How To Choose A Pedalboard Power Supply - Voltage, Current, Polarity & Isolation Explained!

In this beginner's guide to effects pedal power supplies, Sam explains everything you need to know about choosing the right power supply for your effects pedals and pedalboard.

Sam also discusses Voltage, Current, Polarity & Isolation and why you need to get these elements correct.

00:00 Intro
00:25 3 Most Important Factors (Voltage, Current & Polarity)
00:58 AC (Alternating Current) & DC (Direct Current)
02:04 Voltage Explained
03:08 Current & Milliamps Explained
05:33 Polarity & Power Connectors Explained
06:39 Voltage, Current & Polarity Recap
07:21 AC Adaptor & Daisy Chain Pros & Cons
09:03 Power Brick Pros & Cons
09:53 What Is Power Isolation An Why Is It So Important?
10:32 Non-Isolated vs Isolated Power Demonstration
11:07 Best Isolated Power Supplies
11:56 What Type Of Effects Pedal Power Supply Is Right For You?
12:54 Outro

Watch other useful videos here...

Our beginner's guide to power supplies video covers everything you need to know when matching a power supply to your effects pedal or pedals. We explain the differences between voltage vs current, talk about current draw and milliamps, center negative and center positive polarity, and the importance of isolated power outputs. We'll be looking at the different types of power supply and which one is right for you, from a cheap AC Adaptor and a power daisy chain up to high current, multi voltage, multi output DC bricks, whilst looking at the pros and cons of each.

Check out our full range of effects pedal power supplies at your nearest Professional Music Technology store. Products featured in this video include...

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[brianmarron]

As someone who is new to pedalboards this was a fantastic explanation. Thank you!

[steve]

This is a really thorough and informative video. I've only just bought enough pedals to worry about power supply issues and this !answered every question I had and some I didn't. Well done!

[rogerwinter]

Thank you important issues explained perfectly

[antekm]

Spent like 2k on pedals over lockdown, time to start a shoegaze band I guess.

[lancelovecraft]

I love Sam's videos. He has such a nice soothing voice and his explanations are top tier!

My only question regards the NON isolated MXR dc brick current. Is the maximum current of 2 amps divided between all the outputs or is each output capable of supplying 2 amps?

I just find it crazy that the non isolated PSU offers the most current, even more than the Strymon Zuma lol

[digikaininja]

Thank you for the perfect video.
Thank you for breaking it down simply
and most important, THANK YOU FOR THE
Stay Safe.
My DC Brick suddenly overheated after years and they tell me that the transformer is burnt. So gone for repairs.

[joeseymour]

Thanks Sam and PMTVUK for the video and for keeping things simple and right to the point! 👍

[hmtp]

I've seen other videos from this chanel, but this is the one that got me subscribed!

[ozanaydin]

You are a legend! Great descriptions without information pollution. Unusual accent for me though, but it gets easier after 10 seconds. Thank you for your contribution!

[satler]

Perfect explanation about isolation, thanks a lot I was about to get a cheaper supply without isolation, and this video changed my mind!

[etbonz]

This is the best video of it's kind I've come across, thanks dude!!

[wirizu]

I'm still almost half-way the video and this is definitely 5/5 for me! Great video man you explained milliamps correctly.

[timhoadacoustic]

Incredibly helpful, thanks very much!

[anniedarkhorse]

Very clear and informative. Best video I've seen on the topic.

[broncoxy]

building my first pedalboard, this was so helpful, thanks a lot!

[ahmeduygun]

I don't usually make comments on youtube videos but you sir definitely did a great job with this video. Everything is explained perfectly well and to the point. Thank you

[dimitarivanov]

Finally, someone that can explain me this! thank you!

[gunsandguitars]

And for the newbies we also use isolation tabs/little pieces of plastic for rackmount effects if you're lucky enough to have one in your rig to keep the same thing from happening with noise in your effects gear~great video keep rocking☆

[HellcatsUnited]

Very clear information thanks for sharing, best regards from Mexico 🇲🇽🇬🇧

[FilmFlam]

Great information. Just what I was looking for. Thanks.