Guitar Pedals with GREAT Built-in Buffers!

High quality buffers are one of the most important components of a reliable, great-sounding pedalboard. However, many guitarists overlook the importance of high quality buffers, directing more attention to effects pedals that have a more obvious impact on the sound of their guitar.
Today, I'll walk you through some of my favorite guitar pedals that double as high quality buffers!
My List 📋 of Pedals with GREAT Buffers:
bit.ly/2UL5WCU
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
00:00 Introduction
00:43 The Benefits of Buffering
01:57 What makes a Buffer Great?
03:14 Reasons to Consider Pedals w/ Buffers
04:35 Buffered Pedal Shootout: How do they sound?
06:02 Reference Tone (no buffers)
06:33 Buffered Tone
07:36 Buffered vs Reference Tone (back to back)
08:34 Final Thoughts/Reaction
10:59 Outro
⬇️ Private Tone Consulting from the Rig Dr. ⬇️
therigdr.com/collections/all/...
🔽 Buy our Pedals/Pedalboard Materials🔽
Zip Ties: www.therigdr.com/collections/...
Tie-down Mounts: www.therigdr.com/collections/...
Velcro: www.therigdr.com/collections/...
Pedalboard Patch Cables: www.therigdr.com/products/pat...
Instrument Cables: www.therigdr.com/products/gui...
Pedalboards: www.vertexeffects.com/store#!...
VERTEX Pedals: vertexeffects.com/store
⬇ DIY BUFFER INTERFACE DIAGRAMS, TEMPLATES, & MATERIALS ⬇
Mono - vertexeffects.com/diy-buffer-...
Mono w/Tuner Out - vertexeffects.com/diy-buffer-...
Mono w/Splitter - www.vertexeffects.com/diy-buf...
Mono w/Audition Loop - vertexeffects.com/diy-buffer-...
4 Cable Method (FX Loop) - vertexeffects.com/diy-buffer-...
Wet/Dry - vertexeffects.com/diy-buffer-...
Stereo - vertexeffects.com/diy-buffer-...
🔻 //rig consulting//🔻
therigdr.com/collections/all/...
🔈 //podcast//🔈
Apple: apple.co/36dSQzK
Spotify: spoti.fi/2WGLku8
⬇ RECOMMENDED MATERIALS ⬇
some urls below contain affiliate links
//buffers//
Vertex DIY Buffers - vertexeffects.com/diy-buffer
Mesa Boogie High-Wire (dual buffer) - bit.ly/2lZwS0s
TC Bonafide Buffer (x2 input + output) - amzn.to/2vrTSug
Truetone Buffer (x2 input + output) - amzn.to/2NLDA8l
Carl Martin Buff Deluxe - www.carlmartin.com/buff-de-luxe
//power supply//
CIOKS 7 - amzn.to/3d4qOty
CIOKS 8 - amzn.to/2zW5YOn
CIOKS 4 - amzn.to/33jWAOZ
Strymon Zuma - amzn.to/3dpZANe
Strymon Zuma R300 - amzn.to/2ZgLclt
Truetone CS6 - amzn.to/2wWLbII
Truetone CS7 - amzn.to/2x1Nf2k
Truetone CS12 - amzn.to/33rfLq3
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 3 - amzn.to/3asqK6r
IEC Plug Covers - bit.ly/34fpGl3
//dc power cables//
2.1mm DC Power Plugs (right angle) - bit.ly/2pGqXzI
2.1mm DC Power Plugs (straight) - bit.ly/36wd1sA
Bulk Power Cables (pre made) - amzn.to/3ev1q0t
//midi//
MIDI Plugs (right angle) - bit.ly/2oKHDFG
MIDI Plugs (straight) - bit.ly/32fNNLF
MIDI Cable (bulk) - amzn.to/2tPAHWQ
//velcro//
Vertex Super Lock - therigdr.com/collections/all/...
//cable management//
Zip Ties - www.therigdr.com/products/zip...
Tie Down Mounts - www.therigdr.com/products/tie...
Tone Essentials Kit - www.therigdr.com/products/ton...
//pedalboard tools//
Soldering Iron - amzn.to/2TTdMI4
Solder (60/40) - amzn.to/2U7XhsD
Solder Dispenser - amzn.to/2GpgMpR
Octopus Arms - amzn.to/2V3O8OD
Wire Strippers (30-20 AWG) - amzn.to/2BBMI6n
Wire Strippers (20-10 AWG) - amzn.to/2EbhBR3
Wire Snips - amzn.to/2EazwqU
Vise - amzn.to/2E9eTLO
Heat Gun (embossing gun) - amzn.to/2BwGdlm
Label Maker - amzn.to/2BCBcHU
Label Maker Tape (black) - amzn.to/2Cd3CZe
Label Maker Tape (clear) - amzn.to/34piDD4
Deoxit D5 Contact Cleaner - amzn.to/2GEm4gu
Truetone Milliamp (mA) Reader - amzn.to/2F9v3VN
Tone Brush - amzn.to/2HIfze3
Upholstery Crow Bar - amzn.to/2HIOU0K
Multimeter - amzn.to/2YW9BdE
Goo Gone - amzn.to/31rGJeS
👇 // diy diagrams // 👇
DIY Power Cables: vertexeffects.com/diy-power-c...
DIY Interface: vertexeffects.com/diy-interface
DIY Buffers: vertexeffects.com/diy-buffer
#GuitarBuffers #RigDoctor #GuitarPedalsBuffers

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Do you know of any effects pedals with high-quality built in buffers that we missed in this video? Tell us in the comments! Running List of Pedals with GREAT Buffers: bit.ly/2UL5WCU

[@Gearjunkie35]

Great to see the Spark on there. Will a Behringer 1 in 2 out such as the CO600 (Boss chorus ensemble clone) or the DD600 delay or RV600 reverb have a decent buffer? Trying play/demo/film upstairs. Buffered pedals to push to ABY to amps mic'd downstairs and back up from mixer headphone out buffered pedal pushing back upstairs to interface and monitors. Thanks

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@Gearjunkie35 look up the specs...you have the range I suggested to look for so you can compare.

[@Gearjunkie35]

@@VertexEffectsInc Will do, Appreciate the input and the magic 100/1meg combo guideline. 'Preciate ya!

[@peterknicked]

How about the MXR/CAE 403 or is it 406 buffer with the slide up front....is it any good?

[@forealdm]

Jackson Audio Prism?

[@ricardomarcos1265]

I'd love to see the exact opposite of this: pedals with not so great buffers and how much they change the tone of the guitar. Excellent work as always

[@VertexEffectsInc]

It's much more variable, the more capacitance a poor buffer sees on the output the worse it gets.

[@VibhasPatil]

I can add something to this - the Boss GE-7 EQ pedal. Both Xacttone and Analogman offer a mod where they make the pedal true bypass and also do something to cut down on the noise. After their mods, the pedal becomes much more usable.

[@MikeSingSing]

@@VibhasPatil Indeed, replacing the NJM022 op amps in the GE-7 greatly improves the noise floor issue. I wish Boss would make it stock, even though replacements OPs have a much higher current draw.

[@jeffroalson1915]

@@VibhasPatil Yes! I have the Xacttone mod and it’s so good!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@VibhasPatil Sure, but that doesn't change the output impedance.

[@kevingriffin9893]

Thanks Mason, this is exactly where my head has been as i'm planning a pedal board and trying to save space by finding units that fit a dual purpose thus saving real estate on the pedal board~

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Hopefully this helps!

[@robhead22]

Great description. I’ll rewatch this several times! Thank you!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@Antonio-nn5ot]

Such a great episode and useful information with links and all. Like always 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PsychoChillyWilly]

I have a question: at the end of my signal path I have a Strymon Big Sky then a Ditto X4 Looper. Do I need a buffer after the looper or is the one inside the Big Sky enough? Sorry if it's a stupid question I'm new to all of this

[@galevboris7113]

Great explanation and straight to the point as always, thanks 👌 Will low quality buffered pedals placed between the high quality input and output buffer affect the overall sound quality, does it matter what type of pedal is in-between at all? 🤔 Buffers in boss pedals are not of great quality and most of us have them somewhere in the rig 😅

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching. No more than any other pedals for the most part being turned on. A few mediocre buffers here and there isn't too big of a deal so long as you make sure you have something good first and last in the chain with the right specs. I have Boss pedals in my rig too, just have to be judicious with them.

[@KibatsuMusic]

Super knowledgeable and helpful video. Thanks! 🎸

[@tmitz73]

Excellent Episode Mason!!! I always take away something good from your vids! Keep on Rockin' Man!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks a ton!

[@goddamelectric8468]

Looking to clarify one Of your last points about having a buffer in the middle of your chain being ineffective. I’ve got a polytune at the start and hof2 at the end but also a spark boost and boss dd7 in the chain. Does having another buffer in the middle of a chain cause a problem or did you just mean they won’t be effective if your only buffer is in the middle of your chain?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Ideally as much true bypass in between your high quality input and output buffers, but realistically any pedal on, true bypass or not, is a buffer, so I wouldn't sweat it. Just make sure you got your tuner in "buffer" mode as the first pedal, and your Reverb as your last pedal in buffer mode and you're good. The Spark is only "buffering" if it's turned on.

[@JazzRockswithAdam]

Actually all Strymon pedals are 1M input and 100 ohm output impedances. Very smart of them.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes, good call on the analog side!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Strymon does everything correctly. Just a Top-notch company with Fantastic: follow-up: client service too. I love those guys & gals over there. They have "Earned my Business" oNe LovE from NYC

[@JazzRockswithAdam]

@@michael_caz_nyc Agreed! I’m proud to be a part of their family as an endorser. I’m also in NYC.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@michael_caz_nyc Nice!

[@tomt55]

Another highly informative video. Your other pedal order video, with the full visual chart, is another absolute reference video to learn and understand the importance of pedal order and necessary buffer input and out specs and placement! This video drives home the largely misunderstood buffer purpose/importance/placement even more. Thank you, Mason!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Awesome, thank you!

[@PedalChainsAddiction]

Thanks for this! It’s nice to have this info when making decisions for my board.

[@raffaele7185]

Providence System Tuner! It's just awesome!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

What’s the spec?

[@raffaele7185]

@@VertexEffectsInc Input impedance: 1 MΩ Output impedance: 100 Ω With a send and return as well, so you can put all your pedals in its loop and it's done. It's also switchable to true bypass and it has a handy DC out.

[@justinngariki]

That thing looks amazing

[@vancitycanucks]

What about FX loops and even Looper pedals?

[@majkon93]

I was going to write this. I only have TC Corona, Flashback and Ditto in my fx loop (in that order) so I have them all in true bypass mode but I guess if i added 1-2 more pedals it would be better to turn the buffer mode on on the first and last position in the loop (?), excluding ditto since it's true bypass only. And I don't even want to mention TC Sentry gate :D (if i have my wah and overdrive in the Sentry loop and then from Sentry out to the amp, when the gate is activated, it buffers the signal at the end, before the amp, right? O.o *just to be clear, here's my signal path: guitar - tuner (true bypass) - TC Sentry (- loop of sentry: wah - overdrive) - higain amp - fx loop (- TC Corona - TC Flashback - TC Ditto).

[@PeteAxeShields]

Thanks very much for the excellent information, advice, recommendations and succinct explanations. A most valuable video, hugely appreciated.

[@jacobpittman1996]

Thank you for you good video production and practical service to the guitar community with the resources you provide in the description.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad to help!

[@karl1949]

Super generous, thanks for sharing these insights Mason. Rock on!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

My pleasure!

[@Gearjunkie35]

Good stuff. I learn from every one of your videos. Appreciate you

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@Brooksnation1]

Hi Mason, Just wanted to follow up again to say thank you for the great counsel. I just added the inexpensive TC buffer at the end of my signal chain and WOW. What a difference. The improvement is drastic. Super grateful!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Amazing! Great news!

[@CharlesRobitaille514]

Great video Mr. Marangella !!! Very well organized, objective experiment.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad you liked it!

[@Mcsteveberry]

you are a BEAST with these amazing informative uploads,, everything that comes out of your mouth is gold and i highly appreciate that you chose youtube to share your wisdom ❤️🙏

[@VertexEffectsInc]

I appreciate that!

[@RedUnited30]

As someone who is beginning the journey of building their first pedalboard all of your videos are so helpful. Keep up the great work.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Happy to help!

[@armymankr]

This video has been very helpful - thanks!

[@armymankr]

Actually a question here - are there any downside of having multiple built-in buffers enabled in pedals? For example, would having 3 Strymon pedals in series with buffered bypass all enabled be better or worse compared to just the last one having buffered bypass enabled?

[@marctorrez774]

Great video, thank you so much!

[@kostischaveles]

Super!!!!! everytime i learn something new from you ;) thank you

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Happy to hear that!

[@candlestickproductions6950]

Great informative video, thank you

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brianjones1679]

Excellent information, thank you.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@joaolucianodinizcosta4095]

You must have so much work doing your videos because to record different situations and edit the videos in order to give us this final explanation... you deserve an academy award bro! You are amazing.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks so much!

[@robindymond5262]

I have just found this video, thanks so much for the list!

[@yyyooodddaaa]

you're very helpful.. appreciate this so much.. thank you :)

[@daleonov]

4:08 I expected to see some "Subscribe to our mailing list and we'll send you pedal list via email" nonsense, but there's an actual list in the link. You're awesome.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Enjoy! We'll continue to add to the list!

[@richmarrufo2950]

Thank you for this video. I was having volume drops with some my modulation pedals and was looking into getting a buffer. But a already had a Polytune and a Pitchfork on my board, both have buffers. So a little rearranging of my board and problem solved. For those interested my Polytune is at the end and ehx pitchfork at the beginning. So it's pitchfork, ehx flanger hoax (was having volume drops), always on overdrive (jhs twin twelve), big muff, small clone, small stone, Rafferty timepiece (delay, trem, reverb) and Polytune.

[@andreabonannibonanni211]

Great video. Thank you

[@lewiswingrove71]

I'm a new to playing bass guitar 🎸, thanks for your excellent video, that chart showing pedal orders 😀 is very much appreciated 😀 👍

[@VertexEffectsInc]

My pleasure!

[@Stratcatblues]

Good info Mason, thanks.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

👍👍👍

[@GUITARCODES]

thanks for sharing ! exactly what the we needed doctor

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DennisAlvarezMusic]

I'm 67 and still gigging 4-5 nights a week. Up until the last couple of years, I hadn't really given this subject much thought. Maybe because my pedals are Boss, and I haven't really noticed a problem with "tone suck". But now that I want to add a Uni-vibe type pedal in front of my pedal chain and I can't find a buffered one, I'm trying to figure this out. This video was extremely helpful to my understanding of this subject. Thank you! :-)

[@VertexEffectsInc]

🙏🙏🙏

[@C3POBITCH]

Great video, I expected the list to be wayyy longer. Another pedal to add to the list is the great MXR reverb. I love the pedal for it's hidden features!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

It's on there, M300 is the model name.

[@TheSkunkwrkr]

Thanks for this Doc, made my life a lot easier planning out my fx loop and ensuring I had something buffing at the points I needed. Maybe I'll send it your way for a grading, but I'm sure I use way too much of the same brands lol. Cheers!

[@RichTones]

Great information as always, nicely explained. How do you rate the buffers on Boss pedals? these are super common and have heard that they serve well.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

They're awful and in no way comparable to what we listed in our "approved" buffer list or the pedals shown here.

[@MatthaeusEbonah]

Buffers have helped me a lot. I have a polytune 3 in the front of my chain and a buffered distortion pedal at the end of my "front of amp" section of my board. I only have 2 pedals in my FX loop so the last one is bufferd

[@DavidFell]

I'm in the midst of reconfiguring my board; and have learned a ton from your videos. Two buffers for which I'd love you to test: Peterson Strobostomp HD, which will be my input buffer, right after fuzz; my output buffer will be the Temple Audio 4 X MOD PRO, I'll be using three of its four buffers to connect to my amp and my effects loop. Fourth buffer on that will be switched off, as I'm using that connector for a footswitch.

[@paull8678]

This was great. My Polytune has a buffer, although I need to move it, and I have a TC Spark Mini just sitting in a box, so that's going at the end of my chain as the output buffer. Your list saved me from buying an extra pedal, and gets me using one I already have.

[@jamesfafrak7288]

Hey Mason thanks for the awesome videos. They’ve been really helpful especially for someone like me I live in a small town so this type of hobby is not popular lol. You’re advice as well That Pedal Show has helped me to get my pedalboard to be awesome and quite. So I want thanks for all that you guys do keep up the great work.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad to hear it!

[@jamesfafrak7288]

@@VertexEffectsInc you’re welcome.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@jamesfafrak7288 🙏🙏🙏

[@aj81ds]

Thanks for the tips in this video. I recently got into pedals and unless someone already suggested it, l’d like to add the TC Electronic Bonafide Buffer.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Good stuff!

[@PostColorGear]

Wow, some manufacturers make this hard to find haha however I did notice that the two stroke pedal from orange amps does mention a buffered bypass, but I am surprised to see that not many manufacturers mention the specs you mentioned in the video. (other than giving them a call or an email I assume) - very interesting. and great work, as always.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@rogerhunt5046]

Hello Mason! What do you think of the Peterson Strobostomp mini Tuner as a buffer early in the signal chain?

[@michael_caz_nyc]

The timing on this is perfect. I've had my Big Sky in Bypass-mode. ( 1 week ago, I activated the internal buffer ) = My Guitar Tone is significantly improved. Great stuff here.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

🙌🙌🙌

[@RPPBaseball123]

@@VertexEffectsInc When you say "buffered or True bypass (switchable)", where is that found on the pedal and I assume if your going to use them as buffers ,these would have to be switched inside? I have a TC poly 3 bonafide as the input and a hall of fame for the output- just don't know where to find it.... Thanks-great stuff.

[@daniellange8902]

Thanx so much for your video! If you use the effect send and effect return of your amp for your time and modulation effects, should the buffer be in the last of this section or after the overdrive section before the input of the amp?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Ideally you should have a buffered effects loop and a buffered pedal or buffer on the return.

[@cody3078]

Great video. What do you think of the Ventris buffer?

[@stanislavvartanyan9430]

Hi, Mason, great vid as usual! Quick question: do you know if Xotic pedals have decent buffers in them? In particular, the Super Clean Buffer - the name suggests it should, but does it?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

They're all around 1K output impedance, 10x higher than I recommend.

[@drcdfellows]

Great videos ! Very informative and straight forward Question: Any recommendation for a high quality ABY pedal as an output buffer? I'm not up for your DIY version, though it looks fun. I was going to buy the Radial Engineering Twin City ABY, but output impedance is 1000 ohm, and I learned from your video that this is not really very good

[@jasonhocker2994]

Really enjoy all your content! Question - in the video you said, most TC Electronics pedals have a buffer, but what about the Ditto + looper? Im putting one at the end of my board, and I can’t find impedance specs anywhere.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Most of them meet the impedance standards when they're "on" however some are only true bypass so you don't get the buffer unless you have the pedal engaged. The Ditto falls into this category. If it's always on it's a good quality buffer, but it's true bypass so you don't get the buffer part if it's not in use. Therefore, you'd need an output buffer.

[@robertogomesmusic]

Thank you!!!

[@taylodl]

Does the FX loop need to be "firewalled" the same way as you're "firewalling" the front of the amp? And on the front of the amp, if you have a fuzz pedal that should still be first in your chain and then your input buffer, right? Thanks for all the info, your vids are great!

[@j.hammer573]

Great & helpful video! I run a Pedaltrain Nano it has 5 effect pedals & 1 tuner. With this small of a board would you recommend a pre & post buffer? I already have a Strymon Volante. This could be my output buffer. Should I grab the Polytune 3 as the input buffer/tuner or is my board so small it doesn’t matter?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes, absolutely. Or make sure you Polytune is in buffer mode first and the Volante is in buffer mode last.

[@blueshorecreative3146]

Thanks dude! Nice shirt...and nice buffers 🤪

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Any time!

[@karl-wilhelmarvidsson156]

What a great and informative video! Just one question, as I understand it the MXR M300 has a built in buffer then? The trails mode means that it has a built in buffer or is it just that the reverb still sounds when you click the pedal off? Don't quite understand this with reverb and delay pedals. Thanks for any information!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

If it's in trails mode I believe it's always buffered (not just when on). Any pedal "on" true bypass or not is buffered, just FYI.

[@richardmarreiros]

TC Electronic Mimiq Doubler, great video so informative , I'm really grateful

[@VertexEffectsInc]

As a buffer? Is it buffered? And if so, it'll only help you if it's first or last in the chain and always in buffer mode.

[@richardmarreiros]

@@VertexEffectsInc Hi again , the manual of the TC Electronic Mimiq says that the default mode of the pedal is True bypass and can be switched by changing an internal to switch to buffered bypass mode, is buffered bypass mode the way it should be? to ensure that my output signal is buffered The Mimiq is currently last in my chain Thanks for your help

[@enricobianchetti7531]

Hi Mason, thanks for share your knowledge. I've your Vertex Boost MKI and run it after 3 true bypass overdrive pedal and after deep blue delay and uad golden reverberator. Is it better use the vertex boost also as buffer and run it as first in the chain? acutualy i've first the xotic super sweet set as buffered output at first place. I use the vertex boost afetr the overdrive becusais very transparent and help me to increase the sound. Thanks for your time.

[@ethanstrange5337]

First of all really appreciate the help. This knowledge made a HUGE difference for me in terms of tone when using pedals. One question I would love to hear input on, how do buffers affect things in an effects loop? I’ve put a few pedals with questionable buffers in my loop on my orange rockerverb and it seems like it suffers WAY less with them in the loop versus in front. Thanks so much again for all the help with the nonstop quest for tone.

[@RyanMarchand]

Thank you for the informative video. I have dual pedal boards I chain together with patchbays running anywhere from 13-18 pedals. I have a TC polytune at the beginning and a BOSS DD5 that splits the signal to stereo finally into a BOSS RC 300 at the end of the pedal chain and finally into a mixer, not an amp. From the comments I read no loopers you are aware of have these optimum specs. Would you suggest a high-quality stereo buffer for stereo output direct into a mixer? Additionally would you use the high-Z inputs on the mixer?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

If you're going to a mixer, not a tube amp, you might not notice as much difference in terms of the output Z. The input Z however would be critical still for the input buffer.

[@f39kzero2]

hi love your channel!!! i'm learning a lot!! i'm curious about boss pedal?? do they have good buffer?? thanks!!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Check the specs…we provided the framework and the specs required and a list of pedals that meet the criteria. Boss wasn’t an oversight - it was omitted deliberately.

[@miketanarur]

Great little video! I always wondered about one thing. If I have a passive patchbay and connect my guitar to that and then it goes into the input buffer in a pedal (or dedicated buffer) does that still count as the proper load to my pickups? Or the buffer HAS TO be the first and not even a passive patchbay can be inbetween? What about that picture you showed in this video, where there are the "sensitive pedals" in front of the buffer? Does the first pedal in the chain (like a wah) need to have a proper buffer? Since that is directly connected to my guitar... Or the buffer after the wah still counts as the right load to my pickups? Thank you!

[@mdmusic2130]

Fantastic video and great explanation as always!!!! I bought the Mesa High Wire dual buffer and I love it!!! I put it at the beginning of my signal chain so it cover my input and my output before my amp. My question is this:I run 12 pedals y my pedalboard:all true bypass except for the Mesa buffer(of course)but then I have an Ernie ball VP JR Tuner who has a buffer and my last effect which is an MXR M300 Digital reverb in buffer mode because I want the trials when I turn it off. Can this two extra buffers affect my Mesa buffer works or I am good and save the way I am???

[@VertexEffectsInc]

I would try to have as few as possible in between the Mesa Boogie - but I think that should be OK.

[@mdmusic2130]

@@VertexEffectsInc Thanks Mason for your reply!You right,I will change the MXR reverb mode to True bypass again,like I had it before, so I avoid the MXR buffer in the chain.Then the only buffer remains is the one in my active volume pedal.Should I use a passive volume pedal(no buffer)so with this I will have only the Mesa High Wire input output buffer working and feeding the complete pedalboard chain?It’s this a better set up than the one I had before??Thanks again 🙏🏻

[@rockyfolksy8639]

Awesome video doc. Just wanna ask about the GFI Systems pedals like the specular tempus? Does it have the same input/output buffer quality built in them?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Look it up...you have the criteria now at your fingertips.

[@kameel68]

I've got the MXR M300 reverb, but put it in the effects loop with the Boss DD3. The MXR EVH chorus/phaser and flanger is in front of the amp.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Cool!

[@mdmusic2130]

Great episode!do you ever check the new Ernie Ball volume pedal tuner???They said it comes with a discrete buffer built in…I am wondering if you know that if it can work as a good first or last buffer…thanks for such an amazing info!!!👏🏻🎸🙌🏻🔥

[@VertexEffectsInc]

I don't own one to check it and I don't see the specs on their site. You might wanna email them.

[@tellstarrsixtwo7120]

Thanks for finally pointing out what specs a pedal with build in buffer should have. I'm using a NUX Sculpture Compressor and wasnt sure if the buffer is any good or if I should get an additional buffer. It has an input impedance of 1 M ohm and an output one of 20 ohm, so at least from those numbers the quality should be ok for an affordable pedal 😁

[@moveslc]

Ola, obrigado pelos videos, gosto muito. Eu comprei um bosst mk2, vou colocar depois dos drivers, utilizo um afinador boss Tu3 no inicio da cadeia de sinal, nesse caso existe algum problema com as impedâncias ou bufferes?

[@joyceroadstudios]

Great video, thank you. I recently got a Mesa High Wire to solve both the input and output buffer. It actually sounds quite musical for a utility pedal, which is interesting to me because I don’t quite know why. The boost and tuner out options are great too. However, I realized the other day that I may not need it at all. Turns out that my Polytune 3 has a 100 ohm output buffer. So if I were to place it at the very of my chain, wouldn’t this solve the output buffer issue? Aside from the annoyance (or advantage) of placing the tuner last, isn’t this an elegant solution? The polytune can’t solve both buffers, but I feel like a 1meg input buffer is easier to find across many chain starter pedals…

[@VertexEffectsInc]

What would you do for your output buffer if you used the Polytune...that only solves for the front end of the pedalboard.

[@LostLegacyNY_]

Is it advisable to use buffers with a heavy metal rig and high gain amp?

[@GB-hb3hf]

Great info! Thank you for making these videos. Couldn’t find the list of pedals in the comments… where can I find that info?

[@GB-hb3hf]

Never mind…. Found it!😊

[@mitcholiver1169]

mason, thanks for all the work! we need a list of the bad buffers! I still use my boss tu-2 tuner and start to worried.....

[@nicolashauss4075]

Cool video! Any thought on the H9's internal buffer ?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

If the specs were in the range we recommend it would be on our list

[@TonyPompsSk8]

Beautiful video! 😊 I have a question: I use the boss wl-20l wireless system. An Impedance output of 1 kohm is declared on the site. Is it correct to use a buffer immediately after the wl-20l receiver? My first pedal is a Polytune 3, then all strymon pedals in true by pass and the last the strymon iridium always active. Is the Polytune buffer needed in this case? Thanks for the answer ❤

[@astarhighabove]

According to Josh Scott from JHS, all BOSS pedals are a buffer in themselves. With Mason mentioning Strymon as the same, it looks like you are taken care of. I also am mostly Strymon and needed was great to hear Mason echo Scott's sentiment of BOSS also is carried through all Strymon pedals as well.

[@stravvman]

I use TC Electronic Spark Mini and Flashback as input and output buffers

[@xavierespinosa5353]

Nice!!! i have the Polytune 3 and the Boss rv6 at the end on my board. my new OD is the OCD v2.0, what about this buffer is it good?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

If you're Polytune 3 has the buffered mode, put that first. You can invest in a higher quality output buffer if you want to get something high quality - we have some recommendations of stand alone output buffers in the description.

[@stevensbrendan]

Hey Mason, First time caller; long time listener. I have really enjoyed the videos and tutorials on buffers and videos. They are very informative and you a fantastic presenter! Kudos, man. It’s awesome to see you collaborating with some of the bigger retailers and companies. You’re really developed an A1 reputation and you seem to be very busy, I can’t believe your still reply to every message! My deep dive goes into bass buffers and pedal board patch bays. I have jumped into the google machine and FB Guitar Pedal Building groups, before I come here to find some answers, but I’m not finding what I think I need. For bass, I know you’ve said varied impedance, generally 4-10 ohm for a bass input buffer, where are we looking for this value? Is there a preferred % tolerance. Can we make our own input/output buffer/junction box in one for bass on veroboard? Can we use and what do we need to be changing on a veroboard Cornish buffer build to meet that 4ohms. How do we find these input/output impediences on a build. Am I asking too many questions, trade secrets or, could this be a cool video. I can appreciate that I’m asking some questions here with a very base-level understanding of pedal-building, not understanding the engineering behind the build. Thanks in advance and I hope you have a resource or two, or even better yet, get to make a vid in this. Cheers! Brendan

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching! The Bass input Z (Z is short or impedance), is to be matched with your amp's input impedance. If you amp is 1M, your input buffer loading should be 1M. If you bass if 5M, your input buffer should be set to 5M input Z. The closer you get to the input impedance of your amp, the more you bass is going to feel and react as it would if you were plugged directly into the amp with your bass. The lower the number (relative to you amp's input impedance), the more loading there will be and more rolled off or dark it may sound. The higher your input impedance (relative to the amp's input Z) the more unloaded it will sound (brighter).

[@jbaudio99]

Peterson Stobo Stomp tuner HD lists the input buffer at 5m ohm and the output at 100ohm. Am I reading that correctly? What does the 5m input change in regards to tone? This is by far my favorite tuner and my rig sounds great with it. Just want to make sure the specs are legit. Thanks for all the info! I learn so much from your videos.

[@johncrush4362]

Got PolyTune3 with buffer and always on mode on. Love it. Also gonna get the Sentry Noise Gate from TC.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

One of our favorite tuners!

[@taxationistheft2.0]

Is polytune 3 a good buffer? Looks cool with a tuner built in

[@sebastianlema3487]

Great information, and what about stacking buffers at the end of the line? For example: I have a TC Electronic Alter Ego V2 Delay and a Neunaber Immerse, both in buffer mode... Is it counterproductive? Thanks

[@VertexEffectsInc]

No need, just the first pedal and the last pedal should be buffered and as much true bypass as possible in between.

[@TheFlutecart]

Strymon Buffers, real good. I have had problems with certain reverb/delay pedals just not buffering well at the end of my chain. Hardwire Supernatural or the Strymon Volante just get it done perfectly for me with little or no signal loss with over 20 feet of cable. Right after fuzz and wah near the input, I just leave my Digitech Freqout on momentary mode and it's buffered quite well into the ES-5. After ES-5 I have a volume pedal into an EQ2 with buffers on and finishes into delay and reverb.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Hardwire I think is about 1K on the output impedance. Not ideal.

[@karlkitchen1382]

@VertexEffects Wampler dB+ Mini clean boost/buffer? I can't seem to find any info on impedance specs for input or output for this pedal. I already have a TC Polytune 3 at the input end of the chain with the built-in Bonafide buffer in the "always on" config. Thinking that the dB+ can go at the output end as an out buffer. Does this make the cut?

[@Tim.Traveler]

Question: Shouldn't the control (guitar to amp) have the same cabling as the tests? You ran a short cable then added long cables and buffers. Why not run long cables to the amp ? There doesn't seem to be anything to compare the "bad" signal to... Thoughts?

[@vinny5004]

It would have been really useful if you played a comparison of the guitar into amp using the 30 foot coil without buffer, so we could compare what (supposed) tone suck would sound like in comparison without a buffer. Thanks for another nice video.

[@Tim.Traveler]

Agree! We have just samples of clean tone.

[@raymondcurrie605]

A lot of people are using modelers and I noticed things like the HX Stomp are buffered. How should we treat devices like Helix, Kempers, and AxeFX with regards to a buffer? Should we have an output buffer before these devices if we are using them for amp sims or should we treat them as output buffers? I'm building a modeling board for live use to use with a FRFR speaker and want to know if I need to get an output buffer. Thank you for the really great tutorials and tips!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

You're stilling using cables and effects into them...so the rules are still the same.

[@brianrollins7275]

Great video, thanks. Mason, I have a JHS little black buffer and it makes my other pedals pop when engaged. Doesn’t happen if I use it last in the chain. Do you know what could be the cause of this? Is the buffer defective? Not sure asI’ve read on forums about other people having the same problem. Someone mentioned dc bleed and to try the Lehle dc filter but I know nothing about this stuff so that’s why I’m here. Any suggestions or information you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[@jrthomson1001]

I have multiple of the Strymon pedals that are on the list (BigSky, Timeline, Mobius, Iridium). The BigSky is the last in the chain so I understand that would need to be in buffered bypass mode, but do the others? It also sounds like the Strymon iridium only runs in buffered bypass. Any tips would be great!

[@westofsunday2779]

Super helpful Mason, thanks! So if I understand correctly if I have a Polytune 3 at the beginning of my chain and a Timeline at the end then I’m all set, correct? Sometimes I add an EHX 1440 looper after the Timeline, and it looks like the output impedance on the 1440 is 370 ohms. Would you recommend another buffer after the 1440 when I’m using that? Thx!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

That is correct. Polytune with Bonafide buffer and Strymon in buffer mode last is fine. The Looper will be worse at driving the line but still 370 isn't too bad.

[@PorkPioneer]

Does the first buffer in the chain also work to negate any signal loss caused by a long cable from the guitar into the first pedal?

[@guitarlessons6090]

Enjoy your channel. Learn something everyday. Regarding your list of pedals with great buffers, I have a Strymon Lex at the end of one chain and a TC Electronics Ditto at the end of another chain. Do these two pedals have good buffers built in or do I need to add separate buffers after each? Thank you for your time here.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

The TC I think is true bypass, the Lex if it's not last doesn't really need to be used as a buffer or should be used as one. You might consider a dedicated output buffer.

[@frethand101]

So I have a pedal with a high-q buffer at the front of my chain, and another pedal with a high-q buffer at the end of my chain, then I don't need to use actual buffer pedals bcos my high-q pedals are already doing the same job?.. Also, does this apply to audio interfaces when going into a DAW via my pedal board using the Strymon Iridium?.. I imagine that it would, but not really sure.. 🤔

[@MrJingles021]

If I use an effects loop, do I need to get 4 buffers? I know you'll probably say it depends if the effects loop is buffered, but it's also the end of the signal chain.

[@azuldecresilo]

Does this also apply to the effects loop chain?

[@andremennabarreto1169]

Bass BB xotic could be use as a buffer or it’s better to buy the super clean buffer by xotic?

[@RipIPDime]

What do you think of the Lehle Mono Volume for buffering? I know it's got a high input impedance, over 2MOhm IRRC, but from what I understand that's to allow compatibility across active pickups? People seems to love it, so I'm curious whether the high impedance value really poses a noticeable problem.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

It’s a fine pedal, depends on where it is as to the value of the buffer and and input or output buffer.

[@luchoperetti182]

Hi! Cool video. One question, I have a TC electronic HOF mini. I wonder, for it to act as an output buffer (last in the chain), does it have to be on or does it work the same also when it's off? I mean, if I don't want the reverb effect at a certain moment, would I also lose the buffer functionality when turning the pedal off? Thanks.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

If it's always on it will be an output buffer, I think otherwise it's always true bypass.