Here are a handful of options for players looking for a tiny board with big features.
As much as we love the idea of expansive, all-encompassing boards, having a minimalist outlook has its advantages. If you need portability above all else, here are 10 pedalboards that combine an on-the-go vibe with pro-level features.
Schmidt Array SA350
This double decker setup offers pro-level features within a road-worthy enclosure that has a hinged upper deck, IEC power socket, room for two custom patch bays, LED lights, and a USB rechargeable power pack.
Blackbird Feather Board
Available in a few different Tolex options, this barebones setup can carry about five regular-sized pedals. It also has two power bays for easy access and has a built-in loop top to keep your stomps secure.
MONO Pedalboard Small With Club Accessory Case 2.0
This sleek board that’s crafted entirely out of a single piece of lightweight aluminum offers a ton of flexibility due to the cutouts. The comfortable incline allows plenty of access to the back row of pedals and room to mount a power supply underneath.
Gator Small Pedalboard with Bag - 15.75"x7" Black
If you only need to pack a few pedals, this rugged setup might be the way to go. It has several cutouts for cabling, a mount underneath for a power supply, and it comes with a deluxe gig bag.
SKB 1SKB-PS-8 8-Port Pedalboard with Gig Bag
This low-profile setup contains an integrated power supply that can fuel up to eight pedals, plus it includes all the various cabling you’ll need to get up and going. Bonus: It also comes with a nylon gig bag with a shoulder strap.
SKB 1SKB-PS-8 8-Port Pedalboard with Gig Bag
This low-profile setup contains an integrated power supply that can fuel up to eight pedals, plus it includes all the various cabling you’ll need to get up and going. Bonus: It also comes with a nylon gig bag with a shoulder strap.
Voodoo Lab Dingbat Pedalboard - Small 18" x 7.75"
Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, this board weighs less than 3 pounds, is custom designed to work with Voodoo Lab power supplies, and comes with hook-and-loop mounting fasteners.
Pedaltrain Metro 20 20-inch x 8-inch Pedalboard with Soft Case
This three-rail system comes in at 20", which can likely handle up to nine pedals comfortably. Its durable, low-profile frame offers plenty of room for a power supply underneath and comes with both hook-and-rail tape and zip ties.
Boss BCB-30X Deluxe Pedal Board and Case
An ultra-portable board that is integrated with a hardshell carrying case and comes lined with high-density foam. You can even cut the foam to create a customized fit for your pedals.
D'Addario XPND Pedalboard - Small
Not sure how much space you'll need? This fully adjustable pedalboard can be customized to your current needs by simply expanding the available real estate. It stretches from 13.75" to 24.75" and comes with an inventive cable management system.
Temple Audio SOLO 18 Templeboard
Designed with an entirely modular approach, this board uses the company’s quick-release mounting system to keep your pedal secure and offers different modules to keep the inputs and outputs as streamlined as possible.
New models include the Nano+, the three-model Metro Series, the three-model Novo Series, the refined Classic Series and its new large-format flagship pedal board, Terra 42.
Nashville, TN (January 16, 2015) -- Pedaltrain, the world’s most popular pedal board brand, has reinvented its product line for 2015 and beyond. In a private meeting with some of Nashville’s top professional guitarists and bassists, the company revealed its new product range to resounding applause.
New models include the Nano+, the three-model Metro Series, the three-model Novo Series, the refined Classic Series and its new large-format flagship pedal board, Terra 42. All will be released in early Spring 2015.
“We are true pedal-junkies,” says Pedaltrain President John Chandler, “we are deeply invested in our community and the needs of musicians who trust Pedaltrain to support, enable and protect their valuable gear. Our commitment is demonstrated in what we believe are absolutely the best Pedaltrains we’ve ever made.”
Pedaltrain highlighted unique design improvements like its new modified rail system, which improves the stability of smaller-sized pedals. The company also demonstrated its portable grab-and-go Metro series and the true-bypass-switching-friendly Novo Series.
The company’s vastly improved soft cases and new strength-weight optimized tour cases were a big hit, especially when it was revealed it’s new professional-grade cases now weigh up to 35% less than previous models.
“We enjoy a close relationship with our customers - from the touring professional to the student jamming in a garage band,” says Chandler. “Our new products incorporate their valuable feedback; each new model meets specific player needs. Only Pedaltrain has this deep domain expertise.”
For more information:
Pedaltrain
To coincide with this month’s smorgasbord of stompbox reviews, we look at options for efficiently powering your pedalboard.
WALRUS AUDIO
Aetos Clean Power Supply
This 8-output, isolated power supply has a custom-wound toroidal transformer for superior noise filtering and clean power.
Street: $169
walrusaudio.com
VOODOO LAB
Pedal Power 4x4
Featuring an internal thermometer that controls a silent cooling fan, the 4x4 can power up to four power-hungry digital effects and four standard battery-powered stompboxes.
Street: $189
voodoolab.com
PEDALTRAIN
Volto
This svelte, rechargeable lithium-ion battery-powered supply is a quiet and efficient alternative to AC-powered options. A pair of 9-volt outputs provides total power output of 2000 mA.
Street: $99.95
pedaltrain.com
MOOER
Micro Power
This tiny power supply features eight outputs, each with a status-indicator LED.
Street: $98
mooeraudio.com
DECIBEL ELEVEN
Hot Stone Deluxe Dual Voltage
This power supply boasts eight isolated outputs, a shielded toroidal transformer, selectable input voltage, a pair of high-current outputs, and a heavy-duty steel chassis.
Street: $179
decibel11.com
GATOR CASES
G-BUS-8-US
Housed in a heavy-duty aluminum enclosure, this multi-output power supply with resettable short-circuit protection can juice up to 11 pedals via eight 9-volt outputs and three 18-volt outputs.
Street: $94.99
gatorcases.com
ROCKTRON
Power Tap
This power supply’s space-saving chassis houses five power jacks switchable between 9 volts and 12 volts. Two jacks offer continuously variable power (from 4-volt to 9-volt), and there’s a single AC power jack.
Street: $189
rocktron.com
T-REX
Chameleon
This compact, rugged, and versatile power supply was built for players with many diverse pedals. It comes with all needed cables and offers four voltage options.
Street: $149
t-rex-effects.com
MXR
MC403 Power System
With high-performance toroidal transformers to ensure quiet operation and superior performance, this power supply offers 16 outputs. It can be used on a pedalboard or in a single rack-mount space.
Street: $249.99
jimdunlop.com
CARL MARTIN
Pro Power
Designed for the touring musician, this power supply features switchable AC input (110/230-volt) and eight isolated/regulated 9-volt/12-volt outputs, with extended power for outputs 7 and 8.
Street: $173
carlmartin.com
[Updated 3/2/22]