Buffer circuit in front of a modeler?

[jmcorey]

Hello all

Anyone try a buffer circuit like the Axess Electronics BS2 or BUF, or the VHT valvulator, in front of a modeler? It is supposed to improve the dynamic range of the modeler, making it sound more amp like.

I am more interested in the BS2, but they are $150 and Axess Electronics offers no returns for any reasons other than breakdown.

It's hard to purchase for that reason alone, so I am looking for any experience out there from people that I can trust.

Thanks

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Buffer circuit in front of a modeler?

No one? Nobody at all? Come on, guys!!!!

 

[Artie]

Re: Buffer circuit in front of a modeler?

The closest I've come to this is to run a Duncan SFX-01 in front of my J-Station. But it just boosts the signal. I don't think that anything you put in front of a modeler will increase its dynamic range or sound quality. I was thinking about trying a tube preamp after the modeler to warm up its signal. I was thinking of either the PreSonus BlueTube DP or a pair of Studio Projects VTB-1's.

Just haven't gotten around to spending the cash yet.

 

[HolyDirt]

Re: Buffer circuit in front of a modeler?

Well, a guitar buffer in essence takes teh high impendance guitar signal and makes it a low impendance signal so that it can go through very long guitar cords and what have you and retain its high end. If the modeler you're feeding it into works better with low impendance, it might sound better, or else it may not. It all depends on how the modeler is designed.

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Buffer circuit in front of a modeler?

Can't say that I have any experience w/ em, but I'm planning on picking up a BS2 soon. Got too much signal loss when pluggin in through my pedalboard, gonna see if a buffer cant help me out.

Dunno bout dynamic range w/ a modeler though. Might try it with my PODxt once I pick one up.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Buffer circuit in front of a modeler?

You might be able to mount this circuit in a project box externally. http://cgi.ebay.com/Active-Pickup-C...hZ016QQcategoryZ41416QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Buffer circuit in front of a modeler?

I am definitely not looking to boost the signal.

See http://www.vhtamp.com/product-news/valvulator1.html

See also: http://www.vhtamp.com/product-news/v1-faqs.html#10

Specifically: 10) Can the Valvulator 1 improve the sound of digital and modeling devices?

The answer to this question is a resounding Yes. But to understand why, you need to understand a little bit about how digital devices work. Digital effects and modelers take an analog audio signal (your guitar signal for example) and convert it to digital information before the actual processing or effecting takes place. Once your signal has been converted to digital information, not much can be done. However, all digital effects and modelers have solid-state analog input stages and most of these have fair to mediocre frequency response and very low headroom. Headroom (the maximum amount of signal level an audio circuit can handle before overload) is directly related to the operating voltage of the entire unit. Since most digital and modeling effects operate at very low voltage (typically between 6 to 12 volts), it is very easy to overload the analog input stage causing a flat artificial tone. This is where the Valvulator 1 comes in. Because of the high operating voltage of the tube input stage of the V1, the headroom is also very high. So plugging into the V1 first produces a dynamic, rich sounding audio signal, which is then routed to the digital effect. Your guitar signal, along with the sparkle, tone and punch of the V1 tube stage is now “engraved in stone” and ready for processing by the digital converter. Try it for yourself! And while you’re at it, pay particular attention to the difference in responsiveness of the volume control of your guitar, with and without the V1.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Buffer circuit in front of a modeler?

Hm. Haven't done that. But I routinely play the POD xt Live with a Dynacomp in front of it.

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Buffer circuit in front of a modeler?

Does the Dynacomp have a buffer circuit?