How much does True bypass matter?
- Thread starter stef89
- Start date
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: How much does True bypass matter?
Why it matters: True Bypass is just like something not being there.
Why it doesn't matter: If it sounds good, it is good, and that's all that matters, despite the "yeah but it could sound better" comments that are surely coming.
What it is:
With a traditional setup, there's always some effect on the signal just by being in the chain. It has On and Off states as far as the effect goes, but since the signal is still passing through the circuitry to reach the Output, there's an effect.
The true bypass concept basically routes the Input jack to the Output jack (at least in theory - I'm sure some achieve this with a buffer in the circuit to counter the loading effects, but ideally the switch would actually choose between two different physical wiring states like a guitar switch does).
Why it matters: True Bypass is just like something not being there.
Why it doesn't matter: If it sounds good, it is good, and that's all that matters, despite the "yeah but it could sound better" comments that are surely coming.
What it is:
With a traditional setup, there's always some effect on the signal just by being in the chain. It has On and Off states as far as the effect goes, but since the signal is still passing through the circuitry to reach the Output, there's an effect.
The true bypass concept basically routes the Input jack to the Output jack (at least in theory - I'm sure some achieve this with a buffer in the circuit to counter the loading effects, but ideally the switch would actually choose between two different physical wiring states like a guitar switch does).
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Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: How much does True bypass matter?
In "theory" a non-true bypass pedal would effect the tone on or off. With one or two pedals I don't think the change would be enough to worry about. You would need a fairly long signal chain of pedals to create a buffer that would be noticeable. There will be the naysayers that will tell you there is a huge difference. I guess their ears are so good they can tell the color of a dog by its bark. The average ear is not picking up the difference.
In "theory" a non-true bypass pedal would effect the tone on or off. With one or two pedals I don't think the change would be enough to worry about. You would need a fairly long signal chain of pedals to create a buffer that would be noticeable. There will be the naysayers that will tell you there is a huge difference. I guess their ears are so good they can tell the color of a dog by its bark. The average ear is not picking up the difference.
Re: How much does True bypass matter?
lol nice. Yea I tried with and without it I cant notise a differtence in sound.
lol nice. Yea I tried with and without it I cant notise a differtence in sound.
Re: How much does True bypass matter?
Both, obviously more when on, but when off, the current is still passing round the circuit therefore a small amount of tone is lost. It's pretty indistinguishable though.
You can fit your own true bypass if you're comfortable electrically.
Both, obviously more when on, but when off, the current is still passing round the circuit therefore a small amount of tone is lost. It's pretty indistinguishable though.
You can fit your own true bypass if you're comfortable electrically.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: How much does True bypass matter?
A long chain of true bypass pedals still affects your sound purely by the fact that the signal is running through a whole load of cable causing capacitance and a bunch of extra solder joins and switches as well. A lot of people have a board full of true bypass pedals but still choose to run a buffer at either end of the chain to make up for the capacitance caused by the combination of long cables and all the solder joins/male jack plugs/female jack sockets/ solder joins/wires/ solder joins/ switches/ solder joins/ wires/ solder joins/female socket/male plug/ solder joins that happen even running through a singlr true bypass pedal. All this extra mechanical wiring adds capacitance to the cable and loads up your signal. One true bypass pedal and you might not notice any difference, but run a few and you will find that it is audible.
The face of the matter is EVERYTHING effects your sound in one way or another, from the length of your cable to the quality of your cable. Different cables have different sonic characteristics, let alone all the other stuff like pedals.
So what does this mean for working musos?
You have to make a choice about cables and true bypass or buffering and how you do it.
There is no right an wrong way to do it but there is one sure way that will work for you.
Trust your ears.
Boss pedals are built with buffers for two reasons: one is to keep your signal strong and clear over long cable runs. The other is to allow the silent and soft switching system that we all know and love. Boss pedals are good. Pros all over the world have been using them since the late 70s. They work. Plug them in and you are ready to go. IN many cases employing one or more buffers actually improves your signal rather than degrades it. This is why boss and ibanez (and many other manufacturers including the ultra boutique super expensive pete cornish) employ buffering.
If your ears tell you that your blues driver sounds fine when its off, then there is your answer. It sounds fine. In fact, it might well be helping you out on along cable run. There is no holy grail of bypass.
A long chain of true bypass pedals still affects your sound purely by the fact that the signal is running through a whole load of cable causing capacitance and a bunch of extra solder joins and switches as well. A lot of people have a board full of true bypass pedals but still choose to run a buffer at either end of the chain to make up for the capacitance caused by the combination of long cables and all the solder joins/male jack plugs/female jack sockets/ solder joins/wires/ solder joins/ switches/ solder joins/ wires/ solder joins/female socket/male plug/ solder joins that happen even running through a singlr true bypass pedal. All this extra mechanical wiring adds capacitance to the cable and loads up your signal. One true bypass pedal and you might not notice any difference, but run a few and you will find that it is audible.
The face of the matter is EVERYTHING effects your sound in one way or another, from the length of your cable to the quality of your cable. Different cables have different sonic characteristics, let alone all the other stuff like pedals.
So what does this mean for working musos?
You have to make a choice about cables and true bypass or buffering and how you do it.
There is no right an wrong way to do it but there is one sure way that will work for you.
Trust your ears.
Boss pedals are built with buffers for two reasons: one is to keep your signal strong and clear over long cable runs. The other is to allow the silent and soft switching system that we all know and love. Boss pedals are good. Pros all over the world have been using them since the late 70s. They work. Plug them in and you are ready to go. IN many cases employing one or more buffers actually improves your signal rather than degrades it. This is why boss and ibanez (and many other manufacturers including the ultra boutique super expensive pete cornish) employ buffering.
If your ears tell you that your blues driver sounds fine when its off, then there is your answer. It sounds fine. In fact, it might well be helping you out on along cable run. There is no holy grail of bypass.
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Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: How much does True bypass matter?
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Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: How much does True bypass matter?
now you can get back to enjoying your blues driver
now you can get back to enjoying your blues driver
Re: How much does True bypass matter?
Indeed
now you can get back to enjoying your blues driver
Indeed
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: How much does True bypass matter?
Yes, the issue comes when you have garbage bypass like in vintage MXR pedals and some Electro Harmonix pedals. Even when "bypassed" they are loading your signal and definitely are affecting your tone. In cases like this, True Bypass IS better than the alternative. With modern buffered bypass pedals there are still design considerations that can make a pedal sound better or worse bypassed. Ideally, a good buffer early in the chain, then a bunch of effectively bypassed pedals (True Bypass or a good buffered bypass) should give you the "best" tone.
Now, players like Buddy Guy and Santana use a long cable because they LIKE the effect of a higher capacitance cable on their tone. Jimi used a coil cable and pedals with very suspect bypass and a lot of people love his tone. That being said, I bet he didn't have a Fuzz Face, Uni-Vibe, Octavia and Wah all connected and bypassed when he recorded Little Wing and Castles Made of Sand.
In the end, the real answer is, listen and make up your mind what YOU like best for your guitar tone.
Yes, the issue comes when you have garbage bypass like in vintage MXR pedals and some Electro Harmonix pedals. Even when "bypassed" they are loading your signal and definitely are affecting your tone. In cases like this, True Bypass IS better than the alternative. With modern buffered bypass pedals there are still design considerations that can make a pedal sound better or worse bypassed. Ideally, a good buffer early in the chain, then a bunch of effectively bypassed pedals (True Bypass or a good buffered bypass) should give you the "best" tone.
Now, players like Buddy Guy and Santana use a long cable because they LIKE the effect of a higher capacitance cable on their tone. Jimi used a coil cable and pedals with very suspect bypass and a lot of people love his tone.
That being said, I bet he didn't have a Fuzz Face, Uni-Vibe, Octavia and Wah all connected and bypassed when he recorded Little Wing and Castles Made of Sand. In the end, the real answer is, listen and make up your mind what YOU like best for your guitar tone.
Snake Aces
Singlecut Slut
Re: How much does True bypass matter?
To me, having true bypass matters and if the pedal is not true bypass I would want it to be buffered bypass. The one to avoid is hardwire bypass. All of my pedals at the moment are true bypass with one being buffered bypass. If you really want a good read on the subject I suggest checking this out: http://www.gilmourish.com/?p=1611
To me, having true bypass matters and if the pedal is not true bypass I would want it to be buffered bypass. The one to avoid is hardwire bypass. All of my pedals at the moment are true bypass with one being buffered bypass. If you really want a good read on the subject I suggest checking this out: http://www.gilmourish.com/?p=1611
Re: How much does True bypass matter?
Very true.
I think Santana has a **** tone, so there we go
All about opinions, because there aren't many that agree with me!
Yes, the issue comes when you have garbage bypass like in vintage MXR pedals and some Electro Harmonix pedals. Even when "bypassed" they are loading your signal and definitely are affecting your tone. In cases like this, True Bypass IS better than the alternative. With modern buffered bypass pedals there are still design considerations that can make a pedal sound better or worse bypassed. Ideally, a good buffer early in the chain, then a bunch of effectively bypassed pedals (True Bypass or a good buffered bypass) should give you the "best" tone.
Now, players like Buddy Guy and Santana use a long cable because they LIKE the effect of a higher capacitance cable on their tone. Jimi used a coil cable and pedals with very suspect bypass and a lot of people love his tone.
In the end, the real answer is, listen and make up your mind what YOU like best for your guitar tone.
Very true.
I think Santana has a **** tone, so there we go
All about opinions, because there aren't many that agree with me!
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: How much does True bypass matter?
I stopped liking his tone when he went with PRS.
I stopped liking his tone when he went with PRS.
jake_xms3_punk
New member
Re: How much does True bypass matter?
there's a lot of myths and misconceptions regarding true bypass. It's kind of ironic, Everyone seems to think "all my pedals NEED to be true bypass to keep the integrity of my tone" whereas the truth is the opposite, a good quality buffered pedal early on in your chain will keep the true integrity of your tone better than having only true bypass pedals.
there's a lot of myths and misconceptions regarding true bypass. It's kind of ironic, Everyone seems to think "all my pedals NEED to be true bypass to keep the integrity of my tone" whereas the truth is the opposite, a good quality buffered pedal early on in your chain will keep the true integrity of your tone better than having only true bypass pedals.
