Learning Songs Off PC With Bass

[BassNGuns]

Hi,
I have to learn a bunch of songs and I'd like a simple
way to just plug my Bass into my PC and mix in the song
with it. Like a Bass Trainer, but for PC. And then practice with headphones.
Will the mixer in Windows just handle it and I could just plug into the Microphone input?
If not....is there something I can just download online and then plug my axe in with a USB connection on the other end?
Thanks in advance.

[J-B'ass]

I'm not an expert, so this might be nonsense, but I think it's something like this.

Bass signals need a bit of boost, usually either from an on board preamp, or from a preamp contained within a pedal or an amp head. Plugging the bass directly into the microphone socket won't do anything, and if you're using an active bass or going through an outboard preamp, this may be overkill. A jack-to-USB is probably not viable.

What you need is some kind of unit like this http://tiny.cc/wwegk and some kind of corresponding software, like ProTools or something.

Plugging a bass directly into a laptop will do either nothing, or possibly (blind speculation) damage something.


This might not be true ^^ as I say I'm no expert, but that's how I think it works.

[hrodbert696]

Originally Posted by J-B'ass

Plugging a bass directly into a laptop will do either nothing, or possibly (blind speculation) damage something.


This might not be true ^^ as I say I'm no expert, but that's how I think it works.

This isn't true. I'm no recording expert either, but I've plugged my bass straight into my PC microphone jack (had to get a jack adapter for the sizes) to record on Audacity and it worked just fine. TONE was for crap, but that's another story. But I'll leave it to others to figure out how to set up the rest.

[J-B'ass]

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

This isn't true. I'm no recording expert either, but I've plugged my bass straight into my PC microphone jack (had to get a jack adapter for the sizes) to record on Audacity and it worked just fine. TONE was for crap, but that's another story. But I'll leave it to others to figure out how to set up the rest.

Ah, excellent was it active, or through some preamp?

[jkramer5]

1. Buy yourself small cheap mixer.
2. Plug your bass, computer, and headphones into the mixer.
3. Mix
4 ?? !! ??
5. SUCCESS!

[okcrum]

^^^^^^

This. Many practice amps now have a CD or aux input - you can just as easily plug your PC in there. Even some pedals (ME-50B for instance) have both aux inputs and headphone amps.

[cassanova]

This is a pretty good recording software and it's free.

http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/

All you have to do is plug your bass into your PC's line in or mic slot. You'll need a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter though.

Do note I haven't tried playing mp3's through it so I don't know if you can load them up then mix in your bass. Doesn't hurt to try though.

Or you can do what jkramer suggested, which will definitely do what you're looking for.

[Muaguana]

http://www.google.com/products/catal...CAcQ8wIwADgA#p

Get your software and you're good.

[Neon Scribe]

An M-Audio Fast Track Pro or similar USB recording/playback interface can be used with headphones or powered speakers so you can hear PC audio along with your instrument. You can also use it with Audacity or similar software to record your instrument in sync with other tracks.

[Largedon]

Get a Tascam Bass Trainer. One of the single greatest things I've ever bought. Practice anywhere, anytime.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ner?sku=241198

[hrodbert696]

Originally Posted by J-B'ass

Ah, excellent was it active, or through some preamp?

No just a passive bass. the computer basically treated it like a microphone. But I doubt an active signal would do any harm either -- how much power is a nine-volt battery going to send down the line?

[J-B'ass]

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

how much power is a nine-volt battery going to send down the line?

^ Nine volts :P but yeah I get your point. Cheers dude

[Bardley]

Originally Posted by jkramer5

1. Buy yourself small cheap mixer.
2. Plug your bass, computer, and headphones into the mixer.
3. Mix
4 ?? !! ??
5. SUCCESS!

This is what I do. It is a very flexible setup.

It will sound much better than plugging into the PC.

[hands5]

Originally Posted by jkramer5

1. Buy yourself small cheap mixer.
2. Plug your bass, computer, and headphones into the mixer.
3. Mix
4 ?? !! ??
5. SUCCESS!

This is exactly what I've been doing for the last 3yrs.