Please explain buffered and unbuffered

[Saul Goodman]

I have a Keeley Muse Driver where I can change the buffering. Problem is, I don't know what that is and I can't hear the difference. I've heard that buffered is good if you have a very long cable run, which I don't. I've also heard Fuzz Face' don't like one or the other in front of it. But that's about all I may know and I may be incorrect in both statements. 

Thank you, SG

[duncans]

Buffering involves using a pedal's internal circuitry to strengthen the guitar signal, which is especially helpful with long cable runs or many pedals in a chain. Non-buffering, or true bypass, disconnects the signal completely when the effect is off, which some players prefer for a more direct, untouched tone but can lead to signal loss. Buffers help preserve high-end frequencies and signal clarity, while true bypass can cause a "tone suck" when bypassed, especially with long cables. 

 

Courtesy of Google AI

[LucSulla]

Basically, everything between your guitar output jack and the amp input jack acts as a capacitor reducing the strength of the initial signal through the chain - every cable and pedal. "Tone suck" is relative to what you like, which is why a lot of wireless units allow for a user to select for settings that simulate various cable lengths. Where you notice the effect the most is usually the high end, but it can get muddy overall. 

A buffer conditions the signal as it exits whatever is buffering it to return it the signal to full strength. It's not really a boost though because it is changing the impedance. A buffer changes the high impedance signal of passive pickups into a low impedance signal. Active pickups are low impedance already. Low impedance signals experience less degradation over long circuits, so the signal stays closer to what it was when it left the guitar. 

Different kinds of fuzzes act differently with a buffer in front. Old school fuzz faces want to see another high impedance signal, otherwise they don't work right. This is why they sound like shit generally and don't work properly with the volume knob roll off after a buffered pedal (or active pickups, incidentally). There are three main fuzz circuit topologies - Two-Transistor (Fuzz Face), Three-Transistor (Tone Bender), and Four-Transistor (Big Muff). The 2T types need to be at the front of the chain, or at the very least, before any pedal doing any buffering. Generally this is true for the 3T types as well. The 4Ts care a whole lot less where they are, which is why they are easier to move around a pedal board.

They all still sound better out front though, IMO. A lot of the magic in them is rolling off the volume of the guitar while using them, and buffers really affect the ability to do that. 

 

Edited October 11, 2025 by LucSulla

[Saul Goodman]

Thanks @duncans, @LucSulla. So basically, unless I'm using a fuzz, I don't need to worry about buffer or not in my home with a 10' cable and 5 pedals?

[LucSulla]

3 minutes ago, Saul Goodman said:

Thanks @duncans, @LucSulla. So basically, unless I'm using a fuzz, I don't need to worry about buffer or not in my home with a 10' cable and 5 pedals?

Plug the guitar straight in to the amp and then plug it into your board with all the pedals off. If still sounds good, no, you don't. There's a decent chance that one of your pedals has a buffer besides the Keeley.

[kizanski]

Buffered is with buffering, and unbuffered is without buffering.  

[Saul Goodman]

2 hours ago, LucSulla said:

Plug the guitar straight in to the amp and then plug it into your board with all the pedals off. If still sounds good, no, you don't. There's a decent chance that one of your pedals has a buffer besides the Keeley.

Awesome! Thank you.

[Saul Goodman]

1 hour ago, kizanski said:

Buffered is with buffering, and unbuffered is without buffering.  

Yup, 10% in every crowd. 

[alantig]

Bufferin:

Unbufferin:

[Saul Goodman]

11 minutes ago, alantig said:

Bufferin:

Unbufferin:

Well maybe more than 10% in this crowd. 

[mudshark]

23 hours ago, kizanski said:

Buffered is with buffering, and unbuffered is without buffering.  

and a buffalo is a bison 

[holLoWskull]

All good posts above (even the funny ones 😆)….one added note…pedals without buffers (true bypass) can make an audible “pop” heard in the amplified signal chain when clicked on/off.  I think a good buffer can help eliminate that issue (as well as helping with the above mentioned benefits).  

[velorush]

On 11/2/2025 at 9:24 AM, holLoWskull said:

All good posts above (even the funny ones 😆)….one added note…pedals without buffers (true bypass) can make an audible “pop” heard in the amplified signal chain when clicked on/off.  I think a good buffer can help eliminate that issue (as well as helping with the above mentioned benefits).  

Or a 1MΩ resistor soldered across the switch.