A case against "True Bypass" in effects pedals

Started by 64Guitars, August 30, 2016, 07:35:44 PM

64Guitars

I stumbled across this interesting article by renowned effects pedal and pedal board systems designer Pete Cornish.

http://www.petecornish.co.uk/case_against_true_bypass.html

He makes some good points about "true bypass". It would seem that you're probably better off without it, provided you have well-designed pedals. And cable length is something that every effects pedal user should pay attention to. Keep those cables as short as possible or your tone could be adversely affected.

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Groundy


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bruno

Interesting read and some valid points - however. as always - I would say use your ears. I had a problem with the TC Nova recently - which is buffered - it really changed the tone - not in a bad way - but it was different. And it was annoying! This was in the effects loop in the kemper - but discussed in depth on the Nova forum.

As always, you have to dig to find the right tone. Interestingly the last two pedels (the Obscura and the Polara by Digitech) are both to support traling reverb and echos - with a switch on both pedals to flick between :-) There is no change in tone when switching - so basically down to the design!
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Hook

Interesting read. I don't use individual pedals at all, I do have my eye on a mini wah for the studio. When I play live I have my Boss ME80 and I have the Blackstar ID Beam (upgraded the core 10 for the added acoustic and bass features...it's awesome! ) for the studio.
Pedals have always just seemed a pain to me when a processor had plenty to keep me happy.
There's a Kemper (toaster) on Craigslist for $1650 right now. If he ever comes down to $100 I'll jump on it.

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Farrell Jackson

#5
That is a good read 64. It brings up some interesting things about true bypass and buffered pedals that I didn't think about. I've always tried to keep my cable runs short as possible (no more than 30 feet total) to avoid lost signal and tone problems so I've not experienced any problems at all. 4 pedals are the most I used with a mix of true bypass and buffered. Although I do have a Line 6 chorus pedal that I stopped using because it would change my guitar's tone when idle or engaged.  Anyone want to buy a slightly used chorus pedal  ;D.

Farrell
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Farrell Jackson


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Test, test, one, two, three.....is this mic on?

Geir

Could a Kemper model a 63 feet cable?  I guess it could :)
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Oh well ........