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What impedance is and how it affects
The Windmiller Preamp's tone.
Impedance is a really complex concept that requires deep
electronics and math knowledge to fully understand, so
to stay simple we'll say its resistance over frequency.
Resistance is the concept of electronic components
(usually resistors) force against a current flow, commonly
known as electricity, through it. In direct current (the one
that powers most effects pedals for example) this value
is linear as DC has no frequency, it's a steady source of
voltage with no variations.
On the other hand, the guitar signal is swinging voltage,
more commonly known as alternating current and is a
combination of a lot of frequencies.
Because of how the pickups are made, most of them create
high impedance circuits and this means they have inherent
resistance to certain frequencies. Those frequencies will
have difficult times traveling through the guitar cable and
ultimately getting into the circuit of the effect pedal.
And here's the second actor of this game! The input
impedance of the effect pedal.
When we talk about a high input impedance circuit we
mean it won't suck (or load) the signal source of the device
connected to it. Its inherent resistance will help the guitar
signal stay strong and all the frequencies will make its way
to the circuit with no difficulties.
On the other hand, when a circuit has a low input
impedance it will mean it will load the signal source trying
to suck more energy out of it and here's when certain
frequencies will struggle.
So, this is the case of The Windmiller Preamp pedal!
Its low input impedance creates a unique interaction
with the instrument pickups circuit and shapes its
particular tone.
Otherwise when a low impedance signal gets into its input,
the coloring is far less noticeable since no frequency has
tough times traveling to The Windmiller Preamp input
circuit and there's also much less loading.
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