Tonal Benefit to Higher Voltage?

[FreaqyFrequency]

I notice that some compressors and gain pedals cite in their descriptions that they run at 18v+ for higher headroom, or for greater dynamic range.

Can anyone confirm these statements? If so, can you explain how higher voltage = higher headroom/better tone? Also, in what pedals would higher voltage be irrelevant or without benefit?

[RickenBoogie]

My guess is a higher voltage = more actual power in the gain stage, which would allow for more dB's of gain. Think of it as a boost, where engaging the pedal increases your volume. Like I said, my guess.

[megadan]

In gain pedals a higher voltage means more gain, and in other pedals (compressors, etc.), it can mean a greater dynamic range, since you have a wider range of voltage to move through (typical 9v effects generally swing from either side of 4.5v, so moving to 18 gives you 9v of swing instead)

Not every effect will benefit. Digital effects, chorus and phase, tremolos, etc. would probably not benefit, and pedals that aren't designed for 18v operation could be negatively affected or damaged by a higher voltage.

[bovine mind]

Originally Posted by megadan

it can mean a greater dynamic range,

can you elaborate on what that sounds like?

[MAMMOTHvolume]

Originally Posted by bovine mind

can you elaborate on what that sounds like?

they go higher and lower frequency wise and you can put a much hotter signal into them without them clipping as soon.

[bassmodder]

I know some guitar players swear by used 9V batteries in their boxes. Guess what- it's true. Go try a near dead battery vs a brand new alke battery in a distortion some time. I will bet you're surprised at the difference. (good or bad)

[B.C.]

Originally Posted by MAMMOTHvolume

they go higher and lower frequency wise and you can put a much hotter signal into them without them clipping as soon.

Yup, this^^

[Thunderscreech]

More volts = more "openess" in the gain stages, or so I hear.

[smo]

I've found this all to be highly dependent on the actual pedal you speak of.

Some pedals benefit from a higher voltage, allowing more room to breath before the intensity of the input signal starts clipping, like with a hot active bass - but some pedals won't have much difference at all.

I personally find that the biggest differences are noticed with gain pedals. Overdrives especially IME.But it depends on the pedal, manufacturer etc.
Likewise, a lower voltage can have desirable results too. I personally like running fuzz pedals at a really low voltage to achieve a sputtery (dead battery) like sound.

And yeah - like stated above - read the tech notes first - feeding any pedal power above it's stated limit is gonna fry a cap or two at the least.........

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by bassmodder

I know some guitar players swear by used 9V batteries in their boxes. Guess what- it's true. Go try a near dead battery vs a brand new alke battery in a distortion some time. I will bet you're surprised at the difference. (good or bad)

Or just adjust your power supply's built in voltage sag to emulate that nearly dead battery sound without having to worry about it completely dying on you while recording/gigging and with less heavy metal waste involved.