Professional Powered Pedalboard

Most pedals that run on a single 9V battery only NEED about 20-30ma to run. If those pedals were to draw too much current, the battery would die very quickly (too quickly for battery operation to be practical). In fact, some manufacturers started building pedals that won't run on a 9V battery (wall wart or line lump only). Most manufacturers will provide a power supply that is actually rated at a higher current level than the pedal NEEDS, so if the adapter reads 500ma, the pedal may only NEED 200ma to function properly. Most pedal manufacturers are nice enough to put it in the owner's manual, post it online or at least reply to your email inquiry about it. If you need more than 100ma from one of the PS-55's 9VDC outputs (or 12VDC outputs), you would need to run 2 (or more) outputs in parallel. We have added an FAQ that explains how to build a parallel cable). If you're not sure how to do this, consult your local electronics shop or one of your friends that knows electronics (actually KNOWS, not just "he fixed my mom's lamp with a roll of duct tape!"). SKB cannot tell you to do this, so if you decide to do it, you do so at your own risk. However, reports "from the field" are that it does work...

Most effects pedals are marked somewhere on the pedal (either near the power connector or on the bottom of the pedal). It might also be mentioned in the owner's manual. Otherwise, you should check the website of the manufacturer or contact the manafacturer of the pedal you are wondering about. The polarity switch on the PS-55 represents "center" polarity (the polarity at the center of the plug)

The following information is based on looking at the PS-45 from the "performance" position with the audio connections in front of you on the right side of the PS-45. To further illustrate the point of reference, the "Bottom row" (as it is called in the following information) is represented by an audio jack on the far right labeled "To Pedal." The "Top Row" (as it is called in the following information) is represented by an audio jack on the far right labeled "From Guitar." The ">" basically represents a connection (patch/audio cable). Here’s how you do it: Bottom row config: To Pedal > input of 1st pedal that belongs in front of the preamp* > daisy chain through remaining pedals that belong in front of preamp > output of last pedal that belongs in front of the preamp> From pedal (bottom) > Left/Mono > amp input... Top row config: guitar > From Guitar. Output of last pedal that belongs in amp fx loop > From Pedal (top) > PS-45 Send > amp fx loop return > amp fx loop send > PS-45 Return > Right (To Amplifier Input) > input of 1st pedal that belongs in amp fx loop... *preamp represents the place you plug into on the front of your amp. Some people have rack gear that has a separate preamp and power amp. With a standard amp head or combo amp, you plug into the amp’s input and you are introducing the signal to the preamp. When you plug into the return of the effects loop, you are introducing the signal to the power amp section of your amp.

Configuration 3 & 4 in the manual show an amp footswitch connected through the PS-55. This is based on a number of amp footswitches that use a T/S (Tip/Sleeve)1/4" cable to connect to the amp. if your amp's footswitch is T/R/S (Tip/Ring/Sleeve) or a proprietary cable, these configurations will not work.

It is important to make sure that the proper polarity has been selected on each D/C output for the pedal it is attached to. Most pedals are "center negative" type pedals and if you have the output set to positive, these pedals won't power up.

ALL of the DC outputs on the PS-55 are 100mA. There are two 9VAC outputs that are rated at 1.3A (1300mA), however, every DC output is rated at 100mA (9VDC, 12VDC, 18VDC, 24VDC and the two variable DC outputs). All outputs have their own winding on the transformer and are isolated.

Some guitarists like to use long cables between their guitar and the pedalboard so they can move around more on the stage. The problem with long cables is the drop in gain. The Guitar Buffer Preamp allows you to get that gain back and have it BEFORE your guitar signal gets to the pedals. Another way to use it is when you have two guitars that you like to use and one guitar has a hotter output than the other one. Usually, when you switch guitars, you have to make a bunch of setting adjustments on your pedals to compensate for the weaker guitar (and adjust the pedals again when you switch back to the hotter guitar). Instead, plug the hotter guitar into the Guitar Buffer preamp bypass and adjust all of your pedals the way you like them. Now, when you switch to the weaker guitar, unplug from the Bypass and plug into the Guitar Buffer Preamp and bring the gain up to match the hotter guitar. This way, you don’t have to keep adjusting all of your pedals every time you want to switch guitars!

First, keep in mind that this for the PS-55 ONLY (not to be used on any other pedalboard models). The PS-55 comes with grey power cables to connect your pedals to the power section of the board. If you need 200mA, you will need to use 2 grey cables (if you need 300mA, use 3 cables, etc.). cut both cables at the same point on the cable (in the middle, closer to one end, etc.). I would recommend approximately 4-5 inches from the end that plugs into the PS-55 (not the end that plugs into the pedal). you will need to strip away the grey insulation and you will see 2 wires (1 red and 1 black). At this point, you will be combining the 2 pieces of cable that go into the PS-55 with the 1 piece of cable that plugs into your pedal (you will have 1 piece of cable left over, but this piece can be discarded). Connect all the red wires to each other and connect all the black wires to each other. For the best results/reliability, it is a good idea to solder and insolate the connections so that they don't pull apart and they don't touch each other. It is important to check the wires for shorts/opens BEFORE connecting to the PS-55 and your pedals. Use a DMM (Digital MultiMeter) to verify there are no shorts or opens. Once you have verified that there are no shorts or opens, decide which 2 9VDC outputs you are going to use (or 12VDC if that is what you're using) and make sure the polarity is set the same on both. Plug your new parallel cable in and you're ready to go!

A power cable for connecting the PS-55 to a wall outlet and an assortment of output power cables. No audio cables are supplied (mainly because most guitarists like to use their favorite brand of cable. We do include a cable tester for people that like to build their own cables)

The pedalboards come with a 120 V AC 9V DC 500 m/amps regulated power adaptor with a negative tip.