The Internet is littered with articles, blogs, and opinions on how to amplify electric guitars onstage. While there isn’t as much discussion about it, synths need amplification too! You have two choices for amplifying synthesizers: plug your keyboard outputs directly into the PA system, or bring a dedicated keyboard amplifier with you on stage. At first blush it may seem as if plugging right into the PA system is a no-brainer. No amps to carry, just plug your synth (or synths) into the PA system, and make sure you’re either close enough to the PA to hear it or that you have a monitor onstage near you.

While running through the PA and using it to monitor can work, we prefer to use a dedicated keyboard amp. First of all, the PA system might not have enough inputs or they might be taken up by other microphones and instruments.

Bringing a keyboard amp means that you don’t need to worry about a monitor and the monitor mix you’re given, your amp is your monitor and you set the mix.

If your amp has tone controls, that means you have additional tone shaping capability in case you’re in a particularly bright- or dull-sounding or boomy-sounding venue, etc. Depending on your music, you might want to bring an amp with you for the tone it can provide. For example, if you are playing vintage monophonic instruments, you might want to bring a vintage limited range amplifier from the same era with you, for example. So synth players, don’t discount bringing a dedicated keyboard amplifier with you onstage, it’s worth it!

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Synths Onstage: Keyboard Amp or PA?

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