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Any way to learn without annoying the neighbors?

K

Khymera

Jun 20, 2010
7
1
#1
I live in an old building that's been converted to lofts. The walls and floors are 2-feet thick slabs of concrete, and have proven to be extremely effective in blocking most noise. My girlfriend is a career musician (vocals/electric guitar/piano) and we listen to lots of music, so we're quite loud people. Our neighbors are also quite loud, but none of that sound makes it through the walls--it's a nice situation.

Anyway, I finally got my first bass guitar today. I'm very happy about that. However, within minutes of plugging it in (and testing how loud the amp could go), I got that fateful knock on the door. Apparently, the bass from this amp (a little 10W acoustic) goes right through the walls (even though the bass in our music does not). I tried turning the bass and volume down much lower, to the point where it was just barely audible to me...and they can still hear it all. My girlfriend went to check it out, and it actually sounds much louder in their place than in mine.

So...what to do? This is pretty much the only place I can (learn to) play, and it doesn't seem like I'll be able to use the amp at all here. I might be able to work out some kind of arrangement with the neighbors, but I really don't want to subject them to that. I can play through headphones, but it's pretty lame to have to do that exclusively, and it seems like a waste of this nice amp. I was also planning on playing along with lots of tracks, but if I have to use headphones for the bass, that means I'll have to crank the music a lot louder than I'd like.

Is there anything that works on my end to stop the bass getting through? Major remodeling projects are out of the question: I don't own this apartment, and I'll only be living here another 6 months or so anyway. I'm afraid there probably isn't a solution, but I might as well ask.

If there isn't anything I can do, has anyone got any tips for learning/practicing just through headphones? I'm afraid that I'll be missing an essential part of the experience, but perhaps it's not so bad.

(Also, if I have to use headphones all the time, would that work just as well through a guitar amp? I have a few lying around, and that way I could return this bass amp and save some money for now. Any problems with that plan?)

Thanks for any advice you can give. I just joined the bass-playing community a few hours ago, but hopefully I'll be somewhat active on these forums in the future.
 
#2
Khymera said:
(Also, if I have to use headphones all the time, would that work just as well through a guitar amp? I have a few lying around, and that way I could return this bass amp and save some money for now. Any problems with that plan?)
Click to expand...

This would strike me as being the safest bet. Yet get some cash back from returning the amp, and since you will only be using the preamp and not the actual speakers, you won't damage it...Sounds like a win.
 
#4
Joey3313 said:
This would strike me as being the safest bet. Yet get some cash back from returning the amp, and since you will only be using the preamp and not the actual speakers, you won't damage it...Sounds like a win.
Click to expand...

This is working out pretty well. I've been playing with headphones through a Roland Microcube for the last couple of days, and it actually sounds pretty great. Not all the preamp modeling works well, but the "Brit Combo" sounds just as good as the bass amp (through headphones).

I'm still looking for some way to listen to my bass AND a track through the same headphones, or some kind of MIDI interface that would let me hear the bass through my computer's speakers. Anyone know a way to do that without expensive software?

wagstaff said:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=vox...J4Ly0gSmnqWhDQ
Click to expand...

I had no idea those existed. Very cool. That looks like it's going to eat up a LOT of batteries, but it still looks like it will fit my needs perfectly. I'll have to see if I can pick one up. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
#5
I've been going through a little USB dongle into my computer for over a year now. Personally I use garageband on a beaten up old apple laptop with a broken keyboard, but it does the trick.

Tonewise the instrument sounds fine. From time to time I get a pronounced delay and need to restart garageband, but generally it's fine.

Main advantages over the fact that you can play your heart out at 4am are:

- Can record along with tracks and listen back carefully
- I find that through headphones I hear my mistakes better
- Extremely portable.
 
#9
I find it hard to believe they can't put up with a little bass. You want to be nice neighbors, but in turn they in turn should also be willing to put up with some noise. Incessant obnoxious noise, no, but from time to time, you should be able to have at it. People just can't be quiet all the time, and it's not right to ask them to. My neighbors are noisy as hell. This dumb broad plays 50's music all summer outside my bedroom window. She's a DJ at a radio station and that's all she likes. It get's annoying at times, but I put up with it. Her loud boyfriend is always yelling across the lawn over the music and opening and closing his car doors like 20 times some nights after midnight. Anyone with children sure can't muffle them with headphones, and you shouldn't have to muffle your bass either. Talk to them about it, and ask when is good for them. If they are snotty, let them call the cops if it's so bad.
 
#10
I recently picked up an older, but immaculately preserved, Korg Toneworks Pandora PX3B. This is the much older version of what they sell now, which I believe is called the PX5D.

I would suggest going to the TB classifieds and looking for a used PX3b, 4B or maybe even a 5D. The 5D is also a guitar unit.

I paid $40 for mine. It has 50 factory pre-sets and has many different effects. It has room for 50 user-programmed sounds.

It has a headphone jack, an aux jack so you can listen to your ipod and play along. It is the perfect practice tool. I have tried some other method's and this is the best. Gets a nice tone through headphones, is very small and lightweight, runs on batteries or 9v adapter and is very easy to use. Has a built in tuner. Could even be used as a multi-effects processer for live playing if you wanted, although it would not be as convenient as a unit built for that purpose.
 
#12
Khymera said:
I live in an old building that's been converted to lofts. The walls and floors are 2-feet thick slabs of concrete, and have proven to be extremely effective in blocking most noise. My girlfriend is a career musician (vocals/electric guitar/piano) and we listen to lots of music, so we're quite loud people. Our neighbors are also quite loud, but none of that sound makes it through the walls--it's a nice situation.

Anyway, I finally got my first bass guitar today. I'm very happy about that. However, within minutes of plugging it in (and testing how loud the amp could go), I got that fateful knock on the door. Apparently, the bass from this amp (a little 10W acoustic) goes right through the walls (even though the bass in our music does not). I tried turning the bass and volume down much lower, to the point where it was just barely audible to me...and they can still hear it all. My girlfriend went to check it out, and it actually sounds much louder in their place than in mine.

So...what to do? This is pretty much the only place I can (learn to) play, and it doesn't seem like I'll be able to use the amp at all here. I might be able to work out some kind of arrangement with the neighbors, but I really don't want to subject them to that. I can play through headphones, but it's pretty lame to have to do that exclusively, and it seems like a waste of this nice amp. I was also planning on playing along with lots of tracks, but if I have to use headphones for the bass, that means I'll have to crank the music a lot louder than I'd like.

Is there anything that works on my end to stop the bass getting through? Major remodeling projects are out of the question: I don't own this apartment, and I'll only be living here another 6 months or so anyway. I'm afraid there probably isn't a solution, but I might as well ask.

If there isn't anything I can do, has anyone got any tips for learning/practicing just through headphones? I'm afraid that I'll be missing an essential part of the experience, but perhaps it's not so bad.

(Also, if I have to use headphones all the time, would that work just as well through a guitar amp? I have a few lying around, and that way I could return this bass amp and save some money for now. Any problems with that plan?)

Thanks for any advice you can give. I just joined the bass-playing community a few hours ago, but hopefully I'll be somewhat active on these forums in the future.
Click to expand...

One thing that might help is to get your amp up off the floor and as far away from any walls as you can get it.
 
#13
bassman_al said:
I recently picked up an older, but immaculately preserved, Korg Toneworks Pandora PX3B. This is the much older version of what they sell now, which I believe is called the PX5D.

I would suggest going to the TB classifieds and looking for a used PX3b, 4B or maybe even a 5D. The 5D is also a guitar unit.

I paid $40 for mine. It has 50 factory pre-sets and has many different effects. It has room for 50 user-programmed sounds.

It has a headphone jack, an aux jack so you can listen to your ipod and play along. It is the perfect practice tool. I have tried some other method's and this is the best. Gets a nice tone through headphones, is very small and lightweight, runs on batteries or 9v adapter and is very easy to use. Has a built in tuner. Could even be used as a multi-effects processer for live playing if you wanted, although it would not be as convenient as a unit built for that purpose.
Click to expand...

I have one and it's the best thing since sliced bread. I hook up my Ipod and play along. Phrase trainer, tuner, heck I even use it as an effects processor for my large amp.

Really great thing...buy one. I love mine.
 
#14
Khymera said:
I live in an old building that's been converted to lofts. The walls and floors are 2-feet thick slabs of concrete, and have proven to be extremely effective in blocking most noise. My girlfriend is a career musician (vocals/electric guitar/piano) and we listen to lots of music, so we're quite loud people. Our neighbors are also quite loud, but none of that sound makes it through the walls--it's a nice situation.

Anyway, I finally got my first bass guitar today. I'm very happy about that. However, within minutes of plugging it in (and testing how loud the amp could go), I got that fateful knock on the door. Apparently, the bass from this amp (a little 10W acoustic) goes right through the walls (even though the bass in our music does not). I tried turning the bass and volume down much lower, to the point where it was just barely audible to me...and they can still hear it all. My girlfriend went to check it out, and it actually sounds much louder in their place than in mine.

So...what to do? This is pretty much the only place I can (learn to) play, and it doesn't seem like I'll be able to use the amp at all here. I might be able to work out some kind of arrangement with the neighbors, but I really don't want to subject them to that. I can play through headphones, but it's pretty lame to have to do that exclusively, and it seems like a waste of this nice amp. I was also planning on playing along with lots of tracks, but if I have to use headphones for the bass, that means I'll have to crank the music a lot louder than I'd like.

Is there anything that works on my end to stop the bass getting through? Major remodeling projects are out of the question: I don't own this apartment, and I'll only be living here another 6 months or so anyway. I'm afraid there probably isn't a solution, but I might as well ask.

If there isn't anything I can do, has anyone got any tips for learning/practicing just through headphones? I'm afraid that I'll be missing an essential part of the experience, but perhaps it's not so bad.

(Also, if I have to use headphones all the time, would that work just as well through a guitar amp? I have a few lying around, and that way I could return this bass amp and save some money for now. Any problems with that plan?)

Thanks for any advice you can give. I just joined the bass-playing community a few hours ago, but hopefully I'll be somewhat active on these forums in the future.
Click to expand...


2 feet of concrete bro keep it to the legal hours for loud music , like 7am-10pm or whatever it is there. . . Your neighbors can call the police all they want and nothing will happen. 2 feet of concrete!:hiding::bassist:
 
#17
pyroponic said:
2 feet of concrete bro keep it to the legal hours for loud music , like 7am-10pm or whatever it is there. . . Your neighbors can call the police all they want and nothing will happen. 2 feet of concrete!:hiding::bassist:
Click to expand...

Holy thread revival! I hope khymera found a solution to his question in the SIX MONTHS since he asked it!
 
#18
ggunn said:
One thing that might help is to get your amp up off the floor and as far away from any walls as you can get it.
Click to expand...
Curious if this is the downstairs neighbor or a neighbor that shares a wall with you. I would think that decreasing coupling with the concrete would help (reducing the amp's contact with the floor), but if it's coming through the walls too, I don't know what to suggest.
 
#19
Get a Tascam GB 10 Trainer. It's about $149 at Musician's Friend and Guitar Center. It will store songs on an sd card and allows you to slow them down without changing the pitch. You can also loop or eliminate the bass and create and record your own bass line. You plug your bass directly into it and listen through headphones. No need for an amp. It has a built in tuner, metronome and several effects. You might be able to find the older versions of the MP BT1 or MP BT 1. Any of them will do the trick. I have had the BT 1 for several years and love it.

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