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Post by newey on May 28, 2009 19:11:55 GMT -5
We've had recent mention of using powerstrips for plugging in multiple pieces of equipment. I need to get one as I'm running out of outlet territory for 2 processors, 2 amps, wall wart for the pedals, etc.
Can the power switch on these be used to turn several components on/off with the flick of the switch, rather than powering up/down each component indiividually?
I mention this because my stereo receiver has a "slow off" power switch. I was told when I bought it that the power should not be cut abruptly, via a wall switch or a power strip, that this could damage the amp- I was told to always use the amp's power switch as this was gentler on the circuitry.
My Fender Frontman SS amp seems to have a similar "slow off" power switch, it gradually fades out over a second or so when powered down, similar to the stereo. Should the same protocol apply? Or can I just use the powerstrip to turn several things on/off all at once?
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Post by ChrisK on May 28, 2009 19:25:32 GMT -5
Sure. Oh, you mean " should the power switch.."   Maybe, although I'd be more concerned about turning a tube amp on this way without allowing the filaments to first heat up. A power strip essentially bypasses the power on process of first turning on the filaments and then, after waiting 30 seconds, switching from "standby" to "on". Well, if that's what the manufacturer recommends..... In your Frontman solid-state amp, you may just be hearing the effect of the discharge of the output stage supply capacitors as the amp drives the speaker. The preamp stages are likely to have more supply "hold time" than the output stage supply rails, so the amp might just be working on the way to fully off. While you're at it, get yourself a GFCI protected power strip for the amps (and yourself). |
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Post by newey on May 28, 2009 19:36:14 GMT -5
Well, that's what the salesman recommended . . .
So, no tubes, no problem?
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Post by ChrisK on May 28, 2009 19:51:35 GMT -5
Hope so, do let us know......
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Post by sumgai on May 28, 2009 19:57:44 GMT -5
newey, Lessee here.... Me: 1 Roland VG-88 1 Roland GR-33 1 Digitech RP-3 1 Boss RC-50 1 Boss JS-5 Jamstation 1 Electrix Warp Factory 1 Behringer FCB-1010 1 Behringer Xenix 1202FX Her: 1 Digital Reference Wireless Mic Receiver 1 Digitech Vocalist Live 4 Combining them: 1 Behringer Eurorack 602 1 QSC RMX850 Whew, that'sa lotsa mottsa!! Excepting the power amp, they're all running off of one Prime Power distribution strip, with built-in surge suppression and a GFCI adapter that I shoe-horned into the casing. I hit the switch, and it all comes up, then I turn on the power amp, thus avoiding any thumping of the speakers that might come from the various devices. I reverse the order when shutting down. All seems well..... except when I have to move it!  I really need to unlimber the table saw out of the shed, and build a box for porting this stuff from Point A to wherever in a more dignified manner.  Most power strips have a switch that can easily handle whatever current the built-in circuit breaker is rated for. Figure on 15 amps if there's no other indication, and if the powercord is at least 14 guage. Oh, and even with all that, whenever I hit a new stage, I still pull out Ol' Trusty, and check all the wall sockets that I can find. You never know, and for sure, you'll feel real stupid after you get bit, and you the realize that you could have found out ahead of time with a whole lot less pain and aggravation, if only you'd been not-so-lazy and bent over to reach for the little bugger in your tool box..... 'Nuff said. HTH sumgai p.s. Please don't ask about my bass or surf music rigs, neither of which are listed above. I think it can be safely said that I have seen the G.A.S., and it is me!  |
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Post by sumgai on May 28, 2009 20:05:03 GMT -5
Hmmm, not quite ninja-ed......
I did forget to add my thoughts on tube amps and power strips.....
I also highly dis-recommend any external switching of the power to any tube amp that has a Standby switch. The way I figure it, it's there for a reason, so maybe it's a good idea to use it.
Of course, if your amp has only the one On/Off switch, and no Standby switch at all, then it's sort of OK. Still and all, I like to recommend that the player stick around for a moment as the amp warms up, just in case something bad happened during transport, and the thing suddenly starts howling/whistling/shreiking/humming/whatever-ing.... Pretty undignified to have to do the quick-step from clear across the stage at that point.....
sumgai
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Post by newey on May 28, 2009 20:18:24 GMT -5
I don't have any new venue worries. I'm still in the basement . . . |
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Post by sumgai on May 28, 2009 20:21:17 GMT -5
I don't have any new venue worries. I'm still in the basement . . . That's right, I forgot to break out my crowbar during my last trip back east, so as to pry you out of that bomb-shelter..... ;D |
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Post by ChrisK on May 28, 2009 20:30:09 GMT -5
I would recommend that one turns the (last stage of) volume all the way down on the amp whenever anything is turned on or off (or plugged in or out).
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Post by newey on Jun 12, 2009 20:32:25 GMT -5
To follow up-
I got a 6-outlet rackmount power strip, it's an "Eazy" brand. 15 amps with a breaker. It is now powering my Crate amp, my Fender Frontman, the BBE 386 acoustic processor, and the Digitech DSP128 Plus processor, plus the pedalboard wart.
It is necessary, as Chris and SC pointed out, to either zero out the volume on the Fender or use its own powerswitch for on-off, otherwise I get a loud pop. So I moved the Fender off the strip, not really an issue since I use it separately from the rack stuff anyway. For some reason, there's no similar pop in the Crate using the strip to power it up/down.
I did notice that the BBE 386 has only a 2-prong plug. Should I worry about that, or doesn't it matter so much since it's only a preamp/processor? Anything I can do to minimize any risk? The outlet into which the strip is plugged is getting a GFCI upgrade in the near future.
Now all I need to find is a rack to put everything in. The pile of components is growing . . .
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I really need to unlimber the table saw out of the shed, and build a box for porting this stuff from Point A to wherever in a more dignified manner. 
