If you’re building a compact, travel-friendly Eurorack setup — think small cases, minimal modules, maybe a “lunchbox” rig to jam on the go — then power supply is often the trickiest part. Many traditional Eurorack PSUs are bulky, need heavy bricks, or don’t fit in minimalist cases. That’s where a USB-C powered supply becomes a game-changer. Enter the Compact Eurorack Power Supply USB-C Powered: a miniature, no-fuss PSU designed specifically for tiny Eurorack rigs.
With a USB-C plug you already use for phones or laptops, you can skip the bulky adapter and still get clean ±12 V (and even +5 V) rails for your modules. Perfect if you want portability without sacrificing reliability.
Tech specs at a glance
Here’s what this compact power supply brings to the table:
- Output: ±12 V up to 125 mA maximum. Good for small setups.
- Secondary rail: +5 V at ~1 A or more (depending on your USB power adapter).
- Input: USB-C (5 V) — meaning you can plug it into a laptop charger, modern phone charger, or even a power bank.
- Size: 56 mm × 42 mm × 14 mm — super compact, leaves room for plenty of modules.
- Bus connectors: 2 × standard 16-pin Eurorack bus headers.
- Overload protection: The supply auto-recovers after fault conditions; as a caveat, avoid connecting capacitors over 1000 µF on the 12 V rails to prevent instability.
- Form factor: Especially suited for small cases — roughly 20 HP to 40 HP — or travel-friendly rigs.
And yes — despite its size, it’s a “real” Eurorack PSU: dual rails, standard bus headers, and just enough juice to power a few modules without overkill.
How to chain two modules (or expand your rack)
One of the nicest features of this power supply is its “chainable” design. Here’s how you can leverage that:
- Connect CHAIN+ from the main module to CHAIN+ on the 2nd module
- Connect CHAIN_GND from the main module to CHAIN_GND on the 2nd module
- The connection can be made with pins headers if provided, or by soldering a small wire between both modules.
- Only one module should be connected to USB-C!
- If possible the 2nd module should not have the USB module soldered on
This gives you either more module slots or extra power headroom, depending on your needs.
In other words: start small, but with the option to grow without redesigning your rack. Perfect for modular beginners or traveling synth heads.
Who is this supply for
This Compact USB-C PSU is ideal if you:
- Build small, travel-friendly or minimalist Eurorack cases (lunchbox rigs, skiffs, etc.).
- Want to power 2–4 small modules (especially low-power ones).
- Don’t want bulky external bricks or complex PSU wiring.
- Value portability: could even power from a power bank or laptop charger.
However: because the max ±12 V output is only 125 mA. Heavy, digital modules — or larger setups with many modules — will demand more current. In that case, a more powerful dedicated PSU would be a safer bet.
Final thoughts
If you’re dreaming of a scratch-built little personal synth lab — lightweight, portable, and easy to power — this Compact USB-C Eurorack Power Supply is a clever, budget-friendly entry. It’s like the “starter battery” for your modular journey: small, simple, but fully functional — and thankfully, expandable.
It won’t power a huge rack, but for a compact rig it’s a solid, elegant solution.
