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For those of us starting out with pedal power voltage and current can be confusing.  Most pedals operate at 9V and 10 - 400 mA of current.  There are many pedals that take different voltages and current.  The most common being 12V or 24V.  Every pedal needs a certain amount of current to turn on.  400 mA (milliamps) of current operate most pedals although newer digital multi-effects units take much more current.  Line6 pedals take 1.5 A (amps) and the Nural Quad core takes 12V at 3A.  Others can take 24V.  I cam power nearly every pedal.

Voltage is probably most critical as too much voltage can fry older pedals.  Although many cheapo wall dongle power supplies I've tested that are rated at 9V actually put out 12 - 14V.  It is generally most critical if you plug a 9V pedal into a 24V port.  Low voltage generally won't damage a pedal.  They may act funky under low voltage.  Some vintage distortion pedals are said to sound better under low voltages.  Some rockers prefer the "brown out" sound produced.

Current isn't as problematic.  If you supply too little current the pedal won't turn on.  Too much current is not generally a problem.  The pedal only soaks up as much current as it needs.  

I think of Voltage as the current of a river.   (I know, confusing - it seems backwards.)  Too little voltage and your boat kind of sits there and doesn't do anything.  Too much voltage and your boat can be capsized.

Current is like the depth of the river.  If the water isn't deep enough your boat sits there in the mud.  But it really doesn't care if the river is four feet deep or ninety feet deep.  Your boat floats happily and doesn't really know or care how deep the water is.

Bottom line is you want to get pretty close to the voltage rating on your pedal and at least the minimum current required to turn it on.

Hope that helps and if you have any questions contact me at [email protected]

And as always: ROCK ON!!!

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