To me, the only 9V batteries I have are going into the bass itself. I don't use too many pedals but the ones I've got are getting plugged in.
Having said that, I still think it is a good idea to have the option of using battery power as a backup.
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Question about pedal power and supply
- Thread starter agedhorse
- Start date
To me, the only 9V batteries I have are going into the bass itself. I don't use too many pedals but the ones I've got are getting plugged in.
Having said that, I still think it is a good idea to have the option of using battery power as a backup.
Yes, a voltage doubler to 25V AC then regulate to +/-15 DC.
Good point
And one thing I was gonna add.
Depending on the situation
That is what I use batteries for was street performing and outdoor recording or events.
Mainly delay type effects, like basic delays or reverbs.
I could very well see a strange ironic market. Since battery's are being eliminated from many pedals. I could see rechargeable battery pedal supply's for mobile solutions.
Then eventually we get to say " back when i was a kid" I walked through 3 feet of snow...and pedals came with built in battery clips...scuff scuff scuff lol.
Get off my lawn and wipe down your strings after playing arrghh
I think tuner pedals should retain the option, and multi fx pedals like Zoom and alike.
Professional grade preamps, comps, and drive pedals could probably phase out the battery function for cost savings or room for other features/size immediately with little negative reaction.
Professional grade preamps, comps, and drive pedals could probably phase out the battery function for cost savings or room for other features/size immediately with little negative reaction.
OK, I guess I'm the only dinasaur left on this planet.
I don't have a pedal board.
I have a tuner with a battery that lasts well over a year and I tune before sets (although a have 2 Fenders that are like 70's cars; tune them once a year).
The only pedal I use is a compressor; the Duncan compressor has very little draw and a battery lasts for many months.
The FEA unit draws considerably more power and a battery lasts approx. 15 - 20 hours. I use a wall wart at home and rehearsal but a battery on a gig.
For me, the battery represents one less thing to go wrong as well as guaranteed low noise.
The wall warts and the tiny gauge cable is just too fragile for regular use (IMO).
Here is the big question, why don't amp manufacturers build a DC supply for pedals right into their amps with a decent removable cable from amp to pedal?
I can understand the players are fickle and may not adapt well to amps with built in tuners or compressors, meaning extra cost for items not wanted or used.
A standard 9V supply (maybe an 18 Volt supply too) built into an amp seems like a good idea now that bass players are using pedals.
I don't have a pedal board.
I have a tuner with a battery that lasts well over a year and I tune before sets (although a have 2 Fenders that are like 70's cars; tune them once a year).
The only pedal I use is a compressor; the Duncan compressor has very little draw and a battery lasts for many months.
The FEA unit draws considerably more power and a battery lasts approx. 15 - 20 hours. I use a wall wart at home and rehearsal but a battery on a gig.
For me, the battery represents one less thing to go wrong as well as guaranteed low noise.
The wall warts and the tiny gauge cable is just too fragile for regular use (IMO).
Here is the big question, why don't amp manufacturers build a DC supply for pedals right into their amps with a decent removable cable from amp to pedal?
I can understand the players are fickle and may not adapt well to amps with built in tuners or compressors, meaning extra cost for items not wanted or used.
A standard 9V supply (maybe an 18 Volt supply too) built into an amp seems like a good idea now that bass players are using pedals.
For me, it is all about convenience and saving time. Therefore, I do not use batteries in any pedals accept a Peterson tuner so I can carry it around and tune anything without needing a power supply.
I built a little mini battery pack with two 9V batteries wired in parallel which I use to power pedals when I am out on the go, for example meeting somebody to try out a bass in a parking lot. I use the OmniCabSim for this purpose.
Somebody should make a little portable battery pack like this if they are not already available. It is very nice not to have to take the cover off the pedal to insert a battery. It is one tiny little extra thing to carry, but not a big deal.
I built a little mini battery pack with two 9V batteries wired in parallel which I use to power pedals when I am out on the go, for example meeting somebody to try out a bass in a parking lot. I use the OmniCabSim for this purpose.
Somebody should make a little portable battery pack like this if they are not already available. It is very nice not to have to take the cover off the pedal to insert a battery. It is one tiny little extra thing to carry, but not a big deal.
I used to know a guy who made hand wired one-off guitar amps. One of them sent 9v power out to pedals if you used a proprietary cable in the effects loop. I think it was 1/4" TRS on one end and split out into mono and a boss power plug on the other. Or maybe it had a breakout box and used a normal stereo cable. It's been 15 years. I can't remember the details.
Regular gigging bassist here. I do not use batteries, not in pedals or in basses. They cost extra money and aren't reliable enough for me. I've had a few dead out of the package with very unfortunate timing in the past.
I've got two pedals boards; a small, two-pedal board for my upright with just a tuner pedal and preamp/DI pedal. That runs off a wall wart. And I've got a bigger board with 10-pedals on it, and I power that with a TrueTone CS12. My pedals range from 9V, 12V, 18V, and reverse polarity, so I like a power supply unit with all those options available.
When I buy effects pedals, I don't even check if they can run off a battery or not. I'm not sure I would be interested in a 9V power option out of an amp head, because I use my pedals on the floor up by my monitor wedge and away from my amp. So I use a 20' IEC and 20' instrument cable from my amp to my pedals.
I've got two pedals boards; a small, two-pedal board for my upright with just a tuner pedal and preamp/DI pedal. That runs off a wall wart. And I've got a bigger board with 10-pedals on it, and I power that with a TrueTone CS12. My pedals range from 9V, 12V, 18V, and reverse polarity, so I like a power supply unit with all those options available.
When I buy effects pedals, I don't even check if they can run off a battery or not. I'm not sure I would be interested in a 9V power option out of an amp head, because I use my pedals on the floor up by my monitor wedge and away from my amp. So I use a 20' IEC and 20' instrument cable from my amp to my pedals.
One potential problem to solve with a 9-V power jack on a bass amp would be ground loops. And nothing is ever "just do it" when you have to consider safety and reliability.
I gig with a small pedal board: tuner, phaser, OD, and compressor. I don't use 9V batteries any more. They get expensive, and an unexpected dead battery just stinks, or the stress of worrying whether my batteries are fresh enough is distracting. I bought a cheap wall wart from Amazon that has enough connectors on the end of the cable to power all my pedals. I don't miss the batteries one bit.
Besides, I recently picked up a couple of those inexpensive tiny pedals that don't have room for a battery anyway!
I really like pedals to be used with a 9volt battery only. that's my vote to the thread. great question though too!
Yes I use batteries.
2 pedals for me:
tuner (sent from amp's tuner out)
Compressor before input jack.
Both sit on top the amp, not on floor.
Dont need or want more wires across the top of amp. Plus, batteries are quieter, and I have extras always.
I would not buy a "pedal" (read: single effect, small package) that did not have battery option.
If I was to use a multi effect unit or some preamp unit I would consider a power supply. Right now a power supply would be an encumbrance... I load in/out with 1 trip and am fully set-up in about 5 min.
I have not had a pedal or active bass battery die at a show since somewhere in the late 1990's
2 pedals for me:
tuner (sent from amp's tuner out)
Compressor before input jack.
Both sit on top the amp, not on floor.
Dont need or want more wires across the top of amp. Plus, batteries are quieter, and I have extras always.
I would not buy a "pedal" (read: single effect, small package) that did not have battery option.
If I was to use a multi effect unit or some preamp unit I would consider a power supply. Right now a power supply would be an encumbrance... I load in/out with 1 trip and am fully set-up in about 5 min.
Similar to how @Burwabit does it but with 2 pedals.
I have not had a pedal or active bass battery die at a show since somewhere in the late 1990's
I'm still using 9v batteries but i've only got 2 pedals to worry about a tuner and preamp. Admittedly though I have been considering a power supply of some description as between rehearsal 2 or 3 times a week and my own personal practice times i'm having to replace the batteries more often then i would like.
Whether I would consider buying a pedal without a battery option... it would depend on the pedals purpose. An always on type pedal like a preamp it wouldn't bother me if it came without a battery option.
In single effects (like modulation, delay or overdrive etc) the lack of a battery option would be a factor to consider, but still not really a deal breaker.
Whether I would consider buying a pedal without a battery option... it would depend on the pedals purpose. An always on type pedal like a preamp it wouldn't bother me if it came without a battery option.
In single effects (like modulation, delay or overdrive etc) the lack of a battery option would be a factor to consider, but still not really a deal breaker.
I haven’t used a battery in a pedal since the ‘80s. And I don’t plan to start. I prefer pedals without a battery option — in fact, I tape up the battery connectors in my pedals for fear they might short.
Never give it a second thought. I just buy pedals that sound good regardless of the power options. Always use power supply, pretty much.
BUT- If I were nervous about clean power or standalone power for a pedal that has no battery power option, I can always buy (or make) one of these for $4 or less:
Voodoo Lab Battery Snap to Right Angle 2.1mm Pedal Power Cable - 18"
Easy N cheap.
BUT- If I were nervous about clean power or standalone power for a pedal that has no battery power option, I can always buy (or make) one of these for $4 or less:
Voodoo Lab Battery Snap to Right Angle 2.1mm Pedal Power Cable - 18"
Easy N cheap.
I haven't used a battery-powered pedal in years. Only a subset of pedals are viable on batteries (tuner, some compressors, some dirt pedals) - the rest tend to eat them like candy. Bad enough that my basses have batteries but I swap them every 6 months and have never had them fail on a gig that I remember. A OneSpot is cheap and relatively bomb-proof. You need AC anyway for your amp, almost zero bother providing another place to plug in. I've either used an extension cord with 3 outlet plug or a power strip depending on the gig.
I'd rather have a smaller form factor and lose the battery capability - by far. Ymmv.
I'd rather have a smaller form factor and lose the battery capability - by far. Ymmv.
I’ve sold (practically gave) my last two Power supplies to my guitarist in a preemptive move to hedge any stupid mishaps that may incur due to dying batteries and his procrastination or lack of disciple when it comes to keeping them fresh. He’s done wasting my time messing with his stuff.
