The KMA Audio Machines Belfry Buffer is a buffer pedal built to keep a guitar signal intact, described by its maker as a "high-fidelity studio-quality buffer." It is a compact unit intended to sit on a pedalboard, or even underneath one, and preserve the instrument's natural tone without adding coloration of its own. KMA Audio Machines has discontinued the Belfry Buffer, marking it as a legacy product on its site1.
How it works
The Belfry uses what KMA calls a multi-path design, with two buffers running in parallel. According to the maker, this arrangement is intended to greatly reduce noise and push the output stage. In practical terms, a buffer like this one is placed in a signal chain to prevent the gradual loss of high frequencies that comes from long cable runs and many pedals in a row, and the Belfry's specifications are aimed at doing that with as little change to the signal as possible1.
KMA describes the result in terms of what the player does not hear:
"This leaves your instrument sounding as crisp, clear and natural as if it was going straight into an amp and nothing"
The maker supports that claim with measured figures: a Total Harmonic Distortion rating of 0.0007%, which KMA itself calls "mind-bogglingly low," and a 123dB signal-to-noise ratio1.
Impedance and signal path
Two impedance figures define how the Belfry behaves in a chain. Its 1Meg input impedance is high, which KMA says means even pedals with a high output impedance can be used before it without problems. Its 200Ohm output impedance is low, which the maker says guarantees a full frequency spectrum on the way out1.
For a player, that combination means the Belfry can sit late in a chain, after fuzzes or other pedals that dislike being loaded down, and still drive the signal onward cleanly toward the amp1.
Power
The Belfry Buffer has no battery compartment. It is powered by an optional standard 9V DC power supply with a 2.1mm negative center connector, drawing approximately 12mA. KMA also notes that the pedal internally converts the incoming 9V to 18V, which the maker says provides massively increased headroom1.
The Belfry Buffer is discontinued. KMA Audio Machines lists it as a legacy product, so it will not be found in current production runs.
Questions
Is the KMA Audio Machines Belfry Buffer discontinued?
Yes. KMA Audio Machines lists the Belfry Buffer as a legacy product and marks it DISCONTINUED on its product page. It is no longer in production, so players looking for one will need to find it secondhand or through remaining dealer stock.
Does the Belfry Buffer run on a battery?
No. The Belfry Buffer has no battery option. It is powered only by an optional standard 9V DC power supply with a 2.1mm negative center connector, drawing approximately 12mA.
What is the input impedance of the Belfry Buffer?
The Belfry Buffer has a 1Meg input impedance. KMA states this high input impedance means even pedals with a high output impedance can be placed before it without problems.
What polarity does the Belfry Buffer power supply use?
The Belfry Buffer uses a negative center power supply polarity, with a standard 2.1mm barrel connector at 9V DC maximum.
Does the Belfry Buffer color the tone?
KMA Audio Machines designed the Belfry to avoid tone coloration. The maker says it leaves the instrument sounding crisp, clear and natural, as if going straight into an amp, and cites a Total Harmonic Distortion rating of 0.0007%.
Sources (1)
- Belfry Buffer, KMA Machines