Roland Keyboard Amps: Here’s what makes them among the best in business

Roland Keyboard Amps produce a rich and full sound that covers the full range of keyboards, vocals, and several other instruments.

Roland produces a wide range of powerful and versatile instrument amplifiers and portable PA systems, including keyboard amps. Roland keyboard amps, especially the KC-series, is quite popular among musicians looking for a gig and studio worthy keyboard amplifier. .

Introduction

The built-in speakers (or the ability to use headphones) on music keyboards and digital pianos are more than sufficient for home use.

However, if you wish to play for an audience, you will need something that can make your keyboard audible over a much bigger area. In that case, you will need to invest in a good keyboard amplifier; you may go through our keyboard amp buying guide to know more.

Roland is a leader in making music equipment, and they also make some excellent Keyboard amps. Roland’s KC series amplifiers are designed for keyboards/synths, though you may use Roland’s Cube monitors as well for practice sessions.

These amplifiers come with multi-channel capability, including several built-in effects, and auxiliary and Microphone inputs. You can also expand these with an optional sub-woofer for a powerful low-end boost, or chain it up to another amplifier for more power

The smaller sized amps may not have lot of built-in effects, and may not loud enough. But they are convenient, suitable for practice and the smaller sized amps are a convenient way to add punchy low end to sub-out equipped KC amps, or to standard amplifiers via the stereo thru output.

 

 

 

Comparison Chart – Roland Keyboard Amps

Here we tak a look at the range of Roland’s powerful/versatile instrument amplifiers and portable PA systems.

Stereo Keyboard Amps (2 Speakers fitted in one cabinet)

• KC-990: 320W, 2×12″, 4-channel stereo
• KC-220: 30W, 2×6.5″, 3-channel stereo, Battery powered

Mono Keyboard Amps

• KC-600: 200W, 15″, 4-channel
• KC-400: 150W, 12″, 4-channel
• KC-200: 100W, 12″, 4-channel
• KC-80: 50W, 10″, 3-channel

Best Roland Keyboard Amplifiers: Various Models

Here are the various amplifier models of Roland keyboard amp.

There range of amps includes the KC550, KC350, KC150, and KC60 and keyboard amplifiers. The KC8800 is their flagship product and KC60 is a budget keyboard amp.

 

Roland KC-990 Keyboard Amplifier

The new flagship of the KC amp series is packed with high-performance features.

 

 

 

With four stereo input channels, a stereo aux input, support for an XLR vocal mic, and Roland’s famous DSP effects built in, the KC-990 is a portable powerhouse (comes with casters) for keyboards, vocals, and more. Full-range stereo with two 12″ woofers, two tweeters and 320 watts of power. It looks huge but has wheels at the bottom, so moving is easy. 

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Roland KC-600 Keyboard Amplifier

 

 

 

The KC-600 boasts 200 watts of powerful sound via a 15-inch woofer and horn tweeter. In addition to its four input channels, this flagship roland keyboard amp includes an Output Select switch for selecting the monitor sound destination, a Shape switch for quick sound adjustment and an XLR Line output for direct connection to a mixing console. Rolands top-selling KC keyboard amp with casters.

You may use it for keyboards, guitar, singing. It can be used for gigs, or as a personal monitor.

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Roland KC-400 Keyboard Amplifier

The perfect combination of power and value, the new KC-400 is ideal for medium-sized gigs.

 

 

It features a 150-watt amplifier through a 12″ woofer, new Output Select and Shape switch features, plus a Subwoofer output for extra low end. Four stereo inputs plus an XLR input.

These Roland keyboard amps are small in size but pack in a lot of power. They can also be connected to mixing consoles via their stereo Line outputs.

• Buy on zZounds

Roland KC-220

 

 

 

Roland KC-220 is a compact, 30W, 3-channel stereo amplifier with 2×6.5″ speakers. This is a full stereo, pro-quality keyboard amp that can be powered by AA batteries. Take this amp anywhere, plug in, and experience the rich, spatial sound that has become a Roland trademark.

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Roland KC80

The Roland KC80 is an attempt from Roland to bring their popular KC-series sound quality at a lower price and make it affordable.

 

 

The KC80 is a Keyboard Amplifier with 3-Channel Mixing capability. Features a subwoofer output for enhanced low end! The 3 separate channels include an XLR Microphone input and stereo Auxiliary input.

The KC-80 is one of the most flexible amps around, is cosmetically appealing and comes at a low price. It is suitable only for small venues, since the bass sound distorts heavily when the volume is raised high.

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Roland Keyboard Amp: Buying Guide

All the Roland Keyboard amplifiers are very sturdy, almost built like a rock; they are extremely durable for road use. Roland keyboard amplifiers produce great output; though at the lower price range, the amps can be used only for a smaller space/venue.

 

 

 

You can use the Roland KC Keyboard Amps in more than one ways. You may use a Roland amp to play as part of a band. You can use it for other purposes as well. One is for listening to the mixes that you create on your computer. Another excellent use of the amps is for a house party. You can connect your iPod and a microphone to the Roland amp and you can become the DJ of the party. The iPod sounds amazing through the Roland amp.

Though you may use the higher models, such as KC600, for live performances, you can even use it as a monitor for the output from your computer based recording setup. If you use a software such as Propellerhead Reason on your computer, you can output the sound of your final mix from the Roland KC-600 and it will sound just amazing.

 

 

 

If you want an amplifier for home use, or for a small space/venue, go in for the entry level amp from Roland. May be the KC-80 or a better one like KC-220. You can get a decent one for around 300 dollars.

If you have started gigging and getting paid for your work, it makes sense to upgrade to the best that you can afford. You will need the best output for your sound – KC400 or the BA-330.

For professionals, who do a lot of shows and are constantly touring, go in for the KC600 or KC-990, the best and the most powerful of all the Roland keyboard amps!

You also need to do your own research before you decide to buy one. Read about the other brands and also read the online customer reviews.

Roland keyboard amps are one of the most popular keyboard amps (especially the KC series) with a wide range of models for different budgets. Some of the amplifier models include built-in effects, shape switch for quick sound adjustment, and XLR Line outputs. So if you intend to buy one, consider the Roland keyboard amp.