Zoom MS-60B: powering from USB?

[mcnach]

I have my eye on one of these things, closely watching the classifieds... especially since I read something about the ability to power this pedal via USB, unless I misunderstood.

Has anybody tried that?

THat would be really amazing for me. I have a QTX QR10PA battery powered mini-PA thingy that I use to run my bass through for busking. It works reasonably well. EQ is limited and the sound is not amazing, but it works more than adequately.
It has a USB slot... and if I could use it to power the Zoom, then that would be perfect as I can use it as an EQ pedal and tuner (and even FX if I wanted to, although when busking we keep it simple)...

Is that possible? Or is the USB on the Zoom only for shuttling data?

[Kev]

You can power the pedal by USB apparantly, but i imagine it would need to be a USB port with a fair bit of power to it. My laptop USB isn't powerful enough to charge an iPad, and i doubt it would be powerful enough to power a pedal.

[mcnach]

Yeah, I wonder.
To be honest, AA batteries are easy to use... I buy big packs of Duracells at Costco and that way turn out very cheap... but if the USB method worked it would be a nice touch.

[Paul S]

The manual doesn't seem to mention using the USB as a power source at the early bit when it tells you how to switch it on, only at the very end 'specs' bit in passing. Nothing ventured... I just tried mine and, although the unit powered up, it made a god-awful noise when I plugged it all in. I am guessing it provides enough power to update the software etc but little else.

[mcnach]

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1375548051' post='2162806']
The manual doesn't seem to mention using the USB as a power source at the early bit when it tells you how to switch it on, only at the very end 'specs' bit in passing. Nothing ventured... I just tried mine and, although the unit powered up, it made a god-awful noise when I plugged it all in. I am guessing it provides enough power to update the software etc but little else.
[/quote]



that's interesting and disappointing but not all too surprising. However on the Zoom website it does state you can power it up via USB... true, it doesn't go on to say powered up "for what purpose"?

[Lfalex v1.1]

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1375548051' post='2162806']
The manual doesn't seem to mention using the USB as a power source at the early bit when it tells you how to switch it on, only at the very end 'specs' bit in passing. Nothing ventured... I just tried mine and, although the unit powered up, it made a god-awful noise when I plugged it all in. I am guessing it provides enough power to update the software etc but little else.
[/quote]

Not all USB chargers/adaptors are created equal.
They supply 5v but have varying current capabilities. Maybe a bigger one would help?

[mcnach]

Someone on Talkbass says he powers and gigs with his MS-60B using a mains adaptor USB thingy, similar to those use to charge mobile phones...

[Paul S]

Right - just tried that - mains USB charger thingy - and it works perfectly. I suppose it depends upon which leads you have kicking around.

[mcnach]

Well, I received mine yesterday.
The usb on my battery operated miniPA system is not suitable for this pedal, too noisy (probably not enough current). So that won't work as backup and AA batteries will do.

I only had a quick test... and this thing sounds really good!!!

Really tempted to get a B3 now and transform my pedalboard...

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1375540083' post='2162698']
You can power the pedal by USB apparantly, but i imagine it would need to be a USB port with a fair bit of power to it. My laptop USB isn't powerful enough to charge an iPad, and i doubt it would be powerful enough to power a pedal.
[/quote]

Not wanting to go off topic here but if you install a small app called Asus Ai Charger this will boost the voltage of any USB port your iPad is plugged in to, and allow you to charge the ipad. The iPad needs 10watts, most USB ports put out 5watts i believe.
Its perfectly safe, ive been using it for a couple of years on all my PC's.

[url="http://event.asus.com/mb/2010/ai_charger/"]http://event.asus.com/mb/2010/ai_charger/[/url]