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I use lots of pedals which are set up in true bypass loops on my pedal board. I've heard that it's a good idea to have a buffer as the first pedal in your chain when using true bypass pedals (as alot of mine are). I used to have a EHX Micro Pog as the first pedal in my chain, I assumed that this had a buffer in it, but I have now taken it off my board so i'm looking for another pedal which I can use as the first pedal in my chain.

I don't really want or need any more 'effects' but I have been thinking about maybe getting a compressor but I hate the effect they have when you hit the strings and the sound which comes out is quieter than you think it should be but I like the idea of smoothing out my tone. I also want a buffer that won't such much tone.

Can anyone recommend anything?

What tuner do you have? I use my TU-2 at the start of my chain as a buffer.

I have a Korg DT10 (I think that's the model no.) but it's in a tuner out from one of my true bypass loopers, I suppose I could move it to be first in the chain though.

Yeah, they are buffered so would work.

Maybe i'll give it a go then.

I do still like the idea of a compressor though as i'd like to smooth out my sound. I gave a Dyna Comp that I have lying around that belongs to an old singer from my band a go but find it squeezes the sound too much and makes it sound unnatural, by that I mean you hit a chord and the sound seems to lack power when it comes out the amp. Anyone know of any compressors that are quite subtle? By that I mean that they compress the sound but there isn't such an obvious difference in sound between the compressed and non compressed sound?

Thom wrote:What tuner do you have? I use my TU-2 at the start of my chain as a buffer.

+1, especially since the first effect is a FuzzFace clone which means horribly variable/low impedance.

Yeah, stick the DT10 in there- it means you can tune your guitar using the dry tone even if all your pedals are still on. And it's buffered, aye.

Ultimately, don't worry what you "should" do with pedals- whatever setup that yields the best sound to your ears is where they should be. Try A/Bing the pedalboard with the tuner in and out of the chain, maybe send the pedalboard signal directly to a recording device, it should be fairly evident if it's necessary with your rig.

Thanks for the advice chaps, i'll move my tuner and see what happens.

My DT-10 is first for this very reason.

johnnyseven wrote:Maybe i'll give it a go then.

I do still like the idea of a compressor though as i'd like to smooth out my sound. I gave a Dyna Comp that I have lying around that belongs to an old singer from my band a go but find it squeezes the sound too much and makes it sound unnatural, by that I mean you hit a chord and the sound seems to lack power when it comes out the amp. Anyone know of any compressors that are quite subtle? By that I mean that they compress the sound but there isn't such an obvious difference in sound between the compressed and non compressed sound?

The DT-10s buffer is dreamy btw. I specifically keep it on every pedalboard I make up because of the clarity it gives my sound.

Compressor wise - I've only used expensive compressors before like the H.B.E. CPR and the analogman one (not sure why this is, I don't usually have expensive taste). The CPR was great but a little to subtle for what I wanted (funk-esque cleans, almost sampled sounding). The analogman one was based on the ross comp I think, it is lovely. I could really tighten things up alot with it and it seemed to warm up my mids quite nicely, which was a nice added by-product.

Tbh though, I don't really find compression to be that necessary when you have something like a LPB-1\saltboost in line because of the natural compression that your tube amp gives you in response to the higher gain your putting in. If I were going to buy a compressor though, I would definitely think about looking into the BBE range, they do a lovely opto comp and its very reasonably priced.

Yep I've got the DT-10 first on my pedal board too.

Shame I haven't got time to move things around before my gig tonight, i'll have to wait until tomorrow to experiment.

I've got a DS-2 as my buffer, bit odd but it works.

My pedals are ordered weird anyway, I like sticking overdrive after any other sort of dirt.

Johnnyseven, what do you have on your pedal board?

I have a TU-2 at the beginning of my chain, which works well for me. But, I also have a Hotcake, which is buffered anyhow.

You could just buy a stand-alone buffer?

Is that £69 for a buffer in a tiny box? Geez. Even $69 would be taking the piss considering how simple this stuff is.

Its no where near as bad as Radial. They charge 120quid for the same friggin thing.

Wow. Selling buffers in a tiny box at a ridiculous price with ads filled with all sorts of boutique bollocks? That's a great idea. If only someone had thought of it first.

I built a buffer using a tiny scrap of perfboard and scrap bits from other projects. A simple JFET buffer is only maybe 5 parts.

If you're looking for a compressor, I'd recommend a Boss CS-2. Good buffer, and the effect itself is very good. Low background noise and no "pumping". CS-3 is similar, but the tone control circuit thins the tone a lot for some reason.

If you don't need one with a buffer, the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone is un-freaking-believable. The Keeley 5-knob is also great, but much more expensive (and less fun).

broncobuster80 wrote:Johnnyseven, what do you have on your pedal board?

I have at the moment, although subject to change quite often - in fact i'll probably be changing it around today:

Korg DT10
2 x Made by Mike true bypass loopers
Mellowtone Singing Tree
Rat2 (modified)
Danelectro Cool Cat Fuzz
Way Huge Fat Sandwich
Fredric Effects IC Muff
MXR '74 Reissue Script Phase 90
Maxon AD999
Made by Mike Salt Shaker
MXR EVH Flanger
Marshall Echohead
MXR/Custom Audio Boost/Line Driver
MXR Noise Gate