Empress Effects Buffer

The Buffer is Empress Effects' base analog pedalboard buffer – the simplest model in the brand's buffer line, without an effects loop, boost, or pickup loading adjustment. The design focuses on a single task: maintaining the full frequency range and signal level of the guitar signal across long cable runs and a large number of true-bypass pedals in the chain. The 1 MΩ input impedance minimises its influence on the electromagnetic pickup's behaviour. The 510 Ω output impedance drives long cable runs without high-frequency loss. THD: 0.02%. SNR: 105.3 dB. Headroom: +9.4 dBu. Frequency response (–3 dB): 5 Hz – 40 kHz. Current draw: 42 mA. The flat top enclosure allows a tuner to be mounted on velcro without consuming additional pedalboard space. Dimensions: 114×63×32 mm. Weight: approx. 225 g.

How Buffer differs from Buffer+ and Buffer++ – when the base version is sufficient

The Buffer (without the + sign) is a single buffered input with no effects loop, no boost, and no pickup loading control. The Buffer+ adds a send/return effects loop, a switchable boost up to +30 dB, a two-position Dolby-style noise filter, a ±3 dB input pad/boost, and an Input Loading knob for cable capacitance simulation. The Buffer++ further extends this to 12 routing modes, a second input, a transformer-isolated output, and LED input metering. The unadorned Buffer is the right choice for an instrumentalist who needs only clean, transparent buffering at the guitar output before the first pedal and at the end of the chain before the amplifier – without additional features that raise the price and complicate the setup. The separate Tuner Out with mute allows silent stage tuning without interrupting the signal at the main output.

Where to place the Buffer in the signal chain

Empress recommends placing the buffer as the first and last element in the chain: guitar → Buffer input → pedals → return to Buffer (if using the loop version) → amplifier. With the basic Buffer without an effects loop, the unit sits at the start of the chain, directly after the guitar and before the first pedal. One important caveat: fuzz pedals, wah, and other vintage-style effects with low input impedance should be placed before the buffer, not after it – a 1 MΩ buffer ahead of a fuzz changes the fuzz's behaviour compared to a direct guitar connection. THD of 0.02% and SNR of 105.3 dB place the Buffer in the category of transparent buffers with studio-grade specifications, introducing no tonal colour of its own to the signal path.

KEY FEATURES

• Base analog pedalboard buffer, no effects loop, no boost
• Input impedance: 1 MΩ – minimal loading on the pickup
• Output impedance: 510 Ω – drives long cable runs without HF loss
• THD: 0.02% – studio-grade performance
• SNR: 105.3 dB
• Headroom: +9.4 dBu
• Separate Tuner Out with mute function
• Flat top enclosure – tuner mounts on velcro
• Frequency response (–3 dB): 5 Hz – 40 kHz
• Current draw: 42 mA
• Die-cast aluminium enclosure

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: analog pedalboard buffer
• Input impedance: 1 MΩ
• Output impedance: 510 Ω
• Frequency response (–3 dB): 5 Hz – 40 kHz
• THD: 0.02%
• SNR: 105.3 dB
• Headroom: +9.4 dBu
• Tuner Out: yes (with mute function)
• Effects loop: none
• Boost: none
• Power: 9 V DC, centre-negative, 2.1 mm, 42 mA
• Enclosure material: die-cast aluminium
• Dimensions: 114 × 63 × 32 mm
• Weight: approx. 225 g