What’s the Best Keyboard/Digital Piano Amplifier for Me? |
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A keyboard/digital piano amplifier is a standalone speaker that can be used to amplify the sound of a keyboard or any other electronic keyboard instrument. These specifically designed amplifiers can be used to boost the volume of a synthesizer, organ, stage piano, or a digital piano when no speakers have been built into the instrument or when the built-in speakers are just not loud enough. Since there are a lot of variations of this kind of amplifier, the question is, which amp is best for you and your instruments? In this special Buyer’s Guide, we answer your most frequently asked questions to help you find what you need. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us! 1. What is a Keyboard/Digital Piano Amplifier?A keyboard or digital piano amplifier (there’s actually no difference) is an amplifier and one or more speakers combined to amplify the sound of a digital piano, stage piano, keyboard, synthesizer, organ, or similar electronic keyboard-based instrument. These amplifiers are designed to reproduce the rich sound of these kinds of instruments in the best possible way. In terms of use, durability, and functions, keyboard amplifiers largely meet the demands of any digital pianist or key player who needs an amplifier for their rehearsal space and gigs. Most of the amplifiers are mono. This is generally not a problem, since in rehearsal rooms and on stage, it’s normal to hear your own instrument in mono. But if you usually play at home and like to use a more spacious sound (like that of an acoustic piano), then the effect of a stereo keyboard amplifier might suit you better. Most of the time, your instrument is connected to a keyboard amplifier using a standard 6.3mm mono jack cable. If you’re using a stereo amplifier, then two of these jack cables are needed. If your instrument only has one stereo output (like a headphone or line output), then you can use a cable with a 6.3mm stereo jack plug at one end and two 6.3mm mono jack plugs at the other end. All Keyboard/Digital Piano Amplifiers
2. Do I Need a Keyboard/Digital Piano Amplifier?An amplifier that’s designed for keyboards or digital pianos is particularly useful when your instrument doesn’t have any built-in speakers. Stage pianos and synthesizers often don’t come with speakers built-in, and this kind of amplifier is also really useful if the built-in speakers of your keyboard or digital piano don’t sound so great, or they’re not loud enough for what you want to use your instrument for. So, if you want to rehearse with your band or play small gigs, you’re likely to need more volume and better sound. For larger gigs and performances, it’s also really handy to use your own keyboard amplifier as a personal stage monitor where the signal from your instrument goes to both the sound system of the venue and your amplifier. This is great if you’re playing at a venue that doesn’t have any or too few floor monitors, or if you’d just prefer more control over your on stage sound. If you only ever play at home and your instrument already has a great set of built-in speakers, then you’re unlikely to need an amplifier.
3. How Much Power (Watts) Should My Keyboard Amplifier Have and How Big Should it be (Inches)?A good rule of thumb is: the higher the power output in Watts of a keyboard amplifier, the louder you can play without the sound starting to distort. The amount of power you need, therefore ,depends on what you’re going to use the amplifier for. At home, you’re not likely to need too much power, so 30 Watts is more than enough. If you play in a small band with a laid-back sound, then you’ll need to aim for something between 50 and 75 Watts, and if you’re in a really loud band or you play on large stages, then you should look at amps with a power output of a couple of hundred Watts. You could also even use more than one amplifier. Also, if you play a lot of outdoor gigs, you might need even more power. If you have a keyboard that already has built-in speakers, then the power of the amplifier you hook it up to needs to sit well above that of the built-in speakers to make any difference. Keyboard amplifiers also come is various sizes, which is measured in inches.This measurement refers to the diameter of the amplifier speaker. The bigger the speaker, the better the bass reproduction. If you’re playing in your living room then an 8-inch speaker will be more than big enough. For quieter band rehearsals, a 10-inch speaker is the best option. For loud rehearsals or larger gigs, especially if the low-end plays an important role in your sound, then you’ll need a 12-inch or even a 15-inch speaker. Keyboard Amplifiers: Up to 30W, 31-75W, 76-150, 150W or More
4. Can I Connect a Microphone or Other Instrument to a Keyboard Amplifier?Most keyboard amplifiers are fitted with more than one channel and multiple inputs. This makes it possible to connect up more than one keyboard, but also other instruments or a microphone, and since most of these amplifiers will also come with a small mixer-function, any effects and the volume levels of each channel can be adjusted and balanced. Here, it’s worth saying that specific channels are usually meant for a specific function. So, a microphone can only be connected if the amp has a specific microphone input/channel. You can easily find out if an amplifier comes with a microphone or guitar input by reading the specifications found on the product page of any amplifier.
5. Can I Use Normal PA speakers Instead of a Special Keyboard Amplifier?Absolutely, since just like keyboard amplifiers, PA speakers are designed to reproduce a wide frequency range. The advantage of using a keyboard amplifier is that they’re a lot more compact and easy to carry, and in terms of functions and use, are literally made for keyboard players and digital pianists. If you’re a solo artist that both sings and plays and you always take your own gear with you to shows, then you might actually be better off going for a ready-made and complete PA speaker system. PA speakers are designed to spread sound across the audience as widely as possible. If you’re considering a PA system, aways check that it offers all of the inputs and outputs you need. A lot of PA systems don’t generally come fitted with special instrument inputs, but line-inputs. In that case, it’s a good idea to connect any instruments via a DI box so that no sound quality is lost. All Keyboard/Digital Piano Amplifiers
6. What’s the Difference Between a Guitar Amplifier and a Keyboard/Digital Piano Keyboard Amplifier?While you’d have no problem connecting a digital piano, organ, synth, or keyboard up to a guitar amplifier, it wouldn’t sound that great. A guitar amplifier is specially designed to reproduce the frequency range of a guitar, and since the frequency range of any keyboard is much wider, a lot of the sound quality and nuance is lost, which is why keyboard amplifiers are specifically designed to reproduce a wide frequency range. Also, the input of any guitar amplifier has been specifically calibrated to take the signal of a guitar.
7. Can You Get Keyboard Amplifiers that Run on Batteries?Most keyboard amplifiers are run on mains power, so a power socket, power supply and maybe an extension cable are always needed. However, some amplifiers can be powered by standard batteries or rechargable batteries, so that they can also be set up cable free. If you want to set up to play street shows, then you’ll also need a piano or keyboard that can be battery-powered. Battery-Powered Keyboard Amplifiers
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