Empress Effects Buffer +

A "Swiss Army knife" for the guitar chain: buffer, interface, and utilities in a compact format

The Buffer+ was designed as a complete solution to tackle a well-known problem for guitarists: signal loss due to cable lengths and unbuffered pedal chains. Rather than adding a simple buffer "on top," Empress combined an analog buffer section and essential signal management functions into a single compact unit to maintain a consistent sound from the input to the last note of the set.

Its small size (length 4.5", width 2.5", height 2") allows easy integration into an already crowded pedalboard while centralizing connections to save time during setup and teardown.

Who it's for and what for: from minimalist pedalboards to complex rigs

The Empress Buffer+ is aimed at all guitarists (and bassists) who want to recover the direct sound of their instrument, especially if the pedalboard involves long cables, multiple true bypass pedals, vintage effects sensitive to impedance, or more elaborate routing (tuner, effects loop, multiple gain pedals). In the studio, it helps maintain a cleaner and more consistent take; live, it stabilizes level and clarity from gig to gig.

Regarding styles, it is particularly relevant for sounds where transparency and definition matter: funk, pop, blues, rock, ambient, worship, or any setup with delays and reverbs where precision in the highs makes a difference.

Controls and features: boost, silent tuning, filters, and guitar adaptation

The Buffer+ maintains a fully analog signal path and adds practical tools to control your chain. The clean boost can be adjusted up to 30 dB and toggled on/off via a soft-touch footswitch, handy for cutting through the mix without changing the base tone.

The tuner output allows connecting a tuner without interfering with the main audio signal. Holding the footswitch for about one second activates a mute on the output to the amp for silent tuning, a real plus on stage.

Two noise filters (inspired by Dolby-style filtering logic) are available to reduce unwanted noise that can appear in an effects chain (hiss, harsh high frequencies, cumulative noise). The input pad lets you adjust the level by 3 dB (cut or boost) to balance levels between multiple guitars, tame very hot active pickups, or optimize the signal-to-noise ratio before effects.

Finally, the input loading adjustment lets you choose whether to "load" your pickups a little, a lot, or not at all. This is a valuable tool to tailor the feel under your fingers and the high-frequency response, especially with passive pickups and certain fuzz/overdrives sensitive to impedance.

Sound

The Empress Buffer+ aims for a neutral and transparent approach: the goal is to preserve the character of the guitar, pickups, and amp while reducing brightness loss caused by cables and long chains. The result often translates to more present highs (without harshness), a more precise attack, and a more stable dynamic, especially when rolling down the guitar volume or chaining multiple true bypass pedals.

With the clean boost, you can push the input of an amp or gain pedal for more sustain and presence while maintaining a clear response. The input loading and pad adjustments make the whole setup very responsive to your playing: you adapt the feel to your instrument rather than endure the chain.

Technical specifications

Effects	Boost, Buffer	Type	sector
Technology	Analog	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Black

Input impedance	10k to 1M ohms	Inputs	6.35 mm jack
Output impedance	510 ohms	Outputs	6.35 mm jack
Frequency response (-3 dB)	5 Hz to 40 kHz	Power connector	2.1 mm barrel jack
Total harmonic distortion	0.02%	Required voltage	9V DC (center-negative)
Signal-to-noise ratio	105.3 dB	Height	2"
Headroom	+9.4 dBu	Length	4.5"
Switchable clean boost	up to 30 dB	Width	2.5"
Tuner mute	hold the footswitch for approximately 1 second	Weight	0.5 lbs
Tuner output (tuner out)	dedicated	Enclosure material	die-cast aluminum
Noise filters	2 modes	Included accessories	documentation
Input pad	+/-3 dB	Current draw	86 mA
Input loading adjustment	variable