Boost and Buffer

Two unassuming, often misunderstood helpers that create no "effect" in the audible sense but can improve the whole signal chain.

Boost — Simply raises the level, largely without distortion of its own. Two main purposes: solo boost (louder for the solo without changing the tone) and pushing an amp/pedal (driving a slightly breaking amp or a gain pedal harder into saturation, for more breakup and sustain). Some boosts are "clean" (don't color), others deliberately emphasize highs or mids (treble/mid boost) and shape the tone along the way.

Buffer — Converts the high-impedance guitar signal into a low-impedance one that survives long cable runs and many pedals without treble loss. Without a buffer, a big pedal chain or a long cable often sounds duller than it should ("tone suck"). Many true-bypass pedals do not buffer — a long chain of all-true-bypass pedals often benefits from a buffer at the start or end.

Prominent references — For boost, the MXR Micro Amp, the EP Booster (after the Echoplex preamp) or the TC Spark; their purpose is level, not color. Buffers are often built into other pedals (many Boss pedals buffer). Reference points, not a ranking.

The fuzz exception — A buffer before a classic fuzz can make it sound thin (see fuzz). So place buffer and fuzz with care.

Both are tools for signal hygiene and flexibility, not a tone feature. They only get noticed when they're missing — then as lost treble or a too-quiet solo.