of my every thought. We are all big boys and girls here, and should be able to accept simple, declarative statements. I am not sorry that I found the article NOT to be the 'truth' about true bypass, and not well written.
I had no idea it was written by a member of this forum and have not seen his replies, because he is on my Ignore list and has been for some time.
This is a message board, not group therapy. Not every post needs to be couched in a way to coddle everyone's sense of entitlement, over-inflated ego, and need for praise or 'well done'.
Feel free to add me to your Ignore list if I bother you that much instead of b!tching about how 'mean' or insensitive I am, move on, and get on with your life. Have a nice day.
I do not think I need to quantify the XY coordinates of my every thought. We are all big boys and girls here, and should be able to accept simple, declarative statements. I am not sorry that I found the article NOT to be the 'truth' about true bypass, and not well written.
I had no idea it was written by a member of this forum and have not seen his replies, because he is on my Ignore list and has been for some time.
This is a message board, not group therapy. Not every post needs to be couched in a way to coddle everyone's sense of entitlement, over-inflated ego, and need for praise or 'well done'.
Feel free to add me to your Ignore list if I bother you that much instead of b!tching about how 'mean' or insensitive I am, move on, and get on with your life. Have a nice day.
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