Taking gear to the USA?

[Arpangel]

Hi all, I’m taking a couple of things to the USA soon, a small modular, and a Zoom multitrack, just wondering about the power situation, it's not just an adaptor I need, the voltage is different, so what’s the drill with all this?

[Hugh Robjohns]

First, make sure you make a carnet to register what you're taking, otherwise you might be asked to pay duties and vat on the gear on your way back into the UK, and possibly into the USA too.

Also, make sure it's all packed well enough to survive baggage handlers along the way.

The USA is nominally 115V (60Hz) in contrast to our nominal 230V (50Hz).

Some of your gear might have universal power supplies that can accommodate any mains voltage between 100-250V, although you may need to change any mains fuse in the device or mains plug as the current will be roughly double at 115V compared to 230V.

For portable gear running on wall warts or line lumps, you might be able to find the 115V US equivalent.

Other gear might have a voltage selector switch for 115 or 230V working. Again, mains fuses might need uprating for the 115V case. Check the user manuals for recommendations.

If gear can't be configured for 115V operation, you'll need a step-up transformer to convert from 115 to 230V, and with an adequate power rating to cope with everything you want to connect.

Also, make sure any adapters, transformers or plug boards you use provide a proper safety earth connection.

And finally, if you do reconfigure any gear for 115V operation, make sure you change it back before using it again in the UK.

[Arpangel]

First, make sure you make a carnet to register what you're taking, otherwise you might be asked to pay duties and vat on the gear on your way back into the UK, and possibly into the USA too.

Also, make sure it's all packed well enough to survive baggage handlers along the way.

The USA is nominally 115V (60Hz) in contrast to our nominal 230V (50Hz).

Some of your gear might have universal power supplies that can accommodate any mains voltage between 100-250V, although you may need to change any mains fuse in the device or mains plug as the current will be roughly double at 115V compared to 230V.

For portable gear running on wall warts or line lumps, you might be able to find the 115V US equivalent.

Other gear might have a voltage selector switch for 115 or 230V working. Again, mains fuses might need uprating for the 115V case. Check the user manuals for recommendations.

If gear can't be configured for 115V operation, you'll need a step-up transformer to convert from 115 to 230V, and with an adequate power rating to cope with everything you want to connect.

Also, make sure any adapters, transformers or plug boards you use provide a proper safety earth connection.

And finally, if you do reconfigure any gear for 115V operation, make sure you change it back before using it again in the UK.

Thanks Hugh, I’m telling you, this is a nightmare, I'm trying to imagine the work involved in a major US tour, it must be horrendous.
I'm also not going to be able to use things like tablet chargers, or phone chargers, or my partners hair dryer!
I'll investigate step-up transformers, my modular has a wall wart, it has a 3pin plug, but I'll have to check if it's got an earth wire connected.
The multitrack can be battery powered, so at least that's an option.

PS, just found out our tablet and phone chargers are dual voltage auto switching, I think my Doepfer stuff maybe too, but I've got to check.

[amanise]

...
Thanks Hugh, I’m telling you, this is a nightmare, I'm trying to imagine the work involved in a major US tour, it must be horrendous....

As a promoter you'd be mad to even try. Ship the instruments if you absolutely must, but back line and PA - show stuff? Hire all that 'in country'. He said having spent a lifetime organising major world tours....

[The Elf]

Never had much a problem. I take a UK power block (mine has USB ports on it too) with a US power cable on it and most well-made domestic stuff (e.g phone chargers and laptop PSUs) just work.

Hairdryers run slower and cooler at 110V, but you can get a US dryer for 5 dollars at the first supermarket you see.

I think you'll find it less difficult than you fear.

Personally I don't take musical gear with me (other than laptop) - that's down to whoever wants me there.

[Tomás Mulcahy]

I'm also not going to be able to use things like tablet chargers, or phone chargers, or my partners hair dryer!

The first two are 99% likely to have universal power supplies, will only need a travel adppter for the plug connection to a US socket. Surely your accomodation will have a hairdryer? That is standard, whereas hair straighteners are not. Seasoned travellers don't bring such things unless their in the business of hair and/ or makeup on the tour.

I think you'll find it less difficult than you fear.

Personally I don't take musical gear with me (other than laptop) - that's down to whoever wants me there.

Agreed.

[ef37a]

This thread indicates the folly IMHO of fitting tapped mains transformers in gear like amplifiers. Why fly great lumps of Iron and Copper 1000s of clicks?

Far better to optimize the transformer for the country it will be used in. Then it was my experience that NO MATTER an amp had a "US export" sticker on the pre prod' sample SOME clot will still give it 230 volts!

Dave.

[alexis]

...

Personally I don't take musical gear with me (other than laptop) - that's down to whoever wants me there.

A a nascent keyboard programmer for live use I was shocked ("I tell you!" ) to read this. Given your extraordinary skill and experience, if you'd like to please give me advice on how I can change my pre- and intra- show routine, I'd be ever so grateful!

I can't imagine someone giving me a keyboard that has different sounds than the ones I've chosen and practiced with, and then telling me, "OK, you're up, go on stage". I'd say "no way", or more accurately, I'd do my best to avoid situations like that.

And then re, "stage ergonomics": in prep for shows I spend ##lots## of time choosing patches, stringing them together into performances, and then grouping those by song, so on stage between songs I'll have all the best sounds chosen I can muster easily available - then I extensively practice button pushing so that between or during songs it's much more button "click- click" rather than "click- click-click- clickclick-click ...".

All this takes a significant of time ... and it doesn't even include time for practicing "musically"!

So, Master ... where am I going wrong?

Thanks for any thoughts!

[The Elf]

For remote gigs I run my entire rig from my laptop (using Cantabile), so all I need are physical USB-equipped keyboards and an audio interface.

[amanise]

For remote gigs I run my entire rig from my laptop (using Cantabile), so all I need are physical USB-equipped keyboards and an audio interface.

What kind of music is this Elf? The only thing I know about you is that we share a penchant for Hedgehogs I'm afraid. Got a website or anything?

[Hugh Robjohns]

So, Master ... where am I going wrong?

You're using the keyboard as the sound generator. All patches etc exist only in that specific keyboard.

Elf is talking about using virtual instruments in his laptop all coordinated and controlled via Cantabile as the software host.

Consequently, any USB master keyboard with a decent action can be used to access and control those instruments. All sounds, patches, programming etc lives only in the laptop.

[alexis]

Aahhhh!

[The Elf]

For remote gigs I run my entire rig from my laptop (using Cantabile), so all I need are physical USB-equipped keyboards and an audio interface.

What kind of music is this Elf? The only thing I know about you is that we share a penchant for Hedgehogs I'm afraid. Got a website or anything?

Lol! No web site. I work in the backroom for many artists. I have relesed my own material, and intend to continue to do so, but I'm happier behind the scenes.

I specialise in rock (especially prog rock), but I turn my hand to anything, short of rap.

There are a few videos of me on YT, (and many of my work for others) but I'll leave you to find them...

[The Elf]

Elf is talking about using virtual instruments in his laptop all coordinated and controlled via Cantabile as the software host.

Consequently, any USB master keyboard with a decent action can be used to access and control those instruments. All sounds, patches, programming etc lives only in the laptop.

Yup.

[amanise]

For remote gigs I run my entire rig from my laptop (using Cantabile), so all I need are physical USB-equipped keyboards and an audio interface.

What kind of music is this Elf? The only thing I know about you is that we share a penchant for Hedgehogs I'm afraid. Got a website or anything?

Lol! No web site. I work in the backroom for many artists. I have relesed my own material, and intend to continue to do so, but I'm happier behind the scenes.

I specialise in rock (especially prog rock), but I turn my hand to anything, short of rap.

There are a few videos of me on YT, (and many of my work for others) but I'll leave you to find them...

Righto! So my final clue - if I may - do I just Google "The Elf"? I expect to have to wade through millions of Tolkein cozplay sites if that's all I get
PM something to help my laziness if you want to remain an enigma

[Martin Walker]

There are a few videos of me on YT, (and many of my work for others) but I'll leave you to find them...

Righto! So my final clue - if I may - do I just Google "The Elf"? I expect to have to wade through millions of Tolkein cozplay sites if that's all I get
PM something to help my laziness if you want to remain an enigma

For a start you might try here (sorry Paul, I had to put Adrian out of his misery )

https://www.youtube.com/@paul_ward_music

[The Elf]

[amanise]

Yes, I think I can see the cypher you used to get to that from "The Elf"

[Arpangel]

The laptop/usb keyboard is the most logical answer, but I want to take a very small modular, just in case I do go to an open-mic night somewhere, you never know. I'm talking about a 6U 42HP skiff, that will easily fit in my case, I haven’t got the skiff yet, but ill make sure it has a universal PSU.

[Kwackman]

For remote gigs I run my entire rig from my laptop (using Cantabile), so all I need are physical USB-equipped keyboards and an audio interface.

What kind of music is this Elf? The only thing I know about you is that we share a penchant for Hedgehogs I'm afraid. Got a website or anything?

Lol! No web site. I work in the backroom for many artists. I have relesed my own material, and intend to continue to do so, but I'm happier behind the scenes.

I specialise in rock (especially prog rock), but I turn my hand to anything, short of rap.

There are a few videos of me on YT, (and many of my work for others) but I'll leave you to find them...

This is really worth a listen / purchase.
IMHO, apart from the great compositions, the technical skills in the mixing are excellent, esp with tracks with guitar and piano.

Gordon Giltrap and Paul Ward “Scattered Chapters”.

https://www.giltrap.co.uk/cds/f/CDs/5587

[Arpangel]

For remote gigs I run my entire rig from my laptop (using Cantabile), so all I need are physical USB-equipped keyboards and an audio interface.

What kind of music is this Elf? The only thing I know about you is that we share a penchant for Hedgehogs I'm afraid. Got a website or anything?

Lol! No web site. I work in the backroom for many artists. I have relesed my own material, and intend to continue to do so, but I'm happier behind the scenes.

I specialise in rock (especially prog rock), but I turn my hand to anything, short of rap.

There are a few videos of me on YT, (and many of my work for others) but I'll leave you to find them...

This is really worth a listen / purchase.
IMHO, apart from the great compositions, the technical skills in the mixing are excellent, esp with tracks with guitar and piano.

Gordon Giltrap and Paul Ward “Scattered Chapters”.

https://www.giltrap.co.uk/cds/f/CDs/5587

Seen Gordon Giltrap a few times live, yes, he’s very good, excellent guitarist too.

This takes me back,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72IIkBDQFkE

[Sam Spoons]

I met GG when he was headlining at a guitar festival in 2007 and more recently a mate has been transcribing GG's back catalogue. He's an all round nice guy as well as being a superb guitar player.

[DGL.]

This thread indicates the folly IMHO of fitting tapped mains transformers in gear like amplifiers. Why fly great lumps of Iron and Copper 1000s of clicks?

Far better to optimize the transformer for the country it will be used in. Then it was my experience that NO MATTER an amp had a "US export" sticker on the pre prod' sample SOME clot will still give it 230 volts!

Dave.

Interestingly a lot of power amps for the US market will happily run on 240V if wired/adjusted correctly, this is because higher powered stuff can usually be run off a split-phase 240V or two leg of 3 phase 208V supply which most houses and premises will have.

[Arpangel]

I'm not taking anything, the last thing they need is me.

[Arpangel]

Managed to get one of those adaptor things, a couple of sockets/USB with a lead and US plug.