Nice video - and yes Edward Van Halen plugged his amps into a Variac - then into the wall. Ed dropped the voltage to around 90v with the Variac to create a "brown sound" as he described.
I just literally got my LVL8 power supply an hour ago delivered from Amazon. They're built really well and the fact it's got all isolated power supply inputs for each pedal and switchable voltage fits the bill. You also get a USB charging port AND a USB-C charging port as well if you want to charge your phone or run your laptop during the performance or practice. And with the reverse polarity plug and adjustable voltage I can run my Digitech Whammy IV run into my board AND my Wah Wah. I really need the LVL12 but in haste I ordered the LVL8 which is fine because I'll keep it as a spare or I'll just build another small pedalboard (likely). I don't mind paying for quality so long as the product delivers and in my opinion these do it. Also with the LVL12 you can actually power your amp through your pedalboard too, that's incredibly convenient! If you're going to spend $1000 or more in your pedals I definitely would NOT cheap out over a power supply which is critical!!! Great unboxing, thank you for this. I watched 'til the end too lol!
So many newer pedals now advise against a daisy chain (look at Walrus Audio etc) that an isolated supply is become almost a must (and a definite must to avoid noise tbh). The Fender units offer great value for money no doubt and I’m very pleased with mine. My criticism is laid at the lack of Fender made mounting options for simple installation that goes beyond Velcro, though of course there is their own pedalboard but that doesn’t quite feel high enough quality and the sizes didn’t work for me. I swapped my Pedaltrain for a Rockboard but I did cut one of the braces below and line it with rubber to clear the very long LVL12. Then I just Velcro’d it but the brace becomes peace of mind for me just in case it comes a bit loose. Thanks for the extra detail in your comment, always good to know how people feel about these products. I’m pleased with it and like the new board, now I have space for a few more pedals 😅
Hi. I'm going to buy a Fender LVL5 Engine Room. If I will add in my pedalboard another pedal that absorb about 100mA (as usually) in the future, is it possible to insert two pedals in the same slot (500mA each) by using a splitting pin?
As long as you don’t exceed the output from the one output (and check all polarities etc) on the LVL5 then yes. However you may want to think about stretching the budget slightly to the LVL8 and having some spare outs… one pedal per output is the best solution really. You are back to effectively daisy chaining otherwise and that’s what I guess we’re trying to avoid with a multi output psu. Seems a shame to reintroduce that way of doing things for the sake of a few extra £££/$$$s (well a reasonable chunk extra). Hopefully I’ve understood your question properly 🙂👍
@@TheBluesBox ok, for example when I use my acoustic guitar, I add a reverb from Mooer, maybe I will put an alkaline battery insider😊. I have read that Bob Bradshaw built a special battery box for Eric Johnson and Josh Smith because, especially with carbon batteries, guitars sound better... Check it out! 😀
As far as I can tell with my non-existent electric circuit knowledge 🤔 you’re right, it’s about having separate ‘grounds’ on the input and output stages aka isolated. Or something like that… what I do know is it works! 🙂
@@TheBluesBox Thank you! The manual that came in the box with mine, doesn’t specify it, is great that they updated (at least) the digital version. Cheers!
I got fed up with the noise using a daisy chain, so I purchased a TGI Powerbox TGIPB1 from PMT. It is considerably cheaper than the Fender at £45, but it does the job. I like Steve am a bit of a Luddite.
As you’ve found out some of those cheaper units will definitely do the job, bonus! 🙂 no sense wasting money, but they may not be so great if gigging and lots of noise in the circuits from a venue. Also transformers in some multi output power supplies can also cause hum if too close to some pedals. Fun and games… it’s what works for you at the end of the day though, and that’s why I’ve used a daisy chain to this point frankly. If you want a fully isolated switching power unit the fender seems good value. But £200 is still a wadge of cash. Cheers for the comment Kevin! Thanks for watching too 👍
I just can't bring myself to spend near £200 on a power supply 🙈 Most of the added noise when I play comes from me being sloppy, so I'll focus on that first 😂
😂 don’t be so harsh in yourself! Sometimes there’s no choice once the bad noise from that one combination of pedals kicks in 🤷♂️ I put a Keeley delay in the mix the other day and it made it all unplayable until I used the Isolated supply 🙁 and that weird issue with that Bogner also… As always Claire, thanks for the comment 👍 you’re a star!
Do you mean the Harley Benton ones? If so, they do promise isolated supplies and they’ve done some decent stuff. They look similar but there’s no way to tell what’s inside even if outside is similar. If they were identical (screw position, vents, switches) then maybe, but not sure I’d go completely budget on the PSU if I’ve got a bunch of expensive pedals, but if they’re more budget pedals I’d be very tempted. We need to find someone who can tear these things down properly and give us the full details.
Yeah… there are two ‘beardy men’ 😅 but I’m guessing you mean Steve ‘what’s technology mean!’. He’s included because he does all of the videos with me. But also because he asks the worlds most naive questions are times and they’re great as not all of us know much about this stuff. And he’s a great guitarist too so there’s that as well 😉 his playing wipes the floor with me so there are other video where I’m the complete muppet! Of course maybe you mean I’m the beardy man???🤔 nah, I love pedals…
2 years later and you’re still commenting! 😉 not sure it needed capitals! 😅 We can hear you… We’re old, so can be a bit guilty of waffle but hey, there’s plenty out there to watch-if this is not for you it’s not for you. 👋
😅 never tried any of their pedals but some seem to get very good reviews. Have to try a few out. This power supply is a good value option. Pre-made mountings are limited though.
We look at Fender’s Engine Room. Seems to be good value, anyone out there got longer term experience of them?
I have 2 of these. Best power supplies I've ever used.
That LVL12 is on my board doing its thing also! Great value in my book 👍
Nice video - and yes Edward Van Halen plugged his amps into a Variac - then into the wall. Ed dropped the voltage to around 90v with the Variac to create a "brown sound" as he described.
Cheers for the info, always appreciate that extra but of knowledge shared. 👍🙂
I just literally got my LVL8 power supply an hour ago delivered from Amazon. They're built really well and the fact it's got all isolated power supply inputs for each pedal and switchable voltage fits the bill. You also get a USB charging port AND a USB-C charging port as well if you want to charge your phone or run your laptop during the performance or practice. And with the reverse polarity plug and adjustable voltage I can run my Digitech Whammy IV run into my board AND my Wah Wah.
I really need the LVL12 but in haste I ordered the LVL8 which is fine because I'll keep it as a spare or I'll just build another small pedalboard (likely). I don't mind paying for quality so long as the product delivers and in my opinion these do it.
Also with the LVL12 you can actually power your amp through your pedalboard too, that's incredibly convenient!
If you're going to spend $1000 or more in your pedals I definitely would NOT cheap out over a power supply which is critical!!!
Great unboxing, thank you for this. I watched 'til the end too lol!
So many newer pedals now advise against a daisy chain (look at Walrus Audio etc) that an isolated supply is become almost a must (and a definite must to avoid noise tbh). The Fender units offer great value for money no doubt and I’m very pleased with mine. My criticism is laid at the lack of Fender made mounting options for simple installation that goes beyond Velcro, though of course there is their own pedalboard but that doesn’t quite feel high enough quality and the sizes didn’t work for me. I swapped my Pedaltrain for a Rockboard but I did cut one of the braces below and line it with rubber to clear the very long LVL12. Then I just Velcro’d it but the brace becomes peace of mind for me just in case it comes a bit loose. Thanks for the extra detail in your comment, always good to know how people feel about these products. I’m pleased with it and like the new board, now I have space for a few more pedals 😅
Nice one
Hi. I'm going to buy a Fender LVL5 Engine Room. If I will add in my pedalboard another pedal that absorb about 100mA (as usually) in the future, is it possible to insert two pedals in the same slot (500mA each) by using a splitting pin?
As long as you don’t exceed the output from the one output (and check all polarities etc) on the LVL5 then yes. However you may want to think about stretching the budget slightly to the LVL8 and having some spare outs… one pedal per output is the best solution really. You are back to effectively daisy chaining otherwise and that’s what I guess we’re trying to avoid with a multi output psu. Seems a shame to reintroduce that way of doing things for the sake of a few extra £££/$$$s (well a reasonable chunk extra).
Hopefully I’ve understood your question properly 🙂👍
@@TheBluesBox ok, for example when I use my acoustic guitar, I add a reverb from Mooer, maybe I will put an alkaline battery insider😊. I have read that Bob Bradshaw built a special battery box for Eric Johnson and Josh Smith because, especially with carbon batteries, guitars sound better... Check it out! 😀
Will do 👍
It is about isolation I think? Individually isolated outputs. Cheap power supplys aren't isolated all that well
As far as I can tell with my non-existent electric circuit knowledge 🤔 you’re right, it’s about having separate ‘grounds’ on the input and output stages aka isolated. Or something like that… what I do know is it works! 🙂
Is the red head cable the on for reverse polarity?
It is! Here’s a link to the manual which mentions the red cable: www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/Original/10001/om_0230100012_Engine_Room_LVL_12.pdf
@@TheBluesBox Thank you! The manual that came in the box with mine, doesn’t specify it, is great that they updated (at least) the digital version.
Cheers!
@@be8965 no problem at all 🙂
Thanks, you got a new follower
Thank you Sami we really appreciate you watching and subbing, that’s awesome 👍
It was EVH that played with voltage
Cheers Mike 👍
I got fed up with the noise using a daisy chain, so I purchased a TGI Powerbox TGIPB1 from PMT. It is considerably cheaper than the Fender at £45, but it does the job. I like Steve am a bit of a Luddite.
As you’ve found out some of those cheaper units will definitely do the job, bonus! 🙂 no sense wasting money, but they may not be so great if gigging and lots of noise in the circuits from a venue. Also transformers in some multi output power supplies can also cause hum if too close to some pedals. Fun and games… it’s what works for you at the end of the day though, and that’s why I’ve used a daisy chain to this point frankly. If you want a fully isolated switching power unit the fender seems good value. But £200 is still a wadge of cash.
Cheers for the comment Kevin! Thanks for watching too 👍
@@TheBluesBox I'm not likely to be gigging anytime soon, it was humourous and interesting Bluesbox.
🙂
Cant find one anywhere in the UK.
Wow, you’re not wrong!
I just can't bring myself to spend near £200 on a power supply 🙈 Most of the added noise when I play comes from me being sloppy, so I'll focus on that first 😂
😂 don’t be so harsh in yourself!
Sometimes there’s no choice once the bad noise from that one combination of pedals kicks in 🤷♂️ I put a Keeley delay in the mix the other day and it made it all unplayable until I used the Isolated supply 🙁 and that weird issue with that Bogner also…
As always Claire, thanks for the comment 👍 you’re a star!
Maybe it’s your teachers fault 😬
They look exactly like Thomann's budget line of power supplies.
Do you mean the Harley Benton ones? If so, they do promise isolated supplies and they’ve done some decent stuff. They look similar but there’s no way to tell what’s inside even if outside is similar. If they were identical (screw position, vents, switches) then maybe, but not sure I’d go completely budget on the PSU if I’ve got a bunch of expensive pedals, but if they’re more budget pedals I’d be very tempted.
We need to find someone who can tear these things down properly and give us the full details.
Oooo seasick Steve wanna be
It's ok he looks armless
I think you’ve used this one before Hammo! We demand new material!!!! 😅
Why would you include a guy (beardy man) in a review of a PSU for pedals, who obviously has no interest in pedals?
Yeah… there are two ‘beardy men’ 😅 but I’m guessing you mean Steve ‘what’s technology mean!’. He’s included because he does all of the videos with me. But also because he asks the worlds most naive questions are times and they’re great as not all of us know much about this stuff. And he’s a great guitarist too so there’s that as well 😉 his playing wipes the floor with me so there are other video where I’m the complete muppet!
Of course maybe you mean I’m the beardy man???🤔 nah, I love pedals…
3 min in still TALKING! NEXT
2 years later and you’re still commenting! 😉 not sure it needed capitals! 😅 We can hear you…
We’re old, so can be a bit guilty of waffle but hey, there’s plenty out there to watch-if this is not for you it’s not for you. 👋
Fender pedals are not very good. Give me a RAT.
Oh it's a power supply 🤣 probably still crap.
😅 never tried any of their pedals but some seem to get very good reviews. Have to try a few out. This power supply is a good value option. Pre-made mountings are limited though.
Oh, and I’m totally with you on the whole Rat thing!