Do I need a line booster/buffer?

[WelshWonder]

My pedal board goes like this;

Guitar
Korg DT-10 Tuner
Modded GCB95 (removed buffer, vocal mod, LED, True Bypass)
Ross Comp (tonepad)
RAT (tonepad)
TS808 (tonepad)
Phase 90 (tonepad)
MXR Envelope filter (tonepad)
Rebote 2.5
Amp (DSL100)

I have noticed a significate drop in volume compared to my old setup;

Guitar
Korg DT-10
JH-1 Wah
TS9
Ibanez PH7
Delux Memory Man
Amp (DSL100)

Should I build a line driver/buffer to boost my signal? one horrible effect I found is that when my compressor and tubescreamer are on my wah sound more like a volume pedal with not very much wah-ing going on. How do other people find their setups with home made pedals?

[petemoore]

  Many ways to determine this.
  If you have a great cable it makes a good comparator.
  Use the great cable only, direct.
  Then run the signal through all the 'stuff'..cables, boxes more cables etc.
  Is there a difference in the sound quality?
  The other is that the tuner may have a buffer...use that and see if the impedance is sufficient to drive the cables 'n stuff.
  Third is take a Jfet and a 10k and a few other parts or build whatever buffer you want, see if that does something for the signal quality preservation.

[WelshWonder]

Well, I use Van Damme cable (http://www.vdctrading.com/content.asp?SubSectionID=25), so I don't know if that makes a difference. When I plug my guitar directly into the amp the tone is a lot more 'fuller' sounding and just seems 'weaker' when going through all my effects.

[blanik]

i also have the DT-10 in frony of my pedals and it's a very good and transparent buffer, you might have some problem in one of the pedals, do you notice the drop in vol when all efect are in bypass mode?

best bet would be to start with one pedal, then add them on until you notice a sudden drop, you might find your culprit

i say it's the TS808, with the wrench, in the living room... 

[WelshWonder]

I noticed the drop in volume when the effects are all in bypass mode. When the TS808 is on it does feel as if it is lacking something and I need to put the compressor on to compensate. The MXR envelope filter is has the larger effect. When it's on the volume drops somewhat and when I knock it off, it sounds as if I've boosted the chain and the output is lager. strange goings on. I will try them one by one and see how that goes.

[Pushtone]

For me, after about four TB pedals the high frequency loss is too much.
Avoid solderless connectors like those George L ones. Make yer own cables.

I think the best answer is a BUFFERED effects-loop box. Not just a passive router with two loops.
But one with active buffers on the effect sends.

Drives yer pedals and gives you that straight thru sound too.
Add a buffered output in addition to the unbuffered one and it can be used anywhere in the chain.

There are several projects that can get you close like the Buff-n-Blend, or the ROG Splitter.

This one is the best dual buffered effects loop project and it's right here in the gallery.
Thanks to ANY Machines. One I've been meaning to build for awhile.
http://aronnelson.com/gallery/ANY-machines

[WelshWonder]

For me, after about four TB pedals the high frequency loss is too much.
Avoid solderless connectors like those George L ones. Make yer own cables.

Funnily enough, I do use the George L's cable and solderless jacks. Do they make much difference?

[Pushtone]

I've had a bad experience yes,

But common sense rules here. A soldered connection is better than a solderless one.

It's a convienence over connection thing.

However that buffer would drive those solderless connections just fine. Another reason to have an active chain.

[slacker]

It's possible that one of your old pedals that didn't use true bypass was adding some boost to the signal all the time.

[WelshWonder]

It's possible that one of your old pedals that didn't use true bypass was adding some boost to the signal all the time.

This could well have been my Ibanez TS9.

What if I build a discrete buffer using a JFET as described on GGG http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=69&Itemid=100?