Practice "gadget" for bass?

slantedpanted · #1 03-21-2010, 01:14 PM

Ok - im forced to move from amp to headphones for home practice, and im gonna buy "something".

Any recomendations? Pod, Amplug, v-amp? other cool units?

Also - headphones - Will my Grado Labs SR60 work?

LuvMusic · #2 03-21-2010, 01:42 PM

I use a Korg Toneworks PX-4B. Nice little device with some effects, amp and cab models. I think they are out of production but I see them pop-up used in the classifieds once in awhile. Also, there is newer version. I believe the PX-4D is the current version and includes models for both bass and regular guitar.

Though I've never used one, The Vox AM Bass plug/unit looks pretty good and has gotten positive reviews. What I like about the AM plug is that appears you don't have to use an instrument cable. Plug the unit into your bass, plug in your headphones and play away.

Not familiar with your headphones, but they should work. The only thing you need to be aware of is if your headphones have a 1/4 in plug, you'll need a 1/8 mini-plug adapter so you can use it with just about any headphone practice unit. You can get the adpater at any Radio Shack.

Swift713 · #3 03-21-2010, 02:11 PM

I use a PJB Bassbuddy at home and my Boss Micro BR for travel. My headphones are Nady QH-660, nothing special but over the ear and closed back for decent low end response.

keepitsavage · #4 03-21-2010, 02:40 PM

what I do is play at my computer with the bass unplugged, but with my headphone cord running somewhat tautly from the headphones (which I'm wearing) to the underside of the fretboard, on which it pivots before leading back to the pc. It picks up the vibrations from the neck pretty well, like those old string/2 tin can play phones kids used to make.

Analog to the max! ha

Tommy Hagen · #5 03-21-2010, 02:51 PM

I use a Korg PX5D that I'm very happy with. Lots of features. Can absolutely recommend it. Check it out here: http://www.korg.com/Product.aspx?pd=290

Tommy

René_Julien · #6 03-21-2010, 02:59 PM

Korg Pandora. It's as in "Box of".

Awesome headphone practice device. The BOSS Micro BR is also a good suggestion.

jbalou02 · #7 03-21-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keepitsavage

what I do is play at my computer with the bass unplugged, but with my headphone cord running somewhat tautly from the headphones (which I'm wearing) to the underside of the fretboard, on which it pivots before leading back to the pc. It picks up the vibrations from the neck pretty well, like those old string/2 tin can play phones kids used to make.

Analog to the max! ha

..Yes, yes..don't bother yourself with that electric stuff, its so already done...I myself sit on the toilet with the butt of my guitar up against the tank...Kohler gives a warm tone, but not much sustain. If you really want high end, try the Hangzhou Crystal Bathroom Co., Ltd they make some excellent products, amazing sustain and sound quality...

magnus90 · #8 03-21-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slantedpanted

Also - headphones - Will my Grado Labs SR60 work?

I use SR80's and the bass response is superb. I think Sr60 will do just as fine.

fivestringgecko · #9 03-21-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbalou02

..Yes, yes..don't bother yourself with that electric stuff, its so already done...I myself sit on the toilet with the butt of my guitar up against the tank...Kohler gives a warm tone, but not much sustain. If you really want high end, try the Hangzhou Crystal Bathroom Co., Ltd they make some excellent products, amazing sustain and sound quality...

LOL

5sg.

Grateful · #10 03-21-2010, 03:37 PM

I have used a Zoom B2.1u at home for quite some time now. USB from my computer powers it and allows me to play along to iTunes. It has a bazillion effects (many of which are actually useable!). It can also be used as a USB interface to record into DAW's like GarageBand or the Cubase that comes with it. You can pick them up used for ~$100 or less.

Headphone-wise, when everyone's asleep, I use my ATHM50's. When everyone's awake and I need to hear people calling me to help with homework or do dishes, I use the Koss Porta-Pro's. They are a surprisingly good set of headphones!

R. Laevinus · #11 03-21-2010, 03:40 PM

Amplug. FTW.

fivestringgecko · #12 03-21-2010, 03:59 PM

POD Studio UX1! I live in an apartment, so I have to run headphones as well. I've been using one for a couple years now.

It comes with the PodFarm software which models a bunch of different effects/amps. There's also an expansion pack for more bass equipment models if the included ones don't quite do it for you, but they work great for me. I've been pretty impressed with the models... the virtual versions in PodFarm are about as close as they can get to their real life counterparts.

It also makes recording easy too, if you're in need... 1/4" instrument in, mic in, 1/4" line ins on the back. They package in Ableton Live Lite for a recording program as well (but I'm running Cubase). I plug a bass into the front and have a mixer going to the line(s) in on the back, I've got my drum machine and keyboard going into the mixer. Works awesome as a mini "apartment sized" recording studio!

It's probably the handiest gear purchase I've made in a long LONG time. Great for practicing quietly (but rocking out with headphones, as "rocking out" as you can get with just headphones

... lol) and a very handy recording tool.

Sound quality is pretty great too... If you're interested, I recorded a groove idea yesterday. Stingray 5 HH, into UX1, straight into my computer.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8907748

Hope the info helps!

5sg.

karter2000 · #13 03-21-2010, 04:15 PM

I use the Vox Amplug Bass. Pretty decent sound quality, but that's not something I concern myself with when practicing. The Amplug is pretty inexpensive and convenient to use. It does chew through batteries, so I use rechargeable AAA's. Also make sure you have decent headphones.

ga_edwards · #14 03-21-2010, 04:24 PM

+1 to the Korg Pandora

and +1 to the Line 6 Pod Studio products too.

As useful as the Korg is (akin to a swiss army knife) I find myself using the Pod Studio with Podfarm much more. I'm usually sat in front of my mac when I'm practicing to tunes in iTunes, or reading chord sheets, tabs etc, and it's just so damn convenient, and sounds fantastic. The compressor (modelled on an LA2A I think) is to die for - so smooth and transparent.

I just wish I could process the two outputs independently from my Attitude at once so I can dial in a similar sound to my pedal board. Anyone know if the UX2 can do this? If so, there may be an upgrade pending.

RJC1811 · #15 03-21-2010, 04:46 PM

The Boss Micro BR is a great little device because you can use it as a headphone amp, a mini recorder and a phrase trainer. I learn all my new songs on the Boss because it has a loop feature and can slow it down for those tough licks. The Pandora (which I also own) has better sounds but is only a headphone amp.

fivestringgecko · #16 03-21-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga_edwards

I just wish I could process the two outputs independently from my Attitude at once so I can dial in a similar sound to my pedal board. Anyone know if the UX2 can do this? If so, there may be an upgrade pending.

Unfortunately, I'm almost certain that all the Pod Studio products all use the same PodFarm software, which isn't able to process independent channels. It'd sure be cool if it could though...

5sg.

Bassmike62 · #17 03-21-2010, 05:41 PM

Always depends on how elaborate you want your practive tool to be and how much $$$ you're willing to put on it.

I'm using the Zoom B1 I bought used for 40 $ 2 years ago. It's got patches, effects and amp sims, as well as a few drum patterns, which helped a lot when I started playing bass. Wouldn't use it in public, but for practice, it's fine.

My name is Mudd · #18 03-21-2010, 07:36 PM

I really want an Earwig, especially after seeing someone here use an old NYC Lunchbox as a platform for his iPod, Earwig, and a couple of pedals. In the past, I used a Digitech BP80 as a headphone amp, which isn't all that bad either (the cab modelling, available as a headphone option and goes with the unit's amp modelling, actually isn't sucky at all...).

ettsn · #19 03-21-2010, 07:46 PM

I've got an Amplug that I use. I found that the AC30 model sounds great, and very SVTish. I liked it better than the Bass version.

Your Grados will be great, although I learned my lesson blowing up some SR80s plugged into my Vdrums. No more, I use less expensive cans for practice and leave the good ones for music reproduction.