Does anybody still use batteries?

Taylor Livingston · #1 05-02-2009, 12:31 AM

I was talking to a friend who makes effects, and he's constantly killing himself to fit a battery into his boxes. I get trying to please customers, but is anybody really using batteries these days?

I hate them. I hate spending ridiculous money on them, I hate creating unnecessary waste and throwing them away, I hate having to worry about whether any of my batteries are going to die when it's most inconvenient. Even with my bass's electronics (the preamp and sustainer pickup each need their own 9v), I use rechargeables.

I can understand if you're only using one effect, but do any of you with pedal boards use batteries? Would it matter to you if an effect you wanted didn't accept batteries?

holllowbody · #2 05-02-2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conical johnson

....but is anybody really using batteries these days?

Of course.

Podgorny · #3 05-02-2009, 12:41 AM

I only use batteries.
It's a minor annoyance, but they sound better, and aren't prone to line noise.

Granted, my bass pedalboard is as follows:
Peterson Strobostomp
Aphex Punch Factory
Sovtek Big Muff
SIB Varidrive

So it's not like I've got a TON of pedals to worry about.

BUT I do own a couple dozen pedals that I keep around for recording guitar, and they all have 9volt batteries.

Like I said, they sound better.

FreaqyFrequency · #4 05-02-2009, 12:46 AM

Batteries do have their advantages, but when I get my GigRig board they'll be out the door due to the Virtual Batteries.

hyp.spec · #5 05-02-2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Podgorny

I only use batteries.
It's a minor annoyance, but they sound better, and aren't prone to line noise.

Granted, my bass pedalboard is as follows:
Peterson Strobostomp
Aphex Punch Factory
Sovtek Big Muff
SIB Varidrive

So it's not like I've got a TON of pedals to worry about.

BUT I do own a couple dozen pedals that I keep around for recording guitar, and they all have 9volt batteries.

Like I said, they sound better.

enlighten me... why do they sound betteR?

skychaserhigh · #6 05-02-2009, 01:10 AM

I suppose different battery brands sound better than others too do they ??
I don't get any line noise from my mains supply and can't hear any difference in sound apart from the fact i don't have to worry about batteries dying on me mid gig.

Podgorny · #7 05-02-2009, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyp.spec

enlighten me... why do they sound betteR?

I can only assume it has something to to with ripple that remains after AC is rectified.
But I'm no electronics expert.

I just know what I hear, and batteries sound better (specifically talking about distortion pedals).

All that being said, session guitarists in town all use adapters in their pedalboards, and they sound great - so I'm not saying AC adapters are going to kill your tone.

But they also run through lots of pedals. and if I could choose between leaving all of my pedals plugged in in series and only plugging in the pedals I'm using, I'd certainly choose the latter.
And if I could choose between using a wall wart with a fuzz pedal or using a battery, I'd go with the battery.

Every little bit counts.

asherthemachine · #8 05-02-2009, 01:22 AM

go green, get a power supply and you wont create waste from batterys

willsellout · #9 05-02-2009, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyp.spec

enlighten me... why do they sound betteR?

I'd be interested in any evidence supporting this as well. Probably in the same place where they keep the evidence for those expensive instrument cables

varunkapahi · #10 05-02-2009, 02:14 AM

i have seven pedals on my board and one day the power supply didnt work for some reason. so i got eight batteries and put one each in every pedal and also got a power supply. i need batteries as a backup power option for sure

ga_edwards · #11 05-02-2009, 04:23 AM

Only if I'm playing somewhere that power outlets or running powercable may be an issue, or fast setup/breakdown is essential. Say a festival where we only get 45mins, and it's on a temporary stage, or back of an open trailer.

ScottB. · #12 05-02-2009, 04:31 AM

At the moment I just use batteries, but when I get my pedaltrain I'll get a one spot

jaseOZ · #13 05-02-2009, 04:56 AM

i did a gig last night and just took my VT bass and tuner and batteries and it was very liberating!

dlegault · #14 05-02-2009, 05:21 AM

i build pedals, and i'm faced with the same question... leave it in, or leave it out?

i've found that the vast majority of people that buy from me don't use a battery, and don't miss it. now i only include it if it's requested, and typically it requires a larger enclosure.

i run all my pedals from the wall, and i can't tell the difference between battery vs mains power. the only place i'm still using batteries is in the pre on my bass.

kevteop · #15 05-02-2009, 05:24 AM

I keep a battery in my tuner, for gigs where I only need a tuner, apart from that none of my pedals have batteries in.

I'd rather have a smaller pedal than space for a battery.

rcubed · #16 05-02-2009, 10:06 AM

None of the pedals I've built have a battery clip. And except for one, none of them have room for a battery.

quee · #17 05-02-2009, 10:22 AM

A good solution would be a power conditioning rechargeable battery pack the size of a pedal with a detachable power supply for mains use or charging.

rcubed · #18 05-02-2009, 10:27 AM

If you get a quality power brick like a Voodoo Lab PP+ then it should have the filtering needed to supply clean power to your pedals. I thought it was worth the investment to get one.

warwick.hoy · #19 05-02-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varunkapahi

i have seven pedals on my board and one day the power supply didnt work for some reason. so i got eight batteries and put one each in every pedal and also got a power supply. i need batteries as a backup power option for sure

I'm starting to live in this camp too. What if you forget the wall wart for your power supply. What if there is a power issue? Batteries can serve to save your booty.

I think that podgorny has a subjective opinion on what sounds better to him. There is probably not going to be any evidence to support his opinion but if it works for him I say more power to him. If nothing else; you can take it as inspiration to try you fuzzes with batteries instead of wall warts and see if you think they sound better.

I can see where when you record you may want to use batteries to cut down on noise. Live....any AC line noise introduced is probably going to be negligible.

Some pedals play nicely when they are power starved. A drained battery can give a desirable effect on certain pedals.

I think if you are smart you can limit the impact that batteries have on the environment. I think that there are proper disposal techniques that differ from just tossing a dead battery in the trash. I think you can source lithium 9v through the interwebs and they will last a lot longer than alkaline. I don't know what sort of affect they will have on your effects however.

Usually you can get a good deal on batteries at Costco or other warehouse type place.

I tend to not throw batteries away. I have a problem keeping track of which ones are good and which ones have died. This can be really wasteful so I started labeling the date on which batteries I have just opened. The ones that have died get a line through the date. Grease pencil works wonders on these.

I don't think batteries are going anywhere.

jumbo_steelie · #20 05-02-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcubed

If you get a quality power brick like a Voodoo Lab PP+ then it should have the filtering needed to supply clean power to your pedals. I thought it was worth the investment to get one.

+1 That's why I took the plunge. It was a hard pill to swallow, but no regrets. The pedals sound ten times better going through the PP2