What makes a GREAT buffer?

Buffers offer a solution to signal degradation caused by long cable lengths and big pedalboards. However, the some of the most commonly used buffers do more harm than good. Today, we’re putting 3 commonly used buffers head-to-head against a high quality standalone buffer, to prove that the type of buffer you use matters.
HIGH QUALITY BUFFERS:
Vertex Buffer Interface: shorturl.at/h1569
Mesa Boogie High-Wire: bit.ly/2lZwS0s
Axess Electronics: axesselectronics.com/collecti...
Suhr Buffer: a.co/d/i7RrVlg
Vertex Boost: shorturl.at/abdiE
RECOMMENDED GEAR
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⬇PODCAST⬇
//apple// apple.co/36dSQzK
//spotify// spoti.fi/2WGLku8
⬇DIY BUFFER DIAGRAMS & TEMPLATES⬇
bit.ly/3gu02hU
⬇RECOMMENDED MATERIALS⬇
//buffers// bit.ly/3kpcFf0
//pedalboards// bit.ly/3B9DVFk
//power supply// bit.ly/3B9aD9D
//cables// bit.ly/3jktF7b
//cable & pedal management// bit.ly/3mCJxUe
//pedalboard tools// bit.ly/3B7AEGq
CREDITS
Host/Producer: Mason Marangella
Videographer: Nico Sotomayor
Video Editing: Nico Sotomayor, Mason Mejia
Co-Production/Design: Mason Mejia
Audio Editing: Hunter Harrison
#buffer #pedalboards #guitargear #guitarpedals

[@VertexEffectsInc]

RECCOMMENDED BUFFERS: Vertex Buffer Interface: shorturl.at/h1569 Mesa Boogie High-Wire: bit.ly/2lZwS0s Axess Electronics: axesselectronics.com/collections/connect Suhr Buffer: a.co/d/i7RrVlg Vertex Boost: shorturl.at/abdiE

[@crock2434]

If you have active( EMG) pickups would you even need a buffer in the case of 2x10foot cables and 8-10 pedals with patchcables?its low z from the get go right?

[@clownhands]

Great video. I listened with headphones and just wanted to say I like the sound of the room you’re in. It’s pretty live for a KZbin video and sounds great with Masons voice.

[@gergemall]

Thx Mason, you really are the Rig doctor

[@RickRomanelli]

Hi Mason. I just wanted to mention that my new Ultraphonix is a game changer. I left the pesky tube amps at home and ran it into a JC40. AMAZING TONE!! Thanks brother!

[@joeclayer5282]

I took your advice and put a TC tuner buffer after the old school whah (first pedal) and a TC buffer at the pre amp input - after all the pedals and cables. It was like lifting a carpet off the speakers! Always GREAT vids!

[@brettsackett]

I used the Vertes FX DIY plans for a 4 cable method buffer - and it is awesome! And yes, it makes a HUGE difference.

[@columbiajones1534]

Crazy how much of a difference I noticed and that's with KZbin dumbing down the audio. Imagine was it sounds and feels like it the room!

[@dmitriysemeshkin]

Great video, I recently purchased a Lehle Sunday Driver, although it is no longer in production (there is a SD2), it has excellent characteristics,1M/150ohm,and what is more important in the buffer, there is no loss of high frequencies when reducing the volume of the guitar!

[@VisualSOLUTIONSMedia]

Great info, thanks! You're obviously going for a dramatic look in the lighting, but a slash of light across the guitars would look great.

[@tomfoolery2082]

Always a lot of valuable information . Thk u very much

[@tonioliveira72]

It would be interesting to have the sound reference through the 10 foot cable added to the 40 foot cable as well. This way we could hear the signal losses before activating the buffer.

[@McShwee]

Vertex and the tube screamer sounded the most natural to my ear. Klon sounded the worst.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Really!? I though the TS was pretty mid-range. To me it sounded similar to the Klon.

[@chipcaronte]

How curious, huh? ... The Klon sounded the best to me. But the best to me is not necessarily equal to the most natural to you. All in all, I guess it's up to taste after all.

[@emdblues]

​@@chipcaronteit probably depends on how many pedals are in the chain, which amp are using, guitar...

[@chipcaronte]

@@emdblues for sure.. It's the sum of all things after all.

[@guitaart]

One of the best explanations comes from Mike Fuller: " Although my ears always told me that it sounded “tinny” and that there was signal loss, with the help of a my favorite Electronic Engineer (using some very expensive test equipment) we recently documented that each unity-gain FET buffer actually cuts the gain somewhere between 0.3 to 0.6 dB. This loss of gain is in the low-Mids and Bass frequencies, resulting in that “tinny” sound now that the highs remained and some of the bass and mids are gone. Now factor in that there are two FETs per pedal required to couple the IN & OUT path, that’s an obvious loss of between 1dB-2dB per pedal. What’s an even bigger issue with this old style unity-gain FET bypass? It kills dynamic pick response, i.e. it kills the difference between picking soft and picking hard…Yes, when the pedal is in bypass! This to me is a deal-breaker, and while I’ve always felt this to be the case, it’s great to be able to actually see it on the scope."

[@stevecrounse1789]

Mason, is there a mini EQ that you would recommend? Thank you. Love your content

[@jessevandendoren4235]

super interesting, didn't think buffers mattered this much most interesting to me actually was i liked the reference most haha Question though: Does this matter (as much) if I play slightly or less slightly dirty? Do I still need a buffer if my Klon is always on anyways?

[@BungleJoogie68]

Michael Buffer is probably my favorite buffer

[@fatssoundlaboratory620]

let's get ready to ramble‼️😆😆

[@No_idea_whatsoever]

The klon 100% sounded much brighter definitely a change in tone

[@Suthrnfried]

Silly question… Does the DIY mono buffer with tuner out or the buffer you sell direct also work for bass? I ask because the JHS buffer states it’s not meant for bass on their product page.

[@soulmine6363]

I think that 29 Pedals are brilliant and they have EQ built in

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yeah, it’s not a buffer. There should be no EQ.

[@soulmine6363]

@@VertexEffectsInc the EUNA is a buffer and yes it has EQ, but still a fantastic buffer. It always a matter of taste 😊🍺

[@chriscole9069]

In the past, Mason has mentioned TC Electronics as pedals that have acceptable impedance numbers. Is that still the case? I have a TC tuner and reverb at both ends of my signal chain and it seems to work well.

[@lolx1847]

None of the buffers matched the reference’s “bounce” and treble in the bass strings. However the Klon’s was noticeably the worst. I could live with the Boss or Vertex ones.

[@nuthinbutlove]

Great vid Mason! I admit to being clueless regarding the necessity of an additional buffer aside from what my pedals already contain. I'm sold on that Vertex, it really opened up the sound without changing the tone at all. Does the need for a buffer apply if I'm running a wireless system?

[@emdblues]

Good question. I use a Line 6 wireless

[@TurtleInTheSky]

just a question, I have a TC Electronic Bonafide buffer at the beginning of my pedalboard, then at the middle there's my Mosky pure buffer (150 ohms output impedance) then at the end of my signal chain is my Boss RV6. Would my Bonafide buffer can make all my pedals buffered at 100 ohms impedance? Thank you

[@loutielli]

Uncle Mason, I always use a Shure GLXD pedalboard wireless. I've heard this provides the "input" buffer. Would you still recommend an "output" buffer at the end of the chain? Thanks!

[@StevieWonder824]

I have a question in regards to an acoustic board. I’m planning on building a small acoustic board with a reverb pedal and a LR Baggs Voiceprint DI. I was planning on putting the reverb pedal before the DI and having the DI go straight into FOH. Would you still recommend a buffer and if so how many and where would I place it/them in the chain? Thank you! I’ll be plugging in a J-45 using a LR Baggs Element VTC pickup into the small board

[@WakadooPlaypen]

Thinner when driving 40' cable. I use 2 LASD buffers on 9 pedals w/ES8.

[@johnou9001]

best one for me is the cornish LD3

[@ChuckLopez]

How do you feel about the buffer inside the EHX Nano POG?

[@willchug]

I’m using a Radial Engineering SB-6 stage bug at the end of my stereo effects, using / blending 2 heads, it’s to help with ground loop problems I’ve had it works great. BUT, the SB-6 has 600 ohm output & I think I’m loosing some signal driving it all the way back to the amps effects loop return. I tried a TC Electronic pedal after the stage bug it seemed to give me some “more” but re introduced ground loop issues. Am I going to have to get 2 separate stand alone buffers after my stage bug ? Or is the sb-6 stage bug enough to drive the 20 foot good cables I use ?

[@chesneytube1]

I heard the analogy that buffers are like taking a wide hose with a mild flow, and shrinking the size of the hose until the same flow becomes higher pressure. Is that right? To my ears it sounds like they’re eliminating a lot of headroom that harmonics exist in which would fit with this model. I find that something very pleasing is eliminated, not in the actual note itself but in the space around it, the atmospherics and so on, and it becomes too focussed. I also don’t understand the need for them now, the best guitar music is in the past and most of it was made without buffers… and it sounds amazing.

[@dynamicalan]

Impedance is different at the input than it is at the output and so is cable length.

[@davidulloa3863]

Hi Mason. I have a TU 3 for the moment. Before I get a better one, do you recommend to put it before or after a Digitech Drop? Thanks

[@chipcaronte]

Hey Mason, correct me if I'm wrong, if I turn another pedal on, after my TS, does that defeat the buffering that comes from the TS?

[@giantato]

For a fairer comparison, I think u should recording a single audio sample and using that for all the tests. tks!

[@DannyCruzCreations]

He explained why he didn’t do that based on a looper pedal. A recording would be the same thing. It would be a source with a different impedance than a guitar.

[@user-vv7hb8ok2f]

90% of players will never her any difference in any buffer over a different. BOSS pedals are buffered and all work exactly as designed. Zero loss, zero added, not to a human ear.

[@ramencurry6672]

I could be wrong but I think this KZbinr is trying to clickbait for clicks and views. Many guitar KZbinrs are getting aggressive with hot takes clickbait

[@Les537]

Can you not hear it in this video demo? It's pretty obvious, but most 'players' are sitting in their bedroom and not driving 50 foot cables to an amp.

[@user-vv7hb8ok2f]

@@Les537 hey fucker, long cable...turn up the volume on your amp a tiny bit, turn up the treble. Wow.

[@markproctor3100]

I have a TC Electronic Hall Of Fame at the end of my chain which I think has exactly the ohm etc mentioned the only other pedal I have that is buffered is a Morley 2020 classic wah and between them they seem😏to do the job🤘and although I'm planning on getting a Boss RC5 looper which would obviously be at the very end of my chain i think tgey have really good buffers I think it has lke 1m ohm input and 1k ohm output impedance so 🤞🤞🤞

[@wheresallthezombies]

So, I was hoping I wouldn’t have to get a buffer. Haha. I was going to buy a volume pedal this weekend but I should probably get a buffer. I play post rock, post metal, and ambient so no pedals isn’t an option for me. But, I plugged straight into my amp the other day and everything about the signal was better. Louder, fuller, stronger, ha.

[@nickm.9474]

What about wireless? Should they not go into a buffer?

[@peterknicked]

How about the TC Bonafide buffer? Good enough?

[@LukeBlase]

The funny thing to me is that the worst sounding buffer in this comparison (in my opinion) was the Klon Centaur, the most expensive pedal here by far. The BOSS and Ibanez buffers definitely weren't perfect, but the Klon really did a number on the tone.

[@DanielGutierrez-vq5uq]

where is the goodwood audio buffer recommendation??

[@chadtindale2095]

Good video. I use a torpedo CAB for an amp, it's literally on the pedal board. How would you handle the output buffer?

[@Les537]

Don't even worry about it unless you hear a loss of quality when bypassed then when you plug direct. It's mostly to pass through long cables.

[@dynamicalan]

Your captcha does not load on Mac OS 10.14.6 after writing a message I cannot send it!

[@cvkballisticrhino1393]

Is the buffer in the peterson strobostomp mini tuner any good?

[@tehsamjones]

Do you use IC or transistor buffers?

[@vincent33195]

Can the buffers on all these other pedals be bypassed so as to only use the best buffer?

[@Les537]

Some pedals allow you to turn it off, like the OCD. Some don't - like the Klon clones.

[@TheBoss0Time]

Boss TU3W is the best buffer. If pros use Boss pedals like that then their buffers are good enough.

[@JarrodTurner]

What if I’m playing wireless ?

[@waynegram8907]

The vintage pedals had transistor BJT buffers if you look at most 80s pedalboards used DOD pedals and Boss pedals and if you had 5 pedals turned off that = 5 buffers stacked chained together. You never mention or talk about stacking different types of buffers and what happens. If you watch SRV El MoCambo the tube screamer is turned off with a 10ft, 20ft cable to the Fender Superreverb and Fender VibroVerb with both amplifiers have the bright switch turned ON. The cables capacitance + the amplifiers bright switch capacitance = a cut off frequency. The cable capacitance is an addition picofarad and RC network added to the output jack of the tube screamer but also added to the input jack of the amplifier.

[@johnmeeks9308]

Buffer in front buffer in back

[@lucyfuir6386]

Buffers... yeah...the family got a lot of buffers.

[@fatssoundlaboratory620]

where is the sound of using 40 ft cable without any buffer?😅

[@nvinceable17]

That would be the reference sound.

[@ggavalakis]

Mason's given me a ton of great tone advice. Here's a video that really points out how longer and longer cable lengths change/color your tone. Up to about 40 feet of cable, no real effect. But more than that AND add all the capacitance of your pedals, the effect is huge. Getting one of the high quality buffers that Mason recommended made my 40 feet of cable plus 6 pedals sound exactly the same as plugging my guitar straight into my amp with a 10 ft. cord: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2PWm5iMhtWGb5Y

[@JustinHawkinsMusicPerth]

Because we all use 40ft of cable… 🤨

[@md-ps2hx]

I scanned the title as "What makes a great BLUFFER?" I presumed it was a clip about Don 'Desperado' Henley

[@marcblum5348]

Lehle!

[@middle_pickup]

Man probably still on the hunt for a transparent overdrive too. Lol It's the final tone that matters. Who cares if your buffer isn't perfectly neutral? Boss buffers are fine. This is such pedantic BS.

[@HendryHZ]

ok, here is the question. i know i know, 1m in, 100 out, good buffer not the same as 'bufferd' pedal. good buffer better signal transport and so on. it's easy to understand. but, what is good? or why is good? i think buffer circuit is not complex thing to design, few components and jacks, blah blah blah. why mesa boogie's or your buffer is better than other brand's? better components? better design? or what? what makes a 'good' buffer? you've done over 15 videos about buffer, if buffer is that good, and why so many professional player's pedalboard not using buffer? it is not some type of overdrive or delay pedal, it's 'globally' good to any pedalboard. even more people using switcher with way more cables than buffer. i mean, 'good' buffer that you talk about. i don't understand.

[@mauricemusician7636]

Want more proof that buffered pedals aren't substitutes for stand-alone buffers? They're the same size. You think Boss crammed an entire effect AND full buffer into the same enclosure?

[@paulnieuwkamp8067]

Open it up; a buffer takes very few components, you can fix them inside a jack / socket. Bigger or more parts does not automatically translate to better.

[@rdvgrd6]

That guy is so annoying with his buffers…

[@basiltiffani8850]

You know you don't have to watch the video, right?

[@rdvgrd6]

@@basiltiffani8850 all his videos have the mention of buffer in it

[@johncaldwell881]

Why does he have to be annoying to you? He’s just trying to educate

[@TheCafe99]

@@johncaldwell881so in small words you’re saying that your annoyed that he’s annoyed ? In that case, why should the fact that he’s annoyed, annoy you. Wouldn’t you being annoyed about him being annoyed be contradictory to what you stand against, which is being annoyed?

[@kolbyatkins2588]

People that get annoyed by a message usually haven’t realized its importance. It’s business and proof that his product actually works. And so does his clickbait because it seems you haven’t become too annoyed to stop watching his videos😊