What is True Bypass and Buffered Bypass...?

Your guitar's companion is the effects pedal.
Countless effects pedals exist in the world and continue to be born.
What is the difference among so many effects pedals? Some of you may wonder, "What's the difference?”
Among them, you may often hear, "I hear that true bypass sounds great, but what is it all about?” “What about buffered bypass?” I would like to explain briefly about true bypass and buffered bypass for those who have questions like "What is a true bypass?”

Buffered Bypass

Buffered Bypass is a signal routing scheme for effects pedals that temporarily amplifies the signal even when effects are turned off and then passes it through the effects circuit. This method enhances the signal when using long cables or multiple effects and maintains the tone and quality of the guitar sound.
It also minimizes power and signal noise. The buffered bypass strengthens the signal and reduces the possibility of noise getting into the signal.
In addition, it improves the effectiveness of drive-type effects pedals, making it a good choice for those seeking a high-gain sound.

In summary, it is the buffered bypass that affects the outgoing sound, for better or worse, even if the effects pedals are turned off when connected.

Buffered Bypass Recommended Effects Pedals

Ibanez / TS808 Guitar Effects Pedal

A masterpiece that delivers a wide range of tones from tube screamer crunch to overdrive.

 

BOSS / DS-1 Distortion

Debuted in 1978 as BOSS's first distortion pedal, this model can be considered to be the origin of the BOSS compact. It can handle a wide range of distortion sounds, from sweet and mild soft distortion to hard distortion with an edge in the high frequency range. It is truly the royal road to distortion sound!

True Bypass

True bypass minimizes the effects on the guitar sound by allowing the guitar signal to pass through as is when the effect is turned off.
When the effects are turned off, the signal does not pass through the effects circuitry, minimizing minute changes in tone and coloration.
True bypass bypasses the effects, thus avoiding signal loss and reduction of high frequencies. This is especially useful with long cables and multiple effects.
In addition, the circuitry of a true bypass is relatively simple, simply passing the signal outside of the effects circuitry. This leaves only a pure sound with no flavoring, without complicating the mechanism of the effect itself.
In short, you want to preserve the original sound of the guitar as much as possible when the effects are off! If you want to keep the original sound of the guitar as much as possible when the effect is off, choose True Bypass! This is why!

Recommended Effects Pedals with True Bypass

WARM AUDIO / ODD

This model is a reproduction of the hard clipping drive pedal that many guitarists have built into their pedalboards. In addition to Volume, Tone, and Drive, it has a UK/US switch that allows you to switch the Tone characteristics to match the amp you are using.

MXR / M101 Phase90

A phase shifter with simple operation using only one knob, but with a truly deep taste. Many keyboard players, including Gregg Allman, are fans of this product. A 4-stage phaser that has become a classic.
Moderate regeneration (feedback) is set.

XOTIC / EP Booster Overdrive / Booster

This booster simulates the preamp effect of Echoplex, which is Eric Johnson's favorite tape echo. It produces a thick and mild boost effect that is unimaginable from its compact body.

TC ELECTRONIC / Ditto Looper Looper

The Ditto Looper is a looper pedal designed for guitarists. Its small body not only makes it easy to integrate into a board, but its simple operation makes this model easy to use.

MXR / M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay

The definitive compact analog delay! Natural analog sound with echo-like effects for lead playing, tricky playing, and fantastic arpeggios are all possible. A must-have item that supports the expressive power of guitarists.

True bypass and buffered bypass switchable

ELECTRO-HARMONIX / SOUL FOOD

An overdrive that reproduces the sound of the famous Centaur at a reasonable price! You can fully enjoy the clear and natural tone and linear response of the famous Centaur.

TC ELECTRONIC / Polytune 3 Polyphonic Tuner

Tuner effect pedal for polyphonic tuning.

The above is an explanation of true bypass and buffered bypass with an introduction to typical effect pedals!
I hope you will find this article useful when choosing an effects pedal!
Come back again soon!