Batteries versus power supplies

[Sonic Misfit]

I typically use batteries in my stomp box effects, but lately I have noticed a couple items on the market that provide current for effects. Most notably the Voodoo Labs unit.

The reason that I keep using batteries is that the only time I tried using a transformer, it created a bad hum in the chain. Going back to batteries cured the problem.

What I am wondering is what experience you guys have had when setting up a pedal board in regards to batteries versus power supplies.

 

[Krystof01]

Apart from the couple of pedals that require a battery I use a power supply unit which powers multiple pedals (like the voodo but simpler I think). It works fine for me. I got so frustrated with batteries (leaving pedals on, remembering to check them, replacing/re-charging them).

There is no noticeable hum that comes from my unit. Was the transfromer you mentioned made specifically for guitar pedals?

Is it the voodo lab ones where they custom make the unit for you including whatever outs you desire? I'd get one but don't have the money at the moment.

If you can get hold of a multiple power unit then buy it, it'll save you a lot of hassle and money in the long run. Before buying it, try some pedals with it to see if there is a hum or not.

Good luck.

 

[bizarre]

I NEVER use batterys - pain in the ass. If you get the right power suply you get no hum. TC electronic has made a good one that can feed ... as far as I remember .... 4 pedals. But different pedals require different voltage, always check what the label (usually) attached to the pedal se'z.Instead of carrying a bag of batterys with me on gigs, I have a spare power suply, just in case
bizz

 

[vox]

A lot of boss stuff will hum horribly if you dont use Boss brand adapters, you can sometimes find another brand that will work but there are no guarantees.

 

[teknomike]

In addition to bizarre's comment, watch the polarity on the connectors too. Most are protected against accidental reversals, but not all.
mike

 

[Sonic Misfit]

Thanks for the replies. I was using a Boss pedal and Boss power supply and a Dunlop Wah pedal with the original power supply when I was getting the bad hum. I was looking into one of the VooDoo Labs units, but I will look at the TC Electronics unit as well, just to compare.

 

[happy hour]

actually.....

Actually, the voltage will be the same no matter how many pedals you have hooked up to it, AS LONG AS the sum of the current [usually in milliAmps (mA) ] drawn by the pedals does not exceed the rating of the power adapter.

For example, if your adapter puts out 9 Volts DC at 800 mA and you have 3 pedals that require 9V DC at:
200mA
300mA
100mA
then you are fine.
When you exceed the current rating on the adapter you blow fuses or drop the voltage.

And that concludes my electronics lesson for today

Mike

 

[virtual.ray]

Get the Signal Flex. I run Boss and Tech 21 stuff with mine,no hum,no worries.$39.95

 

[PowerCouple]

or maybe it's...

Hello guys!
hey Sonic Misfit! Was your guitar cable close to the "transformer" or power adaptor?
since these units generate a magnetic field, and guitar cables are unbalanced signals, they can mess a lot with your sound. I used to put my adaptors near the fx pedals, just to avoid many cables messing around, so the hum "entered" the signal through all my cables (the guitar cable and the short cables between the fx's)
since the audio signal is very "weak", any outside hum will be a real problem, specially when you use more than one adaptor.
Try placing your adaptors as far as possible from any cable.
Hope this helps.

Vox, you're right! Boss stuff HUMS A LOT!!! Why is that? I own a DS1 distortion that hums and a Super Chorus that I put in it's original box because it's "unusable" with that noise!

Peace

PC

 

[vox]

Vox, you're right! Boss stuff HUMS A LOT!!! Why is that? I own a DS1 distortion that hums and a Super Chorus that I put in it's original box because it's "unusable" with that noise!

I think they deliberately designed them not to work properly with any other power supply, try a genuine Boss adapter, the hum should dissapear.

 

[PowerCouple]

oh!

hey Vox...
If you are right, what I believe, I don't know if I should call them Boss people "Geniouses" or "Monopolics"

what do you think?

Cheers

PC

 

[vox]

Equal parts of both

 

[bizarre]

Try reading the second of Sonic Misfit's posts in this thread ( you know - the guy who started it ) saying something about he was using the original BOSS power supply. Which brings me to : I think Boss sucks - go get yourself some real gear

PowerCouple>>what you say about power supply's humming into cables .... did u use unshielded cables ??? I'm not sayin' it can't happen, I'm just sayin' I have never experienced it - unshielded cables I have experienced lots of times as live sound engineer.
I've just been checking my power supply. It's a "Monacor PS-1615 ST" adjustable from 6-12 volt and you can change the polarity, I have NEVER had any trouble with it, and have been using it for the last 7 years
bizz

 

[PowerCouple]

Hey Bizz!

We've been having this problem for years till I learned some electronics basics. The cables normally used for guitars (at least here) are TS plugs. that means an unbalanced cable. (guitar jacks are so.)
When the cables are too close to the power adaptors, (the ordinary ones) the magnetic field generated "runs" into the tiny audio signal making it hum horribly.

Am I missing something?
Maybe I'm not "aiming" good

Peace

PC

 

[bizarre]

No PowerCouple, I don't think you are missing something, I was just surprised as I haven't had trouble of that kind.
bizz