Series of Buffered Stompbox

[wcampagner]

Hello,

I want to know if i use a chain of buffered stompbox will the sound change so much?

How many buffered stompboxes can i have in this chain not to change the sound?

If the stompbox has a well designed Input/Output buffer can i have more stompboxes in the chain an not degradate the sound?

I was just wondering... because all of the Boss, Sansamp, Ibanez, etc... etc... they are all buffered.

Thanks,
Wagner.

[tcobretti]

This article by R.G.  will explain much of what you are asking.

http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/bypass/bypass.htm

I think the short answer is - can you hear the difference?  If not, then it doesn't matter.  I promise you that very few (if any) other people can hear it if you don't.  No one listens to your guitar tone as closely as you do.

[R.G.]

tcobretti is right. Generally, the only problem with multiple buffered stompboxes is the buildup of hiss, which the buffers reproduce faithfully.

If you have one well designed buffer at the front of the chain, first thing the guitar hits, it generally preserves all of the information for the rest of the chain.

There are places where true bypass is called for. But buffered also has its place.