
GEAR DATABASE
How Does DC Voltage Affect Pedal Sound?
Published on May 25, 2019
Duration:
1:02:09
In this episode we dig into the world of DC voltage and what it means for pedal operation and sound. Let’s begin with a warning and please forgive the upper case.
PLEASE ONLY USE THE VOLTAGE STATED EXPLICITLY IN THE PEDAL MANUAL AND NOTHING ELSE!
This is because most pedals are designed to run on a specific voltage: usually 9V DC for most stompboxes. However, some pedals are designed to work on varying voltages, usually between 9 and 18 volts and sometimes up to 24. It will say so in the pedal manual or on the manufacturer website. If i doesn’t, don’t do it. Dead pedals are often smelly and always useless for everything except throwing at bandmates for playing the wrong parts. (DUCK!)
Moving on, it is also possible to starve a pedal of voltage until it gets to the point where it simply won’t work. This is a key characteristic of certain fuzz sounds. So we get into all that in the video and some of the side issues and discussions.
Please enjoy the show…
Pedals & stuff in this episode…
• TheGigRig Three2One
https://www.thegigrig.com/three2one
• TC Electronic PolyTune 2 Mini - No longer made, link to latest version
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/30GVcUn
USA: https://imp.i114863.net/Lke70
Australia: http://bit.ly/348bMOY
• Massive Secret
No info yet. Maybe ever.
• JAM Pedals Fuzz Phrase
USA: https://bit.ly/3dCLpqs
https://www.jampedals.com/tag/fuzz/
• Fulltone Full-Drive1
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2PKpL5a
USA: https://imp.i114863.net/DxD7b
Australia: http://bit.ly/2rFuUSH
• Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Deluxe
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2uVGMBL
Australia: http://bit.ly/2rPSRWo
USA: https://bit.ly/3lPFJ0T
• Fulltone OCD (C1.7 - links for V2)
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/30IUKFC
Australia: http://bit.ly/2qgh9eW
USA: https://imp.i114863.net/9ov0E
• Analogman Bi-Chorus
https://www.buyanalogman.com/Analog_Man_Bi_Chorus_p/am-bi-chorus.htm
• Wampler Ethereal Delay & Reverb
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2vxhMTw
Australia: http://bit.ly/2u5prE4
USA: https://bit.ly/3lSQijJ
• TheGigRig G2
https://www.thegigrig.com/g2
* Why do we have preferred retailer links? Find out here: http://www.thatpedalshow.com/partners
Interesting bits and go-to sections…
- Intro playing: 00:00
- Science fiction tripod: 1:10
- What are we doing today? 1:50
- Disclaimer WATCH THIS: 2:50
- The design of the pedal is what really matters: 3:48
- Rails, headroom, and voltage: 4:36
- What 9V, 18V and 24V actually sounds like in the Massive Secret Pedal: 8:00 (9:38)
- Conclusions so far: 14:35
- Now let’s starve below 9 volts:15:45
- What about the Fulltone OCD and Full-Drive1? 17:30
- Full-Drive1: 18:30 (19:35)
- …Comp Cut mode: 21:28
- Clean headroom? 22:55
- …and higher gain again: 24:16
- Fulltone OCD 27:00
- …and with less gain: 28:35
- Compressors? Origin Cali76 Compact Deluxe: 34:47
- …lots of compression: 37:17
- …varied voltage: 42:00
- …and with overdrive: 45:25
- Analogman Bi-Chorus: 46:35 (47:30)
- Fuzz and starving voltage: 56:20 (57:25)
- …and volume control on guitar? 58:30
- Conclusions? 59:50
Guitars in this episode:
• Fender American Vintage ’62 Stratocaster – Mick’s video at http://bit.ly/2cQv3yT
• Fender Custom Shop ’63 Telecaster – Dan’s video at http://bit.ly/2dlZJ6K
• Gibson Custom 1958 Les Paul Standard – watch Dan’s video at http://bit.ly/2dbwbvS
• Gibson Memphis 1958 ES-335 - no video yet
Amps in this episode
Victory V40 The Duchess with V212VC/ Celestion G12M-65 Creamback speakers
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2KBfRU0
USA That Pedal Shop: https://bit.ly/3SnrFKn
Vox AC30 (1961) with Celestion Alnico Blue speakers
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