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Tech Tip Of The Day: DSP vs. True Bypass

What's the difference between a true bypass and a DSP bypass, and does it matter?

Provided by Sweetwater.

Q: I love the outboard gear in my studio.

However, there are obviously times when I have a need to bypass the units to audition the effects.

I’ve noticed that while some units offer a true bypass, others use a DSP bypass.

Now, I can’t really tell the difference between the two, but it does leave me wondering.

What’s the difference?

A: Ah, good catch!

In true bypass, the analog signal entering unit is passed straight to the outputs, without being converted to digital and without being buffered.

With DSP bypass, the signal is converted to digital even when the effects are bypassed.

Aurally, both offer similar sound quality — some users hear a difference and prefer one over the other, some don’t.

There is, however, one functional difference which my or may not apply depending on the type of effect you’re using.

In true bypass, delay repeats or a reverb tail will be cut off if you bypass while the delay is trailing away.

With DSP bypass, delay repeats or a reverb tail will continue sounding after you bypass.

As always, we welcome input from the PSW community and would love to know your thoughts on DSP vs. true bypass and all outboard equipment . Feel free to let us know in the comments below.

For more tech tips go to Sweetwater.com

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