Have you considered a VHT Valvulator? It's big & expensive but it also has 4 isolated power supplies and it's a good tube buffer.
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Best Dedicated Pedalboard Buffer?
- Thread starter Charley Umbria
- Start date
Hi everybody! Maybe I'm a little late to reply here. I agree with @gillento. You definitely HAVE to check the Invalid Link Removed stuff. Their Sunday Driver is amazing! Always on and fantastic sound!
bongomania
Commercial User
It's not a buffer, but this recently caught my eye. A device that not only helps retain your signal after going through multiple effects (like a buffer does), but apparently enhances it to the point of sounding like guitar straight into amp:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Opinions anyone? Fairy dust, snake oil, or the real deal? I trust the gigrig's products and knowledge on most occasions, but is this to good to be true?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Opinions anyone? Fairy dust, snake oil, or the real deal? I trust the gigrig's products and knowledge on most occasions, but is this to good to be true?
bongomania
Commercial User
Actually, from what I interpret from their description, it is the opposite of a buffer: it raises the output impedance (with the "reactance" knob), and increases the capacitance (with the "cable length" knob). When they say it emulates the precious tone of guitar direct connection, it's not that it retains more signal, but rather it cuts/alters the signal in the same manner that a traditional cable between guitar and amp (or better, guitar and fuzz) would. In this case less is actually more! So I am suggesting their device isn't snake oil... but it's also not some amazing genius miracle thing. For comparison, Radial has the "Dragster", which raises the impedance; adding a capacitor to it would emulate a longer cable.
I could be wrong though, my interpretation is just that--not insider knowledge about how their box really works.
I could be wrong though, my interpretation is just that--not insider knowledge about how their box really works.
Hah! I went to see who the OP was on this zombie-fied thread...and it was me! 
I guess I should report back that I put the Micro Thumpinator on (actually, under) my pedalboard and it sounds great. Or, maybe, it doesn't sound great, as it adds nothing to my sound. It does, however, do an excellent job of preserving my tone, which is exactly what I was looking for in a buffer when I started this thread almost year ago. The reduction of unneeded low frequencies is a sweet bonus!
So now my chain is: Bass -> Turbo Tuner -> Frantone Lo-Tone Fuzz -> Retro-Sonic Phaser -> Effectrode PC-2A Compressor -> Micro Thumpinator -> Ibanez TS9DX Tube Screamer -> VT Bass -> Analog Man Mini Chorus -> Barber Deep Fryer -> Amp.
I originally wanted to put the Micro Thumpinator after my fuzz, but as close to the front of my chain as possible (as recommended by Silent Fly earlier). However, the layout of my PedalTrain Jr. board would have necessitated the addition of a bunch of extra cable to make the connection, so I just hooked into the Micro Thump as the pedal layout allowed. I'll try to take some pictures later...
I can't tell any difference with the Micro Thump inline before or after the compressor, but (before I replaced my true-bypass SFT with the buffered VT Bass) there was definitely a difference with all effects off and the Micro Thump alone buffering the signal from my passive P-Bass.
BTW, thanks to everyone who responded to my original post. Lots of helpful info out there!
I guess I should report back that I put the Micro Thumpinator on (actually, under) my pedalboard and it sounds great. Or, maybe, it doesn't sound great, as it adds nothing to my sound. It does, however, do an excellent job of preserving my tone, which is exactly what I was looking for in a buffer when I started this thread almost year ago. The reduction of unneeded low frequencies is a sweet bonus!
So now my chain is: Bass -> Turbo Tuner -> Frantone Lo-Tone Fuzz -> Retro-Sonic Phaser -> Effectrode PC-2A Compressor -> Micro Thumpinator -> Ibanez TS9DX Tube Screamer -> VT Bass -> Analog Man Mini Chorus -> Barber Deep Fryer -> Amp.
I originally wanted to put the Micro Thumpinator after my fuzz, but as close to the front of my chain as possible (as recommended by Silent Fly earlier). However, the layout of my PedalTrain Jr. board would have necessitated the addition of a bunch of extra cable to make the connection, so I just hooked into the Micro Thump as the pedal layout allowed. I'll try to take some pictures later...
I can't tell any difference with the Micro Thump inline before or after the compressor, but (before I replaced my true-bypass SFT with the buffered VT Bass) there was definitely a difference with all effects off and the Micro Thump alone buffering the signal from my passive P-Bass.
BTW, thanks to everyone who responded to my original post. Lots of helpful info out there!
One more Zombie resurrection, 'cuz nobody else mentioned it and somebody might be searching...
I ended up getting the Cusack More Louder. It's unique in that you can choose, via a small switch on top, whether the pedal will be true bypass or buffered bypass. It is a clean gain boost pedal, so when you engage the boost switch it's buffered of course. But when it's bypassed, you can choose buffered or true.
So if I'm using the Sadowsky on a gig, the switch goes to true bypass. If I brought the Tele bass, it gets the buffered bypass.
The boost is super-clean.
The only negative I can think of is that it doesn't have a battery - you have to have a 9v power supply. It's a standard Boss type so it's easy. OTOH, it is *very* small.
Also, it has immense amounts of gain in the boost section. Great for guitar players, but a bass player has to be a little careful setting the knob. It's not difficult, but I wouldn't mind a bass version with less gain.
-James
I ended up getting the Cusack More Louder. It's unique in that you can choose, via a small switch on top, whether the pedal will be true bypass or buffered bypass. It is a clean gain boost pedal, so when you engage the boost switch it's buffered of course. But when it's bypassed, you can choose buffered or true.
So if I'm using the Sadowsky on a gig, the switch goes to true bypass. If I brought the Tele bass, it gets the buffered bypass.
The boost is super-clean.
The only negative I can think of is that it doesn't have a battery - you have to have a 9v power supply. It's a standard Boss type so it's easy. OTOH, it is *very* small.
Also, it has immense amounts of gain in the boost section. Great for guitar players, but a bass player has to be a little careful setting the knob. It's not difficult, but I wouldn't mind a bass version with less gain.
-James
Don't fear the zombie! 
Cool find, James. I really like the idea of a small pedal that can serve two or three different purposes without a lot of knob twiddling.
I never got around to adding a shot of my Thump earlier (and I can't edit my last post any more...), so here it is:
The effect order has changed, but the Micro Thumpinator is in essentially the same position in the chain.
It's now: Bass -> Turbo Tuner -> Retro-Sonic Phaser -> Barber Deep Fryer -> MXR Bass Envelope Filter -> Micro Thumpinator -> Effectrode PC-2A Compressor -> TS9DX Tube Screamer -> VT Bass -> Analog Man Mini Chorus -> Amp.
Cool find, James. I really like the idea of a small pedal that can serve two or three different purposes without a lot of knob twiddling.
I never got around to adding a shot of my Thump earlier (and I can't edit my last post any more...), so here it is:
The effect order has changed, but the Micro Thumpinator is in essentially the same position in the chain.
It's now: Bass -> Turbo Tuner -> Retro-Sonic Phaser -> Barber Deep Fryer -> MXR Bass Envelope Filter -> Micro Thumpinator -> Effectrode PC-2A Compressor -> TS9DX Tube Screamer -> VT Bass -> Analog Man Mini Chorus -> Amp.
I am using a Micro-Thumpinator in my effects loop too. Great product. It is the most transparent buffer I have ever used. This is pretty cool considering it is a 24 db/Oct hi-pass filter. Doing that without phase distortion and the resulting dynamics change is a pretty tall order. Plus plenty of headroom considering it is designed for line level signals too. I have it before dirt and auto-wah. I don't hear any difference in their response with the MT. That is pretty cool.
Feel free to mock or make fun of me in all the ways you prefer, I perfectly know that I deserve it.
What is a Buffer?
What is a Buffer?
Feel free to mock or make fun of me in all the ways you prefer, I perfectly know that I deserve it.
What is a Buffer?
Feel free to mock or make fun of me in all the ways you prefer, I perfectly know that I deserve it.
What is a Buffer?
Since I started this whole thing...
In the simplest (not-quite-100%-complete-and-accurate) terms, a buffer is a small amplifier that's used to boost the signal from your bass as it travels through all the cables, pedals, and wiring that are between your bass and your amp.
Many older pedals (and we're talking '60s-'70s: mostly classic wahs and fuzzes) were known for "tone-sucking" (or stealing a lot of the high-end from your signal), when they weren't switched on. Newer conventional (i.e. not true-bypass) pedals (Boss, Ibanez, etc.) generally include a buffer (small amp) that sends your signal through the pedal when the effect is not in use. Some of these buffers sound great, some...not so much.
If you use a lot of vintage or conventional pedals in your setup, the signal can be degraded before it reaches your amp. A string of conventional pedals with crappy buffers can also amplify each other's noise, further hurting your tone.
Enter true-bypass, where the signal is hardwired straight through the pedal when not in use. Theoretically, this eliminates most of the effects (hah!) that an inactive pedal would have on your tone. Unfortunately, putting a dozen true-bypass pedals (and patch cables) between your bass and amp is essentially the same thing as using a super-long cable, which can also rob some of your signal. So, all a buffer does is boost your signal so it can survive the long trip without losing its zing.
There's more to it (impedance, capacitance, etc.), but that's the gist. Here's a great article (on a fantastic site) that gives a little more in-depth explanation.
You can also search here on TB, especially in the Effects forum. Lots of good info.
www.this1smyne.com Great product. Small, cheap, and reliable. Good and prompt service. I got two for like 70 bucks. One at the front of board and one at the end. It sounds 99% like using a 6ft cable straight into the amp.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
Hey Max ! good to see you my AY2 is incredible a review is coming soon.I have the Valvulator at the end of the chain I didn't know about Thumpinator being used as a buffer I use it as a condom for my speakers keeps all of those nasty harmful freqs away from my baby.
Super zombie thread resurrection!
I'm looking at adding a buffer to my small board. Not certain if I need one. I'm going passive Gibson Thunderbird -> 21 foot cable -> Korg Pitchblack Tuner -> Wampler Low Blow -> Tech 21 VT Bass D.I. -> 12 foot cable - Ampeg SVT-CL -> Ampeg 810. Anyone know if I actually need one at this point?
I'm looking at adding a buffer to my small board. Not certain if I need one. I'm going passive Gibson Thunderbird -> 21 foot cable -> Korg Pitchblack Tuner -> Wampler Low Blow -> Tech 21 VT Bass D.I. -> 12 foot cable - Ampeg SVT-CL -> Ampeg 810. Anyone know if I actually need one at this point?
Need one is strictly personal taste. You are probably experiencing some loss of highs and lows and some group delay issues, but only you can determine if it matters. If you want a really good small boost/buffer I highly recommend a One Control Granith Grey.
