YOUR Headphone Practicing Setup

[1954bassman]

I use a Mackie 1202-VLZPRO, but a smaller version would work as well. I have my computer, CD player, smart phone, and hand held recorder all plugged into the four stereo channels. I use a Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe for my bass, and Sony MDR-7506 headphones. I can also play through my studio monitors if I want.

It's kind of an old school approach, but works great for me.

[Tony Flow MMMM]

Looks like I'm going with this Behringer Xenyx 302USB

Otherwise I'd go with the amphones. But with this I can make my YouTube videos.

[Tony Flow MMMM]

OR the focusrite Scarlette

[hgiles]

Yamaha 10/2 mixer
Sony MDR 7506 headphones
Mac Mini
(Yamaha MSR100 powered speaker)

I run my mac mini into the mixer...so I have playback from GarageBand, Band In A Box, iTunes etc. I can record saxophone from a mic run to the mixer and right into Final Cut.

[terlewine]

Have tried six different options for this and settled on Cafe Walter as the best.

[lavaxtris]

tubescreamer--->sansamp para driver---->Yamaha audiogram 3

I use radioshack headphones.

I run DI at shows so my setup is similar

[Kmonk]

Tascam GT-R1

It can hold up 999 songs on an SD Card. You can speed up and slow down songs without changing the key and change the key without changing the speed. However, when you do this, it does alter the sound. You can also build playlists and record your bass parts over a song. It has built in effects and a tuner. It has rechargeable cell phone battery and can run on AC power.

From Tascam's website:
Portable stereo recording with built-in condenser microphones
MP3 or WAV file recording, up to 48kHz/24-bit
1/4" Instrument input for Guitar or Bass
Amp simulation, reverb and multi-effects
Over 80 rhythm tracks in a variety of styles
Overdub function allows users to record over an existing track
Powered microphone input
Low cut filter and analog limiter on input
Loop and change the speed of music playback without changing the pitch to learn and transcribe new music
Guitar and Bass canceller allows musicians to play along
Includes 1GB SD Card and rechargeable battery
USB 2.0 Connection to computer for file transfer and charging
Optional AK-DR1 includes a tabletop stand, microphone clip and windscreen

[stratovani]

MP3 player > Vox Amplug > headphones

When I'm practicing a song with headphones I don't particularly care about effects, it all about learning the bass lines for me. I have the AC30 version of the Amplug, and it works fine for me.

[Crater]

bass --> SansAmp bass DI --(xlr cable)--> Lexicon Omega (recording interface)--> headphones.

I own a bass Amplug but it's really been a disappointment for me. Lots of hiss, fiddly controls and so on but at least you can walk around the house and jam out. The SansAmp take phantom power and the lexicon supplies it, so that means one less power adapater or battery, and the lexicon has clean quiet preamps. I prefer to run my sansamp with the tone knobs near noon and the blend about 75%.

[Skeeter1]

GK app > Apogee Jam interface > bass .

I always practice with headphones and to either a song beat track or metronome. iPad (or phone) puts is all in one place and portable too. If you go this route I would suggest interfaces that go thru the 30 pin connector ( power chord slot) than the type that go into the head one jack.

[Slowgypsy]

Tascam MP-BT1

Used this for years. Load in whatever I'm working on. Battery operated so I'm not dependent on an AC outlet. Unit just slips into my back pocket, mixes the recorded material and bass input. Lets me wander around the yard, the house, the beach, whatever, and practice the material at hand. Best solution I've come up with so far.

[precijazz]

Originally Posted by Crater

I own a bass Amplug but it's really been a disappointment for me. Lots of hiss, fiddly controls and so on...

Same here.

I use either my Roland Bass Cube 30 or my Tecamp Puma. Both have aux in and headphone out. The Roland combo turns its speaker off when the phones are plugged in. At the Tecamp head, I have to unplug the cab. Also with the Puma, I find it a bit difficult to balance bass and aux in volumes. Have to turn the gain way down to match the aux in volume with the audio device's volume maxed. So the bass cube will stay with me, if just as a bulky headphone amp.

As audio sources I use my smartphone or tablet, both Android devices. Mostly simply play along to an mp3 player. Still searching for useful apps.

[4Mal]

Iphone or ipad or ipod touch and JamUp using audio bus. Setup a beat using 1 of several drum programs send it to a loop, bass routs through Jamup. Send the results to MultiTrack DAw if you're happy. Under $50 in apps, I use the iRiffport as my interface. Tried iRig, that was unsatisfactory...

[Joe Louvar]

I've used mixers, bass amps and etc to learn/copy songs and what works best for me is just plugging my MP3 ear buds into my ears and adjusting the volume so I can play along with the music using my Fender BG-31 acoustic bass (no amp) - I can hear/distinguish/pick out the bass notes best this way.

[audreycashin]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

I tried the new Vox active headphones and they sound very nice, much nicer than the Amplugs.
They also are very convenient. You plug the phones into the bass and that's it.

+1 for the Amphones....the amp is built into the audio technica headphones..sounds great and with a double male plug you can jam with your computer or music player...no interface needed

[hotrodjohn]

Bass -> Boss GT-10B multieffects -> USB cable -> MacBook Air; Plug headphones into the Boss

Boss configured to be soundcard of computer. Can play along with iTunes, record with Garageband, record video with iMovie, all while using/tweaking my effects patches.

Less expensive is Boss ME-50B multi effects, but no USB computer connection. Bass input, iPod or MacBook aux in, Headphone out on Boss

[Dr_Funkdamental]

Pandora all day. Im still using the one I bought NINE years ago (the PX4B). Practice anywhere: home, airport, watching your sleeping baby lol. It has effects, multiple backing beats, tuner, aux plug in to playalong with MP3's/CD player. It will record loops of songs and slow them down, change key, etc. The latest ones have a USB interface and alot more functions. I borrowed a friends and actually made some PT recordings with it. I just havent upgraded because mine still works. This thing has been with me all around the world. I'll always have one, esp now that I got another kid on the way lol.

[nick98338]

Bass > Peavey AmpKit Link > iPod Touch 4G > GK app > Headphones

[seamonkey]

Mostly
Bass > Laptop (adapter cables) > many VST and DAW > Earbuds/Headphones
Bass > iRig (older one) > iPod > Amplitube, iRealb > Earbuds

And this carries over to live use. Just plug it into an Amp.

I do have audio interfaces, ESI, Line 6, but I found I just don't need them. Built in sound on PCs is much better than it use to be. I have a small mixer also, and rarely use it anymore.

I see that audiophileness is invading iPod (IOS) world now. Even IK has an HD interface now. It people want it, it doesn't hurt anything, but it's not needed for practice.

[Stevorebob]

iPad with PocketGK app, iRiff Port, Audio Technicia ATH-D40fs phones.