The D’Addario XPND Series is a line of unique modular accessory products aimed at creating innovative solutions that fill the pedalboard needs of working musicians. Going into their 51st anniversary year, D’Addario has a long history of listening to musicians and addressing their concerns. In the XPND Series, you will find gear that no one else makes, or D’Addario’s take on an idea.
When designing your own pedalboard, it’s usually the case that no two musicians have the same needs. The XPND series is a comprehensive, rugged, and flexible line that should satisfy the demands of nearly every player. Starting with the pedalboard itself, D’Addario, XPND 1 is built to accommodate one row of pedals and is expandable from 14" to 24." XPND 2 is built to accommodate two rows of pedals and is expandable from 17"to 31." With telescoping technology, XPND lets you change the size of your board and number of pedals. Made of durable aluminum, the pedalboards are designed to be lightweight and strong, and have available Pedalboard Transporter Cases for either configuration. XPND also features a unique cable management system and comes fitted with loop Velcro, keeping everything neat, while making swapping pedals easy.
The second major element when designing your pedalboard is power distribution. The XPND Pedal Power Battery Kit is an all-in-one power solution, on or off the grid. While most pedal board power systems are AC powered only, this system offers a rechargeable 10,000 mAh Portable Power Cell, which can power an average-sized board for over 10 hours, or plug in with the USB-C power supply that features proprietary noise filtering for ultra-quiet, consistent 9-volt power. The included Adjustable Daisy Chain allows you to customize the plug spacing to your specific needs and the kit includes a hook fastener for mounting it all to your XPND or any other pedalboard. What I don’t see in this line is a high voltage option for 18-volt pedals, but many of those function best with the original factory power supply.
Completing the line are numerous enhancements. The XPND Pedalboard Mic Stand frees up stage space by attaching permanently to your pedalboard. The XPND Noise Isolator eliminates noise when using both analog and digital pedals in a daisy chain. XPND Pedal Grip Strips allow secure Velcro mounting of your pedals. I particularly like the XPND Footswitch Topper—an oversized knob that securely attaches to the on-off button of your pedal to provide a larger switch button to stomp on. The D’Addario website also provides a comprehensive guide to planning and designing your own pedalboard.
