Let’s Play “Find the Right AC Adapter!”

It happens so slowly you don’t even realize it until it’s often too late! So many pieces of equipment come with a specific AC power adapter – and many adapters look an awful lot alike. If the brand name is on it, you’re usually fine, but more and more products just include a generic AC power supply adapter. Aside from a nasty tangle of microphone and guitar cables, odds are good you have plenty of adapters that give you no visible clue as to what item they are meant for. Our advice (based upon many long hours matching up what powers what) is to buy an inexpensive label printer – the kind that prints out a long strip – and carefully place the name of the item the adapter is powering right on the adapter. Better still, don’t wait for the problem to rear its ugly head – label the adapter the minute you know you’re keeping the gear. Unless, of course, you enjoy the thought of a weekend lost while digging through massive piles of cables, trying to figure out what goes with what. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!