DC Power Bricks?

[eekamike]

Daisy chain is "too polluted"? If you're talking about physical space, it's nothing a rubber band can't fix lol. Shoot, I'd imagine needing a brick would make a set up more of a hassle.

I read on Bongo's website, I think he put it best (I paraphrase here): You don't need a power brick, unless you do. Personally I'm going to daisy chain for as long as I can. When I can't (due to a need for isolated power), I'll buy a brick, and then daisy chain from the brick (assuming there are some pedals that play nice with each other). Idk what your idea of "not looking to spend a whole lot" is, but all those listed are about the same price as a pedal! Personally, a new toy seems more fun than a power supply
Good Luck!

 

[mmbongo]

It's quite simple.

Want isolated outputs? Truetone CS7 (or CS12 if you want a LOT of outputs). The Truetone power supplies are the best, most versatile I've used.

Want to save money? Truetone OneSpot. Your best possible option for the price if you don't need isolated outputs.

 

[Orion1985]

Even though the MXR DC Brick has several outputs from the brick they are not isolated outputs. I've heard some refer to that supply as a glorified daisy chain and it is prone to the same problems as a OneSpot. MXR also makes the Iso-Brick that it came out with a little bit ago that is isolated like the Voodoo Labs and other power supplies.

I have the DC Brick and it works film for me. I run a tuner, a couple ODs, and a comp and I don't get noise.

 

[RickyWoo]

Been using the Voodoo PP2+ for about a year now and have been really happy with it. I run 4 pedals with it so there are outputs to spare. What kind of budget are you looking at?

The Voodoo Lab is in my budget. I've pretty well decided on it from all the great advice given to me. It's what I was hoping was the right choice, because I had my eye on it before posting all of this. Glad it's been reaffirmed by a few.

 

[Boy_Narf]

Voodoo for sure. Had a PP2+ for 5+ years and it never missed a beat. Ended up selling it to fund a 4X4 and it's been on my board for the past 5 or so years. Not a single issue. I also have a PP Digital, and an Iso5. they work great aswell. Only thing to be weary of is MA requirements for your pedals, as well as the tip polarity. I have also plugged a few into the wrong voltage as I have it under my board, but was quick enough to not cause any damage. I currently have a 4X4 running my entire board, with a current doubler, and two output splitters. No noise, or ground loops or anything. It's really nice to have the expand-ability thanks to their variety of aftermarket adaptors. I even managed to power my RangIII with the 4X4 even though it has a 700ma requirement. If I were you, and you are thinking about falling down the rabbit hole, I would honestly get a Mondo. They are a bit more, but you will thank yourself later for having all the extra outputs. If that is too much $$$ though, I vote the 4X4 over the PP2+. Nice to have the 4X400 MA outputs, especially with more and more power hungry pedals coming out. I found myself never using the courtesy outlet on my PP2+, aside from the short time I had the original Timeline on my board.

 

[Max Blasto]

I don't know where to turn for DC power brick options, as I've never owned one. A different thread has me inspired to build my own board. I've checked out Voodoo Lab, MXR & Truetone offerings, as they're readily available to me but I know nothing of their quality or value. Their (different brands) prices are quite varied, for similar offerings, and I honestly don't have the experience to know why. I'm not looking to spend a whole lot, though I do want quality without power loss and will shell out for it if I have to.

I currently run 3 pedals:

1) TU-2 tuner
2) LPB-1 clean boost
3) SGFX Beta OD

I NEED at least 3 outputs but I fear I might fall down the rabbit hole for a few more pedals, so a few extra outputs wouldn't hurt. Maybe 6-8 total? Any experienced suggestions to consider, so I don't over spend or end up buying something I'll have buyer's remorse for? I'm taking the "big box" route here, so not looking for boutique. Any thoughts or direction?

I use a CIOSK DC5. It's a small profile 5-out power supply that handles my small 5 unit pedal selection mounted on a Pedaltrain Nano+.
It can handle 6 units as one of the power cables I use is a Y, and all my pedals are MXR so you can fit 6 units on there if they are all MXR sized.
The DC5 is one of the few power supplies that actually fits under a small pedal board like the Nano+. Gotta tell ya, wish I'd bought it sooner.

It's about $150 and I bought it via Reverb.com in a slam dunk easy transaction.

Good luck

 

[RickyWoo]

I use a CIOSK DC5. It's a small profile 5-out power supply that handles my small 5 unit pedal selection mounted on a Pedaltrain Nano+.
It can handle 6 units as one of the power cables I use is a Y, and all my pedals are MXR so you can fit 6 units on there if they are all MXR sized.
The DC5 is one of the few power supplies that actually fits under a small pedal board like the Nano+. Gotta tell ya, wish I'd bought it sooner.

It's about $150 and I bought it via Reverb.com in a slam dunk easy transaction.

Good luck

The only issue is $150USD is an arbitrary number in Canadian currency (where I am). With conversion, duties paid, and shipping costs, I'd be paying practically the same for it as I would the PP2, in the end. Hence the big box store route in my OP.

 

[Crater]

Your pedals' power supply or type of power supply has NOTHING to do with "signal loss" You must be thinking of what's called "tone suck" which is a reduction in treble that can happen when you run a lot of true-bypass pedals and/or use long instrument cables. Power supplies do nothing to cause nor alleviate tone suck, that's what buffers are for.

Daisy-chain power supplies like the 1spot are fine for small pedal boards. Once you get up six or more pedals, then having a isolated power supply can help. It still won't help your tone, but can reduce hum in some circumstances.

 

[RickyWoo]

Your pedals' power supply or type of power supply has NOTHING to do with "signal loss" You must be thinking of what's called "tone suck" which is a reduction in treble that can happen when you run a lot of true-bypass pedals and/or use long instrument cables. Power supplies do nothing to cause nor alleviate tone suck, that's what buffers are for.

Daisy-chain power supplies like the 1spot are fine for small pedal boards. Once you get up six or more pedals, then having a isolated power supply can help. It still won't help your tone, but can reduce hum in some circumstances.

No. Not referring to tone sucking. I mean I want / need something that delivers enough power to do the job. I've read many bricks don't deliver. Maybe my understanding and my lingo isn't up to snuff. This is all useful though. Learning right now.

 

[Al Kraft]

All the folks with pedal boards I know (including those in the band I'm playing with) have had great luck with the VooDoo Lab products. The VooDoo Lab stuff is clean, quiet and reliable based on everything I've seen/heard.

I normally never use more than two devices requiring power at any given time and fortunately my stuff plays well together when fed by a OneSpot (which obviously doesn't provide isolated multiple power feeds).

 

[Max Blasto]

The only issue is $150USD os an arbitrary number in Canadian currency (where I am). With conversion, duties paid, and shipping costs, I'd be paying practically the same for it as I would the PP2, in the end. Hence the big box store route in my OP.

Then you gotta go with what works for you better. Again, look at the profile of your board, where you want to mount the brick, etc. I mount my p/s under the board and it fits. Not so with the MXR or other bricks. That's cuz I use a Nano+ for the board. So, I'd say, look at your board, you're preferred config, and all that. It really comes down to the mechanical engineering, cuz good electronics are available in many different packages (see pedals).

As for the Canuck exchange blues, I hear ya. In my wine store, I can always tell my Canadian customers by the looks on their faces when they see my prices. Spent a whole summer keeping the Cirque de Soleil guys drunk off their okoles on what they thought was cheap wine and beer.

 

[gidbass]

https://www.amazon.com/Donner-Guita...r=8-41-spons&keywords=pedal+power+brick&psc=1

I picked this up about a year back and have been very happy, especially at the price point. I use to run a one spot, but it got real noisy as i added pedals. I mounted it to the bottom of my homemade pedal board.

I run the follow off it

wireless transmitter
boss tu-2
Joyo ultimate drive
MXR M-80
EWS BMC
Aphex bass exciter

My noise now is only from how hard i drive my od/dist pedals...well, that and my Ric...

Good Luck!

 

[RickyWoo]

https://www.amazon.com/Donner-Guita...r=8-41-spons&keywords=pedal+power+brick&psc=1

I picked this up about a year back and have been very happy, especially at the price point. I use to run a one spot, but it got real noisy as i added pedals. I mounted it to the bottom of my homemade pedal board.

I run the follow off it

wireless transmitter
boss tu-2
Joyo ultimate drive
MXR M-80
EWS BMC
Aphex bass exciter

My noise now is only from how hard i drive my od/dist pedals...well, that and my Ric...

Good Luck!

"This item does not ship to Canada"

I've decided on the VL brick at this point, as it's locally available and I can hold it before I make a transaction. And, as said, it's what I already had my sites on.

Thanks all for your suggestions and advice! All appreciated.

 

[gidbass]

ah, sorry man...

You made a good choice.

Good Luck!

 

[devnulljp]

Isolated outputs is the way to go. You risk noise with a onespot, but it's certainly the cheapest option.
PP2+ might be overkill for what you have -- cioks make a few smaller ones like the Adam (I have a cioksDC5 on my small board).
There's also the voodoo iso5, which has 5 outputs and is a good bit cheaper than the PP2+

 

[RickyWoo]

ah, sorry man...

You made a good choice.

Good Luck!

Don't be sorry! I asked for suggestions.

I just don't have a boat load of options. Cheers.

 

[devnulljp]

"This item does not ship to Canada"

I've decided on the VL brick at this point, as it's locally available and I can hold it before I make a transaction. And, as said, it's what I already had my sites on.

Thanks all for your suggestions and advice! All appreciated.

If you're in Canada, have a look at Electric Mojo, based in QC (I think)
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Free shipping in Canada too

 

[RickyWoo]

Isolated outputs is the way to go. You risk noise with a onespot, but it's certainly the cheapest option.
PP2+ might be overkill for what you have -- cioks make a few smaller ones like the Adam (I have a cioksDC5 on my small board).
There's also the voodoo iso5, which has 5 outputs and is a good bit cheaper than the PP2+

Yes, not in my current setup. I do have other pedals (I just don't use them much) and there is also a major threat of expansion in the horizon. Haha!

 

[RickyWoo]

If you're in Canada, have a look at Electric Mojo, based in QC (I think)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Free shipping in Canada too

Ohhh.... well this pertains to my interests. Thanks for another available option!

 

[mikeyjm2]

there is also a major threat of expansion

Down the rabbit hole...