OT: Power Conditioning

[AnthonyD]

Not simple "surge-protection" as in a power-strip, but rack-style power conditioner.

Thinking about making an investment - I'd appreciate your thoughts/experiences/feedback on the value. Did a quick search but didn't find much to work with...

 

[Figjam]

I believe they are useful in reducing noise in your signal,thats mainly what I would get one for.

 

[oddjob]

I believe they are useful in reducing noise in your signal,thats mainly what I would get one for.

Big +1.
Had one for years, but I haven't used one in a while. Why? Haven't needed too and haven't had any problems.

 

[phatduckk]

i could see the use but i dunno - i think its too "pro" for me.

 

[AnthonyD]

Hmmm... So is this something to consider only if there is a problem needing correcting?

I am considering addidng it to a rack as a regular, every-day piece of equipment.

 

[Figjam]

I dont think its needed unless your rig shows signs that it needs it.

 

[phatduckk]

Hmmm... So is this something to consider only if there is a problem needing correcting?

I am considering addidng it to a rack as a regular, every-day piece of equipment.

if i played lots of gigs and ran into "bad power" twice, then id look into getting one. i wouldnt invest in one "just in case".

 

[oddjob]

Figgy and Phatty both have great points... think about it how many times have you run into power problems? I think I have once (but it also might have been drinking too much beer before trying to set levels). My take is that they are a nice luxury and you could probably use the cash better somewhere else in your rig.

 

[GassieBall]

I don't have experience with guitar rigs, but I did just go through completeting my home theater with a 9.5 foot projection screen and Harmon/Kardon-Klipsch 7.2 surround sound system.

When I was testing the system out initially, I didn't have a line conditioner. The hi-fi equipment sounded fine to me.

On the other hand, there was tons of noise on the video. Without the line conditioner, there was more fuzz, and these 60 cycle type lines going up the screen. (The theater is in the basement next to the furnace so there must be some bad noise coming from that.) The line conditioner got rid of all of that.

Now, video needs much more "bandwidth" than audio so I'm not really sure how much difference it makes for sound. I have no measurements that I can tell you, but in my humble opinion, unless you know your source is terribly dirty, I think I'd have to be a bat or a dog to tell the difference.

 

[phatduckk]

in my humble opinion, unless you know your source is terribly dirty, I think I'd have to be a bat or a dog to tell the difference.

ya. so if the band's reherssal studio had crappy power or my practice area (home, room, basement etc) then id get one.

regarding gigs: if youre at a venue w/ "bad power" and you have a keyboardist or guitarists who play clean theyre gonna get the dirty noise too ... so unless eveyone uses a conditioner things will sound fuzzy anyways

 

[Randracula]

I've used one for years.The big plus with these is that you can plug everything into the back(amp,tuner, effects)and just plug in the cord from the power conditioner.The lights on the front sometimes come in handy on dark stages also......

 

[AnthonyD]

This is good info guys - thanks.

Many of you may know I do not gig regularly - heck we got three dates this summer and it feels like a tour!

I've been noodling the idea because I like being prepared - we've got an outdoor BBQ gig come August and I've got a sneaky suspicion we'll all be running off of some 150' extention cord!

So far, it's feeling like the marketing literature may be a bit over-the-top in terms of my "needing" one, but I am still open to additional feedback - thanks!

 

[AnthonyD]

I've used one for years.The big plus with these is that you can plug everything into the back(amp,tuner, effects)and just plug in the cord from the power conditioner.The lights on the front sometimes come in handy on dark stages also......

Randy - I like the convenience factor too... Which brand do you use? Are you pleased with it? I've heard of Furman as one of the more popular brands, but don't really know much by way of reputations in this space.

 

[Randracula]

Randy - I like the convenience factor too... Which brand do you use? Are you pleased with it? I've heard of Furman as one of the more popular brands, but don't really know much by way of reputations in this space.

Mine is a Furman. I've had this one for about seven years. I don't think they make it any more but I believe it's a PL-8. This is the newer version of mine......http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Furman-PL8-II-Power-Conditioner?sku=181301

 

[SteveB]

I use a Furman PL-8 or PL-Pro.. can't remember which it is.. the one with the digital readout of the wall voltage.

My drummers house (where we practice) has terrible wiring. I wouldn't plug anything into his outlets without protection. In bars you never know what kind of clusterph*ck you're going to find for wiring.

At home my recording rack has an ETA power conditioner and it seems to do the job, too.

As an IT guy, I'm a big believer in power protection. Nothing kills RAM or hard drives faster than voltage fluctuations. If you've got any digital rack stuff in your rig, or stuff that's MIDI programmable, I would definitely plug those things into protected power. I think you can alleviate a lot of wear and tear on tube filaments by using cleaner power, too.

 

[Oldtoe]

Alright, now what about voltage regulators as opposed to line conditioners? I've been told by reputedly smart people that voltage regulators, while maintaining proper voltage, can choke the current on a high amp-draw component like a bass/power amp. This true?

 

[SteveB]

Ben,

I know that in the IT world, we avoid regulators on high-draw gear like laser printers, so there may be something to that.

 

[NorM]

ETA hasn't let me down yet. Funny cause one side of DWF1004's house is 121 volts and the other side is like 100. I'm thinking those furmans have paid for themselves . My guitar amp use to reboot all the time and it drove me nuts. Then I put it on a power conditioner and the problem went away. AZ electricity is a lot less reliable than TN electricity.

 

[strummer]

I voted "wouldn't play with out one..." although I do. Sometimes. But a power conditioner is a good thing. Doesn't have to be a 19" with blinking lights, I have one built by a friend of mine, which is basically an isolation transformer with spike protection. I plug all my stuff into it and never have a power problem.

 

[SteveB]

Ben,

I know that in the IT world, we avoid regulators on high-draw gear like laser printers, so there may be something to that.

I just wanted to reinforce the point that this post was talking about a voltage regulator, not a power conditioner.

I keep my all-tube Peavey XXX head plugged into my Furman at all times, along with my pedalboard. I played a gig 2 years ago where the power was bad and it cooked my bass players GK head, and then cooked his backup Ampeg head. My gear was fine. I use a Furman, he does not.