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How Do You Buffer?

How do you buffer your signal?

  • Active bass into several True Bypass pedals

    Votes: 16 13.4%

  • Active bass into Buffered pedals and True Bypass Pedals

    Votes: 37 31.1%

  • Active bass into several Buffered pedals

    Votes: 1 0.8%

  • Passive bass into True Bypass pedals with a Dedicated Buffer

    Votes: 16 13.4%

  • Passive bass into several Buffered pedals

    Votes: 4 3.4%

  • Passive bass into both True Bypass and Buffered pedals

    Votes: 45 37.8%
  • Total voters
    119
#23
I have all true-bypass pedals except one which has a quality buffer and is always in my signal chain. It isn't really a 'dedicated' line driver though, it's a 2-channel mixer that I specified should have top quality buffers.
 
#27
Buffer noob - I never did give much of a crap, but - my interest has been peaked...

Name some famous pedals that can act as your 'buffer'.
What is the max cable you can run:
- from Bass to Buffer?
- from Buffer to Rig?

The only thought I have been giving to any of this is to make sure my cables were Dimarzio and the Bass to Board was less than 18', along with Board to Rig being less than 18'.

Teach me Buffer Kings! :)
 
#29
tlr1293 said:
Name some famous pedals that can act as your 'buffer'.
Click to expand...
Well, like we have been dickering over, there are tons of buffers out there, but some are more ideal than others. So if the question is just "which pedals act as a buffer", that list is too long to even get started on. But if the question is "which pedals are ideal buffers for keeping your signal unloaded by cable capacitance", then there are some specific better choices. I mainly use an Origin Cali76, but I also like the Fromel Shape EQ and the 3Leaf PWNZOR because they have excellent quality buffered bypass, and when engaged they have low-enough output impedance and enough gain to make up any difference. Others have suggested dedicated buffers, such as made by Cornish and Barber, both excellent builders. Lots of other good options out there, I just can't name them off the top of my head.
tlr1293 said:
What is the max cable you can run: - from Bass to Buffer?
Click to expand...
With a passive bass, looking for the max without hearing any loss of treble, then I'd say 15'. Some may find that up to 21' works for them, it depends on our hearing, our amps, our speakers. With an active bass, 20' to 30' should be fine, maybe even longer in some cases, it depends on the specific electronics in the bass.
tlr1293 said:
- from Buffer to Rig?
Click to expand...
If the buffer is right at the end of the pedal chain, so it's the last thing before the cable going to the rig, then you could go 30' to 50' or so, depending on the output impedance of the buffer and whether it adds any gain. I'd avoid going longer than 30 just because of all the noise it could pick up along the way.
 
#30
bassbrad said:
I have used some sort of buffer for a long time at the beginning of my chain, for many years it was an MXR NG/LD/DI but more recently I have been using a [SFX]Micro Thumpinator with very good results.
Click to expand...

+1 for the Micro Thumpinator. It's a little more expensive than a simple in-line buffer, but it's dead quiet and has the added benefit of cleaning up the bottom end of your signal.

i-ZQV3g5H-S.jpg


My Micro Thump is the fourth pedal in an otherwise true-bypass chain. It ended up inline before my compressor, which stays on most of the time anyway. I use two 15-foot cables and mostly passive basses. With all pedals off, having the Micro Thump on makes a very noticeable difference.
 
#34
Charley Umbria said:
+1 for the Micro Thumpinator. It's a little more expensive than a simple in-line buffer, but it's dead quiet and has the added benefit of cleaning up the bottom end of your signal.

i-ZQV3g5H-S.jpg


My Micro Thump is the fourth pedal in an otherwise true-bypass chain. It ended up inline before my compressor, which stays on most of the time anyway. I use two 15-foot cables and mostly passive basses. With all pedals off, having the Micro Thump on makes a very noticeable difference.
Click to expand...

< off topic >
Your board is super clean. Do you have additional outlets routed in the right (underside) of this?

< / off topic >
 
#36
Just received a t1m mini buffer to put at the beginning of my effects chain. It's currently at the end because I'm waiting on a longer jumper cable so I can put it at the beginning. I play passive basses and all of my pedals are true bypass.
 

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