What is a pedal power supply?

Pedal power supplies do exactly what you would expect. Provide a source of power for your pedals. They come in 2 main types; single wall adapters designed to supply only a single pedal and "isolated" power supplies, box units designed to power multiple pedals.

Do I need a pedal power supply?

Realistically, yes. The only way to get around using a proper power supply is to use batteries. Batteries are bad for the environment, unreliable and not every pedal takes them. If you are only using one or two pedals a simple wall adapter like the Boss PSA230 or Truetone 1-Spot will do the job. Any more than this and an isolated power supply would be best.

Are daisy chains bad for pedals?

Daisy chains typically are attached to 9v power supplies. Not every pedal takes 9v so it may damage those ones. In general, pedals won’t be permanently scarred by using a daisy chain but you may get a lot of unwanted noise while using one.

What power supply do I need for pedals?

The type of power supply you will need will depend on your set-up and the pedals you want to power. If you're jamming at home, with a single pedal then a standard 9v adapter will likely be sufficient, but for larger pedalboard rigs, then you're likely going to want to invest in an isolated power supply to power everything. It is important to refer to the guidelines of your pedals to determine the appropriate power supply for you.

Do pedal power supplies make a difference?

Yes. Aside from providing reliable, constant power to your pedals, power supplies also have the added benefit of reducing unwanted noise and hum, leading to all around better sound.