Recently, electronic drums have reigned supreme among drummers who need a low-volume solution while practicing at home. As most kits come with a headphone output, an amp isn’t always required. But when you take your kit to the stage, you’ll need an electronic drum amplifier. With more electronic drums onstage than ever before, we decided to review some of the best amps for electronic drums. So, without further ado, here are five of Sweetwater’s favorites.
Roland PM-200 180-watt 1×12 inch Personal Drum Monitor
The Roland PM-200 is a purpose-built electronic drum amplifier. This wedge-style powered monitor generates 180 watts of power and is more than loud enough to fill the room. With this monitor, you’ll get access to plenty of volume, full low-end response, and crisp highs. The PM-200 delivers clarity at all volume levels, thanks to the 2-way speaker design (12-inch woofer and 1-inch horn tweeter). The PM-200 has dual XLR outputs (stereo pair or dual mono) that let you record in stereo or plug right into the PA when you’re playing live.
Want to play along to your favorite songs? The PM-200 can handle that! Just plug your music player into the 1/8-inch jack and get rocking. The PM-200’s dual 1/4-inch inputs make it an excellent option for jamming with other musicians. It has independent level controls and a 2-band EQ to help you dial in the best possible sound. We can’t guarantee that your spouse or downstairs neighbor will love how loud your drums get, but we feel confident that you’ll never want to unplug from the Roland PM-200.
Alesis Strike Amp 12 MK2 Drum Amplifier
Drum amps don’t get much more powerful than the Alesis Strike Amp 12 M2. This sleek wedge monitor produces a staggering 2,500 watts of peak power, which means it can be used at home or on loud stages. But that power doesn’t come at the expense of clarity or accuracy. When we set it up, we were blown away by the Strike Amp 12 M2’s seriously impressive headroom. Every crash, snare, and kick sounded crystal clear at all volume levels. And, if you desire a more refined sound, it’s loaded with a contour switch that slightly scoops the mids to give the tone a sculpted feel. Plus, with Bluetooth connectivity, you’re well suited to jam along with your favorite tracks when rehearsing.
The Strike Amp 12 M2 is an active 2-way speaker comprised of a 12-inch low-frequency driver and a high-frequency compression driver. If you don’t have much real estate to work with, there’s no need to fret. This unit’s compact footprint won’t take up much room. You can use it as a floor wedge or set it on the integrated pole mount to save even more floor space. The Alesis Strike Amp 12 M2 will help you get the most out of your electronic drum kit.
Roland PM-100 80-watt 1×10 inch Personal Drum Monitor
The Roland PM-100 is the smaller sibling of the first amp on our list. But just because it’s smaller than its big brother doesn’t mean that the PM-100 can’t stand and deliver. The 2-way speaker system (10-inch woofer plus a 2-inch tweeter) delivers clean and accurate sound reproduction with more than enough headroom. The wedge design delivers all 80 watts of power straight to your ears, making sure that you don’t miss out on any sound while you’re playing. You’ll love the powerful kick drum, punchy snare, and shimmering cymbals.
Like its bigger brother, the PM-100 has two line inputs, an 1/8-inch auxiliary input, and independent controls for each. These let you jam with another member of the band, your favorite songs, and more. Finally, the pair of XLR outputs allows you to plug into your audio interface or straight into a PA onstage.
KAT Percussion KA1 Digital Drum Amplifier
Made by drummers for drummers, the KAT Percussion KA1 combines impressive versatility with ease of use and is specifically designed for digital drums. This 50-watt drum amplifier is loaded with a pair of drivers — a 10-inch woofer delivers a present and punchy kick sound with a cutting snare. The addition of the 2.5-inch tweeter helps your cymbals sound bright, clear, and better than ever.
If you regularly play live, then you know how hard it is to be heard over the guitar player’s half stack. The KA1 makes that problem a thing of the past. Its 50 watts of power help you cut through the mix, especially when you shape your tone with the 3-band EQ for maximum impact. And if one of the band members forgets their amp — looking at you, keyboard players — they can plug right into the KA1’s second input. If you’re looking for a perfectly portable gigging amp, then the KAT Percussion KA1 should be at the top of your list.
Porter & Davies BC2 Tactile Drum Monitor with Saddle Throne Top
When you’re playing electronic drums with in-ear monitors, it can be hard to re-create the big bottom end of a traditional kit. Porter & Davies has a solution for you! The BC2 Tactile Drum Monitor gives you the low-end thump you’re looking for without needing to crank up your regular stage monitor. But how does a drum throne double as a monitoring device? The answer is genuinely quite ingenious — tactile sound transducers and bone conduction. The same technology was also found on a popular children’s toothbrush that played music through the teeth while brushing.
The throne is loaded with a tactile generator that’s connected to the external BC2 sound engine. When you play the kick, your seat will vibrate. That vibration travels through your hips, up your spine, and into your inner ear, producing a deep and punchy tone. Because it uses vibration instead of a speaker, the BC2 won’t add volume to your stage setup. It’s a playing experience unlike any other.
Go Ahead. Get Loud!
There you have it, the best amps to hook up to your electronic drum set. With any one of these products, you can plug in and dial up great tones with ease. For home, stage, or studio use, these drum amps give you the freedom to get loud.
If you’re unsure if these amps fit your needs, give us a call at (800) 222-4700. Your Sweetwater Sales Engineer will answer your questions and direct you to the amp that will live up to your expectations. When it’s time to purchase a new electronic drum amp, make sure to shop at Sweetwater. We’re confident that we have the perfect amp for you.
