newb pedalboard/power question

[zipflint]

Alrighty. I did a few searches but I'm pretty dense today, and I want to be sure about things before I blow any cash.

I've only recently come to the conclusion that I really do need a pedalboard. I'm always using two compressors (stereo out from my Ric), my Russian Big Muff, and the Truly Beautiful Disaster. I've also got a half-assed chorus pedal and a Korg AX1B that I use pretty often. And like probably everyone else in here, I'm always drooling over new pedals but I realistically only buy maybe 1 or 2 a year. So I guess I need something fairly large.

I'm also unsure about how the power delivery works. Obviously I want/need to power everything without relying on batteries. But what about the different voltage requirements? Do I need seperate 9V/18V/whatever-volt power supplies? Can I buy a good pedalboard with something like this built in to it? I'm terrified of frying any of my gear. Links to specific products are greatly appreciated.

I feel like damn near every question I pose in here has been answered before. But I have a habit of mistrusting my own reading comprehension, and when it comes to spending money, one can never be too informed. Plus there's always new stuff floating around out there, and I value everyone's input. So, those are my preemptive excuses.

[MatticusMania]

If youre handy with tools, build your own board. I built a huge one for just under $50 and its in a case and everything.

And power everything with one or two necessary one spots.

[zipflint]

I'm a complete klutz. I have cut myself multiple times with plastic spoons, by accident.

Although, I see your point. A pedal board is literally just a place to park pedals. It's the electrical stuff that stops me from trying to logic one out myself. I would not even know where to begin.

[Smurf-o-Deth]

Well, for variety in powering options, the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power II+ can't be beaten. It has 8 outputs, all isolated, that can operate at either 9v or 12v, and with the proper cable, you can combine two outputs into one 18v or 24v power source. There are also high output slots and sag slots that let you starve the circuit. Also, you can always daisy chain from any slot if you need to. It also has a courtesy outlet.

[zipflint]

AhHA! So I could get that specific Voodoo Lab power supply and the 18V y-cable (I actually think all of my current pedals are 9V but I want to be ready for any future pedals) and I'd be set, right? And I could just get a separate board (or make my own) at a later date. That could work for me. I'm not concerned about transport.

I did see that Voodoo Lab and Godlyke seem to be the two most well-liked power supply manufacturers here on TB. I also ran across this (link below) while doing my initial searching. It seems....adequate. But I think I do prefer the looks and specs of the Pedal Power II+.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...Bag?sku=546157

[Smurf-o-Deth]

Yes, you'd be set. Though, I wouldn't get the 18v cable until I needed it, but that's me. If you decide to buy a board, there are several solid options, like Pedaltrain, NYC Pedalboards, and Trailer Trash.

Also, don't overlook the Microsoft Live/Ebay rebate deal. It takes a while to get the cash back, but it's a good way to lessen the damages.

[kevteop]

In my experience there are always pedals that don't do standard 9v. I haven't used the Voodoo box, but I have had lots of awkward pedals (24v EHX, 18v MXR, etc.) and I've just resigned myself to having a power strip on my board. I do have two 9v supplies, one with 8 plugs and another that I can daisy-chain off, but also a 24v wart for my BMS, and now a separate 9v wart for my G5 because it draws so much current.

In short: Daisy-chainable 9v PSUs are great, but make a space allowance for a power strip because you'll probably end up needing one.

[Smurf-o-Deth]

The PPII+ can do both 9v and 12v on any slot, and because the outputs are isolated, can be combined into 18v/24v. Also, there is a courtesy outlet on it, in case you need a wall wart for something.

[kevteop]

Can it do 500mA on one plug? If it can I might have to get one.

Edit: Meh. Just Googled and the most it's got is 250mA on two of its 9v lines. The others are all 100mA so daisy-chaining is pretty limited if you're using the high-current plugs for digital delays or whatever.

Shame.

[zipflint]

And this would be where I get confused again, heh. I will be sure to have room for a powerstrip on whatever board I eventually settle on/build/summon from a quantized dimension, etc. Just to be prepared.

I guess my next question would be....what happens if I plug, say, a 9V power source into a pedal that requires a different voltage? Instant death? Of both the power supply AND the FX box?

[Zappstorius]

Well you need to look at your needs before you build/buy a board. In my case, I initially made a board out of an old wooden shelf...until I outgrew it and began gigging more.

Here's what you need to access in my opinion:

Are you/will you be gigging? If so, an anvil type case might be neccessary (which might make you buy a pre-fab board + case or make a homemade board to the specs of a potential case.

Are you planning to expand? If so, allow room for it in building/buying. Pedalboard real estate is a PREMIUM!

Pedal power requirements: You can save a lot of room by buying a dedicated power source (DC Brick, PP2 etc.) but if you've got some weird requirements (EHX etc.) then maybe a power strip and a 1 spot is the best option.

Once you determine all of those things then you can begin to search/plan for a new board.

Myself, I went to a Pedeltrain Pro because I could have everything neatly on the board (slots are great for hiding cables) plus I could gig without fear of anything getting damaged with the anvil case (which is freaking huge BTW).

[Zappstorius]

Originally Posted by zipflint

And this would be where I get confused again, heh. I will be sure to have room for a powerstrip on whatever board I eventually settle on/build/summon from a quantized dimension, etc. Just to be prepared.

I guess my next question would be....what happens if I plug, say, a 9V power source into a pedal that requires a different voltage? Instant death? Of both the power supply AND the FX box?

No, you won't kill the pedal nor the power supply, but the pedal will not sound the way it's supposed to.

Some people have tried to cop the Wooly Mammoth sound on the MXR Bass Blowtorch underpowered.

[zipflint]

Ahhhh.....that's a relief. Thanks for the previous post as well, it's given me more concrete things to consider. I'm not currently gigging, but that might change within the next year, as my health improves. As it stands, I'm good if I can practice for 30 minutes before my fingertips begin to split and bleed or I get too dizzy to concentrate.

[kevteop]

I think plugging a 9v supply into something that requires more voltage shouldn't be an issue. Plugging an 18v supply into a 9v pedal might break something though (although I've done it accidentally to my pedals before and they were fine, that may have been luck).

One important consideration though is to make sure you don't try to draw more current than a unit can supply. That can cause overheating wires and maybe little fires. Fire's probably not too good for most pedals.

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by zipflint

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...Bag?sku=546157

The Gator Cases Pedal Tote. I have this board. My FX requirements are minimal, so this board suits me just fine. No issues so far.

Here is my board; "work in progress". Note: I'll probably ditch the Sonic Stomp to make room for a Chorus of some sort. Also I'll be sourcing a George L's patch cable kit to clean up the cables and make room for more stuff.



Here is the underside of the board showing the power supply called the G-BUS-8.



8x 9volt outlets. It's hard to tell in the photo, but the supplied cables have a 1/8 inch headphone style jack that plug into the power supply. I'm pretty sure this is the norm.



3x 18volt outlets. Only one appropriate cable supplied. Again I'm pretty sure this is the norm as well. Maybe someone can comment on the availability of these cables.



This is the wall wart's jack. I'm assuming this is proprietary so you don't want to loose the wall wart as I'm sure they would be a pain to source.



I'm not technically savvy with pedals yet so I cannot comment on whether or not the power outputs are isolated. I'm not even sure of the advantages of isolated outputs.

In doing some research I've noticed conflicting specs, 1700mA according to some online retailers and 1500mA from the Gator Website. Again I'm not technically savvy enough to know what that means. All I know is all my pedals have power and they all work.

This G-BUS-8 doesn't have 24v outputs so some EHX stuff is out of the question with this power supply.

A quick TB search turned up a little information on the G-BUS-8 which powers this particular board.

Dunlop DC Brick vs. Gator G-bus-8

There is a larger version of this "pedal tote" so If your pedal collection is ever expanding, this might be a better option.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...Bag?sku=150148

Although consider that more pedals = more weight and this may be a little abusive to a nylon "tote" as opposed to a hardshell case.

Hope this helps and have fun.

[zipflint]

Thanks much for the pics and in-depth review on the Gator product. It's given me more to think about.

[kevteop]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

There is a larger version of this "pedal tote" so If your pedal collection is ever expanding, this might be a better option.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...Bag?sku=150148

Although consider that more pedals = more weight and this may be a little abusive to a nylon "tote" as opposed to a hardshell case.

I've got the larger Gator. The one you linked to there comes with the G-BUS 8, and mounting screws for a second G-BUS. There really isn't any stress to the nylon case - the carry handle on the back of the board isn't attached to the bag, it's attached to the board. If all your pedals are velcro'd down there shouldn't be any stress on the bag.

It's a heavy board though (I carried mine home half a mile from the music shop, and my forearms weren't happy about it), especially once it's full of pedals. And the case really doesn't protect them at all. And it's worth pointing out that if you've only got one G-BUS fitted, depending on which side you mount it, there will be a part of the board that the pissy little short power cables won't reach.

[moondog24]

Just a couple of clarifications on the Pedal Power 2, which I've been using for years:

There are 8 output spigots. The default for all of them is 9V. A set of 8 dipswitches allows you to select the "special" setting for eack spigot.

For spigots 1-4 the special setting is 12 volts.
For spigots 5 & 6, the special setting allows you to power the Line 6 modeling pedals such as the DL4. (Uses a special cable that comes with the brick.)
For spigots 7 & 8 the special setting accesses an adjustable SAG knob that allows you to starve a pedal with a voltage of anywhere from 4V to 9V.

Also, on the topic of precious pedalboard real estate, the Pedal Train boards (except for the new Mini) provide brackets so that you can mount the Pedal Power UNDER the board, thereby not taking up board space with your power brick. Holes in the back rail of the board allow you to access the courtesy outlet.

The Pedal Power/PedalTrain combo can't be beat, IMO.

Hope this helps.

[mixerman]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

8x 9volt outlets. It's hard to tell in the photo, but the supplied cables have a 1/8 inch headphone style jack that plug into the power supply. I'm pretty sure this is the norm.

Hey... how come yours has right angle plugs there? What about the ends that go into your pedals? Mine came with all straight plugs and I 'm not too happy with that.

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by mixerman

Hey... how come yours has right angle plugs there?

Not sure [shrugs]

Originally Posted by mixerman

What about the ends that go into your pedals? Mine came with all straight plugs and I 'm not too happy with that.

The business ends are right angle as well.