Audio interface for passive bass?

[DirtDog]

I bought the Behringer UM2 as an interface for taking online lessons. Well, it won’t work with passive basses. At least I can’t manage to make it work. Saw something that said the. Behringer Ultra DI would solve the problem but I’d like a solution that didn’t involve 2 boxes and the need for a connector I don’t have.

Any basic audio interfaces that will work for me. Has to support Mac OS.

The Behringer UM2 *should* work although I have no experience with that one and a Mac.

Are you plugging you bass into Mic/Line input or Inst input? Use Inst if you’re not already.

SSL2+ is my go-to small form factor interface. Works with Mac out of the box, no need for other audio drivers. There’s a nice monitor mix knob that I use when playing along to YouTube (mix of direct and audio from computer over USB).

 

[MartinB]

Maybe Line 2 is ‘less than optimal’?

The second input ("Inst 2") on the UM2 is high-impedance (1 MΩ), so that's the best one to plug a passive instrument into. You'll lose some high frequencies if you go directly into "Mic/Line 1"... although if you're rolling the tone off on your bass, then it may not matter.

 

[Patrice B]

I’m running a Mac so no drivers are required. But the type of port may make a difference. It’s currently connected to the faster Thunderbolt 4 port. I have USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 also available.

No difference, the Behringer is still communicating at USB 2.0 speed.

Behringer AI’s are, IMHO, the bottom of the barrel, sorry. For a few more bucks, a Scarlett 2i2 would be way much better.

Good luck anyway!

 

[Zerpersande]

Behringer AI’s are, IMHO, the bottom of the barrel, sorry. For a few more bucks, a Scarlett 2i2 would be way much better.

I negotiated a pretty good price on the Behringer. The Scarlett would have cost me about three times more. I’ve since tried a SSL2 and a Presonus 24c. The SSL2 seems to drive my dynamic mic, Tascam TM-70, a bit better but for my purposes everything else is the same. More aesthetics than anything else. Will probably keep the Presonus bc it’s quite a bit cheaper.

 

[Patrice B]

I negotiated a pretty good price on the Behringer. The Scarlett would have cost me about three times more. I’ve since tried a SSL2 and a Presonus 24c. The SSL2 seems to drive my dynamic mic, Tascam TM-70, a bit better but for my purposes everything else is the same. More aesthetics than anything else. Will probably keep the Presonus bc it’s quite a bit cheaper.

Good!

 

[Zerpersande]

Good!

 

[Zerpersande]

Thoughts on any difference btwn the 24c and SSL2 that you think I should consider? I’ll be using it primarily for taking bass lessons, maybe practice without amp, and for teaching through Zoom to my own students.

 

[Zerpersande]

There's a similar software called TuxGuitar that's similar to GuitarPro but open-source/free.
https://www.tuxguitar.app
I believe it can open GuitarPro files as well, so you can use their vast database too.

Thanks for this! It opens GuitarPro files!