The 4 Best Amps for Electronic Drums – Amplifier Kit Reviews 2023

best amp for electronic drums. electronic drum kit amp, electronic drum amplifier reviews

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In order for a set of electronic drums to truly shine and deliver the best groove, you will probably need to hook it up with a quality amplifier.  We are talking about an electronic piece of equipment, after all, and in this realm, amplification is crucial.

Anyhow, whether it’s stage monitors or something a bit stronger, we took on the arduous task of sifting through today’s market in an attempt to bring you the best amp for electronic drums.  The primary factor we took into consideration was sound quality. The amp needs to properly reflect the kit’s good sides and enhance them; otherwise, it’s not doing what it’s meant to do.

Additionally, we singled out value for money, durability, portability, and reliability as additional crucial elements. We think that the following four items are the best products the market can offer so dig in!

Roland Cube Monitor


Roland is a leading name in electronic percussion, so it stands to reason their line of monitors is designed to bring out the best of your V-drum sound. It’s a versatile and compact speaker that delivers 30 watts of power for clean, crisp sound reproduction. This should be on anyone’s list of the best amp for electronic drums.

The monitor was designed with the studio in mind but is just as effective for live on-stage play. It’s also durable enough to take with you to gigs, with a metal grill to protect the speaker and a convenient built-in handle. The relatively compact dimensions of this amp also make it perfect for an electronic drummer, who has enough other equipment to lug around and set up without adding a clunky amp into the mix.

Regardless of where you plan to use it, there are two features that really set this amplifier apart from the rest. The first are its on-board tone refinement options. It has a stereo preamp and a built-in two band equalizer. These controls are conveniently located on the front of the monitor for easy access. The other noteworthy thing about this amp is its wide array of input options. There are three input channels and five total inputs, with one XLR mic/line input as well as extra RCA and stereo mini-phone options. If you have two CM-30 amplifiers, you can use the Stereo Link function to give you a true stereo output (and also double your total inputs to ten on six channels).

Roland Cube 30 amplifier review

Roland PM-10


If you’re able and willing to spend a bit more and your main consideration is a big, bold sound across frequencies, the PM-10 from Roland is an excellent option. It has features you won’t find on cheaper options that makes it an incredibly versatile choice for the professional musician.

The dynamic range of this bad boy is especially impressive considering its size (see full specs). You’d be hard pressed to find a 30-watt speaker that gives you even close to the dynamic potential of the PM-10. It’s also fairly compact in terms of the casing. It’s not the lightest option on the list, at just over 30 pounds, but the carrying handle across the top means it’s still easy to transport to gigs.

The PM-10 is designed for Roland’s V-drum equipment but it’s equally compatible with equipment from other companies. It has a designated input for V-drums along with a line-in jack so you can use it in a wider range of circumstances.

Sound-wise, you’ll get impressive kick drum response from the 10” driver. This is one of the areas that suffers the most from smaller monitors, so it’s a benefit to going with a slightly larger option like the PM-10.

The controls are another great feature. Each of the input channels has its own independent volume control and there’s also an on-board two-band EQ for basic tone shaping. While it could be the priciest option on the list, you’ll still find the PM-10 an incredible value.

PM-10でVドラムのデモ

Peavey KB 1 20W Keyboard Amp


If you’re looking more on the budget end of the spectrum, this 20-watt amp from Peavey is a steal. Don’t be put off by the word “keyboard” in the name. It’s an all-purpose option that can work as well with vocal mics, drum machines, or anything else you’re looking to amplify.

Size-wise, the KB1 will be one of the easier options to transport, since it’s quite compact and weighs in at just over 15 pounds. The flip side of this is that, with only 20 watts of power, you’re not going to get the same room-shaking sound a more powerful amp could provide.

The sound out of the speaker on this amp is clear and full. The speaker itself is on the small side at 8 inches, which some players do find steals some of the power from their kick drum and low toms.

The dual channels on this amplifier are a nice touch, especially since each channel has a dedicated EQ for tone shaping. The headphone out jack makes it a great choice for home practice, while the rugged casing is durable enough to take on the road. It’s not your loudest option on this list, but in terms of sound quality and value, it’s a sure hit.

ddrum DDA50

Another budget friendly option would be ddrum’s DDA50 model. Much like the DA50 from Simmons, we are talking about a precise, well-rounded and efficient monitor.

Once again, the product is best to be used as an onstage monitor or a practice speaker.  And as long as you don’t overload it, the device will produce a clean, distortion-free sound that will provide you with a realistic image of your performance, as any good monitor should—nothing more and nothing less.

The product offers 50 watts of power, along with a 10 inch subwoofer, an adjacent 2.5 inch tweeter, three 1/4 inch inputs, an XLR line out, an Mp3 input, and a headphone output for silent jamming sessions (see full specs).  For sonic adjustments, the manufacturer included a classic three-band EQ, allowing you to accommodate the audio output to fit your needs to a T.

Also, it’s not all about the looks, but you can’t overlook that sexy red stripe vibe. The looks on this thing are on par with the sound, and that is always a plus.  Bar none, this is one of the best amps for electronic drums on the market.

What to Watch Out for When Buying an Amp for Electronic Drums

What you should keep your eyes on is to get a clean amplifier. Unlike guitars, you don’t need distortion here and you don’t need fuzz; you just want a clear sound that will give a realistic image of the tonal adjustments you have dialed into your instrument and your personal playing flavor.

So keep it clean and keep it steady!  Then, calculate your budget, jot down your favorite, and treat yourself with one of these bad boys as early as today!  For the money, they are truly the best amps for electronic drums.

Written and Reviewed By

  • Micah Johnson started playing music in high school, when he taught himself the bass to join his friend’s band. He added guitar and drums during his twenties playing in local clubs, and along the way, he picked up unique, hands-on experience from hand drums to studio mixers. On Song Simian, he aims to share this knowledge from 20+ years playing and recording music. When not in gearhead mode, he enjoys photography and travel.

  • Marko is the senior editor and writer on Ultimate Guitar, the No. 1 guitar spot on the web, since early 2013. His work was also featured on a variety of other notable gear spots such as Guitar Fella, Consordini, and, of course, Song Simian. His musical journey began at a very young age, and he finally opted to pick up an instrument in his early teenage years. A fan of King Crimson. A travel enthusiast.

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