output impedance

Output impedance is the resistance a pedal's output presents to the pedals that follow it in a signal chain¹. A low output impedance lets a pedal run long signal chains and makes it compatible with buffered bypass pedals, pedal switchers, and wireless systems²³. Buffered bypass keeps a consistent output impedance for the following pedals whether the main circuit is on or off, which in practice means a more consistent level and signal strength¹. Some designs, such as a dual-stage IC output driver or an active op-amp volume control, keep the output impedance constant as the level control is turned⁴⁵. A very high output impedance, as in some fuzzes, tends to remove high-end and warm up the sound⁶.