What is best for practice AND live?

walknbluez · #1 10-04-2007, 03:40 PM

I've read about the Pandora and many of the other portable practice devices. I know Pandora can also be used live but have read here that it is sub par.

I'm looking for something that I can practice with quietly as well as something that I can use live to improve my tone.

Does a good one exist?

Ibanezzer · #2 10-04-2007, 03:44 PM

I'm confused.... what specifically are you looking to accomplish?

Do you want something with headphones output thats got some effects,
something to just do amp simulation stuff or something totally different?

EDIT --- I just noticed this is in the effects forum, so I guess you're looking for effects, lol. In that case, a nice all in-one-box with headphones out is the boss GT6b, though personally I use mine only for home practice work and experimenting with effects as I haven't found a place for effects in my live situations yet.

walknbluez · #3 10-04-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibanezzer

I'm confused.... what specifically are you looking to accomplish?

Do you want something with headphones output thats got some effects,
Something to just do amp simulation stuff or something totally different?

Sorry let me elaborate.

Something that I can use at home to practice with headphones so the wife won't hear it.

Then something I can use at rehearsal or live that I can hook up to my amp to improve tone.

Swift713 · #4 10-04-2007, 03:46 PM

I use the Zoom B2. I haven't had a lot of live experience with it but it worked out OK at a couple jams. Of course the settings I have for practicing are a bit subtle for a jam session.

JonathanD · #5 10-04-2007, 03:47 PM

Line 6

walknbluez · #6 10-04-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonathanD

Line 6

which one?

JanusZarate · #7 10-04-2007, 03:51 PM

Improve your tone?

Sounds like your rig is the problem.

IMHO, I recommend NOT patching up "problems" with pedals or preamps. It won't actually fix them.

Nothing tops a good amp and cabinet (or pair of cabs) that you like all by themselves. That's the foundation of a good tone! Perhaps you should re-evaluate your rig, or try different settings. What are you using now, and what don't you like about it?

Now, if you're running direct to the board and not using an amp, I'd suggest getting a good DI box. A good DI box is an excellent investment anyway, since it can provide a second tone to the sound guy to blend with a miked amp tone, or it can be used alone so you can go around without an amp.

Ibanezzer · #8 10-04-2007, 03:51 PM

I have no experience with the Line 6 pod stuff so my suggestion is biased fyi. I've had the gt6b for 3 yrs now, its great at home, confusing as hell in the band situation though--depending how much you plan to move effects around. Also there is a noticable volume droppout when changing between patches, even if they are the same exact copied patches--which would make it hard to change mid playing, if you were looking to do that.

Another cool tool, not really effects but may help, is a drum machine. I picked up recently a boss unit thats got an instrument input and headphones out, to practice against. It'd probably not due much use live, but if you could buy only one tool, it may be more helpful in the home practice situation.

if you have problems with your current tone, then maybe a sansamp footpedal is more in your looking as a preamp?

david.

applerocks · #9 10-04-2007, 03:53 PM

Line 6 seems like a good suggestion but make sure to check this out too:
http://www.ebs.bass.se/2007/microbass.htm

It's a great preamp in its own right and it comes with overdrive and headphone out. It also acts as a DI and its only 2lbs!

walknbluez · #10 10-04-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

Improve your tone?

Sounds like your rig is the problem.

IMHO, I recommend NOT patching up "problems" with pedals or preamps. It won't actually fix them.

Nothing tops a good amp and cabinet (or pair of cabs) that you like all by themselves. That's the foundation of a good tone!

ok good point but since I need a practice tool anyway I thought I'd try to get a little bit of "help" for the tone.

My rig is an SWR Workingmans 4004, a fender jazz bass and currently running to a 1x15 at 8 ohms which means I'm only getting about 250 watts. I've discussed this in other threads and some have indicated that if I get a 2x10 at 8 ohms I'll get the full 400 watts and that will help. Others are down on SWR WM altogether while others say there should be no reason not to get good tone.

Incidentally I think the tone problem usually bugs me most when practicing to CD's. When I go live it seems to be much better if I use the neck pickup at 100%, bridge turned down to about 25%, and tone at about 25% or off. My EQ looks like \ The only problem is that the mids don't seem to punch through. When I adjust the EQ mids its not getting me the sound I want but maybe I just need to experiment with it more in a live situation.

assboglin · #11 10-04-2007, 03:58 PM

I used to use a Bass PodXT, and those things are pretty cool. I would recommend it over any zoom, korg, or digitech deal.

Unrepresented · #12 10-04-2007, 04:02 PM

What sounds good as a solo practice tone will not always translate into a great sound in a live situation where you're competing with other instruments producing conflicting frequencies.

The best way to get a good "live" tone is to work on it when you're in the situation you're going to be working in -- i.e. practicing with the band.

I know that's not quite what you're asking but it seems like it's something you should take into account before dropping dollars on effects.

applerocks · #13 10-04-2007, 04:07 PM

A lot of people seem to not like mids because they've been playing with a very bass heavey eq or classic smiley face eq prior to deciding to add them in, which tends to hide mistakes. It might not sound great on its own, but in a band setting mids are where its at, and if you crank those and the treble up (or just set them flat) whilst practicing you should be able to troubleshoot you're playing a lot easier.

If you like a low thud type sound, try boosting the lower mids somewhere in between 100 and 500 hz and see how that sounds.

walknbluez · #14 10-04-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

What sounds good as a solo practice tone will not always translate into a great sound in a live situation where you're competing with other instruments producing conflicting frequencies.

The best way to get a good "live" tone is to work on it when you're in the situation you're going to be working in -- i.e. practicing with the band.

I know that's not quite what you're asking but it seems like it's something you should take into account before dropping dollars on effects.

True, I could probably pick up a 2 x 10 for $150 - $200 somewhere and then buy the Pandora for practice.

So many suggestions from everyone here on what to use for silent practice so its a tough decision.

Ibanezzer · #15 10-04-2007, 06:07 PM

ask yourself this.... "what really bugs me about the tone?"

Is it not bassy enough, too edgy, too smooth, too trebly, too middy, just plain muddy, what?

this may help us better suggest a solution/help you locate and correct the cause.

another question, what brand strings are on your bass and how old are they? Suprisingly enough I've found through just experimenting by changing brands every 3-4 months, that there are definite difference between them on my specific gear. I've moved between Slinkys, Elixirs, and lately Rotowounds, and each has their own flavor and feel. This may be something to try if you haven't given it much thought yet.

- david.

Hawaii Islander · #16 10-04-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonathanD

Line 6

+1

Line6 Bass PodXt Live