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Do I need a buffer or something else?

Mar 9, 2011
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7,363
Spain
At the end of my signal chain, I have a the two outputs of a looper (A&B) running into a small mono mixer that mixes them back to one single mono output.

The mixer outputs Line level, which is fine for me to run into a DI to balance it and go to PA etc. But I am wondering about running it into the input of an amplifier (Rumble 500 to be specific in this case).

The mixer does have level control, but in order to run this into the preamp input of the Rumble, I am guessing that it will need to have the impedance corrected to the instrument level the amp expects (I wan't to use the Pre of the amp, not run into the return).

Reading around, basically this is re-amping and the alternatives (according to what I have found on the web) are:

1. Passive Reamp Kit - Such as this one in DIY form: L2A (LINE2AMP) Passive Re-Amplifier Kit

2. Run it through an effects pedal with active buffered bypass. Although, I don't understand if it actually needs to be an effect with buffered bypass, I believe a simple active buffer such as this one would work: Invalid Link Removed

3. An effect, preamp or cabsim that has an "Aux" in, such as the B1on.

As I would like to keep it as compact (and clean) as possible, my preferred solution would be either a small reamp box or a small active buffer.

Am I understanding this correctly or should I be looking at something else?
 
Am I understanding this correctly or should I be looking at something else?

I don't think you are. At least not the impedance part.
You should be able to plug the mixer directly into the amp without any issue. Just turn the level of the mixer down so you don't get unwanted clipping. You might have to turn the input gain on the amp down a bit from where you'd normally have it with a bass for the same reason.
 
Agreed, the only practical issue here is the output level of the mixer and whether it causes unwanted distortion in the amp. Turning down the output of the mixer, or turning down the input of the amp (incl. by using an input or pad button labeled "active") should solve all practical concerns.
 
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