pocket amp/metronome/drum machine

garythenuke · #1 08-09-2011, 09:09 PM

I'm in the market for a pocket amp. I hesitate to say that money is no factor, but I have a Vox pocket bass amp and it is just not doing the job. I want more.
I've heard the cafe walter is the best for true bass sound.

What I am looking for is a SINGLE unit that will give me a good to very good reflection of how I am playing along with the ability to play with a metronome or various drum beats. Battery operation would be awesome, but is secondary to sound quality and versatility. Plugging in my iPod or playing MP3 songs is a plus, but not my primary.

I guess my ideal would be a smaller cafe walter with a built in metronome and drum synth...

I'm not worried about recording or mixing.

Are the Tascam BT and GTs the only way to go here?

What are y'alls' thoughts?

What else is out there and what is better?

Particle Man · #2 08-09-2011, 09:14 PM

You could try a Roland Bass Cube. Sounds like it's got everything you're looking for. I'm sure there are better sound amps, but I think it's a reasonable option with price vs performance.

seamonkey · #3 08-09-2011, 09:17 PM

iPod
You can get first class amp modeling apps and play with drum beats or music.

garythenuke · #4 08-10-2011, 06:28 AM

Thanks for both suggestions. I'd lean more towards the Roland than the iPod. I did not even think about the Roland before.
Is there anything else out there?

playerunk · #5 08-10-2011, 06:34 AM

Korg PX4D

BobaMosfett · #6 08-10-2011, 06:34 AM

What about the Korg Pandora mini?

blakelock · #7 08-10-2011, 06:35 AM

how about this tascam gb-10. i haven't recieved mine yet so i can't review but it appears to include, metronome, amp modeling, play along with mp3's, slows down tracks for transcription, recording capability...

garythenuke · #8 08-10-2011, 11:05 AM

I like the looks of the Korgs. I hadn't seen that particular Tascam. Some of the reviews on them are not completely positive. But then I'm not trying to make studio quality sound here.

I'm going to try and find some more reviews of each of the ones mentioned already. It is hard to find consistent and unbiased write ups though...

garythenuke · #9 08-11-2011, 06:29 AM

After researching for a day I am really leaning towards the Korgs. The Roland is sweet, but it's a real amp and while it is more versatile in that I can actually hear what is going on without headphones, it is several orders of magnitude larger, physically, than the Korgs.
I'm also thinking that since it will be all electric/solid state amplification and drums I may as well go small. I'm also looking for a pair of Bose QC headphones to complete this package.

If it makes a difference in all this, I'm playing a six string fretless...

Does anyone have any more experience with the Korgs? How about a side by side between the Korgs and one of the many Tascams?

Thanks again.

lomo · #10 08-11-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playerunk

Korg PX4D

yES

mowburger · #11 08-11-2011, 04:43 PM

+1 Korg Pandora PX4D

I've had one for a long time and I highly recommend it for this purpose.

sowegafly · #12 08-11-2011, 05:33 PM

+1 on the Korg Pandora. I have it and use it almost every day for practice. its a newer model and I run it off the usb port on my computer.

bassgod0dmw · #13 08-11-2011, 05:36 PM

Another vote for the Korg Pandora

**JxBass** · #14 08-11-2011, 06:17 PM

I own the Korg Pandora PX4D and the Cafe Walter. Korg has the gadgets but it's Cafe Walter all the way for best tone, IMO.

garythenuke · #15 08-11-2011, 07:37 PM

That's what I figured originally. But I also need the metronome and I want the drum synth too. The other gadgets I can live without... So I would need a cafe walter AND another gadget to run with it. I'm trying to downsize and simplify, the cafe walter just doesn't get it done.

Is there another device similar to the Korg that somehow has better tone?

BurningSkies · #16 08-11-2011, 07:47 PM

Another vote for the Korg. I've got the older red version, and its one of the few bass devices I've used regularly since I've owned it...years and years now.

garythenuke · #17 08-11-2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JxBass

I own the Korg Pandora PX4D and the Cafe Walter. Korg has the gadgets but it's Cafe Walter all the way for best tone, IMO.

You wouldn't want to unload your Korg would you????

zombywoof5050 · #18 08-11-2011, 09:54 PM

I have the older Korg PX4B, and it's great for practicing. I usually run a stereo cable from my computer headphone out into the Korg's aux input when playing along with tunes, but for more portability any mp3 player will do.