Pedaltrain Volto - What's your opinion?

[AaronVonRock]

I'm interested in buying a Volto and would like to hear some feedback on how they work for people during gigs. Any issues or problems with it? I'd be using the Volto to power a Pedaltrain Mini board with five or six 9v pedals. All feedback regarding your experience with the Volto would be appreciated. Cheers.

 

[ilansgroove]

I use it with my pedaltrain nano, 3 pedals...
As long as I remember to charge it before a gig or band practice... There are no problems

It's great that u can even charge it with a cigarette charger in the car ...

 

[Jared Lash]

I like mine. Keep in mind that the time you get per charge is based on the current draw and not the number of pedals. Because of that I added a charge pack to extend the usage time.

 

[AaronVonRock]

I like mine. Keep in mind that the time you get per charge is based on the current draw and not the number of pedals. Because of that I added a charge pack to extend the usage time.

Did you need to add brackets to your Mini to give enough clearance under the board?

How did you attach the Volto to the bottom of your board? Velcro?

 

[Jared Lash]

Did you need to add brackets to your Mini to give enough clearance under the board?

How did you attach the Volto to the bottom of your board? Velcro?

No brackets necessary. The Volto is pretty thin - about the thickness of a smartphone in a case.

Just Velcro to attach it.

 

[smo]

Nice pedalboard Jared.
I dig the Brown Dog JohnK version > I got a brown dog just recently and I'm glad I got around to it, the demo's I've heard don't really convey how flexible the pedal can be and how useful a lot of those settings are in a band context.

I use the Sanyo one myself, it's pretty good although I have found that if you have a pedalboard that creates lots of white noise with a one-spot, daisy chain style power source, the DC nature of the battery won't fix this.....

 

[LSMFT6]

I'm a firm believer in never using batteries for anything pedalboard-related, but to each their own.

My only experience with it is my guitarist pulling his out to use for practice and it was dead.

 

[Basehead]

I like mine. Keep in mind that the time you get per charge is based on the current draw and not the number of pedals. Because of that I added a charge pack to extend the usage time.

Hey Jared, which charge pack are you using? Fits nicely under that board...

 

[Jared Lash]

Nice pedalboard Jared.
I dig the Brown Dog JohnK version > I got a brown dog just recently and I'm glad I got around to it, the demo's I've heard don't really convey how flexible the pedal can be and how useful a lot of those settings are in a band context.

I use the Sanyo one myself, it's pretty good although I have found that if you have a pedalboard that creates lots of white noise with a one-spot, daisy chain style power source, the DC nature of the battery won't fix this.....

Yeah, the Brown Dog has been my favorite synthy and/or funky fuzz for years and years now. It has a very nasally quality that doesn't always sound great soloed but cuts through really well in a mix. The JohnK version is ideal for a tiny board and sounds the same so I'm happy.

And yeah, the Volto and the (now discontinued) Sanyo are obviously not isolated supplies so there can be some issues. Everything in life is a compromise of one sort or another.

I'm a firm believer in never using batteries for anything pedalboard-related, but to each their own.

My only experience with it is my guitarist pulling his out to use for practice and it was dead.

I bought the Volto initially to make an at home practice board. Turbo Tuner, Overdrive (Darkglass VMT I believe), Ditto and Enabler. It meant a super portable setup that I could use with headphones and my phone or iPad to learn songs. I still had my big board which was a PT-2 (with the flight case) and 10 or 11 pedals. But I got tired of lugging that thing around and tried to see if I could shrink down to just the Mini with the Volto.

I do get nervous about relying on a rechargeable battery but with the added power pack and the ability to plug the Volto in at gigs (I always bring the AC adapter and cable) I have had zero issues so far. If it fails it will be because the Volto itself craps out. Fingers crossed but the early returns are really good.

I miss having things like phasers, delay, my IE Subterranea and Polytope for (massive synth sounds) but I'm loving the portability.

Hey Jared, which charge pack are you using? Fits nicely under that board...

It's this one. Amazon.com: Poweradd Pilot 2GS 10,000mAh Portable Phone Charger External Battery Pack with Fast Charging for iPhone, iPod Touch, Samsung Galaxy, LG, HTC and more - Silver: Cell Phones & Accessories

There's actually a version (for the same price) that has a 12,000 mAh rating and a display of the power remaining. But I like the form factor (for velcroing) of the 10,000 mAh version better.

Amazon.com: Poweradd Pilot S 12000mAh Portable Charger Dual USB External Battery Power Pack Smart LCD Display for iPhone 6 Plus 5s 5c 5, iPad Air 2 Mini 3, Galaxy S6 S5 S4 Note 4 3 2, Nexus, Motorola, Blackberry, HTC One M9, LG G3, other Phones and Tablets - White: Cell Phones & Accessories

 

[father of fires]

I bought one used. It has been great for experimenting with different pedals and setup's at my work/practice bench.

I take it to jams with me when I only have a pedal or two.

Whether it becomes permanent on my live board remains to be seen but it has already proved its usefulness.

I just plug it in to recharge every couple of days.

 

[TonyP-]

I have a 1 major issue with the Volto

I'm not sure if this is by design...BUT you can use plug it to AC and use if it is already has no charge.
It has to have a previous charge.

That sucks, in plain English.

On that note alone I don't use it anymore.
It would be fine if you could plug it in like any power supply, this does not appear to be possible.
To me this is more important then it holding a charge.

Looking for another alternative power source for a Pedal Train Nano.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Yeah my issue is its just like my iPhone. Battery dies, you plug it in and it won't work right away. If they fixed that it would be great. As for powering small boards... I've been lucky enough to get away with using a one spot to power my pt mini. I keep my board back by my amp and plug the one spot into my power conditioner. No issues so far.

 

[dinoadventures]

Looking for another alternative power source for a Pedal Train Nano.

I run a CIOKS DC5 in mine. Tons of power, switchable voltages, mounts super securely on a Nano with room for extras.

 

[sillyfabe]

I've owned a Volto (used primarily with my PT-NANO) for about a month now with no issues. I charge after about estimated 5-6 hours usage; no issues. I use 5 pedals (Zoom MS-100BT>Boss PS-3>Broughton LPF>DOD Meatbox>Boss LM-2B Limiter).

 

[DennyOnBass]

Just bought a Volto...I'm only running 250mA worth of pedals on a PT Nano, so I don't anticipate any real problems. I had a heck of a time finding a company that had them in stock. Are they redesigning them or something? All the majors that I checked didn't have them available.

I fully charged it a couple of days ago and it still shows three bars this morning. Does anyone know how many days you can go without using it before it starts to lose the charge? Just curious, I'll plug it in again the day of my next show to make sure it's fully charged before I use it.

 

[liaosauce]

I use it with my pedaltrain nano, 3 pedals...
As long as I remember to charge it before a gig or band practice... There are no problems

It's great that u can even charge it with a cigarette charger in the car ...

Yeah, the Brown Dog has been my favorite synthy and/or funky fuzz for years and years now. It has a very nasally quality that doesn't always sound great soloed but cuts through really well in a mix. The JohnK version is ideal for a tiny board and sounds the same so I'm happy.

And yeah, the Volto and the (now discontinued) Sanyo are obviously not isolated supplies so there can be some issues. Everything in life is a compromise of one sort or another.



I bought the Volto initially to make an at home practice board. Turbo Tuner, Overdrive (Darkglass VMT I believe), Ditto and Enabler. It meant a super portable setup that I could use with headphones and my phone or iPad to learn songs. I still had my big board which was a PT-2 (with the flight case) and 10 or 11 pedals. But I got tired of lugging that thing around and tried to see if I could shrink down to just the Mini with the Volto.

I do get nervous about relying on a rechargeable battery but with the added power pack and the ability to plug the Volto in at gigs (I always bring the AC adapter and cable) I have had zero issues so far. If it fails it will be because the Volto itself craps out. Fingers crossed but the early returns are really good.

I miss having things like phasers, delay, my IE Subterranea and Polytope for (massive synth sounds) but I'm loving the portability.



It's this one. Amazon.com: Poweradd Pilot 2GS 10,000mAh Portable Phone Charger External Battery Pack with Fast Charging for iPhone, iPod Touch, Samsung Galaxy, LG, HTC and more - Silver: Cell Phones & Accessories

There's actually a version (for the same price) that has a 12,000 mAh rating and a display of the power remaining. But I like the form factor (for velcroing) of the 10,000 mAh version better.

Amazon.com: Poweradd Pilot S 12000mAh Portable Charger Dual USB External Battery Power Pack Smart LCD Display for iPhone 6 Plus 5s 5c 5, iPad Air 2 Mini 3, Galaxy S6 S5 S4 Note 4 3 2, Nexus, Motorola, Blackberry, HTC One M9, LG G3, other Phones and Tablets - White: Cell Phones & Accessories

I have a 1 major issue with the Volto

I'm not sure if this is by design...BUT you can use plug it to AC and use if it is already has no charge.
It has to have a previous charge.

That sucks, in plain English.

On that note alone I don't use it anymore.
It would be fine if you could plug it in like any power supply, this does not appear to be possible.
To me this is more important then it holding a charge.

Looking for another alternative power source for a Pedal Train Nano.

Yeah my issue is its just like my iPhone. Battery dies, you plug it in and it won't work right away. If they fixed that it would be great. As for powering small boards... I've been lucky enough to get away with using a one spot to power my pt mini. I keep my board back by my amp and plug the one spot into my power conditioner. No issues so far.

I bought one used. It has been great for experimenting with different pedals and setup's at my work/practice bench.

I take it to jams with me when I only have a pedal or two.

Whether it becomes permanent on my live board remains to be seen but it has already proved its usefulness.

I just plug it in to recharge every couple of days.

I am thinking about getting one. Just curious, how long have you all owned your units and have you noticed any decrease in ability to hold a charge over time? (Or are you guys all professionals and never push the limit ha)

 

[ilansgroove]

I am thinking about getting one. Just curious, how long have you all owned your units and have you noticed any decrease in ability to hold a charge over time? (Or are you guys all professionals and never push the limit ha)

i think it has been 2 years now ...

no problems ....

 

[Nephilymbass]

I am thinking about getting one. Just curious, how long have you all owned your units and have you noticed any decrease in ability to hold a charge over time? (Or are you guys all professionals and never push the limit ha)

I never had the Volta . Guitar player used one briefly but got rid of it. I use a one spot to power my pedaltrain mini and I've never had any issues. If you have a small board like a nano or a mini with 9v pedals I'd definetly recommend the one spot. Can't beat the price and as long as you careful with it it should hold up for a couple years.

 

[nixdad]

Has the Volto been discontinued? It's no longer on the GC's or SA's website, and is shown as currently unavailable on Amazon.

 

[Staredge]

Sold out, new version coming next year. This is from Pedaltrain.

Warwick just released their version at around $65 bucks. Might be worth a look.