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.
