question for UK/Euro synth owners

Message Bookmarked
Bookmark Removed
I seem likely to be moving back to Europe next month, and the move is forcing me to think about a couple of issues. I've been planning to pick up a synth for a while. But quality musical equipment in the country I'm moving to is ridiculously expensive, and there's not much of a used market either. So while buying in the US would be best in terms of price and selection, I'd then have an instrument with the wrong voltage and power cord. (Unless synths nowadays are built to handle all currents, like laptops? Maybe that should be my first question.)

I'm guessing my next best bet in terms of price/selection would be the UK. I know the physical plugs are different, but are there any currency/voltage issues between there and Europe? Or am I better off trying to buy somewhere in Europe, just so I know there will be no worries? Thanks!

i'll mitya halfway (mitya), Thursday, 17 August 2006 11:36 (nineteen years ago)

Voltage is the same across the ec, ie 230v ac. In any case, a lot of gear is made with switching power supplies that auto-adapt to wwhatever voltage is presented to them (within reason), like my proteus 2000 will work pretty much anywhere in the world without adaptation.

Pashmina (Pashmina), Thursday, 17 August 2006 12:03 (nineteen years ago)

you can use a step-down transformer to reduce the mains power from 230v to 100v. I go between Ireland and the US, and power my old synths that way when i take them back. They are about €30 or so. And as pashmina says, a lot of synths have universal switching power supplies -mpcs have em, my studio electronics se-1 has it, etc. If it says 100-240v on the back of the machine then you are fine...

Conor (Conor), Sunday, 20 August 2006 10:42 (nineteen years ago)

Are the synths happy with mains at 50Hz and not 60 too?

I was going to say that gear seems a bit cheaper in Germany than the UK but a quick comparison of http://www.thomann.de/ vs a few online UK stockists suggests that guitar stuff is slightly cheaper over there but synths are slightly cheaper in the UK. Might be worth a look though.

Rebecca (reb), Monday, 21 August 2006 11:03 (nineteen years ago)


You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.