Our standard Buffer (not Buffer+) is just a single input buffer. There is no buffer at the loop in. The loop in and amp out jacks are simply there for convenience of pedal board routing, and set up and tear down. It basically makes the buffer the central routing point of your pedal board.

In the Buffer+, we have a buffer at the loop input because it's essential to the extra functions of the Buffer+, such as the noise filter and output boost. Alternatively, you can also use the Buffer+ as a buffer for your effects in front of the amp, and as an fx loop buffer by sending the fx send from your amp to the loop in.

In other words:

Our Buffer has a buffer between the guitar input and loop out / tuner out

Our Buffer+ has a buffer between the guitar input and loop out / tuner out, and another buffering stage between the loop in and amp out

The input loading knob is mainly for adjusting the Buffer+ to your pickups. Having that knob fully clockwise will give you the full range of sound. Turning it counter-clockwise will roll off the high-end to give you a darker sound which is useful if your pickups are overly bright.

Fuzz pedals, germ drives, and wah-wahs, especially vintage ones and retro designs, historically had a very low input impedance which naturally rolls off a lot of high end from your guitar. So the loading down effect which is what the Buffer and Buffer+ are designed to counter, actually contributes to the way certain vintage style pedals are meant to sound. So worst case scenario, your vintage style pedal will sound a lot brighter than it otherwise would without the Buffer or Buffer+ in front. Our fuzz and germ pedals have a higher input impedance so there's no audible difference before or after. But as always, experiment and see what works for you!