en you think of the benefits of an electronic drum set, the first thing you’re likely to think of is volume control, specifically the ability to use headphones to turn the electronic drum set into a nearly silent practice tool. While this is a definite perk, there are also many benefits to using an electronic drum set for both rehearsals and performances. To do that, however, you’re going to need a speaker or monitor of some kind so that you can be heard by your bandmates and/or the audience. Using a speaker can also impact your practice sessions. Many Sweetwater drummers find that practicing with a monitor helps them play with greater dynamic range and sensitivity on an eKit since the sounds aren’t being sent directly to their ears as when using headphones. So, let’s explore a selection of the best drum speakers and monitors currently available and dive deep into what makes each so great.
Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!
- Alesis Nitro Amp
- Alesis Strike Amp 8 MK2
- KAT Percussion KA1
- Laney DrumHub DH40
- Roland PM-100
- Turbosound TFX122M-AN
- LD Systems MON 15 A G3
- Yamaha DHR12M
- Electro-Voice PXM-12MP
- Porter & Davies Gigster
Alesis Nitro Amp Drum Monitor
First up, the Alesis Nitro Amp drum monitor is our first callout, especially for Alesis players out there since it’s designed to mount directly to your Alesis Nitro rack system and does so easily. This small but mighty monitor sports a 70-watt Class D amplifier with a 3-inch compositive driver that delivers 98dB max SPL across an impressive 120Hz–18kHz frequency range. This means that even pop-style kick drums tuned up around 120Hz–130Hz are still represented well. For the same price as a decent pair of headphones, you can have an effective speaker/monitor solution that will help you develop your touch and enable you to jam with friends. What’s not to love?
Alesis Strike Amp 8 MK2 Drum Amplifier
With a whopping 2,000 watts of power, an 8-inch woofer, and a 1-inch high-frequency compression driver, the Alesis Strike Amp 8 MK2 drum amplifier enables you to gig and practice with ease. To further this point, Alesis has included a ground lift as well as a highpass filter EQ switch to reduce hum from the venue’s electrical system, further helping your drums be heard. The Strike Amp is also surprisingly lightweight considering its impressive wattage, and its durable build makes it suitable both as a touring speaker and as part of a venue’s backline. Dual XLR and 1/4-inch combo jacks plus an XLR output make it easy to send your signal to the front of house. On the practice side of things, you’ll benefit from Bluetooth connectivity, which allows music streaming, so playing along with music or exercises is incredibly convenient.
KAT Percussion KA1 Digital Drum Amplifier
Featuring a full 20Hz–20kHz frequency range and built specifically for electronic drums, the 50-watt KAT Percussion KA1 digital drum amplifier represents an excellent, budget-friendly way to amplify your drums. We particularly like its 3-band EQ, which comes in handy if you’re jamming or performing with friends so you can sculpt your sound to ensure nothing clashes with the other instruments’ tones. You’ll be heard loud and clear, thanks to the KA1’s tilt-back design that angles the sound up at you while you play. The KA1 also makes a great monitor with an aux input that lets you take a feed from the board to ensure you can hear yourself and your bandmates. Finally, an 1/8-inch stereo output makes it super-convenient to plug in headphones for silent practice.
Laney DrumHub DH40 40-watt 1 x 8-inch Amplifier
Designed specifically for electronic percussion, the Laney DrumHub DH40 amplifier features a 2-band EQ with bass and treble controls plus a 40-degree monitor angle that delivers your audio more directly, making it easy to hear yourself clearly. Combined with its 8-inch coaxial speaker and 2-inch tweeter, these features make the Laney DrumHub a monitor that seriously punches above its weight when it comes to sound quality. An aux input lets you utilize an external music player and, together with the 3.5mm stereo headphone output, allows you to practice comfortably. Finally, an easy-grip handle and a rugged dual-texture covering make it effortless to travel with your DrumHub.
Roland PM-100 80-watt 1 x 10-inch Personal Drum Monitor
Optimized for Roland V-Drums, this 2-channel, 80-watt Roland PM-100 personal drum monitor sports a 10-inch woofer, tweeter, a 2-band EQ, and a wedge design that let you hear your electronic drums like never before. It also features 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch inputs, each with level controls, so you can play along with music players or other musicians. A carrying handle makes for easy transport to gigs or rehearsals. Users of any V-Drums kit who are looking for an affordable, excellent-sounding wedge monitor at a very attractive price point should check out the Roland PM-100.
Turbosound TFX122M-AN 1,100-watt 12-inch 2-way Flashline Series Stage Monitor
We’re getting into heavy-hitter territory with the Turbosound TFX122M-AN Flashline Series stage monitor. Its integrated Class D Klark Teknik power amp gives you 1,100 watts of power, and Klark Teknik DSP provides easily alterable EQ, delay, and more, which can be accessed via the LCD controls or via USB and software. The sound quality is pristine, largely thanks to a coaxial design that places its 1-inch titanium-dome compression driver at the very center of its 12-inch woofer with a low-mass coil. Furthermore, compatibility with Behringer’s Ultranet protocol means you can run up to 16 audio channels across a single Cat 5 cable, and you can daisy-chain multiple speakers together! Finally, it gives you wide 60-degree horizontal by 40-degree vertical dispersion and sports a fiberglass-reinforced 5/8-inch plywood frame that’s sure to withstand even rigorous touring conditions.
LD Systems MON 15 A G3 1,200-watt 15-inch Powered Coaxial Stage Monitor
You’ll have no problem hearing the band with the LD Systems MON 15 A G3 1,200-watt 15-inch powered coaxial stage monitor at your disposal. In addition to 1,200 watts of power, a face-melting 129dB max SPL, a bass reflex port, and a 15-inch woofer with a 1-inch coaxial tweeter, the MON 15 A G3 features proprietary second-generation DynX DSP to provide you with distortion-free performance even when you’re absolutely cranking the volume. You’ll also benefit from four user-friendly presets, a 3-band EQ with a tunable notch filter to get rid of feedback, and a delay line function that works perfectly up to 33 feet. A PowerCON-compatible port equips you to daisy-chain multiple MON 15s together, and considering each one has 50-degree horizontal by 90-degree vertical coverage, you and your audience will be treated to a genuine wall of sound. Finally, the MON 15 A G3’s heavy-duty front grille and incredibly rugged polyurea coating hold their own under virtually any stage conditions.
Yamaha DHR12M 1,000-watt 12-inch Powered Floor Monitor
The thing that struck Sweetwater’s live sound engineers most about the Yamaha DHR12M was its built-in intelligent multiband compressor. The D-Contour compressor simultaneously monitors multiple frequency bands to ensure your mix stays consistent regardless of how hard you push the DHR12M’s volume level. Additionally, there are two modes that affect how the D-Contour compressor operates, FOH/Main or Monitor. Advanced FIR-X crossover tuning is also onboard to provide virtually indetectable crossover distortion, thanks to its 48-bit DSP. The result is incredibly smooth performance across its entire 52Hz–20kHz frequency response. All these features aside, the Yamaha DHR12M still packs a mean punch with 1,000 watts of Class D power, 129dB max SPL, and a 12-inch woofer with a coaxial 1.75-inch tweeter. All told, the Yamaha DHR12M is simply an awesome speaker to pump out your percussion.
Electro-Voice PXM-12MP 700-watt 12-inch Powered Floor Monitor
The Electro-Voice PXM-12MP is one sleek, low-profile package with some thoughtful features. First, its 700-watt Class D power amp pushing a 12-inch coaxial speaker with a coincident high-frequency driver provides a smooth, natural sound across a 64Hz–20kHz frequency range. Second, while it has a Guitar Cab mode, this mode has implications for electronic drums, as well. Depending on the patches you are using, you’ll find that the Guitar Cab mode preset attenuates the top-end harshness that can be present on cymbals and more electronic or distorted drum patches. Its FRFR setting (full range, flat response) really lets the whole breadth of your eKit shine through, which can be useful when you use patches that emulate an acoustic kit. Finally, integrated DSP provides you with five user presets and a 3-band EQ to dial in your drums to perfection.
Porter & Davies Gigster Tactile Drum Monitor
Used by Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson, The Pineapple Thief), Ray Hearne (Haken), and scores of top-tier, world-class drummers, the Porter & Davies Gigster tactile drum monitor lets you feel your drums while you play them, thanks to its saddle throne top that pulses every time the kick drum (or bass guitar, or whatever else you decide to run through it) is played. While it might sound a bit uncomfortable on paper, it equates to more accurate feel and timekeeping, which then translates to better music. Additionally, if you use this alongside in-ear monitors, then your FOH sound person will thank you for not using a large monitor onstage, which can potentially muddy the onstage mix. With everything presented here, the Porter & Davies Gigster is certainly a most musical solution.
Speak Up!
This is just the tip of the iceberg of monitoring solutions for drummers. We hope it has given you some food for thought. There’s a wealth of options available, so which of these drum monitoring solutions seems most appealing to you? Be sure to call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 and let them know! They’ll help get the perfect drum monitor for you and your band today!
