![]() The most important thing to think about is what you’ll be using your amp for. Confusingly though, this isn’t always the case, and it’s important not to be too swayed by big numbers. PowerĪs a general rule of thumb, the higher the power rating an amp has, the larger the speaker it will have and the louder it’s likely to be. Plus, if you need a really low bass response, a sub output will allow you to connect to a separate subwoofer for earth-shaking, teeth-rattling bass tones. Meanwhile, auxiliary inputs allow you to connect devices such as CD and MP3 players and mobile phones so you can play music through the speaker, either to play along to or entertain the audience during breaks.Īnother handy feature is an effects loop, a pair of sockets that allows you to connect an external effects unit or pedal into the signal path. Generally, guitars need high-impedance inputs, microphones usually use a three-pin XLR connector, while synths, keyboards and other electronic instruments use line inputs. ![]() In terms of types of input, keyboard amps are generally quite versatile and can have various types of instruments and microphones connected to them. ![]() Also, be on the lookout for a headphone port if silent practice is important to you. Some amps though will allow you to connect two or more instruments per channel, and many will have a dedicated channel to plug microphones into, great for performers who want to play and sing at the same time. Generally, the number of channels an amp has corresponds to the number of instruments that can be connected simultaneously. Here’s a brief rundown and explanation of some of the more important features to look out for when on the hunt for the best keyboard amp for you: Channels MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Although some high-end keyboard amps do provide stand mount options, most are designed to be placed on the floor, often angled upwards towards the player. The main drawback with using amps instead of dedicated PA systems is that PA speakers are usually designed to be elevated by mounting on special poles or microphone stands for better sound projection out to an audience. With each channel having its own preamp, multiple instruments can be connected simultaneously and their volume levels mixed to achieve the correct balance of sounds. Since they’re tailored to a wide frequency range, multichannel keyboard amps are also capable of handling other instruments such as guitars and microphones, and are thus often able to be used as mini PA systems, taking care of the amplification and sound reinforcement for a whole band or ensemble at smaller gigs. So keyboard amplifiers need to be optimised to reproduce sound across a wider frequency range than most guitar amps, so that rumbling bass notes and sparkling highs are reproduced cleanly and clearly without distortion or muddiness. The answer lies in the fact that guitars, being stringed instruments, can only produce notes that lie within a particular frequency range, while keyboards and synths can generate tones at least an octave higher and lower than that. The first questions on most people’s lips when confronted with a keyboard amp usually go along the lines of ’Why do keyboard players need a dedicated keyboard amp? What’s wrong with using a guitar amp?’ (Image credit: Roland) What is a keyboard amp?Ī keyboard amplifier’s main job is to make the sound of your keyboards loud enough to be heard amongst other instruments on stage during a live performance.
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