Truetone 1 Spot CS12

1 SPOT Technology

1 SPOT Technology… what does that mean and why should I care? Technically, it’s switching power supply technology, which is very different than what anyone has ever put inside a power brick. Normally, you would find just a big transformer and a handful of small electronic components inside a power brick… old tech that hasn’t changed in decades and has a lot of limitations. We took the same triple filtered switching power supply technology found in our famous 1 SPOT and scaled it up to make the 1 SPOT Pro models. With much more space to work with, we were able to completely eliminate noise, provide total electrical isolation between outputs, create multiple voltages, and still give you the ability to use it anywhere in the world.

A major benefit of using a switching power supply is that it can handle far more current (power being pulled out of it) than any transformer-based power supply. Although we had to put power rating labels on each output to satisfy certification agencies (yes, we actually certified these, unlike most companies), the outputs can generally handle far more than the label shows. For example, you can connect a 300mA pedal to a 200mA output, without causing any problems. With a transformer-based power supply, you can’t get away with that. The important thing is to not exceed the total of all the labels. With a CS7, the output labels add up to 1900mA total. That means the total current draw of all your pedals should be less than 1900mA. That total current rating is roughly double the current load of the most common power brick, for a lot less money.

Multiple Voltages

We recognize that not all guitar pedals run off 9V. That’s why all 1 SPOT Pro models have outputs that can put out 9Vdc, 12Vdc or 18Vdc. The CS12 even has a variable voltage output for old-style fuzz pedals, and a 9Vac output for certain Line6 and Digitech pedals. And if you need to change the voltage of an output, Truetone also makes inexpensive converter cables to help you. There’s the Voltage Doubler, which does exactly what its name says, and the 18V to 9V Converter... which also does what its name says. They don’t have the most clever names, but they get the job done!

Worldwide input voltage

Just like with the original 1 SPOT, and your laptop power supply and phone charger, the 1 SPOT Pro uses switching power supply technology which allows you to use it anywhere in the world. The CS12 has an input voltage switch on the back, which switches voltage only for the 9VAC output, since that output does use a toroidal transformer. The rest of the outputs on the CS12, and all of them on the CS6 and CS7, don’t care what the input voltage is.

Rugged Steel Housing

If you’re a touring musician, or even if you just play at the local pub regularly, you know how important it is to have roadworthy gear. No worries with the 1 SPOT Pro. The housing is all steel, with cleverly designed vents that should keep out the accidental beer spill, should that ever happen.

Pure Isolation

Since pioneering the first switching power supply for musicians, the original 1 SPOT, we’ve gained many years of experience in creating very low noise power for pedals. When we started designing the 1 SPOT Pro, the first multiple output switching power supply, we worried a lot about how to eliminate noise completely. Isolation is part of the solution to noise elimination, but not all of it. Each output is galvanically isolated from the other to help give you pure, clean, noise-free operation of your pedals. However, we also provided an additional layer of pure analog regulation, taking advantage of the greater ability of analog circuits to provide the highest possible suppression of in-band audio noise. There is an artistry involved in these designs, and it’s come at the price of decades of hard work. But all of this put together is what we call Pure Isolation.

Energy Efficient

Prior to the 1 SPOT, musicians either used one linear power supply (a.k.a. wall wart) per pedal, or used batteries. Both solutions for powering pedals were very inefficient with energy, with batteries also contributing greatly to the toxic waste stream. In 2000, we pioneered the use of switching power supply technology to alleviate this condition in an economically-, energy- and environmentally-conservative way. The 1 SPOT power supply was designed to replace many such external power supplies and/or batteries simultaneously. It provided plenty of power with a very low noise level to successfully meet the needs of musicians. By offering musicians a solution that was more cost effective and energy efficient, and moving the market away from linear transformer-based power supplies to switching power supplies, Truetone has caused the saving of thousands of watt-hours per musician per year. Utilizing a more comprehensive switching power supply solution, the 1 SPOT Pro sets a new level of efficiency for power bricks, while still meeting the needs of musicians for low noise operation, even in severe conditions where the pedals themselves may generate interfering noise.

Dimensions

8.12” x 3.37” x 2” (206 x 86 x 50mm); 2.35 lbs. (1.06 Kg.) - weight and dimensions of power supply only, not including cables or packaging.

Input Voltage

The back panel of the 1 SPOT Pro CS12 has a 2-position 115/230V~ switch that allows the 1 SPOT Pro CS12 to be used in most countries. Warning: Using the unit at the wrong setting will cause damage to both the 1 SPOT Pro CS12, and any effect plugged into output 12. Make sure the switch setting matches the voltage coming out of the wall outlet (+/- 10V~ is OK). This switch only effects the 9VAC output, but it’s important to set it correctly whether you use that output or not… you might want to use it someday.

Cables

Power cables (all are center pin negative polarity):
(2) DC26 (5.5x2.1mm barrel plugs; 26” (660mm) – Purple
(2) DC22 (5.5x2.1mm barrel plugs; 22” (559mm) – Blue
(4) DC18 (5.5x2.1mm barrel plugs; 18” (457mm) – White
(3) DC12 (5.5x2.1mm barrel plugs; 12” (305mm) – Yellow
(1) AC21 (5.5x2.5mm barrel plugs; 21” (533mm) – Red

Converter Plugs:
(1) CL6 – (5.5x2.1mm barrel input, 5.5x2.5 barrel output; reverse polarity)
Green – for Line 6 DL4/M9/etc. and some Eventide pedals.
(1) CYR – (5.5x2.1mm barrel input, 5.5x2.1 barrel output; reverse polarity)
Red – reverse polarity converter
(2) C35 – (5.5x2.1mm barrel input, 3.5mm male output; tip positive)
Black – 3.5mm (1/8”) plug converter
(1) CBAT – (5.5x2.1mm barrel input, Black battery clip output) Connects to battery clip wires inside pedals that do not have DC jacks. Do NOT connect to a battery!

9VAC output

Another 1 SPOT Pro first. In the past, if you had a Line 6 or Digitech pedal that required 9VAC (not DC), you had to use their power supply and an extension cord or maybe a courtesy outlet on your power brick, if you could get to it. We put a 9VAC output right on the front panel of the CS12, so you can ditch the big wall-wart and keep things neat and simple. We did have to use a small toroidal transformer for this, as it’s not really feasible to create AC voltage with a switching power supply, but that small toroid is dedicated to just that one output… completely isolated.
If you need a courtesy outlet for some other use, like your phone or laptop charger, or one of the very few units a 1 SPOT Pro cannot power, check out Truetone’s Courtesy Plug Cable!

Available Output Voltages

Outputs 1-2: 18VDC (100mA)
Outputs 3-6: 9VDC or 12VDC (100mA)
Output 7: 9VDC or variable 4-9VDC (100mA)
Outputs 8-9: 9VDC (250mA)
Outputs 10-11: 9VDC (500mA)
Output 12: 9VAC (800mA) - Be careful with this one! It is only for pedals that can handle AC voltage. If your pedal can use a battery, do NOT use this output!

Pedaltrain Mounting Brackets

The only power brick to include easy-to-install mounting brackets for Pedaltrain pedalboards. We even duplicated the output labels under the unit, so you can easily see which output is which, when working on your board. Yes, we thought of that too!

Can the 1 SPOT Pro power my pedal?

That question can best be answered by looking at the following questions and notes…

Which output and settings do I use for my pedals?

It is important for you to know the power requirements for your pedal. For every pedal that you are going to power via the 1 SPOT Pro CS12, you need to know the following:

What is the voltage required by the pedal?
Does the pedal require AC or DC voltage?
What is the polarity of the pedal? (Center pin positive or negative.)

These questions can usually be answered by:

1. Inspecting the pedal itself near the power jack.
2. Referring to the owner’s manual.
3. Checking online, or contacting the manufacturer
4. If your pedal can be powered by a 9Vdc battery, it can be powered by one of the 9Vdc outputs ( an exception being the Boss ACA pedals, see below).

Notes on using certain pedals with the 1 SPOT Pro CS12:

• Some older Boss pedals require 12Vdc, yet can be powered by a 9Vdc battery. They will indicate “Use ACA adaptor” near the power jack. To power an ACA pedal please use outputs 3-6, and set to 12Vdc on the dip switch for the corresponding output. Modern Boss pedals will indicate “PSA,” and can be powered by any of the 1 SPOT Pro CS12’s 9Vdc outputs.
• Many germanium based fuzzes and Octavia-style pedals will require the use of the CYR adaptor to reverse the polarity to center pin positive.
• For pedals with high milliamp draws such as Strymon please utilize outputs 8-11.
• Eventide pedals such as the Time Factor and H9 may be powered by outputs 10-11 with the addition of the CL6 converter for proper dc jack tip size and polarity.
• Line 6 M9 may be powered by outputs 10-11, but will also require the CL6 converter. The M9 can also be powered directly by the 9Vac of output 12.
• Line 6 M5 may be powered by outputs 10-11, NOT output 12.
• Line 6 modeling pedals (DL-4/MM-4) may be powered by outputs 8-11, but will also require the CL6 converter. You may optionally use output 12, as the power input of these pedals can use 9Vac or 9Vdc.
• Line 6 Tone Core pedals may be powered by any 9Vdc output.
• Line 6 POD or M13 cannot be powered by the 1 SPOT Pro CS12, even on the 9Vac output. The milliamp draw is too large for those units.
• If more 9Vdc pedals need to be powered, a MC5 daisy chain (sold separately) may be plugged into any of the 9Vdc outputs depending on mA draw.
• Pedals that do not utilize a power jack, yet are powered normally by a 9Vdc battery, may utilize any 9Vdc output, along with the CBAT converter.
• TC Electronic Nova pedals may be powered by outputs 3-6 in the 12Vdc position.
• TC Electronic Classic and Tone Print series may be powered by any 9Vdc output.
• Digitech Whammy: Versions 1-4 may be powered by output 12 (9Vac) Version 5 or Whammy DT may be powered by outputs 10 or 11.
• Overdrives or fuzzes that sound/feel better at lower voltage should utilize output 7. Set the dip switch to the “on” position, and adjust the mini-pot on the face of the unit to the desired voltage, anywhere from 4-9Vdc.
• Note: Outputs 1-11 can each handle more than the stated mA number. However, it is important to never exceed the max. current rating of all outputs simultaneously.
• Radial Tonebone 15Vdc pedals can be powered by an 18Vdc output, using the Reverse Polarity Converter (CYR) included with the 1 SPOT Pro.
• If you have a pedal that cannot be powered by any output on the 1 SPOT Pro, get our Courtesy Plug Cable and plug your adapter into that.

For more information, click here to visit the manufacturers website.