Signal-saving effects pedal?

Cernunnos

I play through almost too many effects units, and though I am pretty pleased with my sound I feel that the signal has faded slightly when it eventually comes out of the amp, especially in the treble frequencies. I'm therefor looking for some sort of "clean boost" pedal to use early in the chain to preserve the character of my original sound, but I feel completely lost.

I've had a look at the various EHX boost pedals, and while some have received fine reviews, they don't seem to be what I'm looking for. I need a pedal that simply increases the strength of the signal without altering its character.

What would you recommend? My budget is tight, but I guess I can break the $100 barrier if I have to.

StevieK

A clean boost like the Keeley Katana, leave it on all the time at the beginning of your chain is one option. Or you can get one that is a boost and buffer that will buffer your signal even when the boost is not on, for this there are two pedals I prefer, one is much more pricey than the other, but worth the investment IMO.

http://proguitarshop.com/mi-audio-boost-n-buff-pedal.html

MI Audio Boost n' Buff, I used this pedal for about 3 years until I recently purchased this one

http://proguitarshop.com/tone-monk-ankh-preamp-vp.html

It warms up my clean tone so much, I always leave it on, but it also has the best buffer I have ever heard in it, even when the pedal is off my whole tone sounds better for having this pedal in the chain.

Also, another cheap option would be just to buy any pedal you've wanted with a buffered by pass as opposed to a true bypass. The buffer in the signal will help restore some of what you're losing from long cable runs. A TS808 for example has a built in buffer that doesn't sound too bad.

StevieK

OH hey, I forgot they sold the tone monk buffer seperately, so if you just wanted the Buffer with no Clean boost this is it!

http://www.tonemonk.com/vp.php

Probably exactly what you're looking for!

Cernunnos

Thanks!

Listening to the demo of the Boost N' Buff now, and it sounds like it's just what I need. I take your word on the Ankh being worth $300+, but it's nowhere near my budget, unless I sell my amp or something.

Do you have any experience with the Seymour Duncan pickup booster, or MXR's micro amp? What do you think of them?

brandonwinmill

Consider the bbe sonic stomp. What happens when you run a lot of effects is the high and low freqs split up and don't ring together. The sonic stomp brings everything back together and sounds tight. It's not a pedal that you go holy #### listen to this. I am a believer. All my friends who are either studio pros or touring full time musicians use it and it fixed a bunch of problems with my sound.

Also:

Try switching some things up in the chain. There was another thread where we broke down pedal order.

Good Luck

Cernunnos

Where can I find that thread? I think I have an optimized pedal order, but some new tips are always welcome.

I have decided to try the Boost N' Buff; found one for roughly $70 on a Swedish site for used gear. Hope to have it next week.

brandonwinmill

StevieK

Boost n' buff is great pedal man, enjoy it! No experience with the Seymour Duncan or MXR, sorry, but you'll probably be very satisfied with the Boost n' Buff.

Cernunnos

Stevie K said:
Boost n' buff is great pedal man, enjoy it! No experience with the Seymour Duncan or MXR, sorry, but you'll probably be very satisfied with the Boost n' Buff.

You were absolutely right! I've had it for about 1½ week now and it's just great. It was exactly what I was looking for! The boost mode also gives me a geat sound when playing the blues on my Strat, so it's almost like I got two pedals in one here.

StevieK

I'm glad to hear that man, so glad I could help! 😀