Pedal Power - Block vs Individual Supplies

J

Jayflap

Oct 29, 2023
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#1
I am looking to build a pedal board to help make set ups easier. Just 4 pedals, tuner, compressor, Master Effects Super 300, and Overdrive. Other than being a bit cleaner is there any benefit to using a power block (1 Spot CS6, Voodoo Lab, etc) over using a power strip (wide spaced) and individual power supplies. My thought is the power strip with individuals would be nice in case one dies it is easy to replace a single power supply vs an expensive block.

Just looking for other's thoughts.
 
#2
Cioks or similar. Not worth messing around. Power supply isn’t something that would commonly fail anyway. Get isolated supply and you’ll never have a problem. Between the main brands I like the Cioks models because many are scalable with a single cable and the low profile and secure mount is slick. Plus they’ll manage multiple voltage outputs and connection types. Simple.
 
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#3
Jayflap said:
I am looking to build a pedal board to help make set ups easier. Just 4 pedals, tuner, compressor, Master Effects Super 300, and Overdrive. Other than being a bit cleaner is there any benefit to using a power block (1 Spot CS6, Voodoo Lab, etc) over using a power strip (wide spaced) and individual power supplies. My thought is the power strip with individuals would be nice in case one dies it is easy to replace a single power supply vs an expensive block.

Just looking for other's thoughts.
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Wall warts take up too much room, are awkward, messy, and you’re already expecting one to fail, apparently. So…yes, there’s all sorts of advantages with a multiple outlet power supply. Daisychains are worthless to me as well, for a variety of reasons.
I’ve owned a number of brands, but until someone else comes along in the future with unforseen features and design elements, the Cioks 7(or their similar Eventide Powermax) rules. They may be the upstarts themselves, they’ve come a long way with their products. Buy the best, cry once.
Just four pedals, you say? Uh-huh. The other outlets, with the selectable voltage, will be waiting.
 
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#6
I'll join the chorus: You'll be more satisfied with how your board sounds if you just get a dedicated power supply. The pedals will function more optimally and it helps to limit ground noise.
 
#7
Allow me to present the rebuttal to the chorus for isolated power supplies. Isolated power supplies are fine & dandy and in some cases necessary, but do present a significant investment you may not need. I have been using a 1 Spot with daisy chains for 10+ years with a cross section of analog and digital pedals without any issues with noise or lack of performance, including several that can be a bit problematic that others have reported issues with. Yes I am looking at you EHX and Zoom.

I present this as evidence Main Pedalboard 11-20-2023.jpg plus there are 2 other pedals underneath again all running on a daisy chain and 1 Spot.

With the 4 pedals you listed this is a viable option for you IMHO.

I rest my case.
 
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#8
I’ve had a CS7 on my board for a decade with zero issues. Thing has thousands of hours of use and I’ve never once questioned if it was going to give me grief. I have a One Spot for when I take only a tuner that I’ve had probably 15 years with no issues as well. Big fan of their stuff and I think you’d be happy with a CS6 on your board.
 
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#9
ex4qjjsl5ibx7oswgk24.jpg

This is a very nice unit for those who don't really need the 7 or PowerMax. Plenty of cables and has 2 & 3 chain cables. If you look closely, there are total output ratings at the various voltage ratings.

I am using this with the CIOKS Gray Y cable to jump two outputs to raise the total output @ 12v for my application with two pedals and an EBS 2xoutput cable connected to the Y cable with a single CIOKS cable. Other 9-18v requirements are running off the other three outlets with 1-4 output cables. No noise, no issues. ($159.00 retail)
 
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#11
Cable management man. You don't want 3-4 warts that make a mess with flimsy cords and a big ugly strip next to your board vs one long and beefy power cord.

Plus one quality block is alot less likely to fail than multiple warts (that seem to like to fail)
 
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#12
bassbrad said:
Allow me to present the rebuttal to the chorus for isolated power supplies. Isolated power supplies are fine & dandy and in some cases necessary, but do present a significant investment you may not need. I have been using a 1 Spot with daisy chains for 10+ years with a cross section of analog and digital pedals without any issues with noise or lack of performance, including several that can be a bit problematic that others have reported issues with. Yes I am looking at you EHX and Zoom.

I present this as evidence View attachment 5234885 plus there are 2 other pedals underneath again all running on a daisy chain and 1 Spot.

With the 4 pedals you listed this is a viable option for you IMHO.

I rest my case.
Click to expand...
I’m with you. Been using a one spot and daisychain for years. I’m leery of building a pedalboard because I like to travel as light as possible and what I use depends on the project and my mood
 
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#14
Jayflap said:
I am looking to build a pedal board to help make set ups easier. Just 4 pedals, tuner, compressor, Master Effects Super 300, and Overdrive. Other than being a bit cleaner is there any benefit to using a power block (1 Spot CS6, Voodoo Lab, etc) over using a power strip (wide spaced) and individual power supplies. My thought is the power strip with individuals would be nice in case one dies it is easy to replace a single power supply vs an expensive block.

Just looking for other's thoughts.
Click to expand...
If you’ve got enough mAh and voltage to go around, and there’s no noise, you’re good using the OneSpot.
 
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#15
I think you’d be far happier with a power block in the long run. But a high quality wall wart supply (e.g. Truetone 1SPOT) could also work for you depending on the pedals your using and how much you plan on lugging your board around.
 
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#16
I went from wall warts to an iso-brick to a CIOKS unit. The CIOKS is a beast and is always reliable. I double the output (combine two ports with a special cable) to run my compressor. It's one of the few power units that will do this, plus great customer service. Expensive? Oh yes, but well worth it. To me, this is in the category of buy once, cry once, and be happy thereafter. YMMV, of course.
 
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#17
+1 for Cioks. I have the Eventide Powermax (made by Cioks, basically the DC7).

I'm currently running a board with an instrument wireless, a tube DI, an octaver, and a Headrush MX5, with voltages at 9 or 12. I'm able to run them all with plenty of power to spare.

Before that I was running a full 9-pedal outfit (no Headrush) between 9-15 volts with equally beautiful results.
 
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