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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
 Posted - 06/27/2005 : 10:26:46
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Anyone tested the difference in sound on for example the overdrives/distotions when using a battery vs a power supply.
I don�t primarely talking about noice (but that is interesting too).
My own opinion (universal, not only Boss) is that fuzzes and some distorsions sound less harsh when using battery, but it�s really subtle. |
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2005 : 12:52:18
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Theoretically, there shouldn't be any difference. 9V DC should be 9V DC regardless of where it's coming from. In reality your mileage may vary.
A 9V battery usually provides a voltage around 9.7V. If the pedal requires a surge of current, the battery is able to provide it without problems (pedals shouldn't require this though).
9V power supplies may have ripple current causing noise and their output voltages are often far from what batteries give out. Under load (many pedals in a chain) the voltage can drop or the power supply isn't able to provide enough current for all pedals.
With good quality power supplies I don't think there's any difference. Using no name cheap supplies may often make the pedal sound crap. |
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arcanon1313
Silver Member
USA
414 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2005 : 21:11:35
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I use the visual sound one spot adapter, with the five pedal daisy chain, and i have no problems with noise ore spikes or anything like that. they are also made to power Boss, Line 6, DOD, and a whole bunch of others. And they power Boss ACA or PSA style pedals. a good buy if you don't want to spend $90 on a NS-2 to power your pedals. The adapter itself costs $20 a piece (I use two) and the daisy chain costs $10 a piece. |
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boss freak
Gold Member
USA
663 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2005 : 22:51:54
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I'd like to check out one of the Visual Sound or Godlyke power systems, but for the past few years I've been using either the Boss PSA or the Danelectro Zero Hum adapter. They Danelectro is every bit as good and is literally half the price of the Boss PSA. Here in LA, the Boss PSA is $21 vs. the Danelectro at $10.
I can't bring myself to use batteries. I have a small pedal board, but using batteries would mean pulling all the pedals off the board to unplug the inputs all the time. Too much work.
I have used batteries at home, but I haven't noticed a difference between batteries vs. adapters in sound levels or tonal quality. I'll have to investigate that a bit. |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2005 : 06:58:09
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In opening this topic I was a bit after what batteries vs power supply would do to distortions, their sound.
I have read more than one time that batteries are bettersounding in fuzz-pedals, and I think that Eric Johnson even says he could hear the difference of different brands....
I have tried to hear differences by myself but you know, I have no golden ears... |
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boss freak
Gold Member
USA
663 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2005 : 13:11:51
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| Actually now that you mention it, I have heard from a tech and an engineer that using batteries in some pedals is better because they don't have a regulated supply of juice and some can actually drive the pedal harder than a regulated power supply. Supposedly, cheaper brands of batteries can have more juice than more well-known brands because their quality control standards are not as high. I'm not sure if this is the case in Sweden or in other countries where there are battery recycling programs, etc. But here in the US there's nothing like that and batteries are disposable, so it's maybe not as closely watched by the government's laws about such things. |
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2005 : 15:00:14
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Amps often have power supplies that can give out a lot of current just for this reason. It is true that a battery is even better at it than the biggest power supplies. It's just that you only need this in a power stage.
In a pedal we're looking at tiny currents. A DS-1 takes 4mA. What can a PSA adapter give out? I think it's about 120mA. A battery can give out much more but I just don't see it happening no matter how hard the pedal is driven.
I may be wrong. There is lots about these devices that I simply don't understand |
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walrus121
Silver Member
USA
187 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2005 : 22:49:42
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quote:
Originally posted by boss freak
But here in the US there's nothing like that and batteries are disposable, so it's maybe not as closely watched by the government's laws about such things.
I think most cities that have recycling programs will recycle batteries. You really should recycle them, they are toxic and polluting. Way more important than recycling paper. |
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visserman
Platinum Member
1072 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2005 : 17:46:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Goran
Anyone tested the difference in sound on for example the overdrives/distotions when using a battery vs a power supply.
I have noticed that the powerlight is brighter when using a PSA orACA, yes, I did compare this with new batteries and also tested how much life was left in them. Could I hear the difference? Do not know as it is while ago.
Another issue with batteries: I have a small Pignose, you know the small busking amps, now these run on a powersupply or on batteries as well. With this amp there is a volumedrop when you use batteries, it is just less powerful than when you use a powersupply. |
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Paul
Copper Member
Australia
3 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2005 : 12:20:35
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| when i use my Dano tremelo, there is a noticeable volume loss when i use batteries as opposed to a wall wart. |
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Superguitar
Copper Member
Italy
9 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2005 : 08:39:32
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If you are using a good filtered power supply should not be absolutely any difference using battery and ac adapter.
I'm using a IC regulated home made power supply (made by myself) and works fine, no strange noise, no ripple no 50 Hz hum.
If you are able to use welder it's relly easy to do and relly cheap!
Ciao |
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walrus121
Silver Member
USA
187 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2005 : 22:00:31
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| The internal resistance of the power supply will be different than a battery which will affect function. |
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Topic |
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Battery vs power supply??
