What is the JHS Volture 9V Voltage Sag Utility and what does it do?

The JHS Volture is a unique pedalboard accessory designed to simulate the sound of a dying 9V battery. It allows you to "sag" the voltage supplied to your pedals, creating distinct, often unpredictable, and highly musical effects like sputtering, gating, and unique distortion characteristics. It's perfect for experimenting with new sounds from your existing pedals.

How do I connect the JHS Volture to my pedalboard?

The Volture is easy to integrate into your setup. You'll need a standard 9V DC power supply (sold separately) to power the Volture itself. Then, simply connect the Volture's output to the power input of the pedal you wish to "sag." It acts as an inline voltage regulator, letting you dial in the desired sag effect.

What kind of sounds can I achieve with the Volture?

By reducing the voltage to your pedals, the Volture can unlock a wide range of creative sounds. You can get sputtering fuzz tones, gated distortions that cut off abruptly, unique compression, and even glitchy, lo-fi textures. It's especially effective with drive, fuzz, and modulation pedals, offering a fresh perspective on familiar effects.

Is the JHS Volture compatible with all 9V pedals?

The JHS Volture is designed to work with most standard 9V DC pedals that use a center-negative power input. However, results can vary greatly depending on the specific pedal. It's generally safe for pedals that draw low to moderate current. If you have questions about a specific pedal, a Sweetwater Sales Engineer can provide personalized gear advice.

Does the Volture require its own power supply?

Yes, the JHS Volture requires a standard 9V DC power supply (sold separately) to operate. It does not run on batteries. Once powered, it then modifies the voltage it passes on to your chosen effect pedal, allowing you to control the sag effect.

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JHS Volture 9V Voltage Sag Utility

Variable Voltage Sag Utility Pedal

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Vary Your Fuzz Pedal’s Voltage

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What could sound better than a fuzz pedal with a fresh new battery? Well, how about a fuzz pedal with a dying battery? Since the first fuzz circuits were invented way back in the ’60s, guitarists found that the lowered voltage of a less-than-ideal battery often resulted in a rougher, wilder tone. To capture this sound without digging through a pile of old batteries, JHS is proud to offer the Volture: a 9-volt voltage sag utility pedal that sits between your pedal and the power supply. Simply hook it in, stomp on the switch, and the Volture’s voltage knob allows you to dial in the amount of power your pedal receives precisely — from full-on typical 9V power to starved and sputtering mayhem.

Fuzz pedals and beyond

Fuzz circuits are incredibly sensitive to input voltage — a fact that many guitarists have had the joy of discovering after mistakenly leaving their favorite pedal plugged in all night. However, it’s not a matter of a low-powered battery sounding better than a fully charged battery, and the truth is that as your battery drains from 9V to 0V, there’s an entire spectrum of possible tones with which to play. So, considering your battery is constantly draining while in use, your favorite tone may be but a fleeting notch on your 9-volt’s lifespan. The JHS Volture removes both the guesswork and the inherently time-sensitive nature of the starved-battery fuzz sound by allowing you to set your favorite voltage precisely and indefinitely. Moreover, the Volture isn’t simply limited to fuzz circuits — when testing the Volture out at Sweetwater, we found that it’s an inspiring way to experiment with just about any all-analog pedal.