Too many true-bypass pedals?

[GroovinOnFunk]

Hey guys,

I decided that I prefered the simplicity of passive basses over active ones so I recently picked up a 2012 MIA Fender Std. Jazz bass. I've installed Delano pickups (slightly hotter output than the CS60s that came with the bass) to give it some more juice in the sound.

I'm realizing, however, that I have mostly true-bypass pedals and am wondering if I will start to lose some of my signal by not having a buffer. So here's my setup (or at least what it will be in a few days when I receive 2 new pedals I ordered).

Fender passive jazz bass --> 20' planet waves custome series cable --> always on BBE Opto Stomp compressor (I leave it always on and turn the gain up a little to boost the signal from the jbass) --> MXR Octave -->MXR M82 envelope filter --> MXR Analog Chorus --> MXR Micro Flanger --> Korg Pitchblack --> 20' planet waves custom series cables --> GK MB210 + 210MBE.

I just realized how many MXR pedals I have now... didn't intend on that. I just really like their stuff.

Do I have too many true-bypass pedals? I thought that by keeping the compressor always on and giving it a bit of a volume boost, that I would put a little juice back into the signal... but I don't know. Basically it's 5 true bypass pedals after the compressor (if my count is correct)

 

[Yurtra]

My understanding is that having your compressor on will serve as a buffer.

 

[MonkeyBass]

I think you'll be fine. Do you hear any difference if you bypass the pedalboard?

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

I haven't tried it yet. I'm trading my Sansamp BDDI for the MXR Analog Chorus and MXR Micro Flanger. They haven't arrived yet. The BDDI i know is a buffered bypass and has a DI, but I just never used it that much and it was taking up a good amount of space on my board.

I was also thinking that the compressor would serve as a buffer in it of itself since it's always on. Just don't want to have any signal or high-end loss.

 

[Gilian24]

The analog chorus is buffered bypass.. so you will have still one buffered pedal in the chain.

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

The analog chorus is buffered bypass.. so you will have still one buffered pedal in the chain.

Oh ok... Thought all mxr was true-bypass.

 

[Pollinator95]

You should be fine, although I don't know the input impedance of your combo.

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

You should be fine, although I don't know the input impedance of your combo.

Neither do I... Prey tell, what effect would that have?

 

[moose23]

Your ears will tell you if you have a problem but as already said the Opto stomp has buffers in it so if that's always on you are running a buffer in your signal chain..

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

Thanks guys. I don't plan on adding any more FX. I really am a fan of simplicity, but there's something about a chorus and flanger that sound so pretty on a bass solo or something like that

 

[tech21nyc]

As stated by having your Opto Stomp "on" your impedance is low Z. The 20' cable between your instrument and Opto Stomp will have a certain amount of capacitance but it should be fine. You could try running our Bass Driver in bypass mode(before you sell it) before the Opto Stomp or as the last effect before the amp and see if there is any discenrible difference. Our pedals utilize a high quality buffer.

Usually a good buffer at the beginning of the chain should be sufficient.

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

Hey,
Thanks so much for chiming in. Unfortunately the deal is done and the BDDI is mine no more. Rest assured though, I was thoroughly pleased with Tech21 products and have my eye on the paradriver (absolutely want one!) and the red ripper.