Manfred from Switzerland shared a photo of his portable Elektron Digitakt II setup, powered by a USB-C power bank using a Birdcord PD 12V power cable. This setup allows him to create music outside without the need for a mains outlet.
Quick Facts: Elektron Digitakt II Mobile Setup
| Device | Elektron Digitakt II |
| Supply voltage | 12 V DC |
| Current draw | max. 1 A |
| Power consumption | max. 12 W |
| Connector | 5.5 x 2.5 mm |
| Polarity | Center positive |
| Power source | USB-C power bank* |
| Compatible power converter | Birdcord PD 12V |
| Status | Tested and verified |
*Note: Requires a USB-C power bank with USB Power Delivery (PD) support and a 12V output profile. The power rating should be higher than the power consumption.
What You Need
✅ Birdcord PD 12V – A compact USB-C power cable that requests 12 V output from a compatible USB-C power bank and delivers it to the Elektron Digitakt II. View product
✅ USB-C Power Bank – A power bank that supports USB Power Delivery (PD) and a 12V output profile. A minimum rating of 24 W and 10,000 mAh is recommended. Recommended: INIU 65 W 20,000 mAh USB-C PD Power Bank
✅ USB-C cable – To connect the power bank to the Birdcord PD 12V (usually included with the power bank). View product
How It Works
The Elektron Digitakt II requires a stable 12 V DC power supply. Since USB-C power banks don’t automatically provide the correct voltage, a Birdcord PD 12V is needed to communicate with the power bank and request the right output voltage. The power bank then provides 12V DC, allowing the Elektron Digitakt II to run directly from a portable battery.
Simply connect the Birdcord PD 12V to a compatible USB-C PD power bank and plug the DC connector into the Elektron Digitakt II. The setup works exactly like using the original power adapter, but gives you the freedom to perform anywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long can the Elektron Digitakt II run on a USB-C power bank?
A 20,000 mAh USB-C power bank can typically power the Elektron Digitakt II for 8 hours of continuous use.
I already have a power bank. Will it work?
Yes, as long as it supports 12 V output. You can easily check this by looking at the technical specifications printed in small letters on your power bank. If you see an output listing like 12V=2A, 12V=3A (or anything similar), it is compatible and will work perfectly. If it only lists 5V, it is not compatible.
Can I power the Elektron Digitakt II directly from USB-C?
No. The Elektron Digitakt II requires 12 V DC power and cannot be powered directly from a standard USB-C output. A Birdcord PD 12V is required to request the correct voltage from a compatible USB-C power bank.
How to choose a USB-C power bank for the Elektron Digitakt II?
Choose a USB-C power bank with USB Power Delivery (PD) support and a 12 V output profile. Please note that not all USB PD power banks support 12 V output.
To check compatibility, look at the technical specifications of the power bank. The supported output voltages are usually listed as something like 5V=3A, 9V=3A, 12V=2.25A or similar. If 12V is listed as an output option, the power bank is compatible with the Birdcord PD 12V.
A capacity of 10,000 mAh or higher and a power output of 24 W or higher are recommended for a reliable portable setup.
