Power is integral to any pedalboard. However, power supplies can be tedious and difficult to understand if you aren’t too tech-savvy.
Maybe you have too many pedals and are looking for how to power them all, or maybe you’re trying to clean up your tone. Choosing the right supply is crucial for reducing noise and getting the most out of your effects pedals.
In this guide, I’ll try to explain the key concepts of how to power guitar pedals so you can get on with playing your guitar instead of trying to channel your inner electrician.
Key Takeaways
- Know your pedals’ voltage, current draw, and polarity to avoid damage.
- Choose from single-output supplies, daisy chains, or multi-power bricks based on your setup.
- High-quality power supplies minimize noise and hum and provide cleaner power.
- Think about your future pedal needs to make sure you don’t run out of power points.
- Ensure power supply compatibility with your pedals.
- Read reviews and seek recommendations for informed decisions.
- Buy the best power supply you can afford. It’s worth the investment.
Table of Contents
How You Power Effects Pedals Matters
Your guitar pedals are the heart and soul of your tone. But without proper power, even the best effects pedals will struggle to perform at their full potential. Think of power as the lifeblood that keeps your pedals alive and kicking.
When you power effects pedals correctly and cleanly, they’ll sound their best. Give them cheap, value power, and you will likely struggle to get a clean, noise-free guitar tone.
How Much Power Do My Effects Pedals Need?
It depends. And getting this wrong can cause permanent damage to your pedals. This is why getting to know your pedals’ power requirements is super important. The following sections will help you get familiar with the types of power available, key pedal power terminology, and how to choose the right power supply for you.
Types of Power Supplies for Guitar Pedals
There are various different types of power supplies available that will power effects pedals correctly. Here is a list of some popular types, what they do, and what they’re used for.
Single Pedal Power
Single-output DC power supplies are ideal for powering individual effects pedals. Using a transformer, they convert AC power from the wall into smooth, filtered DC power.
These power supplies are simple, affordable, and great for small setups or single pedals. However, they can become bulky and heavy when used to power multiple pedals and often come with short cables that complicate cable management.
Daisy Chain
Daisy chain power supplies allow you to power multiple effects pedals from a single output using a chain of connectors.
Daisy chains are cost-effective and simple, making them popular with smaller pedalboards. However, due to the shared power source, daisy chaining power for effects pedals can introduce noise and ground loop issues, especially with digital pedals.
In short, they can get noisy.
Multi-Power Brick
Power bricks are designed to power effects pedals and entire pedalboards with multiple isolated outputs, eliminating noise and interference. These power supplies use a mixture of linear and switching designs for balance and efficiency.
Though more expensive and bulkier than single-output effects pedal power supplies, they offer versatility and reliability to power effects pedals cleanly. Examples include the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power, CIOKS DC7, and the T-Rex Fuel Tank Classic.
Batteries
Some guitarists prefer using traditional 9V batteries for their pedalboards due to their simplicity and the elimination of wall warts. Batteries are inexpensive and portable but require frequent changes, making them less ideal for extended gigs.
It’s important to understand how to find the best 9V battery for guitar pedals. Rechargeable batteries or external battery packs offer longer life but add complexity in managing battery levels. While batteries can be a convenient power source, their practicality diminishes with the increasing number of pedals and power demands.
What Are Voltage and Current
Different pedals have different power requirements. Most are designed to run on 9V DC power, but some high-gain or digital pedals may need 12V, 18V, or even higher voltages. Voltage is the pressure that pushes electric charges through a circuit. Never try to guess this. Check the specs in the manual!
The current draw is also just as important. While many standard pedals only need 50 – 200mA, those power-hungry digital pedals can suck up 500mA or more. Current is the flow of electric charge through a circuit. Using an underpowered supply risks dropouts, noise, and damage.
Make sure your power supply always matches the required voltage and ideally provides more current than the minimum recommended amount.
Understanding Polarity
Polarity refers to the orientation of the electrical connections in a power supply, specifically the connector where the power plugs into your pedal.
Most guitar pedals use industry-standard 2.1mm barrel jacks, which can be center-positive or center-negative. Center-positive polarity means the positive voltage is on the inner pin of the connector, while center-negative means the positive voltage is on the outer sleeve. Incorrect polarity can damage your pedals, so it’s important to match the power supply’s polarity with the pedal’s requirement.
How to Choose a Power Supply for Effects Pedals
Now we’ve learned a little about what power is and why it’s needed, here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to choose a power supply for your pedals:
1. Identify Your Pedals’ Power Requirements
- Check the voltage needs for each pedal by looking at the manual or label to determine if they require 9V, 12V, 18V, or another voltage.
- Check each pedal’s current draw, measured in milliamps (mA). This information is usually found in the manual or on the pedal itself.
- Determine whether each pedal requires center-positive or center-negative polarity.
2. Calculate Your Current Needs
Make a list of all your pedals and their respective current draws. Add up the current draw of all your pedals to find out the total current requirement.
3. Don’t Forget Future Pedal Purchases
Think about any future pedals you might want to add to your setup and factor in their power needs. It’s a good idea to choose a power supply that can provide at least 25-30% more current than your current total to leave some room for future additions.
It might also be worth choosing a power supply that allows for expansions, such as the CIOKS DC7, which has an additional extension you can buy with eight extra outputs to power effects pedals (other power supplies do this, too, so look around).
4. Choose the Type of Power Supply
Decide on the type of power supply that best fits your setup.
- Single
Ideal for small setups or single pedals. Perfect if you have a few pedals with similar power requirements. - Daisy Chain
Cost-effective and simple, suitable for powering multiple pedals from a single output. Be cautious of potential noise and ground loop issues. - Multi-Power Brick
Best for larger pedalboards with multiple isolated outputs to prevent noise and interference. Look for models with a combination of linear and switching designs for optimal performance. - Batteries
Suitable for small, portable setups. Consider rechargeable batteries for longer life, and always keep spares in your guitar case (I found this out the hard way).
5. Make Sure It’s Compatible
Check that the power supply matches the connector types your pedals use, typically this is 2.1mm barrel jacks, but verify if any pedals require different connectors. Ensure the power supply matches the voltage and polarity requirements of your pedals.
6. Look at The Quality and Features
Buy reliable brands with a reputation for quality and reliability. For better performance, look for additional features such as short-circuit protection, over-voltage protection, and noise filtering.
7. Read Reviews and Ask for Recommendations
Research online for reviews and user feedback on different power supplies. Ask fellow musicians or visit guitar forums for recommendations and experiences.
8. Buy and Test
But the pedal power supply that best fits your needs and budget. Once you get it, test it thoroughly with your pedals to ensure everything works as expected without noise or power issues.
Send it back if you notice any problems when using it to power effects pedals. Don’t make do with an inadequate power supply.
Benefits of Using High-Quality Power Supplies
High-quality power supplies are expensive, and they’re probably the last thing you want to spend money on for your pedalboard. It took me years before I bought a decent power supply. For so long, I patched together power solutions as cheaply as I could.
Don’t make my mistake. Powering your pedals correctly is way more important and a higher priority than buying new pedals. Here are some of the benefits you’ll get from having a high-quality power supply on your pedalboard.
Eliminates Noise and Hum
Investing in a high-quality power supply is key to minimizing noise and hum in your guitar rig. Cheaper power supplies often introduce unwanted interference, whereas premium isolated power supplies, with superior components and shielding, virtually eliminate noise.
Isolated and Regulated Outputs
Top-tier power supplies use isolated outputs to prevent ground loops and interference between pedals. They also feature tight voltage regulation to provide clean, consistent power to each pedal, preventing issues like whining, humming, or crackling due to voltage fluctuations.
Noise Filtering Technology
Professional units often incorporate advanced noise-filtering circuitry and transformers, which help eliminate AC hum, electromagnetic interference, and other artifacts. Some high-end models even feature two-stage noise-filtering for an ultra-quiet signal.
Multiple Isolated Outputs
Quality power supplies offer multiple isolated outputs to power each pedal separately, preventing noise from spreading between pedals.
Overvoltage & Short Protection
Premium power supplies include built-in protections against overcurrent, overvoltage, and short circuits, safeguarding your pedals from damage due to cable failures or internal faults.
You’re All Set
Learning how to power guitar pedals isn’t rocket science, but it requires some research before you decide.
My biggest piece of advice here is to buy the best power supply you can afford.
Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Throughout this article, I talk about high-quality power supplies, but the truth is that these can get very expensive and are simply unaffordable for a lot of us. This doesn’t mean that if you’re on a limited budget, you have to remortgage your house or go into debt to buy one. Just buy the best one you can afford; it’ll do the job you need. Maybe you could save up or consider buying a more high-end version in the future.
Don’t let gear and cost get in the way of your playing. As long as the power supply matches the power requirements of your pedals and is safe, you’re good to go.
We’ve all had to live with a bit of noise and hum at times — that’s just rock’ n roll.
FAQs
How do you power up a guitar pedal?
To power up a guitar pedal, connect a compatible pedal power supply or battery to the pedal’s power input. Make sure that the power supply voltage, current, and polarity match the specifications of the pedal.
What is the best way to power a guitar pedalboard?
The best way to power a guitar pedalboard is using an isolated pedal power supply with enough outputs to accommodate all your pedals.
Do I need a power supply for my pedal?
Yes, you need a power supply or batteries for most guitar effects pedals.
Can you use any 9V power supply for guitar pedals?
You can use any 9V power supply for most guitar pedals as long as it matches all the voltage, current, and polarity of the pedal. However, read the manual to determine the power requirements first.
Can I use a 12V power supply on a 9V guitar pedal?
It’s risky to use a 12V power supply on a 9V guitar pedal, as it can damage the pedal. Always match the pedal’s specified voltage with the appropriate power supply to avoid harm. Learn more in Can I Use a 12V Power Supply on a 9V Guitar Effects Pedal?
Can I use 500mA instead of 300mA?
Yes, you can use a 500mA power supply on a pedal that requires 300mA. The pedal will only draw the current it needs, so a higher-rated supply is safe and provides extra capacity without risk of damage.
