Hylec-APL has provided a range of easy to use ‘no tool’ connectors to act as a power distributor for guitarists who use multiple effects pedals when they play. Hylec-APL’s range of IDCON terminal blocks from PCB connector specialists RIA Connect provide tidy and quick connections that require no wire preparation or installation tools. The ease of use means that anyone is capable of setting up their own pedal board layout; the connectors can be reused multiple times which provides musicians the freedom to change their setup.
The Gig Rig provides both amateur and professional musicians with equipment designed to get the best tones out of effect pedals and amps. Their equipment has enjoyed numerous five star reviews from specialist magazines, and has been awarded the Choice award from Guitarist Magazine; it is used by some of the top musicians in the world.
Often guitarists will use many different pedals and require the use of a pedal board to keep them organised. The conventional methods of setting up the pedal board requires the power to be distributed through a ‘daisy chain’, which can distort the tone of the guitar, or using multiple plug sockets, which is extremely untidy and can affect access to the pedals. The Gig Rig needed a way of allowing musicians to distribute power cleanly throughout each pedal whilst keeping the wires organised.
Daniel Steinhardt, speaking for The Gig Rig, says: “We were looking to create a distributor that would allow musicians to change the positioning of their pedals regularly without hassle or the need for additional tools, but that would provide connection in an organised manner. It is important to distribute the power evenly between pedals otherwise its easy to lose the unique tones that a pedal can provide. Hylec-APL listened to our needs and worked with us to provide the Ria Connect ID-Con terminal block that is easy and quick to use, exactly what we were looking for.”
Hylec-APL is the key UK distributor of the RIA Connect range, which includes the IDCON range of terminal blocks. The IDCON connectors use insulation displacement technology to provide electrical connection with no wire preparation. The wires are inserted into the horizontal entry points then forced down onto a knife contact which breaks through the insulation and creates the connection. The 3.5mm pitch terminal blocks come as standard 2-12 pole, though this can be extended up to 24 poles; a modular design means individual terminals can be linked together if a higher number of ways is required.
The IDCON connectors have many advantages over other, conventional, methods of termination. As the connectors use insulation displacement there is no need for any wire preparation, soldering or screw fitting; this allows for connections to be made in a fraction of the time of conventional methods as well as making the connection far simpler. The IDCON can be reused multiple times, ideal for the requirements of The Gig Rig, where users are likely to want to change their setup.