Whether as a personal drum monitor while gigging or as speakers for smaller gigs, for a truly fun and effective performance from your electronic drums, you need a good drum amplifier.
Amplifiers also come in handy when you want to reduce the amount of time you spend with headphones on. It’s so easy to turn the volume up too loud while playing with headphones on, but an amplifier resolves that issue.
Ultimately, a high-quality amplifier should be able to amplify both low-frequency and high-pitched sounds, while delivering a crisp and clear sound. So for the sake of your performance and your ears, it’s worth investing in an amplifier.
But which one to pick? As more musicians realize the appeal and advantages of electronic drums, there are more amplifiers out there than ever. Below are some of the best on the market right now.
We have also included a handy buyer’s guide so you’ll know what features to look out for when buying your amplifier.
We also answer some frequently asked questions about hooking up electronic drum amps, and if amps for other instruments are just as effective.
If you’re still on the fence about electronic drums then perhaps this article can make a compelling case for them!
OUR TOP PICK
Roland is well-known for its V-drum kits, and is considered a market leader for their electronic drums and many other electronic drumming products.
This amplifier is completely compatible with any of these V-kits, and also comes with a separate input for V-drums so you can connect this monitor to a wide range of Roland’s V-kits.
But if you don’t have a Roland V-kit don’t worry, because it’s compatible with most other electronic drums too.
Not only does the 180-Watt power output help deliver a great sound performance, but the sound is also enhanced by the amp’s horn tweeter and the 12” speaker.
The front part of the monitor is also at a good angle for proper sound feedback. So you can place the Roland PM-200 anywhere around your drum set, and you’ll still get the proper feel of the sound quality you’re producing.
This amplifier also comes with 1/8” and 1/4” inputs that you can connect to electronic pads, a music player, or even your mobile.
It also comes with two direct XLR outputs that you can connect to the Roland with a recording machine or if you’re gigging, a large-scale sound mixer.
You can also do some basic mixing with this monitor. You can mix volume between the inputs and the bass/treble EQ controls on the front.
Pros
- Versatile: This all-in-one monitor is designed for use with a wide range of V-drums and electronic percussion products.
- Great sound performance: With 180 Watts of power, a custom 12-inch speaker, and a horn tweeter this amp delivers powerful sound.
- Effective design: The angled design provides ideal sound coverage.
- Integrated mixer: This monitor’s integrated mixer has independent volume control and global EQ.
- Multiple input options: The dedicated V-drums input and 1/4” and 1/8” line inputs let you connect to electronic percussion pads, music players, and even your smartphone.
Cons
- Some customers have reported sound issues: Despite delivering a good sound performance, some customers have reported little stereo separation, with tinny highs and unpleasant sounding toms. If you experience this problem, you can purchase an independent woofer control for better results.
EDITORS CHOICE
We’re sticking with Roland for our next choice. Much like our previous choice, this amplifier works just as well with other electronic drum brands as it does with Roland drums.
The only difference between our above choice is that it doesn’t quite reach the same volumes.
If you’re looking for an amp for practicing at home, or even a drum amp for small gigs, this amp may be the one for you. We suggest looking for a drum amp that can reach larger volumes for bigger gigs.
However, the PM 100 is still one of the best drum amps on the market, and even though it is one of the more expensive, it is definitely worth the price.
Pros
- Versatile: Like our first pick, this is a premium all-in-one monitor that can be used with various V-Drums electronic percussion products.
- Full-range audio system: This amp is sure to produce your desired results with 80 Watts of power, a custom 10-inch speaker, and tweeter.
- Angled design: Like our first pick, this amp provides ideal sound coverage for the seated player.
- Integrated mixer: This amp also has independent volume controls and global EQ.
- Perfect for home use: The compact size and modest volume make this the ideal amp for the home.
Cons
- No headphone jack: If you would like to easily use your electronic drums with headphones, it may be tricky with this amp as there are no throughput connections.
BEST VALUE
Providing high-quality sound at an affordable price, the Ddrum DDA50 could be the amp for you and holds up against all the other amps on this list.
It produces a polished and clean sound and has a standard set of controls for you to adjust plenty of aspects of your music, including frequency, bass, and tone.
The MP3 and headphone jacks let you play music silently, and this amp also comes with a 10” subwoofer and an adjacent 2.5” tweeter as well as 3 stereo ¼” inputs.
This amp is perfect for handling the highly transient nature of electronic drums without compromising on sound quality, and the three-band equalizer can be used to adjust treble, mid, and bass.
It is quite heavy, but is designed to be easy to move around and has a metal grille to protect the speakers.
At a great price, we would recommend this amp to professionals and amateurs alike.
Pros
- Versatile: This amp is just as effective at a gig as it is for practice.
- 10” woofer: You can definitely feel the bass notes with this thumping woofer.
- 2.5” tweeter: Not only does this tweeter prevent the snare from cracking but it also produces a brilliant sound on the cymbals.
- Great for quiet practice: The MP3 input and headphone jack means you can practice without disturbing any members of your household or neighbors.
- Stylish design: With its striking red accents and carpeted case, this monitor is sure to stand out from the rest.
Cons
- Sensitive volume control: Be careful when adjusting the volume.
RUNNER UP
You may have not heard of this particular brand, but the Coolmusic 100W is a great pick for those on a budget but who don’t want to compromise on a powerful performance.
If you want to hook your drums up to another instrument or backing track, it has 2 inputs (with 2 volume faders for each), and a 3-brand EQ, DI Out, and a USB option for MP3s.
But the connectivity doesn’t stop there. It also has a Bluetooth feature that makes playing backing tracks while drumming even easier.
Pros
- Bluetooth: With plenty of options to connect to your smart devices, this monitor has the edge on the connectivity front.
- Speakers: The 6.5-inch woofer emphasizes the bass, while the 2-inch tweeter emphasizes the treble.
- Multipurpose amplifier: This amp’s impressive connectivity features let you connect to your electronic drum, keyboard, or another instrument.
- Portable: This compact and lightweight amp is easy to take wherever.
- Easy to use: The three knobs on the amp are easy to control.
Cons
- Lacking bass: While the 6.5” woofer emphasizes the bass, some customers have reported a lack of bass.
RUNNER UP
This amp is the odd one out in this list, as it is actually a keyboard amp instead of an electronic drum app, but it's still effective.
The Peavey KB 1 provides a wide range of sound that holds up against the best electronic drum kits, all at a low price.
This 20-Watt powered amp is great for practicing at home and has an extended range speaker to provide louder sounds with stronger bass.
This amp has two channels, each with a two-band equalizer. You can change the treble and bass separately on each channel.
Its compact size also makes it fairly portable, and you won’t have to worry about potentially damaging it as you move it around.
The metal mesh protects the speakers, while the edges are protected by metal corners.
Pros
- 8 inch extended range speaker: This speaker is sure to provide a powerful bass.
- Two separate channels: Change the treble and bass easily on each channel.
- 20 Watts: At 20 Watts, this amp delivers a clean, powerful sound.
Cons
- Crackly: Some customers have reported the amp is a bit crackly when inputting a cable.
Best Amp for Electronic Drums Buying Guide
Hopefully, above you have seen the perfect amplifier for you, spotted a few common features they all have and are key for a high-quality monitor.
But you may still be wondering what features you need to prioritize and how to find the best monitor for you.
Below, we go into detail about four important factors to consider when it comes to buying an amp for an electronic drum.
Power
First, let’s talk about power. If you are looking for a monitor that’s mainly for personal use, then any drum amp should do the job.
You may think that you need a super-powerful amp for larger venues, but this is not necessarily the case, because the PA system will do most of the amplification for the audience.
The only people who will need to hear you are the people you’re on stage with. Therefore, 50 to 100 Watt amps with a DI Out should do the trick.
More powerful amps (like 200 Watt) are only really needed if you’re playing in a small to medium-sized venue, or if you’re rehearsing with a loud band and not using a PA system to amplify your electronic drums.
Portability/Weight
Portability and the weight of the monitor are also important. Of course, if you’re lugging your amp from gig to gig, or to rehearsals then you need an amplifier that is easy to carry.
Look out for amps that have all the technical features you require but that are still lightweight, or have a handle grip to make transporting it simpler.
Channels, EQ, and other features
When looking for an amplifier for an electronic drum you should keep in mind what kind of input and output channels are built-in and how many there are.
Most amps have ¼” stereo drum inputs and some have a couple of auxiliary inputs. If you need to connect external devices such as percussion pads or backing track players, it is worth considering an amp with auxiliary port options.
Output channels can come in forms such as XLR line-outs. These provide a balanced, quiet signal flow to connect through a recording or PA console.
Some amplifiers have multi-band EQ that you can adjust based on however you like to tune your sound. Some amplifiers also have extra features that cater specifically to live settings, such as having slanted cabinets or being battery-powered.
Furthermore, for jam sessions, some amps have CD or MP3 inputs to make playing along to backing tracks even easier. And for in-ear monitoring and practice, most amps have a headphone jack.
Positioning
Most electronic amplifiers are shaped like a wedge that is great for personal monitoring. Of course, it is also important to correctly position floor monitor type amps so you can hear the amplifier.
However, this wedge shape makes them difficult to integrate as main amps because they face upwards. The solution to this could be a pole mount-ready amplifier, especially if you’re performing with a venue without a PA system, or even if you just prefer having your monitor in an elevated position.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you hook up an amp to an electric drum?
Hooking up an amp to an eclectic drum is fairly simple, and you can do this in a number of ways. Every drummer has a preference, but the most common way to hook up an amp to an electric drum is to use ¼-inch cables.
Just plug one end of the cable into the output jack of the electronic drum set and the other into the input jack of the amplifier. Then, take another wire and connect between the amp’s output and the speaker’s input.
What’s the minimum wattage for playing rock music?
This all depends on the setup and what venue you’re playing.
If everyone in your band is playing directly to the amp and there is little to no miking, we would recommend an amp that has 100W at the very least.
It’s worth bearing in mind that the decibel difference between a 100W and 1000W amp is only about 15-20 decibels since more wattage won’t increase decibel potential in a linear fashion.
While the venue is an important factor to consider too, 100W should be suitable for playing rock music when there is little to no miking.
However, buying an amp with more wattage will cost more money than just buying smaller amps and miking them (like some recommended in this article). Microphones are quite inexpensive when compared to investing in a powerful amp, after all.
What kind of amp do I need for electronic drums?
The reason musicians use amplifiers in the first place is to make their music louder, but other reasons also come into play. Frequency range is another important factor, and that’s why it’s important to shop around and do your research on various models before just rushing out and buying any old amplifier.
We’ll go into more detail about what kind of amps you can use for an electric drum below, but we wouldn’t recommend choosing a guitar amp for your electronic drum. This is because guitar amps have limited features for your drum. Bass amps, however, are another story.
The size of the audience is also an important factor to consider, and so is the quality of sound you want to produce.
Can a bass amp be used for electronic drums?
Yes, a bass amp is safe to use as an electronic drum kit as long as you control the volume. Preferably, an amp for an electronic drum kit is better but a bass amp will work just fine, and some people think they sound quite good!
This may be because bass amps and electric drums both produce lower octave pitches than most instruments.
However, make sure to keep the volume at a reasonable level. Anything above 85 decibels is usually considered to increase your risk of hearing loss. It is easy to exceed 85 decibels with even a lower Watt amp.
This is because a bass amp is designed to amplify certain ranges for a bass guitar. Meanwhile, an electronic drum kit can produce both higher and lower frequencies than a bass guitar.
Keyboard amps tend to be considered the next best thing to electronic drum amplifiers, due to them being able to cope with low to high frequencies.