Laptops and my bass

[Youngspanion]

I'm wondering if I can plug my bass into a pc or a laptop or a notebook and play as through an amp. Also to have music playing at the same time. So I can pick apart songs and learn them.

I'm sure some one here knows Thanks

[pocket_groover]

This might be interesting:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/JamLab-main.html

I personally don't have any experience with it, but have been eyeing it for a while.... anybody know?

[Dash Rantic]

I have a MacBook Pro, it comes with this program called GarageBand, very cool. I use my laptop as an amp through it all the time, and some pretty good amp models that I've setup in it. Plus then I can just record all my random jamming, and if there's anything cool there I've got it saved for later.

You'll also need a 1/4 inch to 1/8th adapter, I think it is... Sold in most instrument stores, or even places like Best Buy and Radio Shack.

-Dash

[naquadaX]

My PC is my amp ! My bass is connected like this :
Bass --> ART tube PAC preamp --> sound card line in
The tube PAC preamp has XLR connectors, it can also be used in gigs.
There are other manufacturers like M-Audio or Presonus.

I tried to play with my bass directly in the sound card, but the sound is better with the preamp.

[tplyons]

I do it in a jam, but only with external speakers that can reproduce the bass. Just an adapter into my mic input and I'm good. Volume control and unmute the microphone and adjust taste until you don't distort. The add iTunes to taste and you're set.

[TiMMay333]

i use my mac book as an amp and record any riffs that come to mind, but you can put it through an amp, all you need to do is connect your bass to the laptop's mic input with an 1/4 to 1/8 converter, then put the same converter in the headphone jack and put it to your amp. one thing with garage band is that you have alot of effects that come with the computer, which is really awsome.

[paintandsk8]

I use my laptop setup for most of my practicing. I have an M-audio firewire solo running to two Event TR-6 monitors.

[Youngspanion]

Originally Posted by naquadaX

My PC is my amp ! My bass is connected like this :
Bass --> ART tube PAC preamp --> sound card line in
The tube PAC preamp has XLR connectors, it can also be used in gigs.
There are other manufacturers like M-Audio or Presonus.

I tried to play with my bass directly in the sound card, but the sound is better with the preamp.

How do you connect the bass to the PC? JUst jack it into the mic plug in the back of the PC. Do you need a program? I am completely computer illiterate.

[westland]

The UX2 (or UX1 if you want more portability) is the best solution (with Gearbox software)




see http://line6.com/toneport/

[naquadaX]

Originally Posted by Youngspanion

How do you connect the bass to the PC? JUst jack it into the mic plug in the back of the PC.

For a first start, yes. Plug the bass cable in the mic plug.
As indicated in the posts above, you will need a 1/4 - 1/8 inch converter for your cable

Usually sound cards have 2 plugs that you can use : the "mic" plug or the "line in" plug.
IME, I had a better sound with the "line in" plug.

Originally Posted by Youngspanion

Do you need a program? I am completely computer illiterate.

No, if you just want to use your PC as an amp, you have to "tell" your PC to un-mute the mic or line-in entry. (If you want to record your bass that's another story )

If it's not clear, tell me !
What kind of PC do you have ? Do you have Windows XP or is it a MAC ?

HTH

[labgnat]

you can download a program called audacity it's free, very simple to use. you can do multiple tracks. u can't really edit it much tho, but it's easy to turn ur files into wav files and burn cds of ur own music, what i find works best for me is plugging my bass into my bass amp and using the line out of the amp and plugging that into my pc. basically just set your levels hit record and play