Buffered clean boost?

[GaryOsborne]

All my pedals are true bypass, I'm about to pick up some more but they're TB too!
I feel like I need a buffered pedal in there somewhere. To me it would make sense to put the buffered pedal at the very end, right before the amp. In that case, a clean boost would make sense. But idk what boost pedals are buffered. I know some pedals have internal switches to go from TB to buffer, that would be cool. Here's a couple boosts I'm interested in (but I don't think any of them are buffered). Maybe you guys could suggest similar pedals that are buffered? Or convince me I don't need a buffer at all?? That'd be great! lol.

I'm really interested in:
EQD Tone Job
RC booster
Catalinbread Chili Picoso
Catalinbread Naga Viper
XTS Pegasus (really like this one, even if it isn't buffered it might get scooped up).
There's tons of others. I just feel like I need a buffer in there somewhere.

Is it best to put it at the end of your chain, right before the amp? Or can it go anywhere? Let me know what you think.
Thanks.
Gary.

 

[waparker4]

Boss TU-3

 

[MilwMark]

Boss TU-3

Second. Best tuner I've tried for stage use indoors and out, and I really like the buffer. Kicked the Pitchblack and the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner's backsides, in my book.

 

[GaryOsborne]

Boss TU-3

I know that all boss pedals are buffered. I've actually had a couple TU-2s and one 3. So you're saying just having a buffered pedal anywhere in the chain will help?

 

[waparker4]

Yeah, should be all ya need.

 

[simonsp]

I know that all boss pedals are buffered. I've actually had a couple TU-2s and one 3. So you're saying just having a buffered pedal anywhere in the chain will help?

I found this article on-line. It helped explain buffering to me. hth

http://screaminfx.com/tech/why-and-when-to-use-a-guitar-buffer-pedal.htm

 

[Edgar Allan Presley]

Durham Electronics pedals are known to have a good buffer. You might check out the BMP (preamp and buffer) or the Sex Drive.

 

[artdecade]

Durham Electronics pedals are known to have a good buffer. You might check out the BMP (preamp and buffer) or the Sex Drive.

Don't get sucked down the rabbit hole of buffers. They are the simplest thing in terms of circuits.

Remember what Redd Volkaert said about the Durham buffer:

"The yellow one is a Durham "BMP" Buff Master Pre, like the rapper!
It is a buffer, master switch and preamp all in one
The buffer is kinda like the one in the Boss tuner, it just makes everything smoother "to me"

Bold added for emphasis. Redd has better ears than all of us and he uses the Boss for comparison.
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/stomp-box/332972-redd-volkaerts-pedalboard.html#post4238407

 

[Edgar Allan Presley]

Don't get sucked down the rabbit hole of buffers. They are the simplest thing in terms of circuits.

Redd Volkaert on the Durham buffer:

"The yellow one is a Durham "BMP" Buff Master Pre, like the rapper!
It is a buffer, master switch and preamp all in one
The buffer is kinda like the one in the Boss tuner, it just makes everything smoother "to me"

Bold added for emphasis.
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/stomp-box/332972-redd-volkaerts-pedalboard.html#post4238407

From the same thread:

As for Redds quote that the BMP has a buffer like a Boss Tuner.... REDD you are killing me here!! I'd like to think my buffer is a little better than that. of course.. that's "to me".

Alan Durham

I don't know the difference between a good buffer and a bad buffer, so don't listen to me. But Alan Durham, of course, thinks his buffer is better than a Boss tuner.

I don't think I have any buffered pedals on my board right now, but I usually use a compressor when my fuzz tones are off, so I nearly always have a pedal engaged and probably don't need a buffer.

 

[artdecade]

From the same thread:


I don't know the difference between a good buffer and a bad buffer, so don't listen to me. But Alan Durham, of course, thinks his buffer is better than a Boss tuner.

I don't think I have any buffered pedals on my board right now, but I usually use a compressor when my fuzz tones are off, so I nearly always have a pedal engaged and probably don't need a buffer.

I don't doubt that he believes that... but there are only a few ways to make a buffer and at a very early point in the design, you can't make a better one - law of diminishing returns. The Orman buffer is the best (and probably what Alan uses and it is what the Klon uses) and the Boss is a very close second. And there is no point in something as expensive as the Cornish buffer.

http://www.muzique.com/lab/buffers.htm

 

[GaryOsborne]

Durham Electronics pedals are known to have a good buffer. You might check out the BMP (preamp and buffer) or the Sex Drive.

Man, I've wanted a sex drive for a long time but haven't found one at a good price. I did a fill in gig and there was one on this crazy board I used. It was all super high end stuff. I really liked it, it had another one of their pedals on it too. A crazy horse or so getting? Anyway, super cool stuff. Maybe one day

 

[GaryOsborne]

I found this article on-line. It helped explain buffering to me. hth



http://screaminfx.com/tech/why-and-when-to-use-a-guitar-buffer-pedal.htm

Thanks. I'll read it when I get a min. Nosferatu!!!!!!!

 

[nathanteal]

If your looking for a buffer/boost combo specifically, you might consider something like a Wampler Decibel Boost, MXR CAE Boost/Line Driver (MC401), Mad Professor Ruby Red Booster (a really good dual stage boost with an option to buffer the bypassed signal), or my personal favorite: Empress Buffer+ (a dual buffer with a heap of additional features like a boost, noise reduction, etc. It buffers at the beginning and end of your chain, with the boost operating at the end of the chain, or the second I/O stage. It may be overkill for some, but it won't hurt your signal and it doesn't cost a bunch).

Prymaxe Vintage has a decent selection of buffers and buffer/booster combos. http://www.prymaxevintage.com/buffer/

Best of luck!

 

[richey88]

MXR Micro Amp?

 

[xtrajerry]

I found this article on-line. It helped explain buffering to me. hth

http://screaminfx.com/tech/why-and-when-to-use-a-guitar-buffer-pedal.htm

Great link.. thanks for sharing it..

 

[dntfeartherevrb]

Are you considering the boost because you want a boost or just for the buffer? If all you want is a buffer you can buy just that. I know this1smyne makes them for pretty cheap. They have some that are always on and some with a stomp box switch IIRC. Not sure about a boost with a buffer. In regards to placing a buffered pedal a lot of players will put one at the beginning of their chain or at the very end or both. I see a lot of big worship player boards with just the buffer at the beginning.

 

[williamisthisit]

Is the buffer on the TU-3 the same as the buffer in the DD7?

 

[nathanteal]

The placement of a buffer, as I understand it, is all preferential unless there is a vintage fuzz in the chain. I gather that it basically takes whatever your dry signal is at that point in the run and gives it a kick in the pants. IOW, if you place it after 10 ft. of cable, it will sound like that first ten feet are running directly into your amp. 15 ft. will sound like 15, 30 like 30, etc. So if your after the truest to original signal, place it first, after as little cable as possible.

 

[Zacateca]

I liked the TU-3 buffer, but not the tuner!

In my experience it gets confused whenever the drummer or bassists are playing, like it piks up vibrations. I tried two of them and got the same, so I went back to the Polytune and put an MXR Micro Amp as my always on, first pedal in the chain. It is a great transparent pedal and you can boost your clean solos or push the amp for some tube growl as well

 

[Jubal81]

Came up with my own solution not too long ago - I put the buffer in the jack at the guitar and feed it voltage from a JFET booster pedal.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kti4q0fyjce98y8/Ant Driver Doc.pdf