Question about Boss effects pedals

[Inzane]

This is probably a dumb question, but I'm still a relative noob so I have to ask anyway.

When you have pedals hooked up to a guitar and an amp, do they still draw power from their batteries even if they are "off" (light off, effect not on)?

This was my arrangement.

AMP <-- DD3 <-- DS-1 <-- Guitar.

The other day after plalying for a bit I left everything connected but turned off, including the amp. A few days later I went to use my equipment and it seemed like the batteries in both pedals had died. They weren't working. (I'm assuming the problem is just batteries)

When you have a string of effects do you normally have to disconnect everything after every use?

Thanks.

[Paw]

It's smart to disconnect the pedals from the cables when not in use, because the cables "steal" power from the pedals even when they're turned off.

[Rotti]

Yes if the patch cords are plugged in the batteries will drain.

[Inzane]

Ok, thanks.

Do I need to disconnect ALL the connections, including between the pedals? Or just the outside ones going to amp and from the guitar?

Thanks.

[darrenw5094]

Even when they are in off position, they drain the battery.
When you finish playing, you need to disconnect the cables because they will still drain the battery. If you don't, the next time you go to use them, the batteries are all dead.

By the way, if they don't have batteries or power when they are off in your chain, you will get no signal to the amp.....so no sound. True bypass pedals, which are more expensive, won't have this problem.

[AxeHappy]

You need to disconnect all input connections. Same goes for guitars with active pups.

[6fingers]

Originally Posted by Inzane

Ok, thanks.

Do I need to disconnect ALL the connections, including between the pedals? Or just the outside ones going to amp and from the guitar?

Thanks.

What about an ac adaptor???!!!
Is that really difficult?!

[smooth55]

Like Darren said, it's a safe bet to completely disconnect your cables into and out of each pedal if you don't want them to suck batteries while you aren't playing. With most, just disengaging the input connection is sufficient though, either way, it's a hassle and the main reason most people use AC adapters when they aren't playing a gig or recording (and some when they are because of convenience).

[Inzane]

Originally Posted by 6fingers

What about an ac adaptor???!!!
Is that really difficult?!

Enough punctuation???

I got both pedals used and neither came with an ac adapter.

I haven't used the pedals much yet and therefore hadn't considered acquiring adapters for them. Batteries seemed like the easy short-term solution.

[darrenw5094]

Originally Posted by Inzane

Enough punctuation???

I got both pedals used and neither came with an ac adapter.

I haven't used the pedals much yet and therefore hadn't considered acquiring adapters for them. Batteries seemed like the easy short-term solution.

In the long run, the AC adapter will work out better than batteries. And you never know when the battery will die and kill your sound when you least need it.

The Boss TU-2 tuner has an ac out too. So you power the TU-2, you can daisy chain it to power the other 2 Boss pedals from one single AC adapter.

[smooth55]

That or the OneSpot. It's also a daisy chain for 9v pedals and I've had good experience with mine. Being able to power 8+ pedals for the price of 2 Boss AC adapters = win.
If you've got hum or other voltage needs, there's a couple of threads on brick power supplies that are more pricey but offer so interesting features.

[GLG421]

My one spot daisy chain works fine on a few pedals, but hums like a beast when I hook up my DD-7 or my satchurator.

I have a mixed bag of individual one spots and a daisy chain. Works pretty good for now, but a power brick will be the better solution when funds allow.

[smooth55]

Yeah, the daisy chain is a cheap solution that costs roughly the same as a couple packs of 9v's and there are certainly potential drawbacks depending on the pedals you're using and the wiring where you plug in. I wouldn't recommend it for heavy gigging.
I use it with my Satchurator and it operates fine but YMMV. I just couldn't justify spending $150+ on a Pedal Power 2+ or similar when I'm trying to buy a house this spring and have plenty of other music needs and no significant noise issues where I live.

[GLG421]

Smooth, Are you buying used or building?

We built, and I had them drop 2 additional 20amp circuits in my office/studio. they were $150 a piece. Added to the cost of the house that is nothing.

I wish I would have added 2 more

So easy to do when you're building and worth every penny.


Geoff

[smooth55]

I'm buying used, only going to be where I am til my wife finishes her PhD in about 4 years. I'll keep that in mind though for down the road.
Thanks