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Ampless Practice
- Thread starter leehutch
- Start date
I actually used to do that on guitar for years but eventually found out that I was getting used to digging in way too hard. I find that this is even worse on bass because the lower frequencies are harder to hear anyway . So for me, amplification is a must, at least for regular practice.
An Apogee Jam interface into my Macbook Pro. If I want to play along to drum tracks I'll use the latest version of GarageBand, setting up a track for my bass. Lately I've been using MainStage. I'm not big of their bass amp models and prefer their preamp model with a low pass filter and some EQ. If I have several days off between gigs I'll set up an amp head on my Hartke Hydrive 1x12.
Boss BR-80
bass in, phones out, battery powered and portable.
Load in songs/tracks via USB
Adjustable song tempo and pitch.
Amp modelling and effects built in.
A<>B looping
bass in, phones out, battery powered and portable.
Load in songs/tracks via USB
Adjustable song tempo and pitch.
Amp modelling and effects built in.
A<>B looping
Some solid body instruments may give you a nice sound unplugged, but never has the same response as the amplification. The risk is that you bias your technique toward too heavy plucking. To me, the best solution is analog DI/preamp > headphone amp/soundcard/stereo > speakers/headphones
I do...sometimes. There was a contentious thread about this a ways back.
I use my Amplug a lot. With good headphones its just fine and the price was right.
I use the Focusrite Scarlett Solo. Simple DI, run Amplitube or GarageBand for some cabinet sims and effects, and iTunes or Spotify for backing tracks or play alongs.
I have the iRig too, but they're so badly made. A month after owning it I had to open it and resolder the headphone jack to the board because it was a loose connection. It serves it purpose, but you'll get a lot more enjoyment (and better sound with less noise) through a digital interface - Focusrite do one that connects to iPhone via Lightning too.
I have the iRig too, but they're so badly made. A month after owning it I had to open it and resolder the headphone jack to the board because it was a loose connection. It serves it purpose, but you'll get a lot more enjoyment (and better sound with less noise) through a digital interface - Focusrite do one that connects to iPhone via Lightning too.
Bass into Zoom B3 into Roland HS-5 mixer, which has great headphone amps. Or sometimes straight into the HS-5, which has really good amp modelling. HS-5 send into Invalid Link Removed Gigster, which has enough "oomph" to loosen your fillings, without bothering the neighbors!
Surprisingly, the bass sounds great plugged straight into a Presonus Audiobox USB, which I use as a soundcard on my laptop with headphones.
Surprisingly, the bass sounds great plugged straight into a Presonus Audiobox USB, which I use as a soundcard on my laptop with headphones.
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My headphone amp sfx H1 has served me well for years. I did consider just an amp like a TC with a headphone jack, but a headphone amp is more compact and doesn't need AC voltage. Pandora was good in the beginning too but I've retired it since the H1 arrived. Mine is mountable on my small pedal board and that makes it handy as well.
Eleven Rack w/expansion pack(Ampeg Patch),Presonus Audiobox 44VSL,Laptop,Sennheiser "Openback" Headphones...
You are missing the feel of low-mid/bass that is transmitted through nerve conduction. Tactile transducers perform that function and require a lot less power to do so, especially when they are in direct contact with the body. With the upper harmonics in your headphones and the lower ones coming through your body, your mind will fill out the sound.
I use a Dayton Audio DTA-1 and 8 ohm Puck soldered to a really long cable to achieve this; I stick the Puck in a pocket, where it presses against my hip. It "sounds" like I have a full stack when I practice.
Check out TecAmp's PleasureBoard and the BUTTKICKER, if you aren't a DIY guy.
Mesa Subway DI into a Rolls Personal Monitor. I used to have a PJB BigHead and that was fantastic. But the Mesa lets me color the sound more.
Or I just whip out my Dean Acoustic.
Or I just whip out my Dean Acoustic.
Cheap mixer. Inputs from computer,CD player, and my instruments.
Aguilar Tone Hammer on my BG when I'm feeling ambitious.
I didn't like the AmPlug sticking out of the bass jack.
It would short out when it hit my leg when I sat and played.
I used to use that until I got the Vox AmPhone.
I use a Markbass Micromark 801... also use it for some small gigs/practice! Maintains a nice MB tone...
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Burwabit
Likes guitars that tune good and firm feelin women
I use a Line 6 Guitar Port with my computer. Everything sounds muy bueno inside the Line 6 Gear Box software with a ton of amp emulators. Only downside is cords everywhere.
I can play along with any content from web or local media files.
I can play along with any content from web or local media files.
