Certain types of keyboards require amplifiers to project their sound. Whether you’re on stage or in the studio, no electric keyboard is complete without amplification.
This review highlights the best keyboard amps on the market and explains the features you need to consider when choosing one. We share our favorite picks and outline the pros and cons of each keyboard amp.
If you’re in the market for a new keyboard amplifier, this list will help you find the best pick for your needs.
What is a Keyboard Amp?
A keyboard amplifier is a type of electronic device used to project the sound of an electric keyboard. These devices are commonly used in recording studios, practice spaces, and concert venues for amplifying the sound of a keyboard to a loud level.
There are two parts to a keyboard amplifier – the amp itself and the speaker cabinet. These types of amps are called combo amps and combine both the important parts into one unit. Older amps used to be made from separate units for the amp and the cab. Modern combo amps combine the two into one package for convenience.
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Do You Really Need a Keyboard Amplifier?
It really depends on how you plan on using the keyboard, but if you ever plan on using it in a situation where more than one person needs to hear it, then an amplifier is necessary.
You can get by without them, as keyboards often have built-in headphone connections, and sometimes even a built-in speaker. You will need an amp if you ever want the sound to be loud enough to be heard in a room full of people.
Also in recording studios using a keyboard amplifier can help you to achieve a wider range of sounds with higher fidelity. Keyboard amps are more than just a necessity though, these can also be responsible for a large amount of the keyboard’s tone, so it’s important to choose one that you like the sound of, and that compliments the style of your performance.
Table of Contents
- Peavey KB 1×8
- Fender Champion 20
- BOSS Katana MKII-100
- Vox VX 50 KB
- Roland KC-200 4 Channel
- Roland MICRO CUBE GX Portable
- Peavey KB4 Keyboard Amplifier
- Roland CUBE Street EX 4-Channel
8 Best Keyboard Amps For 2022
1. Peavey KB 1x8
This is a small keyboard amp made by industry giants Peavy. It’s relatively simple but offers everything you need for a decent keyboard sound.
It’s relatively affordable, and offers a pretty good tone, although it would be too quiet for some situations because it is only an 8” speaker cone. There are two input channels, so you can connect two instruments to it. Each channel has its own set of controls, including a volume knob, and high and low tone controls.
This amp is designed for use with keyboards, so it has a more full frequency range and extends more into the low frequencies than guitar amps. It’s generally a decent workhorse amp, although there isn’t much special or outstanding about it.
Product Specification
- Wattage – 20 (although more watts available in the range)
- Speakers – 1×8”
- Inputs – 2 x 1/4¨
- Controls – Volume and tone for each channel (low + high)
- Other Features – headphone output
Pros and Cons
- Sturdy, durable, can withstand gigging
- Only has basic features
- Relatively small and quiet
Conclusion
Overall, the Peavey KB1x8 is a decent beginner’s keyboard amp. Whilst it only has basic features and a mediocre sound, it’s affordable and easy to use. This is a good choice for beginners on a tight budget, but professionals with more cash might be better off looking at more expensive models.
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2. Fender Champion 20
The Fender Champion amp range is a great choice for keyboard users. Whilst this is particularly designed for guitar, it still has a good sound for keyboards. The Champion range is a popular entry to mid-level series of amps, that offer a fantastic sound and a wide range of features at an affordable price.
This has a very old-school, analog tone, and uses warm components for a rich sound. It includes a bunch of built-in effects, and 5 amp sims, so you can get a huge range of tones from this device. It is slightly more focused on the mids and highs than we would like in a keyboard amp, but it’s still good enough.
The sound may be a little thin and quiet compared to a full-sized keyboard amp, but this is smaller, more portable, and more affordable. Moreover, this has Fender’s name on it, so you can be assured it’s a quality piece of gear.
Product Specification
- Wattage – 20w
- Speakers – 1 x 12”
- Inputs – 1 x ¼” guitar input, ⅛” aux
- Controls – Gain, Volume, Voice, Treble, Bass, FX Level, FX Select, Tap Tempo
- Other – Headphone Output
Pros and Cons
- Built-in effects
- Various amp simulations
- Portable
- Designed for guitar
- Lacks low end for keyboard
Conclusion
I recommend this for anybody needing a small but versatile amp to practice keyboard on. It probably hasn’t got the accuracy or range of a specialized keyboard amp, as this is designed for guitars, although it still sounds great. This has more of a vintage vibe to it than other amps on this list, so if you have modern tastes you may want to choose something else.
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3. BOSS Katana MKII-100
Boss is another fantastic audio electronics company, and is known to produce a range of top-class gear. Their amps are known to be great and come at a very reasonable price. The Katana series offers quite a nice set of amps, each with onboard effects, and a loud, aggressive sound.
These kinds of amplifiers are typically used for heavy styles of guitar playing, but I think they can lend themselves quite well as a keyboard amp in a pinch. The frequency range isn’t ideal, but as long as you’re not playing anything with too much low end these should be fine.
The main attraction for this amp is the effects and amp simulations. You can get this amp to sound almost like any other kind of amp with a bit of tweaking. It might not be for everyone, but for the more creative players in the scene, this amp would be a lot of fun to use.
Product Specification
- Wattage – 100w
- Speakers – 1 x 12”
- Inputs -1 x ¼” TRS
- Controls -Amp Type, Gain, Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble, Boost/Mod, FX/Delay, Reverb, Master
- Other – Switchable power level control
Pros and Cons
- Built-in effects
- Multiple amp sims
- Heavy tone
- Better for the guitar than keyboard
Conclusion
Overall, the Boss Katana may be more suited to the guitar than keyboards, but it definitely has its charms. This guitar packs a mighty tone and a huge range of controls and effects in a portable and affordable package. This amp can go pretty loud too, so it should be suitable for pretty large gigs. I’d recommend using this in tandem with another amp that has a bit more bass behind it.
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4. Vox VX 50 KB
The Vox VX 50 is a truly beautiful keyboard amp. With all the classic Vox vintage aesthetic and styling, this thing sounds as lush as it looks. It has a very classical, sexy look that stands out against most other amplifiers. This thing is really one of a kind, and has a good range of features that keyboard players will find useful.
This 50-watt amp provides three independent channel inputs, so you can connect a keyboard in stereo and an additional microphone or instrument. It includes a fantastic sounding EQ circuit, with controls for bass, mid, and treble. It also includes a phase switch which is useful when recording, and when you need to ensure the phase correlation is perfect.
It is lacking a little on extra features and effects, although this isn’t an issue for professionals who would probably prefer to use their own external effects pedals instead. Vox has concentrated every penny of the budget into the sound quality, rather than wasting it on gimmicky effects.
It also features a 3.5mm aux-in, and a headphone output, both making it even more practical for practice sessions.
Product Specification
- Wattage – 50w
- Speakers – 1 x 12”
- Inputs – 3 x ¼” TRS, 1 x 3.5mm aux-in
- Controls – Volume (Channel 1/2/3), Bass, Mid, Treble, Phase, Master
- Other – Headphone output
Pros and Cons
- Designed for keyboards
- Three-channel inputs, can connect a mic
- Deep, full frequency range
- Reliable VoX Quality
- No built-in effects
Conclusion
If you are looking for a professional-grade keyboard amplifier with a stellar tone, this is the one for you. Vox amps have a unique and distinct charm, both visually and sonically. This vox keyboard amp is very tasty and will leave any keyboard player mouth-watering.
It has limited extra features but has all the important features. The main selling point of this amp is the sound, which is truly excellent and stands above most of the others on this list. It has a vintage tone with the perfect amount of bite and saturation.
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5. Roland KC-200 4 Channel Mixing Keyboard Amplifier
A beefy powerhouse, this four-channel amp from Roland is designed for use with keyboards and has a full range, weighty tone.
This amp offers four independent channel inputs, each with volume control. It also provides a master EQ with low and high sculpting. There are two speakers in the cabinet, one large 16” cone for low and mid frequencies, and an extra tweeter to take care of the highs.
It doesn’t have a whole lot of other features, nor does it have any effects, but this is a perfect amp for combining four audio sources into a powerful speaker array. This is a large, loud amplifier, and would provide enough volume to fill a large room. It’s definitely stage-worthy, and is suitable for most venues from small open mics to large stadiums.
Product Specification
- Wattage -100w
- Speakers – 16” + tweeter
- Inputs – 4 x ¼” TRS, 1 x XLR, RCA Aux-in,
- Controls – Master, High, Low, Gain (CH1/2/3/4)
- Other – Sub out, Line out, headphones out
Pros and Cons
- Designed for keyboards
- Accepts a large number of inputs
- Sub output for connection to a subwoofer for more bass.
- Loud, balanced sound
- Heavy
- Not always in stock
Conclusion
This isn’t a showy amp, it’s humble but effective. This is great for projecting keyboards at a loud, clear volume. It’s full range, so you don’t need to worry about a lack of bass or highs. You can connect 4 channels, so it’s enough for a whole band to use when busking. If you are a solo musician, however, these features are pointless, so you may be better off going for one of the Roland Cubes below.
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6. Roland MICRO CUBE GX Portable
The Roland Cube series contains some of the most popular amps in the busking scene. Small but mighty, this Roland Micro Cube is the traveling busker’s dream.
With batteries and a carrying handle, you can really take this amp anywhere. As far as the sound goes, it is surprisingly loud and is enough to fill a street or small venue. It may be a little thinner than you would like for a keyboard, although you can’t expect much bass from an amp this size.
In terms of features and functionality, this amp has everything you need. It has an EQ, and gain, but one of the most attractive elements is the onboard effects. There are some really creative effects that add a cool extra element to your performance. These may be more tuned to the sound of a guitar, but I think they work pretty well for keyboards too.
This amp is also fairly priced and has extra inputs for AUX connections and even a headphone output. It also features a link connection, for synchronizing with other Roland Cube amps for multi-rig projecting.
Product Specification
- Wattage – 3w
- Speakers – 1x 8”
- Inputs – 1 x ¼” TRS
- Controls – Amp Type, Effects, Delay/Reverb, Gain, Volume, Tone, Master
- Other – Cube Link Connection, tuner
Pros and Cons
- Super Portable
- Battery-powered
- Built-in effects and tuner
- Limited volume
- Lacks bass and clarity
Conclusion
This is a really nifty amp. It is small and compromises the sound quality, however, you gain a huge amount of portability which is really one of the main attractions of this amplifier. The onboard effects are a lot of fun to play with and sound great too.
This amp is pretty good for busking keyboard players, or at-home practice, although it does lack the bass and volume needed for larger gigs and recording sessions.
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7. Peavey KB4 Keyboard Amplifier
The Peavey KB4 is a massive four-channel keyboard amp. This is truly a beast and could be the loudest amp on this list, it’s definitely the largest.
This four-channel amp is great for busking, practice, or gigging. It has a loud enough sound to fill most venues. It features all the gain controls you need, and each channel has its own equalizer controls with a high and low knob. The 3rd channel has a few more controls including a mid-band EQ and separate levels for the HiZ and LoZ inputs.
The connections on this amp mean you can use a keyboard, guitar, and two microphones at the same time. Or any other combination of four electric instruments. It doesn’t include any onboard effects, although there are outputs and inputs for an external FX loop, so it integrates well with outboard effects pedals.
Product Specification
- Wattage – 150w
- Speakers – 22”
- Inputs – 3 x Stereo inputs, XLR, Line input,
- Controls – 3 x (Level, Low, Mid), Low, Mid, High, monitor switches, headphone vol, master vol
- Other – Carrying handle, effects loop, multi outputs
Pros and Cons
- Made for keyboards
- Full range response with bass
- Excellent controls
- Independent channels with separate controls
- Heavy
- Expensive
Conclusion
The KB4 from Peavy is a loud and effective keyboard amplifier. It doesn’t have many fancy features, but that is reflected in the reasonable price. This is all about volume and projection, and less about getting a finely tweaked sound from the amp.
You probably would want to use some external gear to fine-tune your sound. Although the general frequency content is decent, it extends to the low ranges.
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8. Roland CUBE Street EX 4-Channel
This is a larger and more fully-featured version of the Roland Cube Micro above. This is the larger brother in the series and offers a larger sound, more inputs, and more effects.
This amp features two speakers, so it can be used in a stereo mode to create a wider sound. It has a huge range of effects and features./ From the amp simulation to the range of onboard processing effects, you can endlessly tweak this amp to create your own unique tones.
It features multiple inputs and outputs and can accept sources from ¼” connections or XLRs. This is one one the most ideal solutions for a busking band and can host a session for multiple performers with ease.
Whilst it isn’t sp[ecifically designed for keyboards, it still has a decent frequency range that has a good amount of low end. The speakers are still relatively small, so it doesn’t quite go down to the sub-range, but you won’t be disappointed by the sound.
It has a few extra inputs for connecting aux sources, headphones, and additional line sources, and almost acts as a combo amp and mixing desk in one.
Product Specification
- Wattage – 50w
- Speakers – 2 x 10”
- Inputs – 2 x hybrid XLR/TRS, Stereo line-in, 2 x aux-in
- Controls – 2 x EQ (Bass, Mid, Treble) 2 reverb, Effects. Aux vol, amp sim, channel volumes
- Other -Cube Link Connection, footswitch, phones, stereo mode
Pros and Cons
- Designed for keyboards
- Great for busking, easy to carry
- Plenty of controls and effects
- Battery powered
- Batteries drain quickly.
- Slightly heavy and large
Conclusion
The Roland Cube series is an impressive range of amps, and this is one of my favorite models from the line. The amount of features this amp has is overwhelming, and it comes at a fantastic price for the range of tones it can achieve. This is probably the most versatile sounding amp on this list – you can really craft an endless array of unique tones.
I’d recommend this for anyone who wants a mobile amp with a little more oomph than the micro cube. I would say this is one of the best keyboard amps on this list by far, with very little to fault.
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How to choose the best keyboard amps
There are many different keyboard amps out there. It can be hard to know exactly which type to choose, so we’ve written this short guide to help you decide. This section discusses some important things to think about when choosing a new amp to ensure you find one that fulfills your needs.
Controls
You’ll find a range of control styles through all the different keyboard amps available. Some offer deep control, whereas others are more basic. More features cost more money, so if you only need a simple amp then don’t worry about getting anything too complex.
At a minimum, you need to gain control, input, and output help. For more control over the sound of your amp look for something that has an equalizer circuit, maybe with a single tone knob, or even one with individual controls for bass, mid, and treble. You can even get some with built-in effects like reverbs and choruses, which help you to create a more unique sound.
Speaker size
Keyboard amps come with a wide range of speaker sizes. The size of a speaker dictates two main factors of the amp’s sound – how loud it can go, and how low it can go.
Larger speakers are capable of producing lower, louder sounds, but are physically larger, often heavier, and generally need more power. You don’t need a massive amp, although it is suggested to go for something with some bass production, as electric keyboards often play in the low end of the spectrum. Smaller speakers have a tighter sound, that can often be better for highs and mids, and are easily transported.
Volume
This is partially related to the speaker size but also affected by the general electronic design of the amp. Make sure you choose an amp that offers a suitable amount of volume. There’s nothing worse than being stuck at a quiet level. At the same time, having a super loud amp in a tiny apartment can be frustrating too. You need to find the right balance for the average environment you will be performing in.
Portability
You can find some keyboard amps that are small and portable, others are large and awkward to move around. Again, the best choice really depends on how you plan to use the keyboard. Smaller amps can be great for busking and practice, although often lack the punch and volume needed for a larger concert.
Some amps come with features that make them better for transportation such as carrying handles and wheels.
Other Considerations
The other main factor to consider is whether you want effects built into the amp. Many modern keyboard amplifiers come with the option of effects – often things like reverb, chorus, and delay.
These can be a nice addition if you don’t have any effects pedals, although they can be unnecessary if you do have some. Built-in effects usually add more to the price, so if you have a good selection of effects pedals. I’d probably suggest you look at something with a better sound but no effects.
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FAQs
How do I Choose a Keyboard Amp?
Eventually, you will find an amp that has a sound you love, and the features you need.
How many watts should a keyboard amp be?
Can you use a guitar amp for keyboards?
Because guitars generally only go down to around 80Hz, guitar amps often cut out at frequencies a bit below this. Keyboards have a much broader frequency range, being able to produce sounds at 20Hz, or even lower.
Because the frequency response of a guitar amp is tuned to suit the spectrum of a guitar, they won’t always sound great for a keyboard. Although they will still work if needed.
Noah is an accomplished audio engineer with several years of experience producing music for major companies and independent artists. He enjoys sharing his vast knowledge of audio engineering topics to help musicians and music producers create great music.