4ms Pod40X (2022–)

Name: 4ms Pod40X
Brand: 4ms

A pocket-sized Eurorack fortress that fits in your backpack but still manages to carry its own power supply—just don’t forget the brick.

Overview

If you’ve ever tried to turn a Eurorack module into a stage-ready instrument without lugging around a full rack, tangled cables, and a power strip the size of a toaster, the 4ms Pod40X is speaking your language. It’s a 40HP desktop case with a built-in power supply, built for portability and simplicity—though it makes you work for it in a few places. Introduced in June 2022, the Pod40X is part of the second generation of 4ms’s Pod series, a line designed to turn modular chaos into something you can actually take on the road. It’s not a full system, but a clean, compact shell that turns Eurorack modules into self-contained tabletop instruments. The “Powered” in its full name—4MS Pod40X Powered 40HP Eurorack Case—is technically accurate, but more than one owner has called it misleading because the required 45W power brick (art. 544815) doesn’t come with it. You get the case, the busboard, the headers, and the LEDs—but not the juice.

At 208mm wide, 159.5mm tall, and just 53mm deep, it’s slim enough to slide into a gig bag or rest comfortably on a café table. The whole thing weighs a featherlight 0.31 kg (11 oz), thanks to its 100% anodized aluminum construction—black, sleek, and about as minimal as you can get. It’s not armored, but it’s tough enough for careful handling. Inside, you’ve got 40HP of usable space and a maximum module depth of 50.8mm (2”), which rules out anything with a deep back panel or stacked components. One user scrapped their Pod40X plan entirely because their modules were too deep—even for the deeper version of the Pod. So if you’re running anything with a bulky power connector or rear-mounted jacks, measure twice.

The power supply is a low-noise switching unit built right into the case, rated at +12V/1.4A, -12V/0.65A, and +5V/0.5A, which is modest but sufficient for a small, efficient setup. It feeds four 16-pin Eurorack power headers, so you can run multiple modules as long as they don’t draw too hard. There’s a known typo in some documentation claiming the +12V can only handle 0.7A—ignore that. The correct max is 1.4A. Power comes in via two 2.1mm barrel jacks (positive tip), letting you daisy-chain multiple Pods or connect to a 15V–20VDC source. Red, white, and blue LEDs tell you which rails are live—simple, but effective. And yes, you can chain this thing to other Pods or even integrate it with the 4ms Row Power system, which is a nice touch for expanding later.

Mounting is straightforward: M3 threaded holes, 4 slots for modules, and 10 included stainless steel M3 x 8mm pan-head screws. The included adhesive rubber feet keep it from sliding around. One user noted the distance between the top and bottom mounting rails is quite wide, requiring a bit of hand “clamping” to align screws cleanly through module and case. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s the kind of thing you notice when you’re assembling it for the first time.

Specifications

Manufacturer	4ms
Width	40HP
Total Usable HP	40HP
Height	3 U
Maximum module depth	2.00" (51mm)
Installation depth for modules	50.8 mm
External dimensions	8.19" x 6.28" x 2.08"
Dimensions (W x H x D)	208 x 159.5 x 53 mm
Weight	0.31 kg (11 oz)
Power supply specifications	+12V/1.4A, -12V/0.65A, +5V/0.5A
Number of power connectors	4
Included power connectors	Four 16-pin Eurorack power shrouded headers
Power input	Two barrel jacks for daisy-chaining 15V-20VDC, 2.1mm positive tip
Requires matching 4ms Power Brick 45 W power supply unit (art. 544815, not included)	Yes
Included screws	M3 x 8mm pan-head screws, stainless steel (10)
Included accessories	M3 x 8mm pan-head screws, stainless steel (10); Adhesive rubber feet (4)
Mounting	M3 threaded holes, 4 slots for modules
Construction	black anodized aluminum
Material	100% lightweight anodized aluminum
Power indicators	Red, White, and Blue LED power indicators

Key Features

Compact, All-Metal Design

The Pod40X is built like a tiny tank—just a folded sheet of 2mm anodized aluminum, threaded for M3 screws, with no lid. It’s minimalist to the point of austerity. One owner griped that it’s “nowhere near worth £135” for being just metal and a PCB, but others have called it “solide aufgebaut” (solidly built). It’s not fancy, but it’s functional. The lack of a lid means your modules are exposed, which is great for quick access but risky if you’re tossing it in a bag without padding. The rear panel has two holes plugged with removable plastic caps—intended for DIY modifications, like adding rear-mounted jacks or patch cables. That’s a small but thoughtful nod to modders.

Built-In Low-Noise Power Supply

The internal DC/DC power adapter is a real convenience. It’s a switching supply, but 4ms claims it’s low-noise, which matters when you’re running sensitive analog circuits. It delivers stable +12V, -12V, and +5V rails through four shrouded headers, so you’re not stuck with a single bus board. The ability to daisy-chain power to other Pods or Row Power units means you can expand without a mess of external bricks. But—and this is a big one—the power brick itself is sold separately. That’s a sticking point for some, especially at the $145 MSRP. Calling it a “powered” case when the power source isn’t included feels like a bait-and-switch to more than one buyer.

Scalable & Daisy-Chain Ready

Even though it’s small, the Pod40X isn’t meant to be an island. It’s designed to play well with others. The dual barrel jacks let you chain multiple Pods together, so you could theoretically run a 120HP setup off one power supply. The busboard is mounted in a way that keeps it accessible without eating into depth, and users report it’s still easy to reach for troubleshooting. It’s part of a system, not a one-off. That scalability is where the Pod series shines—start small, add more as needed.

Desktop-Ready with Practical Touches

The four adhesive rubber feet keep it from sliding on smooth surfaces, and the compact footprint makes it ideal for desktop use. It’s not a stage rack, but it’s perfect for sketching ideas, live looping, or running a single voice setup at a coffee shop gig. The 3U height fits standard Eurorack modules, and the 40HP width is enough for a basic voice or utility setup—think a VCO, filter, envelope, and mixer, or a compact digital module like a Pressure Points. Though one user reported issues with a Pressure Points module flickering and jumping channels after moving it to a Pod, suggesting possible grounding or power stability quirks under load.

Collectibility & Value

The Pod40X is too new to be “vintage,” but it’s already showing the kind of polarized reception that defines cult gear. The MSRP is $145, with B-stock units listed at $138 on Thomann—though no data exists on common failures or long-term reliability. Given its simple construction, there’s not much to break beyond the power input or PCB solder joints, but no widespread issues have been reported. The biggest complaint isn’t about failure, but value: at £135, one owner felt it was overpriced for what’s essentially a metal box and a PCB. Others praise its solid build and seamless integration with the 4ms ecosystem. It’s not a collector’s item yet, but for Eurorack users who value portability and clean design, it’s a functional tool with a cult following in the making.