Electronic Drum kit - Amps

calnen · 22 Aug 2006 at 16:45

Hey all
Since moving to uni playing my acoustic kit wasnt really an option, so a few months back I splashed out my overdraft on a Roland TD3KV electric kit. Its been great fun, and I can get away with it as most of the time I play through headphones along to music and it sounds great. But, now I'm wanting to practise along with someone and am running into problems. The only amp I have is a little guitar amp - I think its 20 watts, is about a foot across and is old and terrible

(It was a hand-me-down from someone in an old band.)

So, I'm wondering if anyone can receommend a (cheap-ish!) amp to use for band practise with my kit? Some people have suggested keyboard amps and some bass amps, and Roland actually make amps to go with the kit that I've heard mixed things about too. I'm confused! Can anyone help?

SexyGreyFox · 22 Aug 2006 at 17:01

You definitely don't want a bass amp.
Drums/cymbals tend to take in most of the frequencies across the spectrum just like a keyboard does, so a keyboard amp/combo would be a better bet. Even better would be a small PA. I would still tend to roll the bass drum off a bit though and not have it thundering through the speakers.

calnen · 22 Aug 2006 at 17:14

Thanks for the reply.
The thing is, I've heard really mixed reports about low end keyboard amps. Someone actually said not to bother at all unless you're willing to spend serious (4 digit) money. It just seems like a shame to have such great sound quality from the kit, and have it blurred out if I want decent volume.
(This ones's been mentioned on a lot of websites)..

It makes sense that they'd be better than a bass amp alone though. Or I guess the other option would be a proper setup with PA speakers? They can be had fairly cheaply I gather, but again wouldnt be up to the quality you'd want for gigging.

SexyGreyFox · 22 Aug 2006 at 17:26

The thing is that speakers don't like bumps and bangs and playing drums is all about bumps and bangs. I would think the Roland would have a hard time keeping up and getting it above guitars etc would end up blowing the speaker.
Most people who play electronic drums and keyboards live have them straight into the PA and then listen back to them on monitors.
What I would suggest if you are serious is to buy half a PA (15" bass bin, 12" with tweeter and a PA amp) and you'll go someway to getting the sound you want to hear.
What is your budget?

calnen · 22 Aug 2006 at 19:28

Budget is very little

I'm a student..
If it'll take half a PA to get a decent sound then I wont bother - I'll keep a look out for a better amp in the small ads and just make do. I was just wondering wether there's a vaguely affordable alternative that would be noticeably better.