3 Tips for Great Tone, Low Noise, and Reliability

[@reverendg5937]

Thanks Rig Doctor!!!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Our pleasure!

[@Headtube]

I took this advice on buffers and it made a very noticeable improvement to the tone of my rig. I'll be making the rest of these changes soon.

[@Brooksnation1]

Same here. Big difference adding an output buffer per Mason's spec recommendations.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

I'm so glad it helped!

[@GuitarNTabs]

Thanks, once again, for putting out great and informative content! I benefit greatly from your videos! A question, regarding the buffers... I recently got the TC Electronic PolyTune 3 - which features the BonaFide Buffer - so that would work just perfect, wouldn't it? Placing it as the very first pedal in the chain. Also, I guess I should then opt for a dedicated BonaFide Buffer, for the end of my signal chain, correct? Thanks again All the best. GuitarNTabs.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Correct! That would be perfect!

[@GuitarNTabs]

@@VertexEffectsInc - Excellent, thank you! Another thing came up, and this may be a stupid question... I run my rig in Stereo, would I then need two buffers?? The last pedal on my board is the Boss GT-1, and I have its left and right outputs running to a Radial ProD2 Stereo DI Box.. What would you recommend? Thanks again.

[@Sthvhvn]

I use a Peterson Vs-s and Boss tu 12 tuner , Dunlop wah , LPB 1 , Hush the pedal , pig hog cables a 1spot daisy chain . FX loop is flanger , Hush the pedal, whammy , delay , graphic or parametric eq a looper

[@soundofbluesthing]

Great video!!! I bought MusicomLAB SI-01 System Interface Dual Buffer.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Very good

[@curtischurch1905]

If you’re reading this and on the fence, you can definitely trust the advice of this man. I followed the direction and my pedalboard has never been cleaner, quieter, and more reliable.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad it worked out :)

[@4602experience]

hey Mason awesome super informative video as always......Ive spent the last how many years collecting pedals for my board and now have option paralysis (I had 4 pedals as a kid and that was a lot then lol)....do you still provide a consulting service to discuss order and wiring etc. Many thanks

[@VertexEffectsInc]

www.therigdr.com - check it out! Thanks for watching!

[@pensatorseven1898]

Love your content, products & videos.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@natan_abdala]

Hey man, great video, I was wondering can the Catalinbread Epochboost pre-amp/boost act as my initial buffer or last?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

It can act like a buffer, however I don't know how good a line driver it is...depends on the specs.

[@patrickcarroll1754]

I can almost guarantee no one has made the argument of lack of calibration or crimping consistency or low vibration areas be the reason soldereless cables...suck lol. Or you know, aren't considered as reliable. I trust your expertise, Mason. Though it may work fine for some, I'm on board for a gastight connection.

[@joshfowler8360]

yep like unsodered speaker cables in a speaker box hooking up a speaker it happens i thought about using soderless cables then just hitting them with some soder best of both lol!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

It's the move longterm. Friends don't let friends go solderless!

[@sepvanvaleriofficial]

Always inspired... Thanks Mason🙏🏻

[@VertexEffectsInc]

My pleasure!!

[@Brooksnation1]

Thank you for another helpful video Mason. Your support with buffers has really improved the clarity of my sound. Q: I'm using an HX FX and HX Stomp on my board, in addition to other pedals. I'm planning to use the Strymon Ojai R30 w/ Voodoo current doubler cables for the Line 6 units and my CS12 for the other pedals. Does that sound kosher? Thanks in advance!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Is the R30 the one with its own AC mains? If so, sounds fine.

[@Brooksnation1]

@@VertexEffectsInc Yes, it is. Thanks again Mason!

[@gustavorodriguezofficial4714]

Would either an Empress Effect Bass Compressor or a Polytune 2 Noir be a good input buffer? On the opposite side would the Aguilar Tone Hammer DI be a good output buffer?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Look up the specs, you tell me!?

[@skeenj]

@Vertex Effects - I am horrible at soldering, and dont want to ruin things, trying to learn. Do you sell your DIY Buffers pre-assembled?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

we do not.

[@julesdiakogiannis]

Excellent video

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad you liked it

[@andrewpartington7274]

When working with fuzz pedals that are in the beginning of your chain, does an input buffer go before or after the fuzz?

[@TotalEvo7]

After, always after a fuzz. Most of the fuzz pedals, especially vintage fuzzes, are impedance sensitive, meaning that the input impedance is super high, that can cause some odd noises and terrible oscillation when used after a buffer, since they don't like seeing a low impedance signal coming first.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Buffer after fuzz.

[@guitarpenter3357]

I wonder if the Mesa High wire Dual buffer eliminates the need for two buffers?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes it does, both input and output buffers are contained in the same box.

[@jesseotown]

Mason, I’ve learned so much over the years from you so a big thank you first up. Power supply - I have and always used a BBE Supa Charger that use a quoted ,custom wound “zero hum” toroidal transformer. It’s always at top left on my pedal board so not underneath Question 1) do you know much about the bbe psu? 2) I’ve just moved everything off the floor up to my rack using a rocktron patchmate. So now the power supply is under my preamp (jmp1) is that not good. I will switch to using switch power is so. Thanks brother from Australia

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Hey there! 1) A bit - it's basically a clone of the Pedal Power 2 from Voodoo Lab, it's more of a semi-toroid or C/R Core - not a true toroid just like the Voodoo Lab. It's a linear supply. It has a steel chassis which helps with the leakage, but it will still have some. 2) Ideally if you want to be 100% sure you don't have any noise from the supply, either putting the supply away from everything is best (if it's linear) or go to a switch mode supply and it then doesn't matter where it goes.

[@jesseotown]

@@VertexEffectsInc mate, thanks so much for the reply. That was exactly what I needed to hear. Keep the great videos pumping. Love your work. !!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@jesseotown Thanks for watching, really appreciate it!

[@jessieplaysmusic8530]

We do we gotta do to get the empress buffer + on the approved buffer list? Just got a used one for 80$ and I’m blown away

[@VertexEffectsInc]

It’s not on the list

[@fenderblender356]

I'm currently using a 1 Spot Cs12 with Ernie Ball Patch cables and a Bonafide as Output- and Polytune as Inputbuffer and still notice the board sucking on the tone a little. my DRRI doesn's sound as "punchy" with the board

[@micnarciso]

If I have a buffer and a cabinet simulator with DI and I want to use the unbalanced out, should the buffer go before or after the cabinet simulator?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Buffer first - likely your cab sim is already low impedance

[@roverer109]

Tone school is in session.... Thank you!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Rock on!

[@SrBarbasmusic]

Hey mason ! Is the buffer in the new Peterson pedal tuner any good ?

[@courtneydymon431]

I just got one of the strobstomps and the display cracked on the first day! It tuned my bass to perfection when I could see the screen but it lasted less than 24 hours. :(

[@VertexEffectsInc]

What's the input and output impednace?

[@brentlemoine504]

Am using a Boss GX 100 4 cable method going into Mesa triple crown 100 head. Guitar is Gibson les Paul standard. Cable using 20’ feet Mogami to amps input and loop.Guitar is using line 6 wireless going into boss GX 100 with a 12” cable .Should I uses buffers in front or back or both.Are am good with just using the GX 100 without any buffers.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

What's the output impedance of the GX100? If it's not 100-200 ohms or lower, I'd say use output buffers, the wireless is fine for you input buffer.

[@portender6938]

I understand using a buffer at the start with wahs and germanium pedals being before the buffer, but where would you pout a noise suppressor like the ISP decimator? Before the buffer?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Watch our video on "Advanced Signal Paths" - it' will explain it all.

[@waynegram8907]

Can you do a video lesson on using various noise gates. After the pedalboard is made when you place a noise gate pedal at the end of the chain before the final buffer, what is the noise gate threshold set at -70? or +10dB? do this test with all the pedals turned OFF to find the noise gate threshold setting and then turn all the pedals ON. Compare the noise gate threshold settings when all the pedals turned OFF compared to all the pedals turned ON. Once you know the noise gate thresholds how can you LOWER the signal to noise ratio of the pedals all turned OFF and all the pedals turned ON without using a noise gate pedal? Depending on the pedalboard and the guitar pedals used but with all the guitar pedals turned OFF the noise gate threshold setting will be at -50dB and with all the pedals turned ON the noise gate threshold setting will be at -10dB or 0dB, because of the difference overdrives and distortion pedals used will raise the noise floor but also other clock based effects you will hear the ticking noises, clock noises, etc when you turn on a distortion pedal or overdrive pedal at the same time as the clock based effects the hissing, white noise, can hear the clock based effects noises. Turning on each guitar pedal one by one to find the noise gate threshold setting for each guitar pedal ON/OFF and take noises documenting each guitar pedal turned on/off writing down the noise gate threshold setting. I more worried about the Signal to Noise ratio on guitar pedalboards because its a bigger issue that pedal overlook. If I was going to pay someone to do my pedalboard I would want them to know how to modify and fix all the Signal to noise ratio for each guitar pedal so the pedalboards would be at -70dB of noise or lower. This is something you should look into doing for pedalboards to try to find ways to lower the signal to noise ratio.

[@studieslessonstheoryetc141]

Respectfully, seems to me you’re making it way too complicated. Take the quietest you’ll ever be playing, so all but any always-on pedals off, set threshold so you can’t hear the gate closing noticeably on your trail. Combined with standard proper gain staging, you should be in good shape. Good be wrong, open to learn if I am!

[@waynegram8907]

@@studieslessonstheoryetc141 The whole point I'm making it to never use a noise gate at all period because the pedal board it self should be quiet like when a noise gate is turned On at a certain threshold you want your whole pedalboard to never use a noise gate that is my whole point to reduce noise down

[@studieslessonstheoryetc141]

@@waynegram8907 I guess I’m confused by your first sentence in your original post then.

[@studieslessonstheoryetc141]

For what it’s worth, I don’t use them on my board either, other uses yeah for sure but… yeah…

[@joshfowler8360]

get a gigrig switcher if you want to run that stuff put it in its own loop you might find you can live without it a good switcher will take you just as far as the buffers use them together

[@jerrodprevost9046]

Do you need an output buffer if you're using an amp pedal like the Strymon amp pedal or the like direct to a cab?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Generally no

[@mdmusic2130]

Excellent video!!!I have The Mesa high wire Dual buffer.I was reading the specifications:it has 1 Mohm input impedance and 150 ohm impedance output…that’s the ideal input&output? Also:what do you think about the EBS PG-10 Premium Gold Flat Patch Cable???Do you think EBS patch cables are good when using them with the Mesa Dual Buffer in my pedalboard???Thanks Mason!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

1M for the input impedance is always the ideal, anywhere in one hundred OHM area for the output impedance is great, basically the closer to zero the better but reasonably around 100 to 200 is fine.

[@mdmusic2130]

@@VertexEffectsInc Thanks Mason for always reply to everyone!I got your Boodt Mk2 and I really love it so much!!! I sm using EBS PG-28 Premium Gold Flat Patch Cables in my pedalboard…do you think they are good quality patch cables?

[@ivanhigashi5691]

If I had to prioritize having only one buffer, due to budget concerns, is it better buy firt an input or output buffer? I'm running around 10pedals in the chain (7th pedal is a regular boss pedal, and the last 2 are true bypass)

[@jeffroalson1915]

Just get a single pedal that does both! I have an Empress Buffer+ which you can plug your guitar into at the start of the chain and then again back into at the end of the chain and into your amp. Plus it has a boost which makes it a very useful pedalboard tool!

[@joshfowler8360]

get a gig rig switcher that will clean you right up then run your buffer like that one guys with in and out

[@joshfowler8360]

your board is the bigest hurdle in the path of least resistance so you would want to push through that pile with a buffer at the front man you really need a loop switcher to get old tech like boss and problematic pedals out of the signal path then buffers to do the pushing i believe this is best when exceeding more than 4 pedals

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Depends, what's the first pedal that's in your chain that's either 1) always on or 2) buffered?

[@ivanhigashi5691]

@@VertexEffectsInc it's a buffered pedal! Regular Boss pedal

[@paksoy111]

Hi Mason thanks for the videos! I recently got a wah-II by joyo and i was going to put it before my input buffer but will that cause any tone suck? Could put it after my OD/buffer but I'm worried how the wah will go post buffer... Also just wondering if you know about the Strobostomp buffer impedance.. been waiting for a reply/the manual didn't say buffer specs. Thanks 👍😊

[@paksoy111]

Input 2.2mohm out 100

[@VertexEffectsInc]

You want to shoot for 1M - this will unload the guitar at 2.2M but you may like that sound.

[@paksoy111]

@@VertexEffectsInc Sorry I meant the Wah/volume pedals specs are 2.2 to100, just not sure where i should place in the chain.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@paksoy111 Generally people like Wahs up front

[@zealfer]

Hi Mason, Just a question. Is the Source Audio Collider a pedal that has an good output buffer?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Watch our video on Pedal with High Quality Buffers...it will give you a list of pedals with "approved" buffers.

[@zealfer]

@@VertexEffectsInc yes I did watch the video but I did not see any source audio pedals on the list, thats why I was wondering if the buffered setting on the collider is good a good enough buffer.

[@zealfer]

@@VertexEffectsInc and by the way I love watching your videos. I love the content and the education I get on building my pedalboard. Thanks man!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@zealfer if something is not on there, there is a reason.

[@collinsmith6565]

What about buffering stereo fx??

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Buffer for both outputs

[@peterknicked]

Mason.....the JHS split buffer. I have tried to find the specs for that one. Do you know? And what do you think of that buffer?

[@joshfowler8360]

he wont like it

[@peterknicked]

How so?

[@joshfowler8360]

@@peterknicked not the rigjht input output impiedance if they dont label it or the info hard to find then its bad

[@peterknicked]

I have been searching for the input output impedance on that pedal, hence the question to Mason. He knows so much about these objects so I thought he might have a clue. Couldn't find the info at JHS or in the manual neither.

[@peterknicked]

It might be true that the impedance isn't 1 M in and about 100 out but still....curious about it.

[@nevenlisica]

What about buffers in 4CM scenario when the Line6 HX stomp is used in the loop of an amp (for delays and reverbs). How manny buffers are needed and where to place them?

[@TotalEvo7]

Only on the outputs going into the returns. Guitar -> Buffer In -> Pedalboard -> Buffer Out -> Amp In -> Amp Send -> HX Stomp -> Buffer Out -> Amp Return

[@nevenlisica]

Great. In my 4CM scenario, I use Boss ES-5 loop switcher on my pedalboard. Is buffer out still needed when going from pedalboard to input (in front) of my amp?

[@nevenlisica]

@@TotalEvo7 My HX stomp (reverb block) is always on, so I don’t see why buffer out is needed when going from HX stomp out to amp’s return (4CM)

[@TotalEvo7]

@@nevenlisica What's the output impedance on the HX Stomp?

[@nevenlisica]

@@TotalEvo7 I think the outs are 680 Ohms

[@joshfowler8360]

i literally just posted about sodering soderless cables lol!!!

[@jameshalbert181]

I've thought about soldering monorails . I bet it's be easier to solder that solid core.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

You can totally to it in most cases.

[@joshfowler8360]

ya i hadnt watched it all when i posted was kinda cool to hear it brought up@@VertexEffectsInc

[@patrickcarroll1754]

Whether you realize it or not Mason, each one of your videos gets better and better. This was your clearest explanation yet. Thanks for making sense. My future pedalboard will owe a great deal of gratitude to you.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thank you!

[@jessieplaysmusic8530]

When he says quality power supply he means donner 😎

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Huh???

[@Mcsteveberry]

💁‍♂️💝🙆‍♂️

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@oscarordiano2112]

Why say holy trinity. Trifecta will do.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

You may call it whatever you'd like :)