Thanks to a wealth of mobile music creation apps, it's never been easier to capture moments of inspiration while on the move. But if you're backpack rig includes real-world effects pedals, a portable amp or a mini synthesizer, the search for a wall outlet could seriously interfere with your creative process. Irish power solutions provider myVolts is looking to solve just such a dilemma with the Ripcord.
Many floor stomps have a removable cover on the bottom to install a 9 V battery, but some (like the Farmer's Mill and the Trym) can only be powered using a main adapter. Either way, the Ripcord will allow players to power an effects unit (or tuners, keyboards, MIDI recorders, mixers and other 9 V gear) using a laptop or USB power bank, or an Android or Windows smartphone (via an OTG adapter).
The Ripcord plugs into a USB 1, 2 or 3 port and bumps the voltage up from 4.5 - 5.5 V to 9. The maximum output current is 1,000 mA, with the company saying that "the average guitar pedal uses 80 mA, and the Korg Volca synths use about 100 mA." The standard cable will have center-negative polarity, but a reverser will be included. The company also sells a 5-way splitter cable that can be used to daisy chain music devices.
The folks at myVolts have been working on the Ripcord for a few years now, releasing brand-specific USB power cables along the way. After receiving feedback from "in the wild" users, the company has refined the design to include a 1.5 m (5 ft) tangle-free, braided cable and multiple tip adapters, and added a cable tidy to the USB end housing.
The Ripcord is currently the subject of a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, which runs until June 5. Pledges start at €12 (about US$13.50), but myVolts will throw in a 4,000 mAh Li-Pol battery pack for pledges of at least €39 for play everywhere convenience. If all goes to plan, shipping is estimated to start in August. You can see the pitch video below.
Sources: myVolts, Kickstarter
