what "tools" do you use to learn songs?

streetknight · #1 08-20-2011, 09:03 PM

I'm trying my best to not use tabs or watch YouTube covers of the songs I want to learn.

However, when I'm at home I can only listen thru my laptop. A lot of recordings the bass seems buried in the mix and I just can't hear it. My first thought is to buy some 2.1 PC speakers with a good subwoofer. What do you guys think or what do you use. I don't have a home stereo, but I'll purchase whatever I need. Just want to make an informed decision. TIA

Staredge · #2 08-20-2011, 09:49 PM

I use Best Practice on my laptop, along with a set of Sony headphones I got at Walmart. BP has a karaoke feature that allows you to filter out some of the frequencies, as well as shifting the balance. I run it through the line in on my practice amp. Not great, but works ok.

Mirios · #3 08-20-2011, 09:53 PM

You could also possibly buy a small mixer and run both your bass and the cd's through your amp. I have an aux in on my amp and I like being able to control the sound and make it seems to be coming from the same source myself. Or if you're doing this silent a small mixer and headphones. Lots of 2.1 speakers for comps may work, but I never use mine in that fashion.

mikerophone · #4 08-20-2011, 09:54 PM

It's easy to find a used set of decent computer speakers for pretty cheap, or even free sometimes, off craigslist.

Also if you can't hear the bass well, there's no shame in watching how someone else plays it to get an idea. Youtube videos can be very handy. I've found that learning with both audio and visual cues is extremely helpful for me.

Definitely · #5 08-20-2011, 09:55 PM

I got some nice skullcandy skullcrushers for $100, they have a built in battery powered subwoofer and I use them everywhere but best part is that they can make a low voice vibrate the phones so plug them in for any song and you got instant bassline. bam. I highly recommend headphones with subwoofer they are great plus bass booster eq on my ipod

Mirios · #6 08-20-2011, 09:57 PM

The ski shop I work at in the winter sells skull candy. We've been a dealer for awhile because they also make the headphones for many ski helmets. I was blown away at how good the whole line we carried sounded for the money.

Definitely · #7 08-20-2011, 09:59 PM

yep I absolutely love em even if you don't use them for bass they are just great to listen to, I often listen to my bass through them if I'm traveling with my crappy practice amp because they have better sound

Epidrake · #8 08-20-2011, 10:07 PM

Grado SR60 headphones are the real deal. Incredible bass, large drivers, NOT in ear mini headphones, actual headphones. Around $79 and the reviews are tremendous.
Amazon.com: Grado Prestige Series SR-60i Padded Headphones: Electronics
They are open ear which means they are not completely silent to other people in the room but that's why they sound so good.

Definitely · #9 08-20-2011, 10:13 PM

or just get dr. dre studio beats

GeoffT · #10 08-20-2011, 10:24 PM

First step, I listen to the tune for half an hour to an hour away from my bass through ipod or computer speakers to really get the bass part in my head. I do this while cleaning up or excercising for example, saves time for when I get my bass out.

I run everything through my computer, I have a USB interface or sometimes I use my Pod footboard into the computer for my bass. I have 2 nice sets of headphones, a sweet set of studio closed ear style 'phones and an old Sennheiser open air set, both work great. Then I load the song in Transcribe software (about $50 I think). Very nice, you can mark sections/measures, loop stuff, slow down without changing pitch if necessary, and full equalizer to isolate certain parts you want to hear better. Then I use Sibelius G7 software to write out the part once I've figured it out. It has a playback mode so you can listen to what you have to see if it sounds right.

Sure beats the old days with a cassette and pen and paper.

michaelkoss · #11 08-21-2011, 11:53 AM

Once you have a song transcribed, you could put it into Guitar Pro. It has a nice Speed Trainer loop that lets you select a portion of a song (or the whole thing) and it plays it incrementally faster. So you can start the section (or song) at 50% tempo and increase it by any percent every time the loop restarts. I've read on this forum that speed comes from accuracy (don't remember who to give credit to). So starting difficult sections slowly and accurately is good.

scotch · #12 08-21-2011, 11:55 AM

My Tascam GT-R1 is one of my most used pieces of equipment! I use it all the time & cannot recommend it highly enough. I blogged about how I use it, what it's good at as well as its limitations here:

justinoscarcary.com - Gear - -Tascam Portable*Recorder

aqsw · #13 08-21-2011, 12:07 PM

Go to Head-Fi.org - Headphone forums and reviews for audiophiles. The skullcandy and Dr. Dre's get the worst reviews. It is a very good site for headphone and headphone amplifier pros.

I own Grados(SR80I) and Shures. The Grados get very little use since I bought my Shure 750 djs

mambo4 · #14 08-22-2011, 04:47 PM

I use an ipod, pencil and staff paper.
I suppose ears, too

Raynier · #15 08-22-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mambo4

I use an ipod, pencil and staff paper.
I suppose ears, too

Nah man Ears aren't important =P

TimothyTheThird · #16 08-23-2011, 01:58 AM

Perhaps the Dre's would work even though they're ****** headphones. They have such a huge bass. (it completely destroys the work of the producer). But you might just be able to hear some lines that otherwise would be inaudible.

Mirios · #17 08-23-2011, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aqsw

Go to Head-Fi.org - Headphone forums and reviews for audiophiles. The skullcandy and Dr. Dre's get the worst reviews. It is a very good site for headphone and headphone amplifier pros.

I own Grados(SR80I) and Shures. The Grados get very little use since I bought my Shure 750 djs

Actually a bit funny because even though I think the skull candys sound good, and I can get them at cost I don't own a pair.

Floyd Eye · #18 08-23-2011, 03:56 AM

Ears and hands.

Russell L · #19 08-23-2011, 06:29 AM

Actually, I learn most of my songs listening while driving. Sometimes in the headphones at home, mostly off YouTube. When I've listened enough I go get my bass.

Tommy Nat · #20 08-24-2011, 07:24 AM

Lately, for difficult material, I've been using my DAW, acid pro by sony. I can load a song into the sequencer and loop certain parts and just keep working on that part, at a slower tempo if need be. I'm sure it could be done with other DAWS. Its just a really efficient way to learn by ear.