Redoing pedalboard, buffer question

[Composted]

I haven't changed a thing on my pedalboard in at least a year, so I'm just wondering what my best options are as far as set up; I don't fully understand the electrical aspects, I just like making noise (and sometimes music). The main thing I'm wondering about is buffering. I've tried to read as much as possible on buffering without getting bored, but I still don't really know if I even have anything on my board that acts as a buffer, or if I even need a buffer. Recently, my set-up has been:

Turbo Tuner->
Boss Noise Suppressor->
One-of-a-kind envelope filter built by a friend (true bypass)->
Boss Heavy Metal->
MXR Carbon Copy Delay->
Crybaby Wah->
EHX Freeze->
Boss Tremolo->
EB VPjr 25k

With the edition of my recent purchases, I was thinking of this set-up:

Turbo Tuner->
NS->
Envelope filter->
Maxon OD9 (as an occasional boost)->
HM->
Carbon Copy->
Wah->
EHX Ring Thing->
Freeze->
Goatkeeper Tremolo->
VP

Since I'm hardly an expert I figured TGP was the first place I'd look to for advice/info. So, do any of my pedals act as buffers? If so, does the placement in the chain make sense? If not, do I need to get a buffer? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[ninjadave7]

Your noise suppressor has a buffer in it, and where it's placed should be fine. The turbo tuner is true bypass so you aren't really worrying about it, the extra 4" of wire won't matter. I've found that the Boss buffers can be a little harsh or brittle sounding though, depending on the guitar. I like the Klon buffer, some people sell them, or they're very easy to build. You would really only need a different buffer though if you don't like the sound of the Boss one. And you buy any other one you buy first in line.

Try the rig without the NS in the chain (physically remove it), then put it back in line and compare the highs. If you don't hear any difference (recovered high freqs, more "sparkly"), then you're fine. If you hear a big difference, then you can decide whether or not you like it!

Have fun!

 

[Composted]

Awesome, thanks ninjadave! I'll try that as soon as I can.

 

[cosmodog]

Still might not notice a difference, as the other two Boss pedals in your chain also have buffers in them.

 

[harpinon]

Always check your board sound against plugging straight in.
Sometimes buffered pedals work and sometimes on bigger boards you need one that adds plenty of volume. You'd be surprised what you'll find by cross checking.

 

[jb4674]

Always check your board sound against plugging straight in.
Sometimes buffered pedals work and sometimes on bigger boards you need one that adds plenty of volume. You'd be surprised what you'll find by cross checking.

This.

Pay special attention to the sound with and without your board. If you can't tell the difference, record something quick and listen to the tone. If you hear a difference, then get a nice buffer. If you can't hear a difference, then you're good to go.

If you do need a buffer, I would get a Lehle Sunday Driver SW and call it a day. Nick's video cleared it for me (notice the Lehle Sunday Driver SW in the video)

 

[theGuardian]

I'll just say that I read & read,,and watched videos and emailed pedal makers...etc..and here's what I ended up doing:

I start with a JHS buffered compressor, then run 3 true bypass Overdrives, then into a moddified Ernie Ball VPjr that now has a Buffer installed (JHS), then on to 2 delays & chorus that are true bypass and end with a Bob Burt Clean boost (if I didnt have such a dynamic boost at the end, I might have placed a buffer box there).

My signal is amazing.

This is just my experience. Good luck.

 

[Composted]

Thanks to everyone for the advice! I can't notice a difference in sound with or without board, but have no way of getting a decent recording at the moment, unfortunately.