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Offers up to 12dB of volume boost or cut, with the center position being unity gain.
Adjusts very high frequencies boost/cut up to 12dB for tone shaping and sparkle.
Applies input capacitance to load guitar pickups, affecting tone based on pickups and settings.
Illuminates when the pedal is not muted, signaling readiness for use.
Mutes the main output jack for silent tuning, providing practical stage functionality.
Details high-impedance input, low-impedance output, and dedicated tuner output jacks.
Explains DC power connector, LED kill switch for battery life, and low battery indicator.
The Fender Level Set Buffer is a versatile utility pedal designed for electric guitar and bass players, offering a range of features to optimize signal flow and instrument management during performances. Its primary purpose is to act as a buffer, ensuring signal integrity through complex pedalboards and long cable runs, and it is recommended to be placed first in the signal chain.
One of the key functions of the Level Set Buffer is its dedicated tuner output. This output is always active, allowing players to tune their instruments at any point during a performance without interrupting the main signal path. This feature is particularly useful for quick, on-the-fly adjustments. Additionally, the pedal incorporates a built-in mute footswitch, which provides a silent tuning option when desired, ensuring a clean and professional sound during stage setups or breaks.
The pedal also features "Level" and "Hi-Freq" controls, which are crucial for output-level compensation across different instruments. The Level control offers up to 12dB of volume boost or cut, with the center position representing unity gain. This allows players to adjust the output level to match subsequent guitars, accommodating variations in pickup types and output levels. For instance, humbucking or active pickups might require a gain cut (counter-clockwise adjustment), while vintage single-coil pickups might benefit from increased gain (clockwise adjustment) to achieve the desired sound. The recommended approach is to first set this control to the center with the player's main instrument and then fine-tune the rest of the rig before making further adjustments for other guitars.
The Hi-Freq control operates similarly to the Level control but specifically targets very high frequencies. It also provides up to 12dB of boost or cut. This control is designed to add a subtle "sparkle" to darker-sounding pickups or to "warm up" overly bright pickups, allowing for further tonal shaping and consistency between instruments.
Another notable feature is the "Load Switch." This switch applies capacitance to the input, effectively loading guitar pickups in a manner similar to a traditional tube amplifier. The effect of the Load Switch can be subtle, and its impact will vary depending on factors such as the type of pickups in use, the instrument's volume pot value and setting, and the cables being used. This feature provides an additional layer of tonal customization, allowing players to fine-tune how their pickups interact with the pedal.
For ease of use and visual feedback, the Level Set Buffer includes a "Jewel Indicator." This indicator illuminates when the pedal is not muted, clearly signaling to the player that their signal is active and ready for performance. The "Mute Footswitch" itself is a rugged component designed for durability and reliable silent tuning.
Maintenance features include the "LED Kill Switch," which allows users to extinguish the LEDs that illuminate the knobs. This is particularly useful for maximizing battery life when the pedal is powered by batteries, extending the time between battery replacements. The pedal also incorporates a "Low Battery Indicator," a red LED located on the front of the battery door. This LED illuminates when the battery voltage drops below a predefined threshold, providing a timely warning that the battery should be replaced soon, preventing unexpected power loss during a performance.
The input jack is a high-impedance input, making it suitable for a wide range of instruments, including electric guitars, basses, acoustic guitars with pickup systems, and keyboards. The main output jack is a low-impedance output, designed to connect to an amplifier or the next effect pedal in the signal chain, ensuring optimal signal transfer. The DC power connector is a standard, center-negative 9VDC jack, compatible with common power supplies.
Overall, the Fender Level Set Buffer is a robust and thoughtfully designed pedal that addresses several common challenges faced by musicians, from maintaining signal quality and managing multiple instruments to facilitating silent tuning and optimizing battery life. Its features are geared towards enhancing performance consistency and flexibility on stage and in the studio.
General| Type | Buffer |
|---|---|
| Input Impedance | 1 MΩ |
| Output Impedance | 100 Ω |
| Power Supply | 9V DC |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Outputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Power Source | 9V battery or DC power supply |
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