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Axess BS-2 Buffer

markjazzbassist

markjazzbassist

Apr 19, 2005
13,031
4,739
Shaker Heights, OH
#1
I'm thinking about picking one of these up to use on my pedalboard. i use a 25 ft. coiled cable before my board, all my FX are True Bypass, and then use a 15-20 ft. cable from my board to my amp. So I'm experiencing some signal loss. Will it be overkill or is it worth it?

I've heard I need to put this after my fuzzes. Here is my proposed signal chain

bass -> EB Passive volume -> Mutron Octaver -> Mojohand Cream Pie -> Analogman Sun Face -> big muff -> univox superfuzz -> AXESS BS-2 -> mutron III -> Bassballs -> amp

i use passive fenders (and a gibson).

thoughts?
 
#2
markjazzbassist said:
I'm thinking about picking one of these up to use on my pedalboard. i use a 25 ft. coiled cable before my board, all my FX are True Bypass, and then use a 15-20 ft. cable from my board to my amp. So I'm experiencing some signal loss. Will it be overkill or is it worth it?

I've heard I need to put this after my fuzzes. Here is my proposed signal chain

bass -> EB Passive volume -> Mutron Octaver -> Mojohand Cream Pie -> Analogman Sun Face -> big muff -> univox superfuzz -> AXESS BS-2 -> mutron III -> Bassballs -> amp

i use passive fenders (and a gibson).

thoughts?
Click to expand...

It's probably a good idea. But are you chaining all those fuzzes? If I were you I'd just get a Boss LS-2 and put them in a couple loops. Chain shortened, buffer added, QED.
 
#3
You're going to have to experiment.... I have tried all my effects in and out of a GRX4, which has the same buffer circuit as the BS2. In my limited experience, I haven't found any effect that works 'worse' in the buffer than before it. The BS2 has a great following and isn't much dough. Maybe an X2 wireless to your board would be useful to you.
 
#4
RCCollins said:
It's probably a good idea. But are you chaining all those fuzzes? If I were you I'd just get a Boss LS-2 and put them in a couple loops. Chain shortened, buffer added, QED.
Click to expand...

i'm not looking to put them in a buffer loop. i'm just looking to add signal back to my chain. plus i don't want my fuzzes in the buffer, hence the buffer afterwards.


grovest said:
You're going to have to experiment.... I have tried all my effects in and out of a GRX4, which has the same buffer circuit as the BS2. In my limited experience, I haven't found any effect that works 'worse' in the buffer than before it. The BS2 has a great following and isn't much dough. Maybe an X2 wireless to your board would be useful to you.
Click to expand...

interesting. first off, i like using cables and am not a big wireless fan (except for in-ear monitors). second, i've heard that using a buffer before fuzzes (especially germanium) can really squish and greatly change the tone.
 
#5
RCCollins said:
It's probably a good idea. But are you chaining all those fuzzes? If I were you I'd just get a Boss LS-2 and put them in a couple loops. Chain shortened, buffer added, QED.
Click to expand...

agreed,

a looper might be a good idea.

but i love my bs-2. the real key is the iso phase switch. on certain stages, its an awesome thing to be able to put what's coming out of your amp in phase w/ what's being shot out of the PA speakers/subs. i just flip it a few times, and stay w/ the setting where i sound the fullest.

again, just make sure you're using the isolated out, not the main out which isnt affected by the phase switch.
 
#8
jokerjkny said:
agreed,

a looper might be a good idea.

but i love my bs-2. the real key is the iso phase switch. on certain stages, its an awesome thing to be able to put what's coming out of your amp in phase w/ what's being shot out of the PA speakers/subs. i just flip it a few times, and stay w/ the setting where i sound the fullest.

again, just make sure you're using the isolated out, not the main out which isnt affected by the phase switch.
Click to expand...

interesting. you were one of the main reasons i found the axess. i saw you had it and looked into it more.

so i go input and then go ISO: out? that way i can use the phase switch. is that the only difference between it and the main out?


PS - thanks for all the help so far guys.
 
#14
markjazzbassist said:
yeah i know Boss pedals are. but i don't like any of those and realistically won't have room for them either.
Click to expand...

:rolleyes: are they any bigger then the axess? because they can't possibly be more embarassing than something called "axess"

for example, you could just go THROUGH whatever the cheapest available boss pedal, and not have to deal with the loop issue you just mentioned.

$25 expense, tops. Achieves exactly what you want to do - in fact, it does it BETTER than Axess's transparently named BS-2!

besides, every household needs a PS-3 :D (OK that usually goes for more than $25 but you get my point)
 
#16
jokerjkny said:
the bs2? nope, its not a loop. its a buffer!
Click to expand...

yeah yeah. still a moron. trying to figure out if putting it in the middle of my pedalboard is a good idea or to just get that ps-3.

anyone check out the gigrig humdinger for a buffer?

RCCollins said:
besides, every household needs a PS-3 :D (OK that usually goes for more than $25 but you get my point)
Click to expand...

is the ps-3 analogue? i'm an analogue purist:)
 
#17
markjazzbassist said:
yeah yeah. still a moron. trying to figure out if putting it in the middle of my pedalboard is a good idea or to just get that ps-3.

anyone check out the gigrig humdinger for a buffer?



is the ps-3 analogue? i'm an analogue purist:)
Click to expand...

no, it couldn't do what it does as well as it does and still be analog. but if you have it switched off, the buffered signal should bypass any AD/DA conversion
 
#20
AndyLES said:
The BS-2 is a great unit. I know a lot of guys who have them in their rigs. A lot of touring pros are even using it in their racks.
Click to expand...

I know it's a pro level piece and all, it just turns out that mjb doesn't really need a looper, and I think his needs can be met for peanuts without compromising space, and possibly even adding a cool effect!

All the Boss pedals that have the familiar stompbox format with the soft switch/battery compartment are buffered. And it's a perfectly good buffer.

If you want a pricey boutique pedal with a buffer I recommend the Malekko delays, which are switchable buffered/TBP. How cool is that?

I guess youd probably want to stick it toward the end of your chain though.

Here are some analog Boss effects that could fill the bill, they're not perfect for everybody but a lot of them can be had for cheap (some less cheap). It is NOT a complete list, just a few that could work late in the chain and hopefully won't offend mjb's taste...

BF-2 and BF-2B
CEB-3 (pink label or serial number starting with P0 or earlier are analog and superior to later ones - there is a similar analog early model of the chorus ensemble, too)
CS-1,2,3
DM-1,2
DS-1,2 (as long as it's not modded for TBP, which goes for ALL of these, and is kinda obvious)
FZ-2,3 (FZ-3 is a discrete circuit fuzz, you modfreaks!)
GEB-7
ODB-3 (haha)
 

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