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Topic: Clean Boost/Line Driver On Effects Pedalboard |
Chris Bauer
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 8 Apr 2014 5:13 pm |
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Okay, I'm in new terrain here so these questions may be even dumber than usual if that's remotely possible. Here goes...
I'm putting together an effects pedalboard with enough on it that I'm thinking some kind of line driver will be helpful. I have a fair knowledge of what guitar players are using but since pedal steel is a different beast in so many ways:
1. Which boosts/buffers/etc. are you using and what are your impressions?
2. Are you using them at the front of your signal chain, the back, or both?
3. Any experience in using/needing one after a Black Box?
4. What are the obvious (or non-obvious) questions I'm forgetting to ask about all this?
Thanks! |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 8 Apr 2014 6:45 pm
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If you use a BB you should have it first thing after the guitar... preferably right there on the leg. After this, you don't need any line driver.
Most pedals (except those labelled 'true bypass') have a buffer with a low-impedance output that is engaged all the time, on or off. Boss pedals fall into this realm. This means that after one Boss pedal you don't have to worry about long cord runs because your signal is now low impedance even with the effect off. So a Boss DD7 is the same as a buffer or line driver even with the pedal disengaged. Yes, this means that you can use one expensive guitar cord and a bunch of cheapies.
Many folks in the 6-string electric guitar world believe in 'true bypass' and don't like the tone-suck that always-on pedals give... this is a hard row to hoe, since your entire cord length should stay under 20' to keep the pristine magnetic pickup to first tube stage path hot. That's one reason to use a Black Box... you've already hit the first tube stage with a very short guitar cord. This doesn't mean that any op-amp buffer pedals (like the DD7) won't still suck tone... but it's much more like an effects loop since you're at a lower impedance and your initial gain stage response is set.
Hope this helps!
_________________
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Daniel Policarpo
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Posted 16 Apr 2014 5:57 am
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Hi Chris,What kind of amplification and volume pedal are you using?
I really like the MXR Micro Amp as a buffer/clean boost. It does add a little brightness to the signal, so you have to adjust your amp settings a bit, but it works as it should. If I ever start playing 2,000 seaters or get good enough to be a studio cat, I'd get a Little Izzy or a Black Box, but the gear I had leftover from my six string electric days have served well. My Boss effects pedals, any of them, also worked great. I just turned the effect off, and as Stephen recommends, put it as close to the pickup as possible. |
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Chris Bauer
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 20 Apr 2014 10:36 am
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| I'm using a variety of amps but always a passive volume pedal. I like the MXR as well and sometime use an RC Booster in front of other overdrives for 'rockier' shows. |
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