What software and Hardware for PC Practice?

[willydo]

Hello Everybody,

I have searched and read a LOT about this subject but still don't know what I should get. The best way I can think of is just to tell you what I want to do and hopefully get some advise.

I would like to download midi and wav and so on to my PC. I love the idea of the software that starts showing the notes and the fretboard, tab, etc. and can "slow down, or loop" the song. (I have a Tascam CD but want to use the PC)

Then I want to plug my bass into the computer and play along while listening through headphones so I don't bother anybody. (no plans for recording or composing)

So do I need separate software and hardware or does one product package all this together or ???

Thanks in advance; great information here!
Willydo Tucson Arizona

[Bardley]

I can't help you on the looping stuff, but as for me, I use a separate little cheap mixer (behringer) as the headphone amp and run the bass and a line from the computer for practicing with music from the computer. There are many headphone amps out there that you can just use the line in jack as a line from your computer and use it as just a playback device, like a big Ipod. That will be much better than trying to run the bass through the computer using software and an interface.

I actually use a cheap headphone "Y" cable from the speaker output of my computer. One side goes to my desktop speakers, the other to my little mixer. If you need cheap cables for this check out www.monoprice.com. The cables are super cheap and would be decent for this kind of application if you are on a tight budget.

[Stumbo]

Search of for Guitar Pro. Here's one link: Guitar Pro appreciation thread

It seems to do what you want.

Good luck.

[Brick Top]

I use a cheap radio shack mixer I picked up for $5 at a yard sale for mixing the bass, and computer music together and listen with headphones. I use Guitar pro for learning songs. It has the looping ability as well as standard notation and tab. Some songs can be a bit crackely though. I use Foobar2000 for playing computer music to play along with.

Cheers,
BT

[willydo]

Guys, thanks for the information.

The Guitar Pro sounds like what I need. I have read about it. Now I can hook my bass into the PC with one of the USB chords so it comes into the Guitar Pro?

I see some USB chords and the "Alesis Guitar-Link" seems to get good reviews. Another is "Lightsnake". I would like to keep the chord simple since the Guitar Pro has all the software. Any recommendations on chord?
Thanks again,
Willydo

[mjbing]

I use Band in a Box for software and a M Audio
Delta 1010 LT for a sound card. 10 ins 10 outs
You can down load MIDI and isolate the different
instruments and play along.
The sound card will accept effects out or direct out from
the amp or run the bass in direct thru a direct box.
Sweet

Michael