Best Pedal Board Power Supply?

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FourT6and2

FourT6and2

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I don't really have a pedal board. I typically just run a single delay pedal. But I've got a few different delays that have various power requirements and I'm tired of running batteries. I just got a used Empress Superdelay and I like how it sounds, but the power supply is ridiculously noisy. The power in my building is pretty bad as it is. So I'd like to try a little power supply brick of some sort that has various outputs from 9v - 18v. The two I'm looking at are the Strymon Zuma R300 or maybe something from Voodoo Labs like the Pedal Power Digital.

One problem I'm running into is the Empress pedal has a tip = positive connector. So whatever I get would ideally be compatible with that. The Strymon looks like they're all tip = negative.

1. Does anybody make a tip = negative to tip = positive cable? I guess I could also just rewire one myself.

2. Do these power supply bricks actually cut down on noise? The Empress pedal's power supply is definitely inducing noise. I can grab the cord of its wall wart and move it around and it changes the noise. So not sure if it's just the wall wart or if it's a ground loop or if it's the power in my building.

3. What do you all use? Is one better than another? I have zero knowledge about these power supply bricks since I've never run a pedal board.
 
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus, got it a couple of years ago. I think it comes with a cable that reverse the polarity but i've never used it. Works like a charm, never had any issues with it.

If i want 18 volts, i have to combine two 9 volts outputs together though.
 
I suppose a reverse polarity cable can be found separately though for use with any unit?

I think I've narrowed it down to either the Strymon or the Eventide PowerMAX.

Strymon = x4 9V/500mA outputs and one switchable 9v/12v/18v.
Eventide = x7 outputs. Each one is individually switchable between 9v/12v/15v/18v.

The Eventide seems like the winner in terms of versatility. But I really just started reading up on these things. Not sure what else I should be looking for. Do these things really help reduce noise? Do they hum?
 
Friedman powergrid 10 works the same way. Comes with a reverse polarity cable for tip positive and for 18v = combining two 9v for 18v via provided cable. Each jack is 350ma I think. The 1spot CS 12 has a dedicated AC jack which is handy for that I guess.
 
errrrrl":ebie5pyv said:
Friedman powergrid 10 works the same way. Comes with a reverse polarity cable for tip positive and for 18v = combining two 9v for 18v via provided cable. Each jack is 350ma I think. The 1spot CS 12 has a dedicated AC jack which is handy for that I guess.
Click to expand...

The Friedman... looks like it also comes with a cable to combine two 9v taps to get 18v? I guess it can't do 12v or 15v though.
 
FourT6and2":2w0uuj6v said:
errrrrl":2w0uuj6v said:
Friedman powergrid 10 works the same way. Comes with a reverse polarity cable for tip positive and for 18v = combining two 9v for 18v via provided cable. Each jack is 350ma I think. The 1spot CS 12 has a dedicated AC jack which is handy for that I guess.
Click to expand...

The Friedman... looks like it also comes with a cable to combine two 9v taps to get 18v? I guess it can't do 12v or 15v though.
Click to expand...
Yup exactly.
 
I've used the Voodoo Labs PP2+ for a long time, probably had the same one for 12-15 years? Don't remember when I got it, but it was ages ago. It's been great. I've had it on countless boards in countless venues, and it's never let me down. Compared to a bandmate that had various One Spots and others, my board always ran more quiet. I think I've seen Pete Cornish give the Voodoo Lab supplies props on stability and low noise as well.

Others are probably great as well, but I've never had a reason to look at anything made in the last decade. If it ain't broke...
 
Another vote for the Voodoo Lab stuff. I have 2 boards and both have been reliably powered by PP2+ units for years with no problems.
 
I've used Voodoo Lab for years but I need a new one right now and am going to go with the Truetone CS7.
 
Voodoo Labs will cause major hum issues if you have your wah near it. It also caused hum when my old TS808 with positive tip power cable was in the chain.
I bought the Strymon Zuma on recommendation and have had none of the same issues. It can also be expanded which I've taken advantage of by adding their Ojai expansion kit.
The best I've ever used, 2 yrs later and I'm still happy
 
Thanks all. Narrowed down to the Strymon Zuma R300 or the Eventide Powermax (Cioks DC7).

I don't really need 7+ outlets at this time. I doubt my pedal board will get that big. But... the Powermax/Cioks has each output selectable between 9v/12v/15v/18v. All pushing decent current. So that sounds like a winner to me. Not sure why anybody would ever go with another product unless there's a noise issue?

StrymonZumaR300_02_800x.jpg


eventide-powermax-thumbnail.jpg
 
I have a true tone One Spot Pro CS7 and a Voodoo Labs ISO 5. Both great units, with bigger brothers for more power/options.

They significantly cut down noise. A rule of thumb; if a power supply comes with a wall wart, it's just a fancy daisy chain, and you can do the same with a One Spot classic.

The CS7 came with the exact cable you are asking about. Basically, makes it a center positive.
 
Wolf5151":3aw4zmjs said:
Voodoo Labs will cause major hum issues if you have your wah near it. It also caused hum when my old TS808 with positive tip power cable was in the chain.
I bought the Strymon Zuma on recommendation and have had none of the same issues. It can also be expanded which I've taken advantage of by adding their Ojai expansion kit.
The best I've ever used, 2 yrs later and I'm still happy
Click to expand...

I've used quite a few wahs over the years with the PP2+, oftentimes on a PT Jr board where the wah is practically sitting on top of it, and never once had anything close to an issue like this. Sounds like you had an issue with your specific one.
 
Voodoo Labs PP2+ for me as well. Never had wah/noise issues. Has been the industry standard. Good enough for Paul Gilbert, its good enough for me.
 
There are lots of great options out there! I use a voodoo lab 4x4 on one board and a Cioks on another. Both work fabulously and reliably.
 
The thing about some pedals and wahs causing noise makes sense since wahs have a coil inside them. If that coil sits too close to certain types of transformers (like ones found in side certain power supplies), they will interact. I've seen plenty of comments regarding this in my reading up on these things.

I'm gonna stick with the Strymon or Eventide/Cioks since they have the best reviews.

 
I've had the PP2+ and Iso5 and have had the same issues with wahs and some other stompboxes. I've left everything where it was and switched to a hot stone deluxe from decibel 11 and no more hum.

Since then I've never used VL for power.
 
Went with the VoodooLabs MONDO.

Works a charm. Looser tip connections than I'd like but once they're in, and not moved around too much, it's awesome.

No hum.
 
FourT6and2":1y5yyhaq said:
1. Does anybody make a tip = negative to tip = positive cable? I guess I could also just rewire one myself.
Click to expand...


I have an extra reverse polarity cable that you can have if you want.
 
jsp":1hgspvij said:
FourT6and2":1hgspvij said:
1. Does anybody make a tip = negative to tip = positive cable? I guess I could also just rewire one myself.
Click to expand...


I have an extra reverse polarity cable that you can have if you want.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Looks like all these products come with a reverse polarity cable though. :)
 
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