Powerstarve

Description

Dying battery effect/power sag

The POWERSTARVE works by allowing you to underpower your analog/transistor-based effects. Using the knob you are able to “dial in” the power to a setting that appeals to your sense of style and tone.

Pedals that are transistor-based like fuzz, overdrive, tremolo, and reverb effects will have the best results. Older pedals and clones often use transistors that can be powered by less than the 9 volts that your wall wart is supplying. The POWERSTARVE lets you throw the internal power bias out of wack, creating interesting results.  From spazzy velcro on your Fuzz Face, Rangemaster, or Big Muff to disjointed repeats and chaos on your Colorsound clones, the POWERSTARVE brings new tones out of your existing pedal board.

New 2023 version:
• 5 to 9 volt variable power
• true-bypass
• LED power indicator

This is not the power sag you see in the Google image search when looking for power sag, or power starve designs. The old version was just that, a pot wired to power. My new version of the POWERSTARVE for 2023 is powered by a variable power regulator, giving us smoother power, better knob rotation, and better overall performance. I am thrilled with the results.

Notes:
My POWERSTARVE pedals have also been tested on some older keyboards and synths with interesting results.
Like all of the things I build experimentation is the key to success.
You can also run the POWERSTARVE at 12 – 18 volts depending on the internal power rating of your effects (if your caps are rated 25 volts or more, you are safe).

Get the POWERSTARVE  T-Shirt!

Dying battery effect mentioned in The Library Music Film: