Buffered Bypass?

[Ryan Mohr]

I may sound incredibly ignorant, but what is buffered bypass?Is it different from true bypass?

[Beachcoma]

Yes, it is different. Instead of linking the input to the output (true bp), your signal is going through a couple of components (resistor, opamp), all built by the lowest bidder. So it degrades quality. Maybe not so much in 1 pedal, but more than 2 and its audible.

Peace

[basadam]

Originally Posted by Beachcoma

all built by the lowest bidder

That's an awful generalisation, and certainly not always true.

To the OP: Check http://www.tech21nyc.com/tech_notes/...ruebypass.html for a good explanation.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by Beachcoma

Instead of linking the input to the output (true bp), your signal is going through a couple of components (resistor, opamp), all built by the lowest bidder. So it degrades quality.

Only in cheaply-made pedals like Ibanez, Digitech, etc. A number of high-quality builders design and implement buffered bypasses that work as well as or even better than a 3PDT "true bypass" switch. Barber is one example.

[squarewave]

Originally Posted by bongomania

...Barber is one example.

EBS is another.

[Wren and Cuff]

I have this old ARION SCH-1. Can't tell you why, but when I run a guitar through it with the pedal bypassed, it adds this great sparkle and shimmer to the clean sound. It's always on my board...

My belief is, true bypass is great, buffers can be great, it just depends on what you want.

Avoid falling prey to "Contempt prior to investigation."

best,

matt