Double Bass HPF-Pre, series 2- powered by a 1-Spot supply?

[BassinCT]

I ordered an HPF-Pre this weekend and plan on using batteries at first, but would like to know if anyone has successfully used a Visual Sound 1-spot power supply with theirs? I have a 1-Spot in my gear bag that I use for effects and am wondering if anyone else has used one with the FDeck's pre.

The 1-Spot is a regulated 9v supply and can supply up to 1700mA to power multiple effects and they have a battery clip adapter that is designed for use in battery-only units.

 

[fdeck]

Thanks for bringing this up. Here's the scoop on power supplies. My design doesn't have any regulation of its power supply input. So if there is any 60 Hz or switching noise on the power supply, that noise will feed into the signal path quite effectively.

On the other hand, the 1-spot seems to be designed for guitar pedals, and any of them that don't contain op amps probably have a similar issue. Thus it might be something that the maker has already thought about and dealt with.

 

[fdeck]

Let me see if my local Guitar Center has one of these tomorrow.

 

[GrowlerBox]

I have a very good Voodoo Labs pedal power supply which I'm sure would work well for my fdeck pre. However, I haven't bothered because the battery life is so good, and I think the pre might float away if it weren't ballasted by the battery. I'd rather carry a spare than a power supply.

 

[BassinCT]

FDeck's explanation of the problems with switching power supply noise cleared things up for me. Batteries for now. On Saturday, I was playing on my electric 6 in a loud, boomy room and was thinking about how it would be nice to have a HPF in the signal chain. I understand why manufacturers don't make them standard features on mass-produced amps, but I wish they would consider it. Until then, HPF-Pre.
R

 

[fdeck]

I gave the 1-Spot a try, fortunately the $20 version that didn't come with all of the adapters. It works OK with one setting of the phase switch, but puts out a lot of what sounds like pink noise at the other setting. That makes sense, as the noise immunity of the circuit is indeed different for the two settings. Mine put out 9.5 V, which is the voltage of a brand new 9-Volt Alkaline.

I've got another project going right now, but I will think about a way to solve this.

Nonetheless, the 1-Spot seems like a decent product for a reasonable price. I can tell from the heft of it (or lack thereof) that it's a switching supply. One thing I admire is that its output cable is nice and long, so they were definitely thinking of us musicians.

For those who want to try a power supply, start with the volume turned down, and try both phase switch settings before increasing the volume. I think the "minus" phase is the one that will be more noisy.

 

[Ric Vice]

FDeck's explanation of the problems with switching power supply noise cleared things up for me. Batteries for now. On Saturday, I was playing on my electric 6 in a loud, boomy room and was thinking about how it would be nice to have a HPF in the signal chain. I understand why manufacturers don't make them standard features on mass-produced amps, but I wish they would consider it. Until then, HPF-Pre.
R

Roger,
THe 9 volt in the FDeck Version 2 lasts for a very long time, so unless you're just dying to carry around another adaptor I think you'll be good to go with a 9 volt.

 

[BassinCT]

I gave the 1-Spot a try, fortunately the $20 version that didn't come with all of the adapters. It works OK with one setting of the phase switch, but puts out a lot of what sounds like pink noise at the other setting. That makes sense, as the noise immunity of the circuit is indeed different for the two settings. Mine put out 9.5 V, which is the voltage of a brand new 9-Volt Alkaline.

I've got another project going right now, but I will think about a way to solve this.

Nonetheless, the 1-Spot seems like a decent product for a reasonable price. I can tell from the heft of it (or lack thereof) that it's a switching supply. One thing I admire is that its output cable is nice and long, so they were definitely thinking of us musicians.

For those who want to try a power supply, start with the volume turned down, and try both phase switch settings before increasing the volume. I think the "minus" phase is the one that will be more noisy.

Thanks for investigating the 1 spot.

Roger,
THe 9 volt in the FDeck Version 2 lasts for a very long time, so unless you're just dying to carry around another adaptor I think you'll be good to go with a 9 volt.

Nah- I'm trying to trim down the extras in the gig bag as much as possible lately. I'm thinking about solar now.