Power my pedalboard
March 20, 2019 2:03 PM Subscribe
Electric guitar nerd filter: I’m upgrading my pedalboard and I want to defeat electrical noise at bar gigs. Help me get up to speed on power supply options please?
I’m a working electric guitarist, primarily playing classic rock and country in weekend bar bands but aiming higher in the longer run. I stopped playing from 1995 to to about 2015, and didn’t keep up with gear evolution in the interim. I am always happiest playing a Tele straight into a Deluxe, clean and loud, but given the music I’m playing these days I need a lot of tones you can’t get that way. So I’ve slowly built a pedalboard rig, currently powered off a non-isolated power supply that is just too damn noisy.
My board is built around a Zoom G3xn multieffects unit (9v /500ma) at the moment. It also includes standalone chorus, boost, and noise reduction pedals, all regular 9v 100ma. The twist is that it includes my vocal effects too (TC Helicon, 12v 400ma). I’m thinking of ditching the Zoom and stepping up to a Line 6 HD500x (which I believe is 9v/300ma) although I was recently seduced by a Fractal AX8 (but its built in dc coverter requires AC mains).
So I want to drop proper money on a high end isolated power supply. I think that given my need for a 12v/400ma line for the Helicon, my best bet is a Strymon Zuma. This provides 500ma on each isolated circuit and two of the outlets are switchable to 12v or 18v.
It looks like my only other single brick option given the need for 12v/400ma is a Voodoo Labs Mondo .
These are comparably priced units, but reviews are all over the place about which is quieter and tougher (my goal). Guitarists of Mefi, do you own and love or hate either of these units? Or are you aware of a comparable unit that does what I need? I’m no engineer and I suspect my vocal effects (which I use sparingly for reverb mostly) would actually run at a lower current like 200 or 300ma. If this were so, there would be more and cheaper options (lower down the Voodoo Labs hierarchy, for example, or a Truetone version, although I read more mixed views of those).
I’m also intrigued by the idea of running the board off a lithium battery pack (and being free of bad bar electricity except for my amp and the PA). I can’t quite suss the options there but there’s a ridiculously cheap Joyo unit (JP-05) that claims to give you a couple of 9v/500ma lines, a slew of 9v/100ma lines, and a single switchable 9/12/18 that however only pushes 100ma. So I would probably have to run the vocal effects off their own wall wart, but this would power the rest of my rig. It gets very mixed reviews (some quite good however) but it is cheap enough at $70 that I might just try it on spec. Anyone used one of these battery pack systems and have any suggestions? I don’t even see anything at the higher end at all — is this that esoteric a practice still? Or am I missing something about why it wouldn’t work as well as it seems it should for escaping from bad AC?
Mostly I’m looking for testimonials or other recommendations, from folks I trust (I know there’s a lot of players here!). The gear review sites are a jungle of mixed opinions. Thanks so much and keep on rocking. 🎸
I’m a working electric guitarist, primarily playing classic rock and country in weekend bar bands but aiming higher in the longer run. I stopped playing from 1995 to to about 2015, and didn’t keep up with gear evolution in the interim. I am always happiest playing a Tele straight into a Deluxe, clean and loud, but given the music I’m playing these days I need a lot of tones you can’t get that way. So I’ve slowly built a pedalboard rig, currently powered off a non-isolated power supply that is just too damn noisy.
My board is built around a Zoom G3xn multieffects unit (9v /500ma) at the moment. It also includes standalone chorus, boost, and noise reduction pedals, all regular 9v 100ma. The twist is that it includes my vocal effects too (TC Helicon, 12v 400ma). I’m thinking of ditching the Zoom and stepping up to a Line 6 HD500x (which I believe is 9v/300ma) although I was recently seduced by a Fractal AX8 (but its built in dc coverter requires AC mains).
So I want to drop proper money on a high end isolated power supply. I think that given my need for a 12v/400ma line for the Helicon, my best bet is a Strymon Zuma. This provides 500ma on each isolated circuit and two of the outlets are switchable to 12v or 18v.
It looks like my only other single brick option given the need for 12v/400ma is a Voodoo Labs Mondo .
These are comparably priced units, but reviews are all over the place about which is quieter and tougher (my goal). Guitarists of Mefi, do you own and love or hate either of these units? Or are you aware of a comparable unit that does what I need? I’m no engineer and I suspect my vocal effects (which I use sparingly for reverb mostly) would actually run at a lower current like 200 or 300ma. If this were so, there would be more and cheaper options (lower down the Voodoo Labs hierarchy, for example, or a Truetone version, although I read more mixed views of those).
I’m also intrigued by the idea of running the board off a lithium battery pack (and being free of bad bar electricity except for my amp and the PA). I can’t quite suss the options there but there’s a ridiculously cheap Joyo unit (JP-05) that claims to give you a couple of 9v/500ma lines, a slew of 9v/100ma lines, and a single switchable 9/12/18 that however only pushes 100ma. So I would probably have to run the vocal effects off their own wall wart, but this would power the rest of my rig. It gets very mixed reviews (some quite good however) but it is cheap enough at $70 that I might just try it on spec. Anyone used one of these battery pack systems and have any suggestions? I don’t even see anything at the higher end at all — is this that esoteric a practice still? Or am I missing something about why it wouldn’t work as well as it seems it should for escaping from bad AC?
Mostly I’m looking for testimonials or other recommendations, from folks I trust (I know there’s a lot of players here!). The gear review sites are a jungle of mixed opinions. Thanks so much and keep on rocking. 🎸
I’m using a home brew unit based on a repurposed medical power supply. The drawback is that it you then use a cheap power block for your pedals plugged in to the output of the conditioner you can introduce noise into the other other equipment on the output side of the power conditioner. The Furman PL units supposedly have isolated outputs but I have not tried them.
My solution was to use an APC UPS I had laying around as the source for the pedals running on 9/18V. If there was too much noise, I just unplugged it and powered the pedals off the UPS battery. This would last for hours (but I only use a Polytune and a Radial TwinCity). If you have multiple pedals, I still think you could get 4 hours easy.
I tried the Hum-X daisy chained with the pedal power block but that was largely ineffective. I was thinking of moving to a Furman with isolated low voltage output for pedals along with plugs for the amps but $$. I’m cheap and my system is ok. The 5E3 and the reverb unit are typically noisy anyway.
posted by sudogeek at 3:30 PM on March 20, 2019 [3 favorites]
My solution was to use an APC UPS I had laying around as the source for the pedals running on 9/18V. If there was too much noise, I just unplugged it and powered the pedals off the UPS battery. This would last for hours (but I only use a Polytune and a Radial TwinCity). If you have multiple pedals, I still think you could get 4 hours easy.
I tried the Hum-X daisy chained with the pedal power block but that was largely ineffective. I was thinking of moving to a Furman with isolated low voltage output for pedals along with plugs for the amps but $$. I’m cheap and my system is ok. The 5E3 and the reverb unit are typically noisy anyway.
posted by sudogeek at 3:30 PM on March 20, 2019 [3 favorites]
I went with a Hot Stone power supply from Decibel 11, and have been happy with it. I think my model isn't made anymore, but from a quick look I think the current Hot Stone SMD should do what you want.
It's attached via bracket to the underside of my PedalTrain, which I do transport in the cheap "road case", and I don't play anything like every weekend. But going on three years and a bunch of pedalboard rearranging and all good. So far all my noise problems are AM radio broadcasts through my Fuzz Face clone, which is hardly surprising, and only in certain clubs.
posted by soundguy99 at 4:49 PM on March 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
It's attached via bracket to the underside of my PedalTrain, which I do transport in the cheap "road case", and I don't play anything like every weekend. But going on three years and a bunch of pedalboard rearranging and all good. So far all my noise problems are AM radio broadcasts through my Fuzz Face clone, which is hardly surprising, and only in certain clubs.
posted by soundguy99 at 4:49 PM on March 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: soundguy99, I wasn’t aware of the brand. Thanks for that. That SMD gets close but in theory my Zoom G3xn requires 500ma, and those outputs max at 400. On the other hand if I do switch to the Line 6 it would work.
posted by spitbull at 7:51 PM on March 20, 2019
posted by spitbull at 7:51 PM on March 20, 2019
Best answer: I have the Strymon Zuma and love it- I have their Blue Sky reverb pedal as well, and wanted something that would play well with it. It's far from the cheapest option out there, but I've had great luck with Strymon, liked the features, and liked the aesthetics.
You might have good luck inquiring in the Wampler Tone Group on Facebook, too- it's the most helpful, knowledgeable group of guitar nerds I've found anywhere.
posted by EKStickland at 12:24 AM on March 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
You might have good luck inquiring in the Wampler Tone Group on Facebook, too- it's the most helpful, knowledgeable group of guitar nerds I've found anywhere.
posted by EKStickland at 12:24 AM on March 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I’ve done a bit more research on my own and while they’re coy about it, apparently it is very unlikely my Zoom actually pulls 500ma, despite that being the paired adapter. I think I’d be fine at 300ma for that, same as the L6 I’m considering. Can’t get the exact amperage for the g3 but lots of other Zoom digital pedals test way below their listed amperage draw.
posted by spitbull at 3:54 AM on March 21, 2019
posted by spitbull at 3:54 AM on March 21, 2019
OK, if the 12v/400ma requirement is softening, then maybe the MXR Iso Brick is an option too
posted by thelonius at 4:44 AM on March 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by thelonius at 4:44 AM on March 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Alas as far as I can tell there is no 12v option on the MXR models?
posted by spitbull at 10:01 AM on March 21, 2019
posted by spitbull at 10:01 AM on March 21, 2019
Response by poster: Or just to clarify and sorry to thread-sit, but it's a technical point: my Zoom G3 is rated 9v/500ma but real world testing (there are whole forum threads and at least one website devoted to this, guitarists amirite?) shows Zoom overstates that significantly and that 300ma should be fine.
But it's the TC Helicon pedal that needs 12v/400ma and that too probably can run at 300ma with no problems. But I would still need the 12v. Alternately, since the Helicon is not on the same signal path as any of the guitar stuff, I could run the Helicon off the courtesy outlet found on some of these supplies (but not the Strymon, which on the other hand offers 500ma per outlet).
EKStrickland, thanks for endorsing the Strymon. I lean strongly toward it based on the reputation of their effects and even though it's pricey and lacks a courtesy outlet. I like the expandability too.
posted by spitbull at 10:57 AM on March 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
But it's the TC Helicon pedal that needs 12v/400ma and that too probably can run at 300ma with no problems. But I would still need the 12v. Alternately, since the Helicon is not on the same signal path as any of the guitar stuff, I could run the Helicon off the courtesy outlet found on some of these supplies (but not the Strymon, which on the other hand offers 500ma per outlet).
EKStrickland, thanks for endorsing the Strymon. I lean strongly toward it based on the reputation of their effects and even though it's pricey and lacks a courtesy outlet. I like the expandability too.
posted by spitbull at 10:57 AM on March 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
Alas as far as I can tell there is no 12v option on the MXR models?
Ah sorry, my bad - I misunderstood
posted by thelonius at 6:33 PM on March 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Ah sorry, my bad - I misunderstood
posted by thelonius at 6:33 PM on March 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Sorry i'm late, but you might want to check out the GigRig Generator modular system. It has a cornucopia of options, including modular isolators, specialized voltage/current modules, and even a variable voltage battery simulator. The guy that designed it has a YouTube channel (with another guy) called That Pedal Show.
https://shopusa.thegigrig.com/power/
posted by mu at 4:03 PM on March 23, 2019 [1 favorite]
https://shopusa.thegigrig.com/power/
posted by mu at 4:03 PM on March 23, 2019 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks mu and all. I ended up buying a Mondo, which has all I need but weighs a damn ton. Ugh. PITA.
But I’m back with a review of the JOYO battery pack power supply. It’s $70 on Amazon. As I said above I bought it on spec and was willing to ditch it if it was crap. For $70 it could be an expensive phone charger.
It isn’t crap. It’s f’ing AMAZING. Folks, you need to buy one of these.
Arrived yesterday, I charged it for 2 hours. Had a 3 hour rehearsal and brought it along with just my rehearsal rig, so it had to power just the G3xn (9v 500ma). Set it up. Plugged it in. The JOYO has 9/12/18v options and several 500ma ports. And a USB out to run my iPad controller for my keyboards. (Yeah yeah I’m a bar musician, what can I say?)
Switched it on, plugged in my wireless guitar receiver to the Zoom input, cable out to a Marshall combo amp that has some noise of its own usually. Switched on the Zoom. Switched on the transmitter on my guitar.
Dead silence.
Thinking I must have the guitar or the volume pedal down, I crank them both. Maxed already.
Dead silence. Not a buzz. Not a hum. Not a crackle. Nothing.
I hit a power chord. My bandmates fall over backwards it’s so loud and clean.
I damp it.
Dead silence. Nothing.
Three hours later it has 90% power left. It works flawlessly. At $70 even if it lasts 25 gigs it’s a cheap damn high.
I was blown away by it. Plus fewer wires under my feet. No electric shocks. And it weighs only a few ounces. It looks and feels solidly built. It promises hundreds of battery cycles. And even if you do drain the battery you can plug it in on stage and use it as a standard non-isolated power supply. Haven’t tried that. Don’t think I’ll need to.
I am ordering two more right now. I’m giving them as gifts to fellow guitarists this Christmas.
You’d be crazy not to.
Oh yeah the Mondo works fine. But I may have wasted $250 on it. I’m unplugged from now on.
I endorse this damn product so hard.
/sermon
posted by spitbull at 6:25 AM on March 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
But I’m back with a review of the JOYO battery pack power supply. It’s $70 on Amazon. As I said above I bought it on spec and was willing to ditch it if it was crap. For $70 it could be an expensive phone charger.
It isn’t crap. It’s f’ing AMAZING. Folks, you need to buy one of these.
Arrived yesterday, I charged it for 2 hours. Had a 3 hour rehearsal and brought it along with just my rehearsal rig, so it had to power just the G3xn (9v 500ma). Set it up. Plugged it in. The JOYO has 9/12/18v options and several 500ma ports. And a USB out to run my iPad controller for my keyboards. (Yeah yeah I’m a bar musician, what can I say?)
Switched it on, plugged in my wireless guitar receiver to the Zoom input, cable out to a Marshall combo amp that has some noise of its own usually. Switched on the Zoom. Switched on the transmitter on my guitar.
Dead silence.
Thinking I must have the guitar or the volume pedal down, I crank them both. Maxed already.
Dead silence. Not a buzz. Not a hum. Not a crackle. Nothing.
I hit a power chord. My bandmates fall over backwards it’s so loud and clean.
I damp it.
Dead silence. Nothing.
Three hours later it has 90% power left. It works flawlessly. At $70 even if it lasts 25 gigs it’s a cheap damn high.
I was blown away by it. Plus fewer wires under my feet. No electric shocks. And it weighs only a few ounces. It looks and feels solidly built. It promises hundreds of battery cycles. And even if you do drain the battery you can plug it in on stage and use it as a standard non-isolated power supply. Haven’t tried that. Don’t think I’ll need to.
I am ordering two more right now. I’m giving them as gifts to fellow guitarists this Christmas.
You’d be crazy not to.
Oh yeah the Mondo works fine. But I may have wasted $250 on it. I’m unplugged from now on.
I endorse this damn product so hard.
/sermon
posted by spitbull at 6:25 AM on March 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: And by the way that was Nashville Tele with three single coil p’ups and a Marshall Valvestate that is inherently a little noisy. Using the Joyo, without even my TC Noise Sentry pedal, there was NO HUM. Tried it on my bandmate’s Peavey tube amp, same results. Needless to say he’s getting one this week too.
posted by spitbull at 6:41 AM on March 28, 2019
posted by spitbull at 6:41 AM on March 28, 2019
Response by poster: I am back to add that I believe the JOYO also puts out more current than it claims. I haven’t put a meter on it yet, but the 12v/100ma outlet seems to run my Helicon unit, which supposedly requires 400ma, flawlessly even with harmony vocal tracking and pitch correction enabled (max processor usage). Either TC is overstating the required current or the JOYO has some headroom. And again the noise floor on my vocal mic is inaudible through a 500w small PA system cranked up high. Five feet from the speakers the damn cooling fan on the PA is louder.
posted by spitbull at 8:32 AM on March 29, 2019
posted by spitbull at 8:32 AM on March 29, 2019
Response by poster: And I’m back to update: I now have two JP—O5 batteries running everything under my feet. It’s a revelation. I’ve played over a dozen gigs with this rig and can attest that it is sustainable. Silent. Cordless (I’m also wireless into and out of the board). Lightweight. Amazing.
The Voodoo Mondo is an amazing PS and I love it, but it stays in my car now.
posted by spitbull at 6:08 AM on July 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
The Voodoo Mondo is an amazing PS and I love it, but it stays in my car now.
posted by spitbull at 6:08 AM on July 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by spitbull at 2:09 PM on March 20, 2019