polarity

Polarity refers to the positive or negative orientation of an electrical signal or power connection¹. In power supplies, pedals with positive-ground PNP germanium circuits may include a polarity inverter IC or charge pump acting as a polarity reverse circuit, letting them run on a standard 9V DC center-negative adapter and daisy chain with other pedals²³. Some pedals also offer reverse polarity protection against incorrect supplies⁴. In audio, signal polarity, often referred to as Phase, changes the pickup's relationship to the sound coming from the amplifier⁵, and devices such as the Radial Firefly offer a 180° polarity reverse⁶. Expression pedals vary too, since some units require specific polarity or resistance ranges to achieve a full sweep response⁷.