An electronic drum kit is a great choice for drummers looking to practise in silence with headphones, whilst maintaining the option of rocking out at full volume. To do this though, you’ll need a drum amp/monitor.
The main benefit of having a drum monitor is that they allow you to perform out loud. This means you can practise with a band or just show off your skills to your friends and family – without needing numerous headphones and a splitter.
In this article, we’ll look through the best drum amps and monitors that we have available. We’ll discuss who they’re suited to and even suggest a drum kit that goes well with the monitor.
In a hurry?
Here are our top 3 drum monitors:
| Amp/Monitor | USP | Target Audience | Kit Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| VISIONAMP Drum/Keyboard Amplifier | Incredibly compact. | Beginner - intermediate. | VISIONDRUM Electronic Drum Kit with Stool and Headphones |
| Roland PM-03 Personal Drum Monitor | High-quality stereo sound. | Intermediate. | Roland TD-02KV V-Drums Electronic Drum Kit |
| Yamaha MS45DR Electronic Drum Kit Monitoring System | Accurate monitoring of the entire drum kit from three speakers. | Intermediate - professional. | Yamaha DTX6K3-X Electronic Drum Kit |
Best electronic drum amps and monitors
1. VISIONAMP Drum/Keyboard Amplifier
Pros
Detailed frequency response perfectly reproduces any electronic drum kit
Compact and easy to store
Bluetooth and auxiliary connectivity
Finetune the sound of the amplifier with the two-band EQ
Great for home practice
Cons
Small speaker size wouldn’t be ideal for larger venues
What’s the deal?
If you’re looking for a compact drum amp for home practice, look no further than the VISIONAMP Drum/Keyboard Amplifier.
With a 50W power output, an 8’’ subwoofer, and a 2’’ tweeter, the VSIONAMP’s wide frequency range accurately conveys the sound of your electronic drum kit. This compact sizing is what makes the VISIONAMP one of the lightest drum amps ever made!
The VISIONAMP is a great choice for beginner drummers due to its simplicity. Its streamlined interface allows you to plug in and play as quickly as possible, whilst its Bluetooth connectivity enables you to drum along to your favourite tracks.
Why stop there? The VISIONAMP features a two-band EQ, allowing you to finetune the sound to your own specifications.
Specifications
Power Output: 50W
Subwoofer Size: 8”
Tweeter Size: 2”
Power Input: 110-240VAC/ 220-240VAC 50/60Hz
E.Drum Input: 6.35mm Jack (Mono)
Line Inputs: 6.35mm Jack (Mono), 3.5mm Jack (Stereo)
Dimensions (W x H x D): 346mm x 352mm x 323mm
Weight: 7.12kg
Shop now | VISIONAMP Drum/Keyboard Amplifier
2. SubZero DR-30 Drum/Keyboard Amp
Pros
Larger speaker size provides excellent projection
Separate volume controls for each input allow for the perfect mix
Durable construction is perfect for gigging drummers
Two-band EQ gives you total control of your sound
Cons
Heavier than the VISIONAMP
Not very easy to take with you to gigs
What’s the deal?
Electronic drum kits give beginners the opportunity to learn the basics through headphones. This allows players to build confidence and nail the essential techniques.
The SubZero DR-30 Drum/Keyboard Amp is the perfect amp for those beginners looking to upgrade from their headphones.
The SubZero DR-30 features an angled cabinet with a 10’’ woofer and a 3’’ tweeter. This makes it great for both practice and live applications, providing a warm and balanced sound.
This sound can be further tailored to suit your preferences, using the two-band EQ. By adjusting the treble and bass, you can finely tune the tone of your drum performance. In addition to this, the DR-30 also features a send and return, allowing you to add external effects to further customise your sound.
Specifications
Power Output: 30W RMS 1.0 THD into 8 Ohms
Speaker: 10″ Woofer 3″ Tweeter
Inputs: E-Drums, Line
Controls: 2 x Volume (one for each input), LOW, HIGH, Return level, Send Level, On/Off
Input Sensitivity: Normal 80mV, F = 1Khz.
Noise: -50dB (Gain Max)
Dimensions: 390mm (W) x 360mm (H) x 400mm (D) (15.3″ x 14.1″ x 15.7″)
Weight: 15kg
Shop now | SubZero DR-30 Drum/Keyboard Amp
3. sideKIK Personal Musician’s Amp with Bluetooth by Gear4music
Pros
Intuitive mixer allows you to connect instruments and devices easily
Intelligent speaker design makes it suitable for various applications
Stream music wirelessly with Bluetooth connectivity
The perfect blend of power and compact practicality
Guarantees optimised sound dispertion
Cons
Heavier than the amps mentioned above
Large size could make it harder to add to a compact kit
What’s the deal?
Improve your playing and technique with the perfect blend of power and compact practicality. The sideKIK Personal Musician’s Amp with Bluetooth by Gear4music features an innovative, compact design with clever speaker positioning for optimised sound dispersion. This positioning makes it a great monitor for home practice and performances alike.
The positioning of the speakers is what makes this monitor truly unique. Two 3.5’’ high-frequency tweeters are carefully angled, directing the sound straight towards your upper body. This makes it perfect as a floor monitor for any drummer.
The innovation doesn’t end there, though. The tweeters are offset away from each other to ensure maximum dispersion of the mid and high-frequency spectrum. This guarantees perfect sound quality, whether you’re right in front of the speaker or on the other side of the room.
Furthermore, by adding a 6’’ woofer to the mix and you won’t just hear the bass, you’ll feel it! This is excellent for providing you with an extended bass response to accurately reproduce low-frequency sounds, such as the bass drum.
Specifications
Low-Frequency Speaker Size: 6.5” driver, 1.4” voice coil, 20oz magnet
High-Frequency Speaker Size: 2x 3” drivers, 0.5” voice coil, 2oz magnet
Max SPL: 95dB
Frequency Response: 65Hz – 20KHz
Cabinet Material: Polypropylene plastic
Grill Material: 1.0mm steel mesh
Weight: 8.05kg
Dimensions: 270mm(W) x 447mm(H) x 250mm(D)
Shop now | sideKIK Personal Musician’s Amp with Bluetooth by Gear4music
4. Roland PM-03 Personal Drum Monitor
Pros
Easy setup, small footprint
Has a power-saving auto standby mode
Provides a clear stereo sound
Cons
No Bluetooth connectivity
What’s the deal?
The Roland PM-03 is a compact drum monitor with an easy setup and a clear stereo sound. A great feature of this drum monitor is the power-saving auto standby mode, which sees the amp automatically switch itself off after a certain amount of inactivity.
From thunderous lows to sparkling highs, the PM-03 enhances your drumming sessions with full-frequency impact – perfect for home practice and live performances alike.
The PM-03 is compatible with all electronic drum kits and is the perfect choice for Roland V-Drums.
Specifications
Speakers: 7.5cm (3”) x 2
Woofer: 12cm (5”)
Enclosure: Bass-reflex type
Controls: ON switch, VOLUME knob, WOOFER knob
Indicator: ON/STANDBY
Connectors: INPUT jacks – Stereo miniature phone type – 1/4″ phone type (L/MONO, R)
Power Consumption: 25 W
Shop now | Roland PM-03 Personal Drum Monitor
5. Yamaha MS45DR Electronic Drum Kit Monitoring System
Pros
Provides accurate monitoring for your e-drums
2.1 channel system offers a realistic sound
20w subwoofer allows you to hear the power of your kick drum
Incredibly easy to set up
Cons
Takes up more room than most drum monitors
What’s the deal?
When it comes to drum amps, you don’t get much better than the Yamaha MS45DR. This monitor features a 2.1 channel system for a more realistic sound with clear mids and highs. In addition to this, you can hear and feel the power of your kick drum via the 20w subwoofer.
Ideal for gigs, practice, and studio recordings – the Yamaha MS45DR Electronic Drum Kit Monitoring System makes sure you hear every nuance of your performance.
If you want to experience excellent audio quality from your electronic kit, the MS45DR is ideal. Helping you to be heard above your band.
Specifications
Power Consumption: 24 W
Power Supply: 100 V-240 V~, 50/60 Hz
Satellite speakers size: 110 × 183 × 138 mm (4 5/16″ × 7 3/16″ × 5 7/16″ ) not including holder
Subwoofer size: 221 × 351 × 343 mm (8 11/16″ × 13 13/16″ × 13 1/2″)
Satellite speakers weight: 1.0 kg (2 lb, 3 oz) × 2
Subwoofer weight: 6.5 kg (14 lb, 5 oz)
Shop now | Yamaha MS45DR Electronic Drum Kit Monitoring System
6. Alesis Strike Amp 8 Drum Amplifier
Pros
Thunderous low end for your kick drum
Onboard mixer allows you to add keys, vocals, or a second e-kit
Portable enough for the road
Great for home practice and performances alike
Cons
No separate speakers for panning
What’s the deal?
The Alesis Strike Amp 8 Drum Amplifier features an impressive 2000 watts of peak power, allowing you to force your way through the wall of guitars during any performance.
Ideal for teachers and students, the onboard mixer features two independently controlled XLR/jack combo inputs. This accommodates two e-kits or a kit and a vocal mic.
Expect thick, forceful bass drums and punchy, well-rounded toms right out of the box thanks to the painstakingly voiced, 8″ woofer.
Meanwhile, the Strike Amp’s super-lightweight neodymium HF driver uses state-of-the-art waveguide technology to produce sparkling cymbals and scything snare attack.
The sturdy, tilt-back casing provides perfect floor placement or use the pole mount for an extra-long throw. The Alesis Strike Amp 8 is a one-stop shop for dynamic drum amplification that’s just as at home in the practice room as it is on stage.
Specifications
Output Power: 2000W Peak, 1000W RMS (640 LF, 350 HF)
Crossover Frequency: 2.5KHz
Connectors: (2) XLR/TRS 1/4” (6.35mm) combo inputs, (1) XLR link output, (1) IEC power cable input
Indicators: Power LED (rear panel), clip limiter LED
Mounting: Standard 36mm pole socket
Dimensions: 17.1” x 10.1” x 9.6”, 434 x 256 x 245mm (W x D x H)
Shop now | Alesis Strike Amp 8 Drum Amplifier
7. Roland PM-100 Personal Drum Monitor Amplifier
Pros
Angled design provides ideal sound delivery to seated players
Perfect for high-end V-Drum kits
Provides an extremely clear drum sound
Cons
No Bluetooth connectivity
What’s the deal?
There’s a reason the Roland PM-100 Personal Drum Monitor is paired with some of the best Roland V-Drum kits. It’s specially designed and optimised to accurately reproduce Roland’s famously expressive V-Drum sound.
This amp features a rugged cabinet and a custom full-range speaker system, made up of a 10’’ speaker and a powerful 80w amplifier. It’s a combination that offers accurate reproduction with great projection and clarity.
The angled design provides an ideal sound delivery to seated players – perfect for drummers. There’s also a designated V-Drums input with a volume control knob, along with a 1/4” line input for other audio sources and for playing along to your favourite songs.
Specifications
Power Output: 80W
Low-Frequency Driver: 10” Woofer
High-Frequency Driver: 2” Tweeter
Dimensions: 388mm x 407mm x 354mm (W x D x H)
Weight: 13.5kg
Power Consumption: 36W
Things to consider when buying a drum amp
When looking to buy a drum amp, it’s important to consider what you’ll be using the amp for. This will help you look for several features that may differ from amp to amp such as the number and type of inputs and outputs, output power, weight, size, and driver and speaker size.
Inputs and outputs
Drum amps have various amounts and types of inputs and outputs. XLR or balanced inputs are usually best for electronic drums and keyboards, allowing you to easily plug straight in and play.
Some drum amps will have a range of different inputs and outputs, allowing you to plug in different instruments, such as an electronic drum kit and a keyboard.
Having the correct inputs is also important if you want to play along to your favourite tracks. While most are fitted with an AUX input, some drum amps also have Bluetooth compatibility. This enables you to jam along to songs without the need for any cables.
Output power (watts)
Output power is always measured in watts, and this indicates the amount of electricity required for the product to work.
Low-watt amps are great for home use, whereas higher-watt amps are ideal for live performances as they pack more power and volume.
A smaller amp is more likely to distort than a higher-watt amp. This means, when turned above a certain level of volume, the volume will become crackled and unclear. This makes larger watt amps more suited to louder applications.
Another thing you may need to be aware of is the difference between peak power and continuous power. Peak power is the amount of power that a battery can push out over a very short period of time to support the surge energy required to start a device. Continuous power is the amount of power that a battery can supply to a device after it has started.
Weight and size
When it comes to the weight and size of your drum monitor, it’s important to consider where you’ll be using it. If it’s purely for home practice, a smaller drum amp would be ideal due to its smaller footprint and how easy it is to store away. A performing drummer, however, may look for a larger drum amp for a bigger sound.
Usually, when it comes to amplifiers in general, the larger the amp, the more powerful the sound. It’s unlikely you’ll ever see a small 20w amp being pushed to its limit in a large venue!
If you’re a travelling/touring drummer, you’ll likely want something in the middle. An amp that is compact enough for ease of travel but powerful enough to command the stage.
Driver and speaker size
Similar to the above, the driver and speaker size also has a direct impact on the power and volume of the speaker. Bass amps, for example, feature a large subwoofer in order to achieve an extended bass response.
Finding a drum amp with a good-sized tweeter and woofer will provide a much more consistent and accurate drum sound.
FAQs
How many inputs does a drum monitor/amp have?
Most drum monitors have two inputs. This includes one line-in and one mic, allowing you to plug in two electronic instruments, or an instrument and a microphone, into the amplifier.
Can you use an electronic drum kit without a drum monitor/amp?
You can use your electronic drum kit without a drum monitor/amp and use solely headphones to practise quietly. You could even use your kit without headphones or an amp as a practice pad kit.
How do I amplify electronic drums on a budget?
There are plenty of cheap electronic drum amplifiers/monitors available on the market that offer ample power your electronic drum kit needs. The VISIONAMP Drum/Keyboard Amplifier is a perfect choice for electronic drummers on a budget.
Final thoughts
These are just seven of the best electronic drum amps and monitors on the market, and they’re a great starting place for your own research. But there are so many more available! Check them out below and see for yourself!
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