Is It Worth getting A Buffer On Your Pedalboard

Does my Pedalboard need a buffer? Thats a question I, and I'm sure many of you have been asking. Let's hear side by side, straight into the amp vs into the pedalboard vs 2 buffers on the pedalboard.
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Video Timeline:
0:00 Welcome
00:17 Why I want To Try A Buffer
01:58 JHS Little Black Buffer
03:06 My Pedalboard
06:58 Sound Test
11:04 What Do We Think
14:30 You Could Just Get Another Boss Pedal
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Mike has been playing the guitar since he was 12 years old, and from that first moment his love affair with music and the instrument began. Fresh out of school at the age of 16 he attended the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford and completed a year-long Diploma course.
After finishing the ACM his life as a full time musician began, playing in numerous bands and touring up and down the country playing iconic venues such asThe Shepherds Bush Empire, The Astoria, The Underworld and London’s Jazz Café. He’s also been fortunate enough to support industry legends Paul Weller, Blondie and Katie Melua.
Mike’s session work has led to his working on a variety of projects - from performing with stars such as Ricky Wilson and Diana Vickers, to appearing in many TV shows and adverts. Mike loves being on stage performing, but is equally at home recording in a studio - where he has worked with Alex Von Soos (All Saints, Seal, Atomic Kitten), Mike Horner (The Prodigy, Shakira, Bloc Party), and Mike Chapman (Blondie, Suzi Quatro)

[@joescmoe4784]

There's absolutely a difference, now I'm not a gigging musician like you so you know better than me. Good stuff dude 🤘

[@marce211275]

Fuzz before the buffer is best...

[@Chinaguitarsceptic]

It's important to have a buffer to give the level a boost and treble. You can get pedals that are buffers

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

Indeed buddy. Hope you’re good my friend.

[@Matt-1d]

Definitely heard the improvement. I’ve found that a buffered pedal at the beginning and end works best for me as well. In my case I use a Wampler Tumnus deluxe with the buffer engaged near the beginning, and a boss delay near the end. My audience (my dog and the house plants) appreciate the improved tone as well.

[@bruzzgravely3470]

Just a little difference

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

What a great audience. Yes another great thing with boss pedals.

[@royrobles7423]

I have 4 jhs pedals buffers...2 in the front....2 in the effects loop

[@philswalemusic7972]

I highly recommend the Fender Level Set Buffer. Allows you to tweak it just right.

[@Wileylikethehawk]

I use the Cornish ones because I’m a dork and because Pete is a nice guy…. But I’m sure any high quality buffer should do the same thing.

[@christopherpowell3539]

I got a Brio buffer but it wooden work 🚂 My eyes have been opened about buffers- thanks Mike.

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

Glad to be able to help

[@vdubguy7917]

Not sure if you know, the TC hall of fame reverb has a buffer that you can turn on.

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

Ooh I didn’t, thanks for letting me know.

[@tientienyao]

I agree with the science but can’t hear a diff! It is most obvious direct in but buffer or not….nahdah. And I also trust the group of experienced engineers from Boss in designing a multi effect to take care most issues including impedance. Lately I have been gravating towards multi effects. Simplify my life as a gigging musician. Lol

[@gort5769]

The buffaa definitely helps.

[@verdiandf]

Where should i put buffer before tuner or after? i'm using Polytune 1 btw.

[@joebruley4117]

Ahh neurotic tendencies of guitar players. I recently did the same thing and I came to similar conclusions. It’s really noticeable when pedals are bypassed, but it was less noticeable as more pedals are turned on. Buffer quality is also something to consider (like you mentioned at the end). I swapped my chorus for the Boss Waza and added a front end buffer (MXR Sugar Drive) it certainly brought back some lost frequencies.

[@SomeKindOfMadman]

Improvement for sure, now I want a buffer as well

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

Let me know if you get one and you see/hear a difference

[@ronniewilliford3449]

The compression from uploading to you tube makes it hard to tell. I imagine there in the room it's a much clearer difference. I make sure I have a buffer on each end of my pedalboard, and I try to keep the overall cable distance 25 ft or less if I can. This all helps reduce signal loss. There have been a couple of times playing live that I got so pissed off at my pedalboard, I bypassed it and went direct from guitar into my amp. As much as I enjoy spices, it's possible to cook a great meal without them.

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

Couldn’t agree with you more Ronnie, and I’ve done the same many times. I did a gig last night with it, and the difference is huge!

[@craiger2399]

There is a difference. I really hear it when I pay attention to the E and B strings in your sound. I wonder, if you remove the two boss pedals that have buffers in them already, if the tone suck would be more pronounced. Usually I find one boss pedal is all the buffer I need.

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

Yeah I could go down that hole. But I like that chorus pedal! Haha

[@craiger2399]

@@MikeBradleyofficial oh hell no, don't remove the chorus pedal. Honestly, boss chorus is one of my favs.

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

@@craiger2399 defo! Just look what was on Prince’s board

[@davisworth5114]

The buffered sound is best next to the natural sound of the amp, but there isn't a dimes' worth of difference to the average listener, as I see it. That yellow Telly is totally off the chain. I love your playing and your personality, I wonder if you listen to Grant Green and think about studying jazz as you have mastered the rock, country, and blues idioms.

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

Thanks for the kind words. I dabble with jazz now and then. Regarding the sound difference. You’re right, an audience member won’t hear a difference, but I can which means I can play better for that audience member.

[@georgewilkins4231]

Mike Avoid buffers before Fuzz pedals.. Fuzz is a picky sound and doesn't like a buffered signal. Use the buffer after fuzz.. Be careful with fuzz.. I avoid fuzz on my pedal board and use it stand alone into an Amp.. with reverb on the amp. Nothing else (with fuzz) I use an orange aby box and two amps for this situation... I know a bit. I like your playing.. Be lucky..!! Best wishes George... PS. You're Right about the phaser before OD much better sound.

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

Yep, defo aware. The king fuzz isn’t actually a fuzz pedal, more a vintage drive. But if I put a fuzz back on the buffer will be after it. And yes swapped the phase 90 around. Love it now. Did a gig last night and was using it a ton.

[@georgewilkins4231]

@@MikeBradleyofficial Mike well done with the gig.. I recently got a Catalinbread Naga Viper treble boost.. Really blow your socks off sound.. Best to plug guitar into it and it into amp input. (Like the old days) already slightly driven amp (defo not too clean) I use bit of amp reverb and delay in fx loop.. Rory Gallagher, Brian May, Black Sabbath sound.. WOW, Real deal killer tone...... Fantastico...

[@Furtheronmusic]

Sounded to me like a slightly treble and level boosr

[@rbull7777]

Hearing you strumming 2 or 3 chords I can definitely hear the difference. If you were playing something longer, or musical - like a song, there's no way I would notice. Or care.

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

Haha fair enough

[@Robert-Smith]

Make sure you put everything else in true bypass you don't want too many buffers.

[@comet-launch7468]

How about a pedal on your board that can increase your volume? I have a viscious vibe (for a touch of hendrix)

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

I could set the spark for a volume boost, but I’m not a fan of that as I ride my volume knob on the guitar a lot so able to get my boost that way

[@brettrossi89]

The treble cut through more

[@ojiope]

Buffet pedal before or after overdrive pedal.?

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

For me, before.

[@ojiope]

@@MikeBradleyofficial thanks bro 🫡

[@JONNIE_ROCKER]

👍👍

[@TheDannyVillarroel]

Mike, JHS recommends that the buffer always come after the fuzz: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWK8omyQpZV3rcU

[@brettrossi89]

U need a fluffer