GCX power supply.

Q & A for building and interfacing your rack gear with Ground Control Pro and GCX-based systems.
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u2edy
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Nov 19, 2010 7:54 am

GCX power supply.

Post by u2edy »

I am curious on why Voodoo Lab continuos to ship the "wall wart" type of power supplies for the GCX units. Since the GCX units are for racks and that most of us that want to use these units may also have a rack mounted power supply (e.g. Furman Power Conditioner), the wall warts are really a pain in terms of securing them and for the noise interference. After searching through a third-party forum, I've been tipped off that I can substitute the GCX power supply for a $25 Rocktron one, which more than adequately provides the power requirements for the GCX and the GCP pro. The Rocktron box has a long power lead and the 4 pin din socket lead, allowing me to secure the box at the rear or bottom of my rack and avoid interference.

This might sound like I'm complaining so forgive me for any "tone" in the message - as I said, just curious on why you wouldn't change to a Rocktron type of power supply. I love the Voodoo Lab products.

Additionally, is there a way to provide phantom power to an additional GCX from the first one without the need of two independent power supplies? Like, connecting the pedal-in of the first GCX to the power-in of the second and then connecting the GCP to the pedal-in of the second unit. That probably sounds really dumb so forgive me...again, just curious.

JohnClark
Posts: 7494
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 2:33 pm
Location: The Lab

Re: GCX power supply.

Post by JohnClark »

I guess I don't really have a "why we do this" answer, but I can suggest that IF you are having trouble with any wall wart type adapter introducing noise, you can convert it to a tabletop type adapter with a simple extension cord in order to locate it elsewhere.

A GCX will only provide phantom power but it will not accept phantom power. As convenient as it would seem to be, there are noise problems that can occur when powering multiple audio devices from a single, non isolated, power source... particularly when the devices are also connected, quite literally, to every other piece of gear in a system. Another reason is that the single power supply has to provide enough current for all the devices and in order to do so usually means it must be physically larger.

I hope that helps!
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u2edy
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Nov 19, 2010 7:54 am

Re: GCX power supply.

Post by u2edy »

Thanks John.

Your simple solution of just buying an extension cord over my idea of buying a third-party table-top power supply (x2). Dang, why didn't I think of that! lol, I feel like a dufus. :oops: Sometimes one can over think a problem.

Thanks, you saved me a few dollars - put that into your I owe you a beer fund.

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