MXR MC406 CAE Buffer Reviews
Why put the MXR MC406 Buffer pedal in your signal chain? If you're using a string of effects pedals, chances are that their varying impedances are already degrading your tone. The MC406 Buffer solves that problem and more. You can add up to 6dB of gain to your signal, perfect for vintage/boutique pedals that can cause a volume drop. It's got an extra output for your tuner or second amplifier. It's even got a 9VDC power output jack, so you can power another one of your pedals with the MXR MC406 Buffer pedal.
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Highest Rated Reviews
Wow . What a difference.
This thing really works. I'm always very skeptical of magical elixirs but this this really does what it says. Really shines when placed between guitar and virtual amp when recording. Gain control is a nice touch as well. Worthwhile tool.
Not all buffers are created equal
I own several different buffers and I have to say this MXR one is the first one that I thought made a difference, in a positive way. Also, I like the extra features like the boost and eq cuts.
A buffer that doesn't sound "fake".
I have a fairly large pedal board (13 pedals, 12 are True Bypass) and I was definitely losing some signal. I had tried some buffers at the beginning of the signal chain but they always made the sound too sterile and "glassy". This is the first buffer I've used that just sounds "normal" or "natural", the clarity and high end are restored but not to the point of sounding artificial or like I have active pickups. This is running the tone controls as normal (no cut) and without any signal boost(0 db). My pedals seem to interact and stack better as well. So far I am very happy with this buffer and plan on getting another for my second smaller board. If you've had issues like mine with other buffers give this one a shot, I am very impressed with it!
Flawless Buffer
I noticed quite a bit of volume drop and treble loss while running pedals in the (unbuffered) FX loop of my Marshall Studio. This fixed it right up, even better than bypassing the loop! Love the dB boost and the bass cut; I'd give it 6 stars if possible.
Well worth the money for improving your tone
I gotta say that I was not at all excited about purchasing a buffer. I can get excited about a new pedal that introduces a new sound such as distortion or chorus into my effects toolbox. But not for a new pedal that does "nothing".
If you're like me and have been slowly adding pedals to your pedal board over the years until one day you count and find 14 pedals on that board, then most likely your overall tone has been slowly degrading with each additional pedal, but you never noticed because each change was small.
I was obviously suffering from this issue because when I finally bit the bullet and got the MXR Buffer for the front of my effects chain, my tone suddenly came alive. I spent the first weekend with this thing trying out every pedal I own and style of music I play and it all sounded significantly better than before. I got tones out of my rig that I couldn't believe. By the way I left the high cut and low cut switches off and the gain slider slightly past the midpoint. I didn't feel any need to tweak the settings further.
So the bottom line is this pedal is a great investment not because it sounds great but because it makes EVERY OTHER pedal you own sound great. In my case, this pedal cost about $7 per pedal that it enhanced. That's well worth the investment.
Good stuff!
This is a nice little toy that'll boost your signal. It cleared my tone up a little bit, but it definitely gives your signal a nice boost, especially when you have the gain slider all the way up to 6db. The high and low cut do exactly what they say. It's a very noticeable change when either are pushed in. They don't change the overall shape of your tone which is nice just gets rid of the little extra on either high or low end. Overall this little guy doesn't do a whole lot for me but enough for me to keep it in my chain. Plus the blue LED on the slider is cool ;]
