Umair Gaines
There are several ways to amplify electric drums, including connecting them to an amp, mixer, PA system, or a set of headphones. The most popular method is to connect the drums to an amp, which can be done by running a cable from the module into the amp. When connecting to a PA system, it is important to use a 1/4 inch cable or an XLR cable to connect the mixer output to the speakers or external amplifier. If you are using a mixer, it is recommended to use a direct box to convert a 1/4 inch cable into an XLR cable to avoid signal degradation. When choosing an amp, it is important to consider the frequency range and the number of inputs available. A dedicated e-drum amp or a bass amp is best suited for electronic drums due to their strong bass frequencies.
Characteristics and Values Table for Plugging Electric Drums into an Amp
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cable Type | 1/4 inch cable or XLR cable |
| Cable Connection | Connect one end of the cable to the output jack of the drum set and the other end to the input jack of the amplifier or one of the channel inputs on the PA mixer |
| Powering Equipment | Ensure all equipment is connected via cables before plugging into a power source |
| Speaker Type | Active or passive speakers |
| Amp Type | Dedicated e-drum amp, bass amp, or guitar amp |
| Headphone Usage | Plug headphones into the headphone port on the drum module or use a mixer or dual output amp for simultaneous amplification |
| Multiple Speakers | Simmons Electronic Drum Monitor System allows for panning with multiple speakers and easy transportation |
| PA System | More flexible than drum amps with greater connection potential, but more expensive |
| Adjustments | Make adjustments to volume and gain levels on the module and amp or PA system to achieve the desired sound |
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What You'll Learn
Connecting to a PA system
Connecting electronic drums to a PA system is a great way to amplify your drums, especially if you have multiple electronic kits or other musicians playing with you. This is because a PA system has a mixer with multiple inputs, allowing all instruments to connect to the mixer and be controlled from one place, rather than each musician having their own amplifier.
To connect your electronic drums to a PA system, first ensure that all equipment is powered off. Then, use a 1/4-inch cable or an XLR cable to connect the mixer output to the speakers or the external amplifier. If using a 1/4-inch cable, be aware that signal degradation may occur over a certain length. If you are using an XLR cable, you will need to use a direct box (DI box) to convert the signal.
Next, connect the external amplifier to the speakers using another cable. Once everything is connected, you can power on the PA system and speakers or amplifier. Play your drums and adjust the volume and gain levels on your module, amp, or PA system until you reach a satisfactory volume. Ensure that your gain levels are low enough to produce a clean sound, but still sharp.
If you are using active speakers, the process is slightly different. In this case, use a 1/4-inch cable to connect the drum module's output jack directly to the speaker's input jack, bypassing the mixer.
A PA system offers more flexibility than a drum amp, with virtually unlimited extra connection potential. However, it is more expensive and may not produce the same bass response as an amp, unless you purchase an additional subwoofer.
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Using a dedicated e-drum amp
When choosing an e-drum amp, it is important to consider your specific needs. For example, if you are playing out live, the house PA and monitors may be adequate. For home practice, a good pair of headphones or a budget-friendly amp like the Millenium DM-30 Drum Monitor may suffice. If you want to practice at higher volumes, you may want to consider a more powerful option, such as the Roland PM-100, which is purpose-built for electronic drums.
When connecting your electronic drums to a dedicated e-drum amp, simply use an audio cable to connect the audio port on your drum module to the amp. Once connected, you should be able to hear the drum sounds when the amp is turned on. You can then adjust the volume and gain levels on your module and amp until you reach a suitable volume.
It is worth noting that some amps have mixing options, allowing you to further tweak the sound to achieve the best drum sound possible. If your amp does not have these options, you can adjust the sound directly from the drum module.
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Using a bass amp
Bass amps are designed to amplify a certain range of frequencies for bass guitars, and since electronic drum kits can produce both higher and lower frequency pitches, you will need to be mindful of the volume. Keeping the volume at a reasonable level is always good practice for both your eardrums and equipment safety. Bass amps tend to be played at high volumes with heavy distortion, and this adds a lot of high-frequency energy. So, while it is unlikely that you will damage your amp by plugging in your electric drums, it is still a possibility if played at high volumes.
Additionally, the roll-off of high-frequency energy in bass amps can put a damper on snares, cymbals, and hi-hats, making them carry less in the mix. This may force you to play louder to be discernible, which can be an issue if you have singers in your band.
If you are looking for an amp that can accommodate both your electric drums and bass guitar, the Fender Rumble series is a good option. They are cheap, ultra-lightweight, and look and sound great. They offer a clean, full-range sound that works well for drums, bass, keyboards, and guitars.
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Using a guitar amp
Although it is technically possible to connect electric drums to a guitar amp, it is not recommended. Guitar amps are designed to handle a very specific band of mid to high frequencies, not the broad range that you'd get from an electronic drum kit. Using a guitar amp with your electronic drums may result in poor sound quality and could potentially damage the speaker with prolonged use.
If you do decide to use a guitar amp with your electronic drums, it is important to take certain precautions. Make sure to turn down the low end on your kit and amp as much as possible to reduce the risk of damaging the speaker. It is also important to monitor the volume levels while playing. If the speaker cone vibrates excessively, turn down the amplifier's base volume immediately.
There are alternative options available that are better suited for amplifying electronic drums. A keyboard or piano amp is a good alternative, as it can handle the broad range of frequencies produced by electronic drums. A bass amplifier can also be used, as long as you control the volume. If you plan on playing gigs, a powered PA speaker or a small PA system is a good option, as it can handle whatever you push through it.
When amplifying electronic drums, it is also worth considering using headphones. This can be done by plugging headphones into the headphone port on the drum module. If you want to use headphones while also amplifying the sound through speakers, you can use a mixer or an amp that supports dual output.
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Using a keyboard amp
Keyboard amps are a great alternative to drum amps. They have a full-frequency range, which means they can reproduce all the frequencies of the drum kit, from the low and mid frequencies of the kick and toms to the high frequencies of the cymbals. This makes them sound great with electronic drums and gives them a more natural sound compared to other types of amps. Keyboard amps are also relatively more affordable than electronic drum amps, which can be two to three times the price.
If you already have a keyboard amp, you can definitely use it for your electronic drum kit. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure that your amplifier can handle the total wattage of your speakers. Second, when setting up your equipment, do not plug anything into a power source until all the equipment is connected via cables. You can connect your electronic drum module directly into the amp using a 1/4 inch cable or an XLR cable. XLR cables can be very long without losing signal quality, but you will need a direct box (DI box) to convert a 1/4 inch cable to XLR.
Once everything is connected, power on your speaker or amplifier and test the sound. Adjust the volume and gain levels on your module and amp until you reach a reasonable volume. Make sure the gain levels are low enough to avoid distortion but still produce a sharp sound. You can also adjust the settings on your drum module to control the different tones, such as altering the volume of the low and high notes or changing the timbre.
While keyboard amps are a good option, it is ideal to use a drum amp for your electronic drum kit if possible. Drum amps are specifically designed for drums and will usually sound punchier and richer. If you can, choose a drum amp from the same company that made your electronic drums. For example, if you have a Roland electronic drum kit, get a Roland drum amp.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest way to connect electric drums to an amp is to use a cable to connect the output jack of your drum set to the input jack of your amplifier.
The best type of amp to use for electric drums is a dedicated e-drum amp, as these are designed for electronic kits and produce optimal frequency ranges. If you can't get hold of a dedicated e-drum amp, a bass amp is the next best option, as it will bring out the best sound from the bass drum.
Although it is possible to plug electric drums into a guitar amp, it is not recommended as it may ruin the amp and will distort the drum sounds at louder volumes.
