KEYBOARD AMPS - WHY?

 Although quality PAs are very common, creating stereo images in live settings is easy. However, many keyboardists don't know that a keyboard amplifier exists. There was a time keyboards were treated like guitars and a stage amplifier was a part of the keyboard rig.

It begs the question, is a keyboard amplifier still needed?

These are just a few of the reasons why you might need a keyboard amplifier - some may not.

What is a Keyboard AMP?

We should not forget that a keyboard amp can be as powerful as a guitar amp. Although a keyboardist might be able to achieve cool results by running their keyboard through a guitar amplifier, keyboard amps were designed for keyboards. This simply means that they can reproduce the full range of sounds - much like a powered loudspeaker like the Carvin audio QX15A. Keyboards produce a wide range of sounds, including strings, horns and crazy synths. You can also find best keyboard amp here.

CONVENIENCES SMALL AND QUICK

A keyboard amp is a great choice for small gigs in intimate settings. It's compact and has one connection. You won't be reproducing stereo sound. This is often not an issue. You won't be able to use this system if your vocals need to be reinforced. A small PA system would be a better choice in this case.

MONITORING

If you are playing gigs that have a good house sound system, it is a good idea to feed your keyboard's outputs into stereo to the house. If the system doesn't have enough monitors, you can split that signal to your handy-dandy keyboard amplifier.

BAND GIGS / REHEARSALS

A keyboard amp is a great tool for band rehearsals. Sometimes you may find yourself in a situation where the PA is minimal and all the instruments can be heard through the amps. You don't have any amplification. Although a keyboard amp can be a great solution, it is not likely that you will be transmitting a stereo signal to the crowd. A small PA might be better. Most vocal PAs will have at most two additional channels.

Unique Sound

You don't want an amp to be used to produce the best possible sound quality from your keyboard. Sometimes, your keyboard's role is different and requires a unique sound. To make some serious noise, you might look into a vintage keyboard amplifier, a rotary amp or even a wrong choice such as a guitar amp.

You might also consider putting your stereo signal out to the house and splitting one end to a pedal board to allow you to play your distortion amp sound whenever you like. Make sure you tell the engineer that there is another "instrument" that needs to be amplified.

A keyboard amp is no longer necessary, considering the availability of inexpensive PA systems, and powered loudspeakers. Keyboard amps still have a place in our lives as a convenience tool and a creative option.