Amp help, no idea what I'm doing

[misterzero]

Can you guys recommend a good drum amp? I am looking for something in the price range of 200 - 500, maybe a tad higher if there is a substantial "quality jump" over 500. i am researching this stuff, and being new to V- drums and also amplifiers, I have to say I am in over my head. Playing acoustic kits for years, I never educated myself on amps and speakers. The drums were loud enough on their own. I read somewhere that keyboard amps are actually better than drum amps(?).

Any ideas??

Signed,

Lost in Buffalo

[grog]

There are a bazillion threads in here on this subject. Spend some time looking at the back and forth and see what you come up with. If you plow thru all the accumulated (albeit scattered) threads on this, every one of your questions will be answered.

You can easily get a good edrum amp (or powered speaker) in the $4-500 range. Anything powered by db Technologies (like the Basic 400 which currently is on sale at RMC Audio) or a Yamaha MSR-400 (which I used to be able to find for just under $500 but now, no--there's one on ebay for $400 plus $50 for shipping) would serve your needs nicely.

But those are just two options. As has happened here before, ask 20 edrummers about amps and you'll get 45.789 answers.

https://www.myspace.com/rubberuniverse

[dschrammie]

Well, a little depends on your intended usage. Will this be an amp that you will use for live performance, rehearsal with a band, or for practicing yourself?

Live usage will require a good amount of power, in the 300-500 Watt range (some may tell you you'll need 900-1000 Watts...that's ridiculous and not gonna happen with your price range).
150-300 Watts will be enough for band rehearsal, and 100W is certainly enough for at home practice.

For live stuff or even band practice I'd probably want my speakers to include at least a 12" woofer...I'd prefer a 15", however I don't know if your budget will allow that. You're probably going to look for a combo unit that has the amplifier and speaker cabinet as a single unit. This is the most basic and it's easier when it comes to lugging things around. Probably the most cost effective as well.

For home practice I just use a pair of self-amplified monitors. I use the 20/20 monitors from Event (not available anymore, but if you find 'em used, grab 'em!). This style is just right for at home practice.

There are tons of different kinds available, but honestly, guitar amp, keyboard amp, drum amp...it's kind of silly to say one type is better than the next. It really comes down to the speakers that are in the cabinet and the quality of the amplifier (although a lot of combo guitar amps have effects that aren't necessary, like Chorus and reverb, etc.).

Some people like the "component" systems from Yamaha and Roland...this is where you have a sub unit as well as a couple 'satellite' speakers that can mount to your rack. This is really only for home practice though...it won't have enough punch to get through a band.

There are some basic powered monitors with 12" woofers from JBL and Mackie that can provide what you need if you're playing along with a band. However, if you're looking for a pair of cabinets then you're going to pay much more than $500...or you're going to give up on quality. Perhaps look for used stuff...just be careful, don't go for really used.
But provide some more details regarding how you're going to use them and maybe we can give a little more direction.

[Some Day Grey]

Here are links to 2 of the most recent discussions that should get you started with many suggestions, considerations, and recommendations:

http://vdrums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39429

http://vdrums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33888

My response in the second thread also contains a link to other prior discussions (you'll see such links in just about every discussion, as this is such a common and thoroughly-discussed topic here) - plus you will also see directions on how to use the board's search feature to find many more prior discussions on amplification and our other very-common topics (sticks, headphones, head types, etc).

[misterzero]

WOW! Thanks Guys. This is great information, I wish I would have asked this sooner, before spending hours researching without a clue.

dschrammie, I would like something for band rehearsals and eventually live performances. I'm not in a big time band, so small venues are what I am aiming at. I guess I just want an amp that sounds good and won't be drowned out by the bass and guitars.

My problem is that I have no idea what , say, 100 watts sound like. If my guitarists have 150 watt amps, then would all I need is that, too? I guess a decent benchmark would be: I need an amp that can match an unamped acoustic kit, as far as volume goes. How many watts could do that? Forgive me if this question is ridiculus, I am not kidding when i say I am new to this V-stuff.

Thanks again

Yeah, Grog ,after I posted this, I thought there were probably older discussions on it already. I'll check the history in the posts. Is there some sort of search engine here?

[grog]

Is there some sort of search engine here?

I don't say "UTFSE" for nothing. Yeah, there is.

As for ampage, again, people will be all over the map on this but our band looks at something around 150 watts as being fine for the kind of venues you're looking at. For that matter, I think 100 watts is fine but then you might discover you don't have enough low end, then will be wanting a sub-woofer so then you're back to getting something around 150 watts.

https://www.myspace.com/rubberuniverse

[misterzero]

Cool, thanks, Grog. I think I'm going to go in the direction of 150 or so. With a semi-limited budget, the choices are as well.