Practice Rigs for Apartments - Page 2

bucephylus · #21 05-06-2012, 04:53 PM

Thanks all. Great input.

Dan Knowlton · #22 05-06-2012, 05:34 PM

I've always liked the SWR Workingman's 12 for a small combo.

Dan K.

Hopkins · #23 05-06-2012, 06:12 PM

A Sansamp BDDI and a good set of headphones may be the ticket

bassermaniac · #24 05-06-2012, 06:20 PM

my minimark sounds good at low volumes, it's easy to use, you can practice with headphones too. it's a great great little amp

Worldeeeter · #25 05-06-2012, 06:53 PM

I went through the same thing a year ago, and I bought a Cafe Walter. That, and a good set of headphones, is better than anything. Even the smallest apartment amp will disturb the neighbors at 2:30AM; a headphone amp is completely self-contained.

nortonrider · #26 05-06-2012, 07:12 PM

Volume knob

bucephylus · #27 05-06-2012, 07:52 PM

So, after thinking about this on the flight back in tonight, I decided what I really wanted was a little tiny amp with relatively little bass content.

So, I swung by the local GC before they closed and picked up a 6 1/2" made in China Peavey. 79$. Does just what I needed. Will never see a gig, and that is just fine.

As to just turning down the volume knob - tried it. But the Bergie 212 I brought to town was still projecting too much bass, even when the amp was essentially off.

Anyhow, thanks for all the great suggestions, I'm all good.

scottfeldstein · #28 05-06-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkrocko

I use to practice with a cheap 4 channel Behringer Xenyx mixer. Run your bass, pc, ipod whatever into it and out to headphones.

THIS ^^

But here's the thing. Get good headphones. I don't think you'd have to spend a fortune if you do your research. I myself picked up a Sony MDR-V6 and it really does the job well. Cool part is, you can put your mp3 playback in one channel, your bass in another and bang: instant practice solution. It'll sound big but be completely silent.

I use this for recording into my laptop as well. I run Garageband on my laptop. Put the MP3 I'm playing with in one track of GB, run my bass > pedal board > mixer > mic input on the laptop > track 2 of GB. My bandmates sometimes send scratch tracks to me on Soundcloud, I record a bass part using this method, send just the bass track I recorded back to them in an uncompressed format, and the song is done. Works really well.

The mixer set me back like $35. The headphones were around $65, but YMMV.

bucephylus · #29 05-06-2012, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

THIS ^^

But here's the thing. Get good headphones. I don't think you'd have to spend a fortune if you do your research. I myself picked up a Sony MDR-V6 and it really does the job well. Cool part is, you can put your mp3 playback in one channel, your bass in another and bang: instant practice solution. It'll sound big but be completely silent.

I use this for recording into my laptop as well. I run Garageband on my laptop. Put the MP3 I'm playing with in one track of GB, run my bass > pedal board > mixer > mic input on the laptop > track 2 of GB. My bandmates sometimes send scratch tracks to me on Soundcloud, I record a bass part using this method, send just the bass track I recorded back to them in an uncompressed format, and the song is done. Works really well.

The mixer set me back like $35. The headphones were around $65, but YMMV.

Thanks Scott. I have headphones and a headphone practice rig. I was looking for something where I would not need the phones. Maybe I will change my mind, but for the moment I am good with this little POS.

darius8 · #30 06-26-2012, 02:45 AM

The Peavey MAX 158 is suppose to sound decent for an 8" spkr.

Energy · #31 06-26-2012, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucephylus

Thanks. I am actually interested in alternatives to headphones. Something that sounds good but is not loud. If that makes any sense.

A mini mixer is a good idea, though. Run it through a small active nearfield monitor for daytime use, and a decent set of headphones for the night.

pasta4lnch · #32 06-26-2012, 06:21 AM

I just hate using headphones . . . never liked 'em. I use my MB minimark for practice, rehearsals and small gigs. I've practiced a room away from my sleeping newborn on many occasions. Just keep the volume down.

scottfeldstein · #33 06-26-2012, 07:59 AM

Now that I'm using headphones, I won't go back. It's quite liberating to be able to learn things, try things--even things that don't work--when you know nobody hears you. And I find that my Sony MDR-V6 plus cheap mixer setup sound pretty great. Really full range.

Crater · #34 06-26-2012, 08:07 AM

I'm not a fan of practicing with headphones, personally. I tend to turn up the volume over time, and get ear fatigue and so on. I don't like that 'audio cocoon' feeling either, but I've done it, I used a SansAmp bass DI into my recording interface/mixer thingy.

I have an Acoustic brand practice amp, a B-20, and I really like it for low-volume practice. It has a 12" speaker which I think really helps gives some satisfying bass thump.

MrLenny1 · #35 06-26-2012, 08:17 AM

Tascam BT 1, MP3 version.
Fits in your pocket, holds 250 tunes, tuner , metronome, lick looper
effects.
Best gadget I bought in 20 years.

Stev187 · #36 06-26-2012, 08:26 AM

I am now a DI box/mixer/headphone guy for quiet practice. You can't beat it for learning songs. A great feature is this: you can pan your signal to one ear and the track you're learning to another. Makes hearing/learning the parts a breeze.

But I saw something recently that might fit your situation; Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order bassist) was promoting these things for Yamaha:

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music...amps/thr_home/

Could be a perfect solution for you if you don't like headphones.

--Steve

hip63 · #37 06-26-2012, 08:47 AM

I recenty grabbed a line 6 ld15 for really cheap (under a bill) from used.guitarcenter.com and it is like new and sounds decent for what it is.

It's got 15 watts, 8" speaker, 4 amp models, some effects and has headphone jack / mp3 player input.

Small and lite weight. Your neighbors would love it

hip63

**hsech** · #38 07-01-2012, 09:43 AM

If you can find a SWR LA8, they are a perfect size. 30 Watts and 1x8. It also has a headphone out. They quit making them a few years back, but you can still find them on EBay and Craigs List.

Joe Nerve · #39 07-01-2012, 09:51 AM

I've got a roland microcube, and there are a ton of reasons I take this over any other little amp. The main reason is that it can run on batteries for a solid 8 hours if I want it to, which puts it in a whole different category than most other amps. Makes it kind of a dual purpose little box for me. I can use for practice, but also to take and jam in the park, or anywhere I want. It's loud enough to hold up to a couple of loud acoustics, I've even used it with some amplified guitars - drums (unless played w brushes) will bury it however.

It also has tons of EQ options (8 amp models, bass, treble, mid, master volume, and drive), a decent push button compressor, and a few very musical effects. Has a bunch of beats built in that are great for inspiration and jams with acoustic buddies, and it has a built in tuner. On top of that it's more versatile and sounds better than any other practice amp I've ever owned.

I don't work for Roland.

Just love this thing and think it's one of best bass related investments I've ever made.

Oh yeah, did I mention that it's a lot smaller and lighter than most of the other practice amps I've owned?

PatentNonsense · #40 07-01-2012, 09:57 AM

If you're using headphones, get good ones. I liked the "Audio Technica ATH-ANC7B Active Noise-Cancelling Closed-Back Headphones" well enough to get another for my wife, but they're $130 new.

And if you aren't, it helps a little to get your cab up off the floor - put it on a chair or bed, or even just stick a pillow or sofa cushion under it.