A practice set-up for amateur bass player

[korhan]

Hello,

I want to change my old crappy setup (ibanez 10w amp and a dust covered zoom bx1) because of my new neighbours. They really get annoyed with any kind of noise. Also I was looking for a reason to buy a new setup.

The most important property of the equipment was, it should be quiet.

I have been reading your forum for a time and from what I have read, I have reached this conclution.

Pod x3 : this is for great amp modulations and cabin models. Which is also allow me to get a waaaay better sound then my box of horror. Also I would have a chance to learn the other kind of tones and amps.

Sennheiser HD 555 : This is for getting the "real" feeling of the amp. This also makes sense beucause this is obvious that a 120$ headphones would sound way better then a pair of 15$ headphones.

Yeah, this is it. I'm going to use the kit on my table. I'm not a quite "wah" pedal user so I didnt saw any point getting a live one of POD (also it was quite expensive). And I will record some amateur stuff with PC or Mac. And if I wont lend the pre-amp I'm absolutely sure that I will never use it with a guitar. But I still have some un-answered questions. Is this kind of stuff too much for an amateur bass player? Do you have any other suggestions for silent practice equipment? (please do not suggest any zoom products. I had one and I had horrible and cheap experience with it.)

Also this topic confused me (http://www.benvesco.com/blog/the-dig...s-bass-pod-xt/) But I think from this topic X3 is more suitable.

ps: also I'm going to take vocalization courses. If you happen to know, what would be the best "starter" mic to use with pod x3?


using squier jazz bass vintage 60's modified (also I was thinking about to change it's picks but I'm not familiar with eletrical stuff and still I couldnt have characterized my style of play so I gave up. I think it would be a wise desicion.)

[mulchor]

From what you've written, I think the Pod is a good choice. I like that my Digitech modeler has a drum-machine. I like that my son's Tascam trainer can play music, slow it down, change the key as well has having some useful (and some uselessly bizarre) sounds.

Should point out that some bedroom-style amplifiers have music inputs and headphone jacks that defeat the speaker. If you had one of them, when your neighbors are gone you could crank the noise!

Headphones are headphones. For bass practice, one that's over-the-ears so you can clearly hear what's coming from the headphones, separate from the acoustic sound the instrument, is good. The Sennheiser are a luxurious choice.

Don't do anything with modding the Squier at this point.

[K2000]

Headphone-based solution sounds like a smart choice. I have a POD and although I haven't used it lately, I will never sell it - it's potentially going to be useful forever. I really like the POD. Mulchor made good points about other options.

Have fun!

[korhan]

Originally Posted by mulchor

The Sennheiser are a luxurious choice.

What are my other choices? I'm OK to pay less for a another brand which has sennheiser quality.

[whatiswhat]

i have Sony extra bass headphones. they were about 100 or 120. very nice

[korhan]

I have found another -and cheaper choise- for my pre-amp modeller; it's behringer's V-AMP

do you guys know anything about that amp compared to podx3 or pod XT?

[nutdog]

V-AMP

http://www.talkbass.com/reviews/show...uct/633/cat/15

[GreggBummer]

I would re-consider the Zoom Bx1.

I would say that well over 70% of the playing that I do is at home after everyone is asleep. I use my B1 for silent practice constantly. It sits on the floor and I just plug in and go. It has the drum machine, which has a decent metronome setting. I like that I can use it as an effects box as well. I don't use chorus, but if I need chorus for one song... I don't have to go and by another pedal. I play keyboards and the effects in the B1 are awesome for that too...

A good set of headphones is key. If they are quality and you take good care of them they should last you a long time. I use the over the ear "can" style headphones. Mine are Sennheiesers that I used when I worked in radio. I paid $100 for them... not sure the model. You don't need to spend a lot of money on headphones to get a good quality set... just make sure they aren't cheap and they can handle sounds down around the 20hz range.

Upgrading your bass will help, but consider this last bit:

You may want to spend less money on the "at home rig" and start looking at investing in a gig/band rig. A combo amp in the 200 watt range or so. Something small that you can use in a band setting but still be heard. Many of these amps have headphones outs on them. Some even have a set of RCA jacks on them so you can hook up an iPod or CD player. Acoustic, Peavey, and Hartke all make really good stuff for this application. As always, shop used first.

A decent combo amp can last a beginning/intermediate bass player for years. Even when you outgrow it and buy your first "big rig" You can use a good combo for smallish gigs, practice with the band, at home at low volumes, and home recording. A 10 watt amp is good only for quiet practice. Invest your money so that it works for you down the road.

[christoph h.]

I use a small cheap Mixer (Yamaha) and good headphones.
That way I can use my bass and whatever other input I want (mostly my laptop with drum/audio) software. I can also output to some smaller speakers so I can practice at low volumes.

Works very well for me.

[Stumbo]

Here are a few links to check out:
Headphone amps/mixers/trainers
Tascam GT R1 Portable Stereo Recorder/Mixer/Trainer/Effects/Drum Machine

"Band-in-a Box" software for practicing
"BIAB vs. Tascam Bass Trainer
Bass learning software that uses midi
Playing along with your PC

1 Good headphones
2

If you have a computer, you can use that as well. Check the link in my sig. below for more info that may help you out.

[Soverntear]

that would be a nice setup. the senns are amazing phones. just curiousm why are you changing your setup over neighbours? most places have a noise bylaw. which should protect you using an amp, as long as your not rocking it out with master at 11.

just read My noise bylaw and this is what it says about electronics time of use

"11:00 p.m. one day to 7:00 a.m. the next day, 9:00 a.m. Sundays and statutory
holidays."

I just got a 450watt setup that I use exclusively, granted I played it on low volumes a 410 still produces some ground shaking bass. All I did was told the people downstairs since I nor