Pedal power question

[buldog5151bass]

After gigging for about 40 years, I may finally be using a few pedals, due to band needs (covering for a lack of second guitar).

The max I can see myself using is 3-4 - tuner, overdrive (Joyo American), chorus, and octave (probably a Sub n Up).

My question is for power. What would be the difference between using a brick, like a Donner DP-Z, and Trutone 1-Spot?

Thanks.

 

[Yools]

I've personally used both. I used to have a board with at least 12 powered units on it, including a preamp pedal, and I ran everything through two 1-Spot daisy chains into a standard power strip. Never had a problem with it. I recently pared down a bit and switched to an ISO-10 from Swamp Industries, mainly because I wanted to use 18-v on my Bass Drive and because I wanted to tidy up my pedalboard. So far I think my current setup sounds a bit better, but I really like the fact that my board is so much cleaner looking. If you are just using a small number of basic units like you described, then the 1-Spot will likely be just fine.

-Y

 

[gregmon79]

For those pedals, I don't think you'll have any issues with a 1spot or a cheaper power supply. The Sub n Up may need some isolation so keep that in mind. But I think a 1spot to a daisy chain would work fine.

It took me years to admit that isolated power was the way to go for me. But I've used 8+ pedals for a while and especially nowadays, with modelers and multis, I need them. But when I just used like 4 to 6 analogue pedals, I was fine with a daisy off a 1spot.

 

[beaglesandbass]

The difference would be (I think) is that if you use somethng like a 1-spot and the middle supply dies, everything after it dies too. With an isolated power supply, if one dies, the rest still function. I could be totally wrong, that's just my understanding.

With that said I've been using the MXR ISO-Brick for years and have never had an issue. With support for 10 pedals it may be a little much for your needs, but they do have a mini ISO-Brick that retails new for $100, less used.

 

[BioDriver]

First it's important to know why you would pick a power brick over a 1 Spot daisy chain. The first is isolation. You'll want this if you're pulling digital effects or boxes that need a larger power draw, such as preamps or super delays. Without it, you'll get feedback, hum, and other grounding issues. The second is pedal spacing. Daisy chaining a large board can be somewhat difficult based on the layout and power jack positioning on pedals, so having direct connection between each brick output and pedal input can make life much easier.

The Donner DP-Z is not a truly isolated power brick. It's semi-isolated in that it has two "banks" of power jacks. Those banks are isolated from each other but each output within each bank is not isolated from the other outputs within. So if you have banks A and B, and each bank has 5 power outputs, A1 and B2 will be isolated from each other, but A1 and A2 will not be isolated from each other. True isolated bricks are things like the Cioks DC line, VooDoo Labs power brick, and Truetone 1 Spot Pro. They provide zero noise but also cost 3-5 times the price of a 1 Spot (and even the Donner brick).

With what you're using, you should be all right with a 1 Spot daisy chain, the Sub n Up maybe being the exception. Since the Donner and the 1 Spot are roughly the same price, I'd go with the Donner and put the Sub n Up in a separate bank from everything else.

And you didn't ask, but I'd run it bass > tuner > octave > drive > chorus > amp.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I'm not a fan of power supplies that use a wall wart. If I'm using a power supply, I want an IEC cable. I've been using a TrueTone CS-6 for years. It's velcro'd to the bottom of my board. So I say go One Spot, or spend the money on a decent power supply.

 

[Jxff]

Check out the Earnie Ball Volt. Under $90 from Amazon or GC. Direct I think it is $79, but I would ask if it comes with power cables first as it is unclear on the manufactures website. It will run one 18v pedal and 4 9v pedals. The negative is it uses an external power supply instead of an IEC power cord. If it will fit, Truetone power supplies are a great value. Wise to take into account the gap needed to accommodate the power cables coming from the power supply as well as the height. The best I have experience with is Cioks. Walmart has the Donner DP-01 for $20 right now. Reviews have been hit and miss on the Donner. A Truetone CS-6 has power outlets that come out the sides and takes an IEC cable. No extra mounting bracket needed, just drill three holes using the template. I have several OneSpots and they work nice, but you are probably are better off with an isolated power supply.

 

[romzin]

the Joyo JP05 is battery powered, which is quite convenient:
- you don't need to have a power outlet close to you pedalboard, only run audio cable there
- for long rehearsals/at home, you can still operate it with external power while charging

and the number of output is more than sufficient for your needs:
- three "high" power 500mA outputs
- four "normal" 100mA outputs
- one configurable 9/12/18V output

so far mine is not noisy at all with my pedal configuration

 

[InkCow]

the Joyo JP05 is battery powered, which is quite convenient:
- you don't need to have a power outlet close to you pedalboard, only run audio cable there
- for long rehearsals/at home, you can still operate it with external power while charging

and the number of output is more than sufficient for your needs:
- three "high" power 500mA outputs
- four "normal" 100mA outputs
- one configurable 9/12/18V output

so far mine is not noisy at all with my pedal configuration

I second getting a rechargeable power supply. I have a Donner DP-X and, outside of its size, is great.

There’s a “Horse” rechargeable supply on Amazon for about $30 that at least one TB user raves about. For the pedals you’re talking about, it should handle it with no problem.

 

[bassbrad]

Isolated power supplies certainly have their supporters and uses but a 1Spot and daisy chain has always worked for me and when needed I have run two separate power lines to combat noise. I'd say that for your stated need start with a 1 Spot and daisy chain and then move to an isolated power supply if necessary. I have found that changing the order on a daisy chain can often correct noise issues caused when mixing digital and analog pedals especially when mixing older and current pedals. Many newer digital pedals have a lot of power requirements so it is important not to exceed power ratings as low or sagging power is a cause for noise or poor performance.

 

[MCS4]

I've run isolated supplies on my gigging board for many years now but wouldn't hesitate to use a 1-Spot for a 3-4 pedal setup like that. I did plenty of gigs with six or so pedals and a 1-Spot before I moved up to an isolated supply for peace of mind and to make sure I'm covered if I run something that needs to draw more current. I even still keep my old 1-Spot and daisy chain in my pedalboard's case as a backup.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

If you need to use a cheaper power supply without isolated outputs and need to just isolate ONE digital pedal, the Joyo ZGP Noise Blocker might be worth considering. I've only tested it briefly, but it seemed to work great and do exactly what it is supposed to. Just make sure you have enough power for the digital pedal (the Sub'n'Up draws a LOT of power!).

 

[buldog5151bass]

How about a separate power supply for the Subn Up if necessary? I have a separate one that came with the Joyo.

 

[TonyP-]

I have been using Voodoo Power on all 3 of my boards for years now.
I have had zero issues.
One time at a club near the beach that had a power surge, my voodoo shut down and then came back up and saved my pedals.
My Guitar players fractal was not so lucky.

I highly recommend Voodoo Power Supplies.

 

[InkCow]

the Sub'n'Up draws a LOT of power

I don’t think that’s true? The owners manual says it’s around 100 mA and the mini is less than 100 mA.

 

[Chris Chong]

Get an isolated power supply, if you can.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

The Joyo powerbrick battery is great. Takes up some space on a pedal board, but going AC free is such a plus.

 

[hennessybass]

I've gone both directions - One Spot with a daisy chain, and isolated PS (Cioks).
Never had more than than 5-6 pedals. Mostly around 4, including a tuner.

IME, the One Spot is fine with a few pedals, as long as they all play nice together. Not fine, if you have one pedal (or some other mystery issue) that causes noise.

Never had a single issue or any noise using a PS with isolated power.

The Cioks Sol looks really cool. There are some other VERY good options of course.
Buy once, cry once - and don't have to deal with it on the gig.

 

[Riff Ranger]

I use the Outlaw Effects Iron Horse tuner + power supply. The tiny tuner provides quiet, isolated power to up to eight additional pedals, with no need to figure out where to put the power supply because you just put it where you would put your tuner anyway.

 

[Peteyboy]

I'll pile on with a recommendation for the Joyo rechargable brick. I love mine!