Alesis Nitro Amp Pro review: Every electronic drum kit amp needs this feature
Alesis recently unveiled its Nitro Ultimate electronic drum kit and, with it, launched the Alesis Nitro Amp Pro. Equipped with an easy-to-use interface and handy connectivity features, it sits proudly as an affordable, mid-tier monitoring option. I tested it with the Alesis Nitro Ultimate and other electronic drum kits to see how well it handles practice, recording, and live performance sessions. Is it worth purchasing over its rivals? Find out in our Alesis Nitro Amp Pro review.
How has this article been updated?
This article was published on November 7, 2025, and this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.
What I like about the Alesis Nitro Amp Pro
The second channel is handy if you want to connect an additional sample pad or another external electronic instrument.
The Alesis Nitro Amp Pro is lightweight at 8700g and measures just 354 x 329cm x 323 mm. The compact cabinet feels pleasing in the hand and fashions a sleek all-black finish that complements most external audio equipment. Under the metal grille is an 8-inch woofer and a 2.5-inch tweeter. The monitor’s sensible wedge design angles these towards your ears while sitting at an electronic drum kit. It can take a few attempts to place the amplifier in the right position, but the included power supply is long enough to accommodate this.
Bluetooth connectivity makes playing along to your favorite songs a breeze.
The monitor’s front panel reveals two separate balanced channel inputs for connecting two external devices simultaneously. These support TRS jacks, and each has a volume knob for individual level adjustments. There are also rotary knobs for cutting and boosting low- and high-range frequencies and connecting to Bluetooth devices. You can enable the latter by turning the Bluetooth dial anti-clockwise. Once connected, the LED will illuminate solid blue, allowing you to stream audio wirelessly from mobile, laptop, and tablet devices up to 10 meters. You can toggle the Bluetooth rotary to achieve the correct balance, and I didn’t notice any audio dropouts during testing.
The Alesis Nitro Amp Pro has a decent overall sound quality, specifically designed for electronic drum kits. For the price, the kit has a frequency response of 45Hz-18kHz, and midrange sounds are well represented. This is ideal if you prioritize hearing snare and tom hits. Cymbals also cut through nicely, though, and it’s easy to make adjustments on the fly with the 2-band EQ. The 80-watt output is powerful enough for most at-home applications, producing audio levels of up to 102dB SPL. For context, that’s comparable to the average volume of a passing subway train.
What I don’t like about the Alesis Nitro Amp Pro
The amp has a simple 2-band EQ for adjusting low and high frequencies.
I did take issue with some aspects of the Alesis Nitro Amp Pro during the review period. For starters, while the 2-band EQ is welcome, it feels somewhat limited. I would have preferred a third rotary for carving midrange frequencies and taming specific factory kits. It also bugs me that the amp’s EQ adjustments apply to both channels. You’re essentially stuffed if you like the sound coming from channel one but want to tinker with channel two. The plastic rotaries also have a cheap feel — the monitor would have felt much more premium if it adorned sturdy aluminium dials.
You may be disappointed if you’re hoping for everything you need straight out of the box. Unfortunately, the amp does not ship with a TRS jack to connect to external devices. It also lacks any output ports, so you’re out of luck if you want to daisy-chain the monitor to a PA system or a second amplifier. It also means that you cannot record directly from the amp into a DAW. This seems like a misstep, especially considering that Alesis has successfully implemented balanced stereo output ports into its MK-series speakers.
The 8-inch woofer is okay, but struggles to reproduce sub-bass frequencies.
You can use the Alesis Nitro Amp Pro for monitoring electronic drum kits and other musical instruments. However, the 8-inch woofer lacked the “oomph” I usually prefer when listening to live drums. In particular, kick drums sounded comparatively quiet, even when boosting the low-frequency EQ rotary. Adjusting specific kit voice levels helps somewhat, but it cannot replace the sub-bass you expect to hear and feel when listening through a larger subwoofer speaker.
Should you buy the Alesis Nitro Amp Pro?
The 8-inch woofer and 2.5-inch tweeter deliver decent audio for drum monitoring.
The Alesis Nitro Amp Pro is a decent compact drum monitor that’s best suited for beginners on a shoestring budget. Its 80-watt power output is loud enough for most at-home applications, and the two input channels are handy for connecting multiple devices simultaneously. Likewise, the amp’s Bluetooth connectivity stands out for those wanting to jam along to their favorite songs in a cinch. The 2-band EQ leaves room for improvement, but is nonetheless handy for making adjustments on the fly. Mid and treble frequencies are well presented, and the amp’s lightweight frame is ideal for transporting to rehearsals.
Those wanting the best Alesis offering should consider the Alesis Strike Amp 8 MK2 (). Equipped with Bluetooth and a 2000-watt power output, the amp is well-suited for loud rehearsal environments and gigs. Under the hood is an 8-inch woofer and a 1-inch high-frequency compression driver. Overall, the amp has a maximum output volume of 129dB SPL across a 52-20kHz frequency range. It also features two separate XLR and 1/4-inch combo inputs with independent volume controls. However, unlike the Nitro Amp Pro, the Strike Amp MK2 features an XLR output port. It also features a high-pass filter (HPF) EQ switch and ground lift to eliminate unwanted frequencies and room noise.
The Roland PM-200 () is ideal for those who prioritize bass. The amp is well placed for rehearsals and small gigs thanks to its 180-watt power output, custom 12-inch speaker, and horn tweeter. The bar handle makes transport easy, and the angled design is ideal for seated players. There’s a dedicated Roland V-Drums input, alongside a second 1/4-inch line channel and a 1/8-inch port for connecting to media players. Like the Alesis Nitro Amp Pro, there are separate channel volume rotaries and a simple 2-band EQ for honing your sound. However, the Roland PM-200 also features stereo XLR outputs for direct recording and live monitoring.
Alesis Nitro Amp Pro review: FAQs
