Buffer+ Stereo

Product is Discontinued

Overview

The Empress Buffer+ Stereo was designed to be the complete I/O interface for your pedalboard, all while maintaining the highest fidelity of your guitars' signal.

Signal loss due to long. un-buffered cable runs is an issue that has plagued guitar players for decades. The primary goal of the Buffer+ Stereo is to eliminate this signal loss, ensuring that your tone is unchanged by your cables.

We've incorporated all the features of our Buffer+ such as the foot-switchable boost, input padding, noise filters, and variable input loading, as well as a ton of additional features such as input metering and clip level indicators, AB/AY switching, external switch control, and of course full stereo in/out connectivity.

On top of all that, we've added 12 different operating modes, each with its own unique signal routing to provide maximum versatility and adaptability to just about any rig you can throw at it. Whether you're connecting stereo effects out to stereo amps, parallel mono effects chains, dual instruments to switch between, or effects in front of your amp as well as the fx loop, the Buffer+ Stereo has got you covered.

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Features

  • All Analog Signal Path - No digitals in here!
  • Switchable Boost - Dial in up to 30dB of clean boost and switch on and off with the soft touch foot switch, or optional external footswitch.
  • AB/ABY Switching - Use the onboard footswitch to AB or AY the outputs, AB the inputs for instrument switching, or even bypass your amp's effects loop.
  • 12 Different Operating Modes - Want to sum stereo effects to dual mono? Maybe sum mono effects to run in parallel? How about buffer effects in front, and also your amp's fx loop? User configurable internal signal routing lets you do all of this and more.
  • Input Metering - LED meters on all inputs to show the incoming signal and to alert you of clipping. Also great for troubleshooting!
  • Tuner Mute - Hold the footswitch for a second to mute the amp output for tuning, or use an external footswitch to mute the output instantly.
  • Noise Filters - Similar to Dolby's noise filter technology, choose between two different noise filters to remove any unwanted noise from your effects chain.
  • Input Pad - Pad the input by either 6dB or 12dB. Great for matching output levels of different instruments, or avoiding clipping from a hot amp fx loop.
  • Input Loading - Load down your pickups a little, a lot, or not at all. It's up to you.
  • Transformer Isolated Output - Avoid ground loops when connecting to multiple amps or sources. Polarity can also be inverted to maintain phase between stereo amps.
  • External Footswitch Control - Connect an external footswitch to activate the boost or instantly mute the ouput for tuning, to allow the onboard switch to be used for AB/AY switching.

Soundclips

Specifications

Input Impedance 1 10kΩ - 1MΩ
Input Impedance 2 1MΩ
Output Impedance 1 47Ω
Output Impedance 2 600Ω
Frequency Response (-3dB) 20Hz - 38kHz
THD 0.02%
Noise -104dB
Input Voltage 9VDC
Required Current 150mA
Power Input Connector 2.1mm Barrel Connector
Height (enclosure only) 1.5"
Height (including controls) 2"
Length 4.5"
Width 3.5"
Weight 12.5oz


Find Your Mode

Answer these simple questions to find out which mode is right for you.
How many instruments and amps are you using?

Mode 1: Un-summed Loop Ins

Mode 1 is the standard operating mode for a stereo set-up. Here's how the signal is routed:

- In 1 and In 2 are routed to loops outs 1 and 2 respectively.
- In 1 also feeds the tuner output
- if nothing is plugged in In 2, then In 1 is routed to both outputs.
- In the loop, place your stereo effects chain and return back into loop ins 1 & 2.
- Signal from the loops are buffered and routed to outputs 1 and 2.
* If the loop ins are not connected, then the signal from the inputs are routed directly to the amp outputs and if In 2 is also not connected, In 1 will be routed to both outputs.

You could use this mode to do a wet/dry set-up.

Another great way to use this mode is in the recording studio. Using a mono pedal chain, send out 1 to your amp as normal, but send out 2 to your soundcard to record a DI signal of the guitar that can be used later for re-amping. This output will be connected directly from In 1, because In 2 and Loop 2 in are both not connected.

The Footswitch can perform 1 of 3 functions.
- Boost applies up to 30dB of clean boost right before the output, and will affect both outputs in this mode.
- in A/B mode, the stompswitch toggles between out 1 and out 2.
- in A/Y mode, the stompswitch toggles between out 1, and both outputs being active.

Mode 2: Summed Loop Ins

Mode 2 uses summing to take stereo effects and bring them back to a mono output. Perhaps the most useful case for this mode would be for someone who sometimes runs a stereo rig, but also plays gigs with a mono rig. You could leave your pedalboard connected in a stereo configuration and just switch over to mode 2 for gigs with only 1 amp.

Here's how the signal is routed:
- In 1 and In 2 are routed to loops outs 1 and 2 respectively.
- In 1 also feeds the tuner output
- if nothing is plugged in In 2, then In 1 is routed to both outputs.
- In the loop, place your stereo effects chain and return back into loop ins 1 & 2.
- Signal from loops are buffered, then summed together, and routed to Both outputs.

Another great way to use this mode in the recording studio, is to send Out 1 to your amp as normal, but send Out 2 to your sound-card to record a DI signal of the guitar that can be used later for re-amping.

The Footswitch can perform 1 of 3 functions.
- Boost will affect both outputs in this mode.
- in A/B mode, the stompswitch toggles between Out 1 and Out 2 .
- in A/Y mode, the stompswitch toggles between Out 1, and both outputs being active.

Mode 3: Loop In 1 Only

Mode 3 is designed for using a mono effects chain with 2 outputs.

- Only In 1 is used in this mode
- Signal flows from In 1, is buffered and runs to loop out 1.
- In 1 also feeds the tuner output
- In the loop, place all of your mono pedal and return back into loop in 1.
- Signal from loop in 1 is buffered, then routed to Both outputs.

Another great way to use this mode in the recording studio, is to send Out 1 to your amp as normal, but send Out 2 to your sound-card to record a DI signal of the guitar that can be used later for re-amping. This DI Signal would also have any of the effects you applied in the loop.

The Footswitch can perform 1 of 3 functions.
- Boost will affect both outputs in this mode.
- in A/B mode, the stompswitch toggles between Out 1 and Out 2 .
- in A/Y mode, the stompswitch toggles between Out 1, and both outputs being active.

Mode 4: Un-summed/Summed Loop Ins Combination

Mode 4 lets you run a summed signal to 1 amp then switch to a stereo signal to both amps using the AY stompswitch.

- In 1 and In 2 are routed to loops outs 1 and 2 respectively.
- In 1 also feeds the tuner output
- if nothing is plugged in In 2, then In 1 is routed to both outputs.
- In the loop, place your stereo effects chain and return back into loop ins 1 & 2.
- With the stompswitch set to boost, this mode behaves like mode 1 and routes loop in 1 to Amp out 1 and loop in 2 to amp out 2. Both signals are buffered at the loop ins and the
- boost is applied as the last thing in the chain before the amp outs.
- In A/B mode, the stompswitch toggles between sending a summed signal to Out 1 and Out 2.
- For A/Y mode, in the A state, the buffer sends a summed signal to Out 1. The Y state sends a stereo signal to both outputs

Mode 5: Loop Select

Loop select mode lets you do some cool things like run 2 effect chains in parallel, or switch between 2 different effect chains.

- Only In 1 is used in this mode
- Signal flows from In 1, is buffered and runs to both loop out 1 and 2.
- In 1 also feeds the tuner output
- This mode is designed to be used with 2 mono effects chains.
- Effects chain 1 runs from loop out 1, though your effects, and back into loop in 1.
- Effects chain 2 runs from loop out 2, though your effects, and back into loop in 2.
- In A/B mode, the stompswitch toggles between Loop 1 and Loop 2. The selected loop is sent to both outputs
- For A/Y mode, in the A state, Loop 1 is used and set to both outputs just like in A/B mode. The Y state combines the signals from both loops and sends this summed signal to both outputs. Blending the 2 signals in parallel.
- With the stompswitch set to boost, this mode behaves like the Y state, summing the 2 effects loops in parallel and sending this signal out to both amp outputs.
- boost is applied as the last thing in the chain before the amp outs.

Mode 6: Loop Summing Select

This mode allows for running 2 mono effects chains and switching between running a summed signal or sending each loop to its own amp.

- Only In 1 is used in this mode
- Signal flows from In 1, is buffered and runs to both loop out 1 and 2.
- In 1 also feeds the tuner output
- This mode is designed to be used with 2 mono effects chains.
- Effects chain 1 runs from loop out 1, though your effects, and back into loop in 1.
- Effects chain 1 runs from loop out 2, though your effects, and back into loop in 2.
- the stompswitch toggles between summed and unsummed states.
- In state A, Loop 1 and Loop 2 are summed in parallel and send to both amp outputs.
- In state B, Loop 1 is sent to amp out 1 and Loop 2 is sent to amp out 2.
- the stompswitch function toggle switch is not used in this mode because the stompswitch always funtions as an A/B switch.
- boost is applied as the last thing in the chain before the amp outs.

Mode 7: Instrument Select, Mono Return to Both Outs

This mode is designed for using multiple instruments through the same mono effects chain, out to either 1 or 2 amps.

- Plug your 2 instruments into the two inputs. In 1 and In 2.
- The active instrument input gets routed to Loop out 2.
- The active Input is also feed the tuner output
- Pressing the stompswitch will select which instrument is active.
- This mode is designed to be used with a mono effects chain.
- Signal is sent out Loop 2 out, then place your effects chain, and return back into Loop 2 In.
- From loop in 2, signal is routed to both outputs.
- boost is applied as the last thing in the chain before the amp outs.
- the stompswitch function toggle switch is not used in this mode because the stompswitch always funtions as an instrument select switch.

Mode 8: Instrument Select, Stereo Return & Summed Loops

This mode is designed for using multiple instruments through the same stereo effects chain, out to either 1 or 2 amps.

- Plug your 2 instruments into the two inputs. In 1 and In 2.
- The active instrument input gets routed to Loop out 2.
- The active Input is also feed the tuner output
- Pressing the stompswitch will select which instrument is active.
- This mode is designed to be used with a stereo effects chain.
- Signal is sent out Loop 2 out, then place your stereo effects chain, and return back into Loop 1 & 2 In.
- From the loop inputs, signal is summed then routed to both outputs.
- boost is applied as the last thing in the chain before the amp outs.
- the stompswitch function toggle switch is not used in this mode because the stompswitch always funtions as an instrument select switch.

Mode 9: Instrument Select, Un-summed Loops

This mode is designed for using multiple instruments through the same stereo effects chain, then out 2 amps run in stereo.

- Plug your 2 instruments into the two inputs. In 1 and In 2.
- The active instrument input gets routed to Loop out 2.
- The active Input is also feed the tuner output
- Pressing the stompswitch will select which instrument is active.
- This mode is designed to be used with a stereo effects chain.
- Signal is sent out Loop 2 out, then place your stereo effects chain, and return back into Loop 1 & 2 In.
- From the loop inputs, signal is routed from loop in 1 to amp out 1,and from loop in 2 to amp out 2.
- boost is applied as the last thing in the chain before the amp outs.
- the stompswitch function toggle switch is not used in this mode because the stompswitch always funtions as an instrument select switch.

Mode 10: Instrument Select - Seperate rigs, Shared effects

The rig select mode allows for 2 instrument and amp set-ups to share the same effects chain. This mode is great for side men or multi-instrumentalists. It allows you to have 2 separate rigs, that can share effects, minimizing what you need to travel with. Here, we showed it with an electric guitar rig and an acoustic guitar rig, but this could be used for any two instruments.

- Plug your 2 instruments into the two inputs. In 1 and In 2.
- The active instrument input gets routed to Loop out 2.
- The active Input is also feed the tuner output
- Signal is sent out Loop 2 out. In the loop, place your effects chain, and return back into Loop 2 In.
- From Loop 2 in, signal is routed to the active amp output.
- Pressing the stompswitch will select which rig is active. Here we are using rig 1, so instrument 1 and amp 1 are active, and in rig 2, instrument 2 and amp 2 are active
- boost is applied as the last thing in the chain before the amp outs.
- the stompswitch function toggle switch is not used in this mode because the stompswitch always functions as a rig select switch.

Mode 11: FX Loop - boost at amp input

The FX loop modes combine front end pedals and your FX loop into 1 interface.

Front End
- Signal flows from In 1, is buffered and runs to loop out 1.
- In 1 also feeds the tuner output
- Signal is sent out Loop 1 out. In the loop, place your front end effects chain, and return back into Loop 2 In. Generally, all your gain pedals would go here.
- From Loop 2 in, signal feeds amp out 2.
- From Out 2, plug into the front of your amp.
FX loop.
- The FX loop send plugs into In 2.
- In 2 is routed to Loop out 1.
- In the loop, place for FX chain for the FX loop, generally this would be time based effects like delay and reverb. Return from your effects into Loop in 1.
- Loop in 1 is routed to Amp out 1.
- From amp out 1, return to the FX loop return on your amp.

The stompswitch can perform 2 functions, Boost and AY switching. AB switching is not used in these modes.
- In the AY setting, the stomp switch will turn on and off your FX loop. Your front end effects will always be engaged.
- The Boost will be applied directly in front of your amp after your front end effects.

Mode 12: FX Loop - boost at FX return

The FX loop modes combine front end pedals and your FX loop into 1 interface.

Front End
- Signal flows from In 1, is buffered and runs to loop out 1.
- In 1 also feeds the tuner output
- Signal is sent out Loop 1 out. In the loop, place your front end effects chain, and return back into Loop 2 In. Generally, all your gain pedals would go here.
- From Loop 2 in, signal feeds amp out 2.
- From Out 2, plug into the front of your amp.
FX loop.
- The FX loop send plugs into In 2.
- In 2 is routed to Loop out 1.
- In the loop, place for FX chain for the FX loop, generally this would be time based effects like delay and reverb. Return from your effects into Loop in 1.
- Loop in 1 is routed to Amp out 1.
- From amp out 1, return to the FX loop return on your amp.

The stompswitch can perform 2 functions, Boost and AY switching. AB switching is not used in these modes.
- In the AY setting, the stomp switch will turn on and off your FX loop. Your front end effects will always be engaged.
- The boost is applied at the FX loop return.