⚡️ New Old Technology

OK, it's time for us pedal-lovers to catch up with technology. Like seriously enough, power banks were invented in 2011 and they are slowly changing the world. In recent years, high profile power banks are controlling the tech industry by a vast sweep. I wonder why it took so long for pedal power supply makers to catch up?

Remember when I had plans to go back to analog pedals? Here's a recap:

This was the initial plan. Based on Pedaltrain Metro 16.

After an idea on Facebook popped up, this became the plan.

Finally it became this.

All these iterations of Metro 16s have one thing in common, too much work for just a fly rig. Yes, could be fun, could be exciting, but let's not forget I have a beast called Line 6 Helix Floor by my side. All I can do is dream about having so many pedals again, or make new plans???

Oh no, not Pedaltrain Nano again... But yes, I might be getting the Pedaltrain Nano AGAIN, for the 3rd time in this life. HAHAHA!!! Regretted selling off such a perfect board back then...

And it all comes down to this.

So now, my plan is reduced to a Pedaltrain Nano size and it only consists of 3 pedals: The Line 6 HX Stomp, a dirt pedal and an always-on reverb pedal/or a  mini volume pedal. The current nominated reverb pedal is the Ocean 11 reverb from Electro-Harmonix because of its awesome shimmer sounds. Volume would belong to the Hotone Vow Press for it's small size!

The contenders for the dirt slot includes Chase Bliss Brothers, Fulltone OCD, Suhr Riot Reloaded, Analogman Prince of Tone and Friedman BE-OD; chosen for their ability to cover low gain and high gain sounds alone decently. Each dirt pedal has its pros and cons and I will only talk about them when the day gets near.

Now, what about the power supply? Previously used for the Pedaltrain Nano I had the 2nd time was a Cioks DC5. It was an awesome power supply that delivered good power to my 4 pedals. But this time, the HX Stomp is on and it requires a high current draw, and the DC5 isn't enough.

Current contender for wired power supplies are the Strymon Ojai and Cioks DC7. Both are capable of powering the Stomp but requires additional cabling like the current-doubler and 2.1mm to 2.5mm converters. These additional cabling is the only reason holding me back from putting all these plans into action. Too much of a hassle.

 

Finally, I chanced upon wireless solutions on Facebook and Instagram. Better late than never, enter two new brands I've come to discover over the past weeks: Mission Engineering and Ionic Audio. After extensively researching on putting together a pedalboard with HX Stomp as the core, this might just be what I need to complete the equation.

Both devices can be powered by a power bank, which leads to a whole new world of hope and freedom. I can literally bring my headphones, a 1/4 cable, my guitar and the pedalboard and go anywhere to play anything I want. Like legit, this method will make power sockets an optional variable for good.

Mission Engineering's 529 (5v to 9V supply) provides power to 5 different pedals while Ionic Audio's 9V adapter provides a high current. The HX Stomp requires a current of 3A, but draws only around 1A to 1.5A according to "leading research scientists" on the Internet. The 529's maximum 500mA from only one output isn't enough and that alone gives the win to Ionic Audio's maximum rated 2000mA.

BUT, I'm not just running Stomp alone. The extra outputs on the 529 will be appreciated by the dirt and reverb pedal; and 2 other "off-board" pedals like the wah or tuner pedals. So what should I do? Simple. Get both. Of course, the challenge lies in space. Literally, space.

The 529 fits snugly under the Nano, which is a very good thing. It occupies half the space below. However, if I use a power bank the same size as the one in the picture, I would have no space to squeeze in the Ionic Audio 9V adapter. Good thing is the 9V adapter comes naturally with a 2.5mm jack which takes one less worry off my mind.

Then this random user on Instagram posted this. I couldn't believe the simplicity of the wiring. Really really clean and neat. After some research, the power bank in this picture is an Anker Powercore 13000. This power bank would be perfect, estimating that it takes 30% to 40% of space underneath the Nano.

Combining both underneath, I would have around 10% of space to put the adapter. Of course all this is just theory. But it could work with a little planning. I would velcro everything under, because they are rather light in weight and I need to regularly take out the power bank to charge.

Another possible method is attach the hook side of the velcro under the power bank and the loop side on top, then sandwiching it in between the reverb pedal and the board. Reverb will be always on so I won't be hitting that pedal enough to damage the power bank. When I'm done playing I could just remove the power bank easily (thanks velcro) and level the height of the reverb pedal.

Another thing about the 529 is, there's a friggin' USB out port. This means I can power my Line 6 G10 using the same power bank! Do you understand how crazy that is?!?! So much versatility from this new piece of technology.

It is still a rather long way until I can put all this into action because my focus now is getting a new MacBook Pro to run professional video-editing software. I'm done editing my guitar covers on the crappy 7-year old Windows laptop. This new MacBook Pro gonna cost me a bomb and all I can do for my future pedalboard is to research and research and research.

One thing's for sure this time round, I am going to get the Mono Tick and an updated Mono case just to increase my versatility. Might even go for the Vertigo instead of the Classic. With this in mind, I could add the Line 6 G10 onto the board and just use one block in the Stomp for distortion needs. How awesome would a rig like that be?

Super duper awesome because it's gonna cost me a rough estimated total of SGD$1137!!!
Pedaltrain Nano: SGD$99
Mono Tick: SGD$89
Mono M80 Classic: SGD$219
Anker Powercore 13000: SGD$60
Mission Engineering 529: USD$155 (SGD$240?)
Ionic Audio 9V Adapter: USD$31 (SGD$45?)
Hotone Vow Press - SGD$140
Unidentified dirt pedal: ~SGD$240
More velcro: ~$5

Such money is not available to me right this moment (looking at you MacBook) so this entire post remains just a research idea, one that I spent the past 3 hours typing. No regrets because this is gonna help me so much in the future, or help anyone have the same thoughts as me.

This is one of my craziest ideas yet. Thinking about it already makes me excited! Can't wait!!!

Edwin Ang

28th May 2019

Tags: PBv5.0

So it seems like the plan to get a new MacBook is off!!! You know what this means? 😇