cap question for pedal builds

[ugly_guitar_guy]

Yesterday I was separating all my parts into a new organizer and noticed something that caught my attention. I'm only partially educated about components, so when I got to my local electronics store and ask for 10uF caps I just take what they give me. Well, I guess they gave me 16v polarized caps at one point and 30v polarized caps (which are naturally quite a bit larger than the 16v) at another point. My question is how much is the voltage value of the cap going to change the sound of the effect being built, if at all? Thanks!

[ianmgull]

Assuming you're building 9v circuits, both will work fine. It's just like you said, the bigger caps can get a bit annoying in tight spaces. I don't think there is any audible difference between them either.

[demonstar]

Always make sure you always have high enough rated caps so they don't start smoking when you exceed their voltage rating but as for the sound...
I have heard higher voltage caps sound slightly different. I have never experimented with this and most likely won't experiment with this in the future but since you seem interested you may want to search around. I'm sure I've heard people say too high a voltage rating degrades the sound. Since this could head into somewhat mystical territory... 

Just be warned proceed with caution, too much MOJO can kill a man!    

[MikeH]

Unless your venturing into the realm of 10000V+ you will not hear a difference.  Although feel free to try different voltages and see which one your dog likes better.   

[demonstar]

"http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=893.0"

[ugly_guitar_guy]

Awesome, thanx! I'll stick with the 16 volt caps then, way easier to fit on the board.

[frank_p]

Also voltage rating goes down with time, so you may have less problem with that higher voltage rating electrolytic.  In a 16V cap you may have problems in the long term.  Best to take a security factor of 2 (at least) with electrolytics.  Plus you have your DC bias voltage, but don't forget the AC signal that will be added to it.