Bassists and Buffers

coldcraft · #1 08-20-2010, 11:31 AM

Anyone using or looking for a dedicated buffer or buffered ABY type box?

I've been making a dedicated 1590LB-sized "microBuffer" for a while and I'm thinking to expand to splitters and switchers. Not here to plug (spam) an existing product, but more for market research of sorts.

Just looking for some feedback here on what's useful or wanted from bassists. Feel free to post in the thread if you voted for other or just want to say hi!

Some ideas,
Buffered Y-Splitter
Buffered AB Switch
Buffered ABY Switch
Buffer w/Mute?
Others?

if you could maybe hit some buttons above to vote in the poll and give me some feedback I'd greatly appreciated it.

chicago_mike · #2 08-20-2010, 11:33 AM

I could see a momentary mute perhaps.

Eric! · #3 08-20-2010, 11:42 AM

Buffers don't really get attention in my set-up. Even less, splitters. So if anything, a mute (but that's kinda why I have a tuner, too)

bongomania · #4 08-20-2010, 01:46 PM

I use a tuner or a killswitch on my bass for muting, and when I use a buffer (not always), it's usually in the form of a compressor or EQ pedal.

However I do think there's room for an improved AB switch and an improved Y-split. In those cases it's not the source signal that needs buffering, but rather the two outputs that need to be buffered from each other. Radial, [sfx], and Lehle already make these products, but there's definitely still room in the niche, especially if the size and price are both smallish.

JumboJack · #5 08-20-2010, 01:49 PM

OK,I'll finally ask.What does a buffer do?I have seen "micro buffers" and have always wondered...

bongomania · #6 08-20-2010, 02:54 PM

It lowers the output impedance of the signal, and it isolates the signal from interference or loss associated with other components in the circuit. The lower impedance means greater efficiency of signal transfer, which in turn means less dulling or loss of the high frequencies over long cable runs. The isolation means the signal won't lose anything to other parallel circuit paths (like the output of a Y splitter), and it also averts feedback issues associated with connecting more than one input and output together.

JumboJack · #7 08-20-2010, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

It lowers the output impedance of the signal, and it isolates the signal from interference or loss associated with other components in the circuit. The lower impedance means greater efficiency of signal transfer, which in turn means less dulling or loss of the high frequencies over long cable runs. The isolation means the signal won't lose anything to other parallel circuit paths (like the output of a Y splitter), and it also averts feedback issues associated with connecting more than one input and output together.

Thanks!
One thing..Where should it go in the signal chain?

coldcraft · #8 08-20-2010, 04:06 PM

that depends on your rig.

some effects, like Wah and Fuzz, don't like to see buffers in front of them. Most of the time, a rig with long cable runs will benefit from a buffer at the end of the chain, to drive the signal to the amp

some people prefer to put them after the dirt but before the modulation and time-based effects.

And then again, some people like to put them right at the beginning before anything, which is kinda the case with the ABY switchers.

all in all, just go with what sounds best.

kevteop · #9 08-20-2010, 04:33 PM

I've currently got SFX making me an LS-2 replacement, and it will be the only pedal in my chain all the time so it's also going to buffer my signal. I don't think I would've bought a plain line driver but if a useful utility box can also keep my signal moving along then that's easily winning a space on my board.

coldcraft · #10 08-22-2010, 09:50 AM

thanks for everyone's contribution to the poll and thread. I'll probably let this roll until the end of the week before I make a design decision.

Unrepresented · #11 08-22-2010, 09:53 AM

I've got a Barber Launch Pad that I use as a buffer, although since I've been using mostly my active Warwick more instead of my passive Fender, I really don't feel a need to use it.

Swimming Bird · #12 08-22-2010, 10:01 AM

+1 to isolated outputs on y-splitters and A/B. How about a buffered A/B-y? Any chance of a combiner with volume knobs (aka a mini mixer)?

coldcraft · #13 08-22-2010, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimming Bird

+1 to isolated outputs on y-splitters and A/B. How about a buffered A/B-y? Any chance of a combiner with volume knobs (aka a mini mixer)?

I've done a ABC with volume knobs before. A mini mixer wouldn't be that hard, but it would probably be a custom project and not a regular offering.