How to beat Tone-suck

kgoism · #1 03-07-2009, 05:28 PM

Hey all,

I just wanted to know how you guys fight the tone-suck (and volume loss) that comes from stringing a million pedals together.

I do not believe there's a specific thread addressing this issue, but if there is, please kindly direct me.

Thanks,

Keigo

espositod · #2 03-07-2009, 05:30 PM

Try researching 'true bypass'

kgoism · #3 03-07-2009, 05:33 PM

that still results in volume loss when chained with other true bypass pedals.

Trevorus · #4 03-07-2009, 05:37 PM

A good buffer/preamp. I am currently using a Behringer (I know...) MIC100 tube pre as a recovery stage equipped with an old GE 12ax7.

jucas · #5 03-07-2009, 05:38 PM

Then maybe true bypass with a decent buffer or two?

kgoism · #6 03-07-2009, 05:41 PM

so what would be a good buffer/preamp, then?

COOL AND DEADLY · #7 03-07-2009, 05:42 PM

Is it me or just my pedal, but does the Boss ODB bypass REALLY suck the power when not in use?

rosstanium · #8 03-07-2009, 05:45 PM

just do a quick Google search...there are a few companies out there that know what they're doing.

See Pete Cornish...

B.C. · #9 03-07-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jucas

Then maybe true bypass with a decent buffer or two?

This is you're best option IME. It would take a lot of pedals strung up to cause tone loss(mathematically that is) and I cannot say enough about a good buffer.

kgoism · #10 03-07-2009, 05:48 PM

Can I get specifics?

rosstanium · #11 03-07-2009, 05:55 PM

...again, go to Pete Cornish' site and read up...

B.C. · #12 03-07-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgoism

Can I get specifics?

Sure! Specifics on what? Buffers, true bypass, fake true bypass? I'd love to help

kgoism · #13 03-07-2009, 06:31 PM

like what are the names of specific loop pedals that i should check out.

Sorry, at the time, what I typed made complete sense to me in my mind.

B.C. · #14 03-07-2009, 06:34 PM

Well, I like the LS-2 by Boss. However, thats not a true bypass looper, but a nice(IME) buffer. True bypass strips can be easily built or bought. I cannot recall any names but a google search of true bypass loops gives you some good products.

kgoism · #15 03-07-2009, 07:14 PM

thanks.

So what's the difference between just looper vs. looper and buffer.

Gashaponcito · #16 03-07-2009, 07:19 PM

since its seems you didn't look out in Pete's site....
http://www.petecornish.co.uk/case_ag...ue_bypass.html

kgoism · #17 03-07-2009, 07:24 PM

No i looked...

I read it when rosstanium first suggested it.

But it doesn't answer my question/i don't understand too much past the fact that true bypass DOES suck tone.

But that's not my question in the first place.

bongomania · #18 03-07-2009, 07:32 PM

OK, here's the deal. Every circuit has a different effect on the signal. Certain circuits may be categorized together as the same "type" as some other circuits, but they may work and sound differently due to different components and different specific implementation.

So saying "X type of switching does this one thing" doesn't actually make sense.

More accurate to say that certain types may need to be handled in specific ways for best results, and that each specific chain may have different needs for best results.

I know you want a silver bullet, but it doesn't exist.

I already know you don't care, but there are effing hundreds of threads in this forum talking about true bypass, loopers, buffers, etc. etc. and they're all just sitting there waiting for you to read them. Some of them are even linked in the FAQ.

For a specific product tip, look for threads about Barge (Barge Concepts, a pedal builder). They make both TBP and buffered loops.

kgoism · #19 03-07-2009, 07:49 PM

I wasn't looking for a silver bullet, actually.

I was wondering how different people went about to solve the tone loss problem.

Which means that someone like me who isn't too experienced in effect usage isn't JUST interested in loops and buffers. In fact, I didn't even know that was a method for tone loss in the first place.

So it's not that I "don't care"; it was more like I "didn't know"

OriginalCrash · #20 03-07-2009, 08:02 PM

Yeah, as I understand it the best solution is probably a mixture of true bypass pedals and pedals would good buffered bypasses. As great a true bypass is, too many of them together is the same as a LOOONG cable run and will still result in tone loss. That said, a bad buffer is, well, a bad buffer... and that's no good either.

Brian