Power Supply Units (PSU) and Pedalboards

[benny_profane]

I've used wall warts and daisy chains forever. I'm thinking about upgrading to a PSU, though, and put together a proper pedal board instead of chaining everything together whenever I set up. My chain is almost exclusively analog 9v center negative effects (i.e., no high-current digital pedals). There are a few with 12v and 18v inputs (and a DMM at 24v). I'm wondering what's worked and what hasn't.

I'm also interested to hear thoughts on pedalboards (brands, styles, velcro or not, etc.).

[sonnyboy27]

TrueTone 1Spot CS-12 https://amzn.to/2XFB7xe.

It has options for 12V, 18v and a 9V AC. All outputs can handle up to 500ma, even the ones labeled as 100mA, provided you stay under 2.1A overall. Customer support were the ones that explained that to me when I asked about a multiple high current pedal setup. I like mine so much that I bought a CS7 for a smaller board that I have yet to build.

Note: The link provided is an amazon affiliate link in case that's something you care about.

[Aleph Null]

Here's another vote for the TrueTone stuff. I didn't want to hear a difference between their OneSpot and the isolated supplies, but it did reduce my noise floor. Any of the isolated bricks will have options for 12 and 18 volts.  TrueTone say in their demonstration videos that you can exceed the milliamp rating on any tap without issue as long as you don't exceed the total milliamps available, so you may not need to buy a supply with "enough" taps. I put each pedal that was digital, had a clock, or an LFO on it's own tap and just daisy chained all my gain pedals, as these rarely cause problems. It's been very reliable.

With regards to pedal boards, I haven't been able to build one (that was reliable) for less than I could buy one. I'd recommend this stuff over velcro. The number of stick/unstick cycles is hundreds instead of thousands, but that should last you over a decade. It's much more rigid than velcro once mated and easier to clean.

[pickdropper]

I've been pleased with the TruTone CS6 on my Nano+ board.  I may try one of their bigger supplies.  That said, I also have not had any issues with the following:

Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 2+ (I have three of these)
Voodoo Labs Mondo
Cioks Adam
MXR MC403
BBE Supa Charger

[benny_profane]

Thanks for the replies (hope more chime in). Definitely have a lot to consider. 

I'm interested about the boards too. I considered building my own, but it didn't seem cost effective. Are there any boards people are particularly happy with?

[Willybomb]

When I needed 16vAC along with a bunch of 9vDC, I built my own PS.  Would I recommend it?  Maybe not.  It wasn't any smaller, and with 3 transformers each capable of putting out 2a, it wasn't very light either.

http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=9871.msg87154#msg87154

However, if you need something with a stack of AC and DC options with plenty of amperage, I'd suggest something like the Cioks AC10.  It's not cheap, it could use more 9v outputs, and has stupid RCA connectors on the unit itself, but it's absolutely rock solid.

[benny_profane]

So I think I'm deciding between the Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 2 Plus and the 1 Spot TrueTone CS#. I don't need an AC out. Can the 1 Spot jump two 12v outs for 24v for the EHX DMM like the Voodoo Labs? Both seem great—are there any considerations that tips it one way or the other?

In re pedalboards, pedaltrain seems ubiquitous. Is this pretty much standard? Anyone have exceptional experience with anything else? Maybe a smaller manufacturer?

[Muadzin]

Amateurs think tactics, professionals think logistics. It applies to guitar pedals just as much as it applies to military matters. A good pedal board, power supply and cables are a hell of a lot more important then OMGZ I MUST HAVE THIS NEW OVERDRIVE!!! Although I reckon you have to go through your sprawled out collection of daisy chained pedals before coming to the realization that A: I need something better then this and B: what do I actually need in pedals and how am I going to fit and power that on a board?

[benny_profane]

Amateurs think tactics, professionals think logistics. It applies to guitar pedals just as much as it applies to military matters. A good pedal board, power supply and cables are a hell of a lot more important then OMGZ I MUST HAVE THIS NEW OVERDRIVE!!! Although I reckon you have to go through your sprawled out collection of daisy chained pedals before coming to the realization that A: I need something better then this and B: what do I actually need in pedals and how am I going to fit and power that on a board?

Haha I think you're spot on. I'm looking to get a power supply that is reliable and fits my power needs. It seems both 1 Spot and Voodoo Labs can offer that (I think I'm leaning VL, but I'm open to more feedback). With the pedalboard itself, pedal train doesn't really look all that great to me. That's why I'm searching for better options.

I'd say my board area is around 'medium'—24" x 12" should be more than enough. I move things around a bit, though. Modulation/time effects are more or less set, but gain boxes move around depending on use. Beyond all that, I think my biggest priority is solid construction (including underside PSU mounting) than can handle being moved well. A huge plus would also be being able to leave the EHX DMM under the board (since it takes up a stupid amount of space) and have it controlled via a small footprint looper switch.

[benny_profane]

So I think I'm going to go with a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2+. Is there any reason I should go with the OneSpot instead of that?

Beyond that, I looked into the PedalTrain offerings some more, and they seem like a decent deal and solid. Can anyone give their experiences with those?

[thesmokingman]

the difference is feature set. if you don't need the extra jacks and 12/18v outputs then get the pedal power 2+

[lars]

I'm still waiting for somebody to use all this Lipo rechargeable battery technology we have for powering drills, saws, lawn-mowers...CARS...to finally come out with a pedalboard power supply that uses a rechargeable battery pack you just swap out and throw on a charger like a Dewalt (I know the Volto and Mission Engineering 529 exist, but they miss the mark, seemingly on purpose. No, they're not ready for this yet!).
For years now they've had battery-powered tools that can produce enough torque to break your forearm and you can use it all day on the jobsite. Surely there is enough juice there to power a pedalboard for several hours, to several days.

[Aentons]

I have a Voodoo PP2+ and a Truetone CS12 and I'd say they are different but are about equally good, depending on your needs. Other than the number and type of outputs, the major difference that may not be obvious is that the Truetone is a switching type and the Voodoo is not. I'm pretty sure I read that RG Keen designed the Truetone since he is the Chief Engineer over there and he designed it to eliminate the shortcomings of switching supplies.

I have one of these as well but I have never actually used it. I think it is essentially a daisy chain type deal, which would likely be a similar drawback for any rechargeable type system.

http://www.dcvoltage.net/products/p3_xk

[benny_profane]

There's the pedaltrain volto unit that is rechargeable (albeit not the same rechargeable system lars was referring to).

I ended up going with the TrueTone system. The switching with the TrueTone system and overall higher current rating is what sold me on that PSU.

Has anyone used the TVD Voltage Doubler instead of a Y-cable for voltage doubling? I've been considering it since I need 24v for a DMM, but had concerns with possible clock noise. A TT rep said that they 'have a proprietary technology that doesn't use a charge pump' and that use with the DMM hasn't introduced any noise issues. It's a rather expensive cable, but it does use only one jack on the PSU.

[playpunk]

I have so many digital pedals (and more in the plan) that I honestly wouldn't consider anything other than the Strymon PSU's now.