Bass amp with two outputs?

[Zooberwerx]

Sorry, my personal bass amp to the audience.

For clarification: bass > new amp with simultaneous speaker & headphone function OR new amp with external headphone amp in-line > done. Sound guy will set-up an array of "ambient" overhead mics which should pick-up every nuance emanating from the pit. No splitter cable required. Word of caution: if your chair squeaks or you fart, the audience will know. Bonus points if the sound tech has assigned delay / reverb.

Riis

 

[AmyBass]

For clarification: bass > new amp with simultaneous speaker & headphone function OR new amp with external headphone amp in-line > done. Sound guy will set-up an array of "ambient" overhead mics which should pick-up every nuance emanating from the pit. No splitter cable required. Word of caution: if your chair squeaks or you fart, the audience will know. Bonus points if the sound tech has assigned delay / reverb.

Riis

Ha, for the reasons you have mentioned, I will avoid the ambient mic. Thank you very much, will look for one of the further options.
I appreciate your replies.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Ha, for the reasons you have mentioned, I will avoid the ambient mic. Thank you very much, will look for one of the further options.
I appreciate your replies.

Okay, this is what we're looking for. The overheads will pick-up everything whether you like it or not including any sound from a bass amp speaker. If you're feeling particularly clever or tricky and wish to use the headphones for monitoring ("silent performance / practice"), virtually any combo amp with headphone option and DI / XLR output will work. If the sound guy is in on the gag, here's what we can do:

*Bass > new amp > headphones only / silence the speaker.

*Run a mic cable from the amp's DI to the PA mixer board and allow the sound guy to adjust your "presence" in the mix being provided to the audience.

*Downside: your fellow bandmates may not hear you in the pit as you've essentially defeated your back-line.

This is a pro-level approach and fulfilled by the simplest of gear in this case.

Riis

 

[AmyBass]

Okay, this is what we're looking for. The overheads will pick-up everything whether you like it or not including any sound from a bass amp speaker. If you're feeling particularly clever or tricky and wish to use the headphones for monitoring ("silent performance / practice"), virtually any combo amp with headphone option and DI / XLR output will work. If the sound guy is in on the gag, here's what we can do:

*Bass > new amp > headphones only / silence the speaker.

*Run a mic cable from the amp's DI to the PA mixer board and allow the sound guy to adjust your "presence" in the mix being provided to the audience.

*Downside: your fellow bandmates may not hear you in the pit as you've essentially defeated your back-line.

This is a pro-level approach and fulfilled by the simplest of gear in this case.

Riis

Ahh interesting! Good point about my fellow bandmates not being able to hear the bass... There are a few songs where the drums are are silent and I will be the only rhythm...
So the combo amp seems the way to go!

Thank you so much. You are golden.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Ahh interesting! Good point about my fellow bandmates not being able to hear the bass... There are a few songs where the drums are are silent and I will be the only rhythm...
So the combo amp seems the way to go!

Thank you so much. You are golden.

I do have my moments. A few addt'l musings:

*If you have a tilt-back combo, do you really need the headphones to self-monitor?

*If so, the previously mentioned Fender 150 makes sense for the reasons given. I'm hoping our fellow TBers can suggest some addt'l cost-conscious offerings that are capable of simultaneous speaker and headphone operation.

*What's the used market look like in your area?

Riis

 

[AmyBass]

It's possible that I'll be able to self-monitor if I position the (new, larger) amp correctly...I just want to have plan B if I can't hear myself. The drummer is very good but also loud... The horn section as well...

I'm in southern Ohio... it seems there is a lot of guitar gear resale but not as much bass.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hello, new here and not knowledgeable about amps.
Can you recommend an amp or setup that has two outputs, one to the speaker and one to headphones for personal monitoring during a show? I am playing in an outside pit orchestra for a musical. This group does not wire the bass to a mix board but instead places several mics throughout the band. Thanks.

Your best bet is to run your di out/preamp send into a little mixer or headphone amp. 20 - 30 bucks. No big deal

 

[AmyBass]

Thanks a lot to you and Zooberwerx. I'm reading about those little headphone amps.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Thanks a lot to you and Zooberwerx. I'm reading about those little headphone amps.

Mine is on my pedal board. It also connects and plays music from my phone through Bluetooth, and is a fully customizable cabsim/di box. It's pretty cool.

But, it was a couple hundred

 

[Zooberwerx]

Thanks a lot to you and Zooberwerx. I'm reading about those little headphone amps.

You still need an amp per the dialogue although a headphone amp can be added. We've got 3 things working against us:

*Budget of $400.

*Lean second-hand market.

*You live in southern Ohio which can be anywhere from Huntington WV to Cincy.

What's the furthest you're willing to drive? When water is scarce, a tree will spread its root network...do the same. I'd saturate the available on-line platforms (NextDoor, CL, FB MarketPlace, etc.) with "WTB: Bass Combo Amp" and see what brews. It make take a while but somebody somewhere has something which may fit the bill. Can't be picky...it's southern Ohio for ***** sake. If something does pop-up, we're your go-to guys for assistance.

Riis

 

[AmyBass]

Jeezy, that is sweet.
Zooberwerx, you made me laugh about southern Ohio.
Ok gents, I took the plunge and just called Sweetwater - told them my budget. So on the way is a new Fender Rumble with a Behringer P2 for headphone monitoring, and associated cable. Total with tax was $437 so I am pleased.
Thank you so much for the discussion today, now I know where to come for good advice.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hello, new here and not knowledgeable about amps.
Can you recommend an amp or setup that has two outputs, one to the speaker and one to headphones for personal monitoring during a show? I am playing in an outside pit orchestra for a musical. This group does not wire the bass to a mix board but instead places several mics throughout the band. Thanks.

You have tons of choices on amps. Finding a suitable amp is as close as your nearest music store. I'll let others make the recommendations on gear.

But, with regard to personal monitoring with headphones, I would suggest avoiding sound cancellation headphones, and if using head phones use those with open backs. Maintaining your personal performance balance as well as your balance with the live orchestral balance is a bit of a juggling act that includes relative volume levels and satisfactory tone. Sound cancelling head phones will create additional frequencies in your headset to cancel out what is happening in the pit. Open back head phones and ear buds will allow for more of the ambient sound to reach you ears which really helps when you need to play "In Concert".

One thing to consider about using headphones is when you adjust your volume, the headphone and your speaker output are both effected. During performance time I highly recommend you do not adjust your volume.

Best wishes.

 

[AmyBass]

You have tons of choices on amps. Finding a suitable amp is as close as your nearest music store. I'll let others make the recommendations on gear.

But, with regard to personal monitoring with headphones, I would suggest avoiding sound cancellation headphones, and if using head phones use those with open backs. Maintaining your personal performance balance as well as your balance with the live orchestral balance is a bit of a juggling act that includes relative volume levels and satisfactory tone. Sound cancelling head phones will create additional frequencies in your headset to cancel out what is happening in the pit. Open back head phones and ear buds will allow for more of the ambient sound to reach you ears which really helps when you need to play "In Concert".

One thing to consider about using headphones is when you adjust your volume, the headphone and your speaker output are both effected. During performance time I highly recommend you do not adjust your volume.

Best wishes.

Dear dbs, thank you. That's a very good point about the headphones - I do have phones which just sit on my ears, so I can still hear ambient noise and be in sync with the rest of the band.

This is a very helpful forum.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Dear dbs, thank you. That's a very good point about the headphones - I do have phones which just sit on my ears, so I can still hear ambient noise and be in sync with the rest of the band.

This is a very helpful forum.

You are most welcome. Have fun at the gig.

 

[Auspuff]

Hello, new here and not knowledgeable about amps.
Can you recommend an amp or setup that has two outputs, one to the speaker and one to headphones for personal monitoring during a show? I am playing in an outside pit orchestra for a musical. This group does not wire the bass to a mix board but instead places several mics throughout the band. Thanks.

Gallien-Krueger Fusion or Legacy Series.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Jeezy, that is sweet.
Zooberwerx, you made me laugh about southern Ohio.
Ok gents, I took the plunge and just called Sweetwater - told them my budget. So on the way is a new Fender Rumble with a Behringer P2 for headphone monitoring, and associated cable. Total with tax was $437 so I am pleased.
Thank you so much for the discussion today, now I know where to come for good advice.

Which Rumble?

Riis

 

[AmyBass]

Which Rumble?

Riis

Hi Riis, it's the Fender Rumble 100.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Hi Riis, it's the Fender Rumble 100.

Well, it has the headphone out but it silences the speaker...that's a pisser. The external Behringer should work ok.

Riis

 

[AmyBass]

Well, it has the headphone out but it silences the speaker...that's a pisser. The external Behringer should work ok.

Riis

Yes, that was too bad, but the amps that didn't cancel out the speaker when using the headphone jack cost a lot more (and you warned me - you were right). The little Behringer headphone amp has good reviews and wasn't very expensive - plus looks easy to hook up. And I almost stayed within budget.
So, happiness. I'm eager to try it all out.
Thanks again for your help today. I didn't expect anyone to really take an interest like you did. Much appreciated.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Yes, that was too bad, but the amps that didn't cancel out the speaker when using the headphone jack cost a lot more (and you warned me - you were right). The little Behringer headphone amp has good reviews and wasn't very expensive - plus looks easy to hook up. And I almost stayed within budget.
So, happiness. I'm eager to try it all out.
Thanks again for your help today. I didn't expect anyone to really take an interest like you did. Much appreciated.

You're welcome. Decent used stuff is scarce here, as well, and I live in a quasi-metropolitan area.

Riis