A keyboard amplifier will allow you to experience a fuller, higher quality, and louder sound than is generally output by a keyboard’s internal speakers. Indeed, some keyboards and digital pianos don’t have built-in speakers, so connecting to an external sound source is the only way to hear the sound.
It is usually possible to connect audio cables from a keyboard directly to a hi-fi, but a dedicated keyboard amp is very useful, particularly when travelling, on stage and when playing with other musicians.
Generally, it’s not sufficient to pick up a guitar amplifier and use that, because a keyboard instrument demands a much greater frequency range. Buying a dedicated keyboard amp is a good move, and you can get a decent quality amp from a good manufacturer without having to spend too much money.
Other nice features of keyboard amps are the ability to further alter the sound using a graphic equalizer, to mix more than one audio input (including a microphone) at once, and to output a mono or stereo audio feed for use with other speakers or for inputting straight into a sound mixing desk.
Which Keyboard Amplifier to Choose?
You don’t have to pick an amplifier by the same manufacturer as your keyboard instrument.
Buy the best sound equipment you can afford, as you will be able to tell the difference, but don’t worry if you can’t fork out high three figure or even four figure dollar amounts.
I’ve always been very happy with the Roland KC range of keyboard amplifiers. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, you could do far worse than the Roland KC60 Keyboard Amplifier.
The KC-60 3-Channel Mixing Keyboard Amplifier lets you hook up keyboard plus a mic and even other audio equipment via a line-in connection. You get 40-watt output plus a separate output if you want to connect a subwoofer. You should take a look at some of the reviews because it doesn’t get the best scores.
Buy the Roland KC-60 keyboard amplifier at zZounds | Amazon.com
For just a little more money you can pick up something like the Behringer K3000FX Ultratone Keyboard Amplifier. Behringer may be better known for their microphones but this keyboard amp is no pushover.
It offers 300 watts of power. A 1-inch tweeter voices the high range, letting delicate chords twinkle and shimmer, while the 15-inch Bugera-designed woofer supplies a solid, focused foundation for bass notes. The two speakers are mounted in a bass-reflex cabinet to keep things from getting muddy, ensuring an even response across your entire keyboard.
Buy the Behringer K3000FX Ultratone Keyboard Amplifier at zZounds | Amazon.com
