Home Forums Help/Technical Questions What is a Buffered Output?

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  • #82562
    Hopkins
    Member

    What does it mean when the manual states “DRY OUT Jack – This 1/4″ jack outputs a buffered version of the input signal.”?

    To put my question in context, I would like to plug the output of my guitar into a pedal and take two outputs, one of which will be pitch shifted an octave below. The shifted output will go off to be processed as a bass guitar and the dry output will then go through a guitar rig as normal. Two products seem to be possibilities: the Micro Pog and the Octave Multiplexer. Among their differences is the fact that the Pog uses the sentence above to describe its dry out, whereas the OM states “DRY OUT Jack – This jack is connected directly to the Input Jack.”

    So, what is a buffered output? Does it simply delay the dry output by a fraction of a second so that it is in phase with the processed wet output? Why do these pedals use a different type of dry output? If all other things were equal, what questions should I ask myself when I decide whether a buffered or a “true bypass” is best for my needs? (The pickup I currently intend to run through it is an active EMG – I imagine that could be useful to know.)

    Thanks in advance!

    #118135
    jpleong
    Member

    Basically, a buffered output lowers the impedance level of the signal allowing you to run longer lengths of cable to avoid signal loss. Some buffer designs are better than others. Also, buffers are most often found at the very front of the signal chain. Usually, you only need one and most “stack” fine but some buffers don’t.

    Read this:
    http://www.tech21nyc.com/technotes/index.html

    Regarding your situation, the question of buffer vs not seems moot. You may be interested in this product by Barber Electronics http://www.barberelectronics.com/LaunchPad.htm which allows you to split a signal and adjust for phase.

    JP

    #118145
    Hopkins
    Member

    Thanks for the reply. So basically a buffered out puts a simple amplifier in the chain to lower output impedance. I imagine that this is of most use for low output passive pick-ups.

    Thanks also for the product recommendation – that could be a very useful pedal to know about!

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