How much electricity does each electric instrument use?

In 1915 the electric guitar appeared and in the 1950s mass production started, making this instrument popular in music around the world. But do you know how much energy a band with electric instruments consumes?

The guitar and the bass, in themselves, have no consumption. Depending on the model, they may have a small pre-equaliser with a battery which has minimal consumption. The devices that really consume electricity when you play the electric guitar or bass are the amplifiers and preamplifiers.

Preamplifiers

Their function is to clean and amplify the signal from a microphone or instrument to the input of an amplification device or line. They modulate the volume and equalise the signal. They are usually used when there are a number of sources, for example, a group with several instruments. They are usually placed before modulators and delays, they have a power of about 0.16kW.

Amplifiers

Their function is to increase the level of the input signal. An amplifier's power depends on the volume that is set: the lower the volume, the lower the power, and therefore less consumption. We have used an average amplifier (1kW) but at half volume (0.5 kW).

Microphones

A microphone is an input device used to convert sound waves into electricity and vice versa. As an example we have used a mid-range model, with about 0.3 kW of power.

Electronic keyboards

An electronic keyboard, or a synthesiser, has an approximate power of 1kW. This is an instrument powered by electricity, and it is designed to emulate the keyboard of a piano. It can produce sounds that imitate a piano, but also other sounds and effects, as well as rhythms.

Electronic drums

This is an electronic instrument that imitates percussion using an electronic wave generator or a sampler, which emits synthesised sound waves. Each set of drums can be customised with different percussion and sound modules: the more complex the configuration, the greater the power. Volume also affects consumption. We have taken a 1.6 kW model running at half volume which gives a power of 0.8kW.

Speakers

Finally, there is the speaker. This is an electroacoustic transducer, a device that transforms an electrical audio signal into mechanical sound waves. Just like amplifiers, the lower the volume, the lower the power. If we take a speaker with 1 kW of power and use at half volume, this gives a power of 0.5 kW.

How much does an hour of rehearsal cost?

Imagine you have a rehearsal room where you use all the following instruments for one hour:

To this you need to add the electricity consumption for the following: lighting and air conditioning.

A one-hour concert would use 7.06 kW of power. It would therefore cost 1.412 euros.

Some tips to save electricity in your rehearsals

Do not leave your equipment on stand-by if you are not going to use it. Phantom consumption is when you use electricity without realising.

Always look for equipment labelled with the highest energy rating. You should remember that this classification has changed recently.

When choosing the devices you should also take into account what you are going to use them for. Do not fall short of power, but you should not opt for excessive power that you will never use.

When you play alone, always remember that instead of an amplifier you can connect the headphones to a preamplifier, which will use less energy and generate less noise.

Taking into account the power of the instruments and devices that you are going to use simultaneously, you can adjust the contracted power for the rehearsal room and save as much as possible on your bill. Remember that, the higher the power, the more you will pay. However, if your contracted power is less than what you need, the fuses will blow.

Look carefully at the electricity tariffs at your disposal, taking into account your rehearsal schedules, power, etc. Endesa offers customised tariffs which adapt to your schedule and the needs of your rehearsal room. Check this out and start saving on your electricity bill.

Also be careful with the electrical installation in your premises. Make sure there are enough sockets and that they are in good condition. Do not connect too many plugs to multi-socket adaptors and never connect one multi-socket adaptor to another. Safety is paramount, also in your rehearsal room.