MXR M81 question

[Aaron Houts]

Lately I’ve just been using my M81 as a DI and not engaging the preamp or EQ.
So my question is:
If the blue light is not on, that means I’m not using the battery, right?

 

[jamersonburton]

Lately I’ve just been using my M81 as a DI and not engaging the preamp or EQ.
So my question is:
If the blue light is not on, that means I’m not using the battery, right?

I think if you're plugging in and using a battery rather than an adapter, even if the effect pedal is off you're still using up battery life.

 

[mmbongo]

I think if you're plugging in and using a battery rather than an adapter, even if the effect pedal is off you're still using up battery life.

This is correct. If the signal cable is plugged in, it's using the battery. This is why you never leave your pedals plugged in if they run off battery.

 

[Aaron Houts]

I think if you're plugging in and using a battery rather than an adapter, even if the effect pedal is off you're still using up battery life.

This is correct. If the signal cable is plugged in, it's using the battery. This is why you never leave your pedals plugged in if they run off battery.

Thanks, both of you!
I don't leave my pedals plugged in except during a gig between sets. Even then, I unplug the cord that comes from the bass.
I leave the cords going out from the M81 into the amp and the PA plugged in though. Should I unplug those as well. I thought for some reason if the cord from the bass was unplugged, it was not drawing battery power.
Also, I believe the M81 has phantom power. Does that mean it's being powered by the PA instead of the battery when I have the XLR cable plugged in?

 

[mmbongo]

Thanks, both of you!
I don't leave my pedals plugged in except during a gig between sets. Even then, I unplug the cord that comes from the bass.
I leave the cords going out from the M81 into the amp and the PA plugged in though. Should I unplug those as well. I thought for some reason if the cord from the bass was unplugged, it was not drawing battery power.
Also, I believe the M81 has phantom power. Does that mean it's being powered by the PA instead of the battery when I have the XLR cable plugged in?

Not sure how the phantom power works, but that could be the case.

No need to unplug the output cable.

Only the input jack is a switched jack that is connected to the battery. Once you plug a cable in, it closes the contact and connects the battery. Unplugging the cable from the bass does nothing if the cable is still plugged into the pedal, as the contact is still made.

 

[Aaron Houts]

Not sure how the phantom power works, but that could be the case.

No need to unplug the output cable.

Only the input jack is a switched jack that is connected to the battery. Once you plug a cable in, it closes the contact and connects the battery. Unplugging the cable from the bass does nothing if the cable is still plugged into the pedal, as the contact is still made.

Yes!
ThanK you.
That’s what I meant: I leave the two output cables plugged into the pedal. I unplug the cable from the pedal’s input jack. I leave the other end of that cable plugged into the bass.