Markbass Comressore + Voodoo Labs Pedal Power II

magic papa · #1 11-02-2009, 08:38 PM

Hi,

I was wondering whether eanybody tried to power up Markbass Compressore with Voodoo Labs power supply. The pedal requires 12V and Vodoo Labs PS can apparently deliver it, but the manual says the 12V option is really to emulate old Boss ACA adapter, which was non-regulated.

I am wondering whether it would still be adequate for the Compressore pedal. If not - would there be any other elegant way to add Markbass Compressore to the pedal board? By elegant I mean without an additional power board with a bulky powerpack sticking out of it.

Thanks nad regards

mp

Smurf-o-Deth · #2 11-02-2009, 09:15 PM

The non-regulated slots are 5 and 6. 1 through 4 are 9v or 12v regulated, so you should be fine.

magic papa · #3 11-02-2009, 09:34 PM

You're right, I can get 12V regulated from Pedal Power. I just checked on Voodoo website. It somehow wasn't obvious from the manual, but the website is pretty clear.

The next worry is that 12V output can only deliver 60mA according to the specs on the website (http://www.voodoolab.com/pedalpower_2.htm). This normally would be more than enough for a solid state pedal, but not sure about the tube one. I've got a gut feeling that it won't be enough.

Does anybody know the current draw for Markbass Compressore? The manual doesn't say enything, neither do the specs on the website.

Cheers

mp

bongomania · #4 11-02-2009, 10:03 PM

It requires about 600 mA for proper operation.

magic papa · #5 11-02-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

It requires about 600 mA for proper operation.

Yeah, it makes sense. 60mA wouldn't even be enough to run tube heater. You would need around 300mA @ 12V to do that.

T-Rex Fuel Tank Juicy Lucy can deliver up to 300mA per output, which can be ran in parallel giving 600mA. I reckon tripling it shouldn't be a problem either. The issue is that this power supply has no 9V outputs for a change, so I would need two power supplies in the pedal board.

The other T-Rex box has 9V outputs, but only one 12VDC 500mA output

You just can't win with these 12V tube pedals, can you?

This would be my tip for any power supply designers:

1. Put a few 9V outputs, no need for high current, most pedals draw very little.

2. Put one or a couple of 18V outputs; no need for high current either because 18V is only used to increase headroom.

3. Put at least one high-current (1A) 12VDC output as this voltage is common in tube pedals, which require some juice to run the tube(s).

4. Optionally put one high-current (1A) 12VAC output for some other tube pedal types (such as EBS ValveDrive).

Pretty simple. Nobody makes power supplies like that

Smurf-o-Deth · #6 11-02-2009, 10:51 PM

Well, maybe if the Pedal Power Versa ever sees the light of day...

Also, you need some higher output 9v slots for digital effects, which draw considerably more current than the analogue variety.

magic papa · #7 11-02-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

Also, you need some higher output 9v slots for digital effects, which draw considerably more current than the analogue variety.

Good point.

Also the low-current 9V outputs could be switchable between 9/18V to make it even more flexible. You could then run on the same board:

1. Digital delay
2. EBS ValveDrive
3. Markbass Compressore
4. MXR BlowTorch
5. Boss Noise Supressor
6. Korg Pitchblack Tuner

And that would be my favourite pedal board

.

gillento · #8 11-02-2009, 11:34 PM

Try burkey.nl.
Their Flatliner Pro might be an option.

bongomania · #9 11-03-2009, 12:29 AM

If the Godlyke Iso-Pump ( http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ter?sku=580217 ) ever actually becomes available, it should be a perfect solution--it provides an isolated 12VDC, and the Powerall (and similar daisy chains) supply plenty of available current.

magic papa · #10 11-03-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillento

Try burkey.nl.
Their Flatliner Pro might be an option.

My interpretation of the specs is that 12VDC gives 200mA. Still not enough to power a DC-powered tube pedal. Funny how specs never say that directly, you need to work it out yourself

But it's got 12VAC 1A output! Definitely step in the right direction.

All power supplies I've seen are targeted at guitar pedal board market. Whlist I understand that it is much bigger market it would be nice to see something useful for bass players.

For example all these "voltage sag" controls are useless on bass. I would much rather see a regulated 18V. I know that it's possible to connect two 9V in series, but you loose two outputs for that. A couple of 18V pedals would pretty much exhaust the power supply.

magic papa · #11 11-03-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

If the Godlyke Iso-Pump ( http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ter?sku=580217 ) ever actually becomes available, it should be a perfect solution--it provides an isolated 12VDC, and the Powerall (and similar daisy chains) supply plenty of available current.

The thing that concerns me a bit is this description from the website:

"(...)Weight: less than a pound(...)"

An ounce is less than a pound, but I'm afraid it's not what they are trying to say. I guess if you have a few non-standard pedals on your board you may be better-off carrying a propane bottle to power it all up

Still though, the amount of current this device can output will be limited by how much current the 9V input can draw. Also - the more the voltage is boosted the more current it will draw on the 9V side, so the majority of currently available power supplies won't be able to deliver it anyway.

There's still a room for a dream bass pedal board power supply from a smart manufacturer.

bongomania · #12 11-03-2009, 10:21 AM

The Godlyke and similar daisy chains offer up to 2000 mA of available current. Even considering the increased draw from the voltage boost, there should be plenty of current to go around for the MB plus other pedals.

Gopher Bob · #13 05-21-2010, 03:43 PM

Since this thread seems to have half the answer instead of making a new one I'll ask here.

Has anyone used the Godlyke IP-1 Iso-pump to power the markbass compressore? I am both shopping for a compressor and some type of power device or power brick. It would be nice to know if someones tried this 30$ power dongle before I spend the money on it.

Any help much appreciated.

bongomania · #14 05-21-2010, 04:36 PM

Has anyone seen an ISO-pump in real life? Last I checked they were still vapor.

Edit: at MF it now says "Availability: Expected 06-30-2010." So it's still just vapor for the indefinite future.

RickenBoogie · #15 05-21-2010, 06:07 PM

Sometimes, (and in this case), you just need to use a couple of "extra" wall warts to get the proper power to all your pedals. In my case, 11 pedals on the board, 8 of them powered by the Voodoo Labs PP2+, and the other 3 with wall warts. All of that is plugged into a power strip with 3 "extra wide" outlets made just for wall warts. The whole thing, powerstrip included, fits neatly inside the PedalTrain case.

Gopher Bob · #16 05-21-2010, 06:32 PM

I guess I was hoping for an easy solution since I'm going to have to get either a godlyke powerall /visual sound one spot or one of those bricks.

After pondering the compressors for awhile the markbass seems perfect for me as I do not care about extra space.

So it sounds like best to go with a godlyke/visual sound and just use the markbass stock ac-adapter.

bassmandudeguy · #17 10-02-2011, 12:12 AM

Hey guys sorry to bump this old post but I did a search and this was the closest thread to an answer to my question!

Anyways I have a Markbass Compressore that I absolutely love (btw thanks Bongo for your Onvilabs site!) except the power supply is giving me a headache much like the original poster.

My question is this: Can I run the Compresore on 18v from the Dunlop Brick or will that fry it? I asked a couple Electronic Technicians at work and they weren't sure either stating that it depended more on the amperage or something rather then the voltage??? I really don't know much about this stuff can anyone help please?

Thanks a lot guys!

bassmandudeguy · #18 10-03-2011, 12:08 AM

Ok guys I have some more info. Please correct me if I am wrong here.

Ok so I discovered that the Dunlop DC Brick I am currently using is only rated for 1000ma which sounds like a lot but then in another thread I learned that the Markbass Compresore draws 600ma. So If the rest of my pedals together draw less then 400ma would I be able to run the Compresore on the 18v supplied by the Dunlop Brick even though the Compresore comes with a 12v power supply?

I'm trying to reduce the number of wall wart power supplies I have which is why I bought the Dunlop Brick in the first place. It works great to power several of my pedals but some have oddball voltage requirements like the markbass and my enigma and my muff has a reversed polarity etc. The power strips I have mounted under my pedalboard are full and I'm still GASing for several pedals!!!

bongomania · #19 10-03-2011, 01:14 AM

Honestly I think the Dunlop is a bad purchase, sorry about that. I would not try to power the Markbass with 18 V; it might be fine, or you might fry it. Flip a coin, or email Peter at Markbass to find out for sure. I'd recommend getting a different brick-style supply, one with the correct 12 V output and adequate current.

FWIW, the Godlyke device I mentioned in the earlier posts turned out to be a bogus deal, as it has low current output.