Bass and headphones

[ped]

Katana and Beyer DT770. Done.

 

[el murdoque]

My bet is the headphones are at least 50% of the issue. Hard to know over the internet but that’s my guess. Not saying a good headphone amp can’t help or isn’t necessary.

The crispness of the low end is the first thing to suffer whenever you make tradeoffs.

-A Glarry six string? Won't sound as crisp as a Dingwall or Ken Smith.
-Nylon coated strings? Won't help.
-Fender guitar headphone amp? Only the last "amp model" might work, the others will cut lows.
-AKG K 240 headphones. These can go deep, but you need to EQ them pretty hard, otherwise they have a considerable drop below 70 Hz.

Any of these will work well if you compensate at another point, but together, you'll have a bass with not the strongest low end playing into a neutral amplifier with no EQ options into a pair of headphones with a weak low end, and the bass will be gone.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Are you using the "DIRECT" setting on the Mustang Micro? As far as I can tell, all the other settings are modellings of GUITAR amps+cabs, which will filter out the deep lows and totally ruin any "car stereo rap song bass"-vibe.

The same would most likely apply even if the Mustang Micro actually had any BASS amp/cab modellings. A direct (DI) bass tone is probably what you want, because it will give you the deepest low frequency extension.

Also, make sure you use suitable headphones. These tiny, "jack plug" headphone amps aren't able to drive studio-grade headphones properly. Cheaper consumer headphones meant for iPhones and other small devices will probably get you closer to what you want. Not least because this type of consumer headphones also tend to have a boosted bass response which I suspect is what you're looking for (rather than more neutral/flat "analytical" frequency response of more expensive studio-grade headphones).

Of course, if you want a TRULY great headphone sound you won't get that from any kind of tiny jack-plug device. You would need a desktop-format headphone amp of good quality and a great set of headphones. But then we're obviously talking about a totally different budget. More like $1000 and upwards.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

My music style that I want smooth and clean HERE: Here

Oh, so you're using it for recording? Not just for practicing with headphones?

If you want that deep "car stereo rap song" bass on a recording I would rather recommend using a good quality DI box and eq to taste in your DAW.

 

[Nuage420]

I can only agree to quality headphones to a certaim extent. Get the katana go over the mustang all day in days a week. I have had both the katana and Boss far exceed the mustang. Your practice and travel rig can can be as small as the dongle plus some earbuds or The katana with over ears. Being able to sit stand walk around do anything you want without being attached to a pedal or preamp is the ultimate in freedom. Those earbuds I use are just the plain ones I got with a Samsung Galaxy years ago. Put some foam comply tips to seal out the noise and you have all the deep bass tones you could ever want.

 

[WaldoNova]

The Micro should be good enough. Check into getting a better quality headphones. Someone mentioned Sony MDR 7506's. Those are the phones I use and they have great bass response.

 

[FretRiff]

I feel like there's got to be the "Ultimate headphone amplifier" but i don't know which one it is. I got a black star but it broke when I was sitting on my bed play with it. I had it plugged in and it broke the jack right off.

I'm currently using a Fender Mustang Micro headphone amplifier and I can't get the deepest bass tones with it. (I have a six string Glarry)

Please head me in the right direction; I want the deepest tones for my four string that I have tuned to a dropped "D" and my six string bass has nylon coated strings and they aren't as loud played through the Mustang Micro.

They're pretty cheap beginning/learning instruments but do you think pickups with batteries would be good? I need really deep tones!

The main issue here seems to be that the headphone amp cannot properly drive your headphones, especially if they are studio-grade headphones that require more power or have higher impedance. This is pretty common with mass market affordable headphone amps. Try using cheaper wired headphones, especially bass-focused ones like UrBeats3 for $28

But you asked about 'ultimate'. Asking about 'ultimate' anything without specifying a budget at the outset isn't terribly productive.

Quality bass headphone amps like the Phil Jones Bass HA-1 or HA-2 "BigHead" tend to be highly recommended as they are built to provide enough power and low distortion to drive studio headphones well and offer better bass reproduction compared to typical headphone outs on amps or interfaces. They have lithium-ion rechargeable batteries fed by a USB jack. They're yours for $200/$359

 

[Uzziel]

What I do is plug my basses into my Focusrite Scarlett Box (which goes into my laptop) as though I was recording a song. It's like having a headphone amp without actually having an amp.

If you want more bassy tones, I suggest getting some flats (preferably La Bella Deep Talking Flats) for your bass. Possibly tune to D Standard if you don't like all the tension from the strings. You can also get a preamp pedal and crank the bass and low mids o

.

Have you considered an audio interface that you can also run (and power) through your computer? There are Focusrite Scarlett Solos on Reverb for $70. If you go that route, you’ll have access to a ton of plugins that will allow you all sorts of tone manipulation. There’s definitely a learning curve, but it’s absolutely worth it. I play at home almost exclusively through an interface and headphones.

I have an audio interface from guitar to laptop but my laptop USB jacks are inoperable.

 

[Uzziel]

The main issue here seems to be that the headphone amp cannot properly drive your headphones, especially if they are studio-grade headphones that require more power or have higher impedance. This is pretty common with mass market affordable headphone amps. Try using cheaper wired headphones, especially bass-focused ones like UrBeats3 for $28

But you asked about 'ultimate'. Asking about 'ultimate' anything without specifying a budget at the outset isn't terribly productive.

Quality bass headphone amps like the Phil Jones Bass HA-1 or HA-2 "BigHead" tend to be highly recommended as they are built to provide enough power and low distortion to drive studio headphones well and offer better bass reproduction compared to typical headphone outs on amps or interfaces. They have lithium-ion rechargeable batteries fed by a USB jack. They're yours for $200/$359

Okay maybe the most affordable headphone amplifier and not the ultimate ones.... Uhh yeah.. I have no money, a broken laptop, A sound I might never get, a past due phone bill that I was notified of ..

 

[Uzziel]

I have been playing with my fender mustang Micro

Oh, so you're using it for recording? Not just for practicing with headphones?

If you want that deep "car stereo rap song" bass on a recording I would rather recommend using a good quality DI box and eq to taste in your DAW.

My laptop is broken and I am just using my headphones and recording my mustang Micro headphone amplifier turned way up on my phone. (I posted this on here somewhere).

And so you don't have to search the entire forum here it is .. A link for you

 

[Lowbrow]

My dude. With your USB mention above I dig that you are utterly broke. Maybe seek answers when you’re on your feet, cause none of this stuff is going to be free.

 

[Uzziel]

The main issue here seems to be that the headphone amp cannot properly drive your headphones, especially if they are studio-grade headphones that require more power or have higher impedance. This is pretty common with mass market affordable headphone amps. Try using cheaper wired headphones, especially bass-focused ones like UrBeats3 for $28

But you asked about 'ultimate'. Asking about 'ultimate' anything without specifying a budget at the outset isn't terribly productive.

Quality bass headphone amps like the Phil Jones Bass HA-1 or HA-2 "BigHead" tend to be highly recommended as they are built to provide enough power and low distortion to drive studio headphones well and offer better bass reproduction compared to typical headphone outs on amps or interfaces. They have lithium-ion rechargeable batteries fed by a USB jack. They're yours for $200/$359

I don't know what to do. I just got a message from T-Mobile yesterday and I have an over of $60.00. I need to mow lawns with a rental

My dude. With your USB mention above I dig that you are utterly broke. Maybe seek answers when you’re on your feet, cause none of this stuff is going to be free.

Yeah pipe dream.. Maybe there's some used equipment somewhere.
... Lol. I'm supposed to be signed up for vocational rehab.

 

[Uzziel]

I can only agree to quality headphones to a certaim extent. Get the katana go over the mustang all day in days a week. I have had both the katana and Boss far exceed the mustang. Your practice and travel rig can can be as small as the dongle plus some earbuds or The katana with over ears. Being able to sit stand walk around do anything you want without being attached to a pedal or preamp is the ultimate in freedom. Those earbuds I use are just the plain ones I got with a Samsung Galaxy years ago. Put some foam comply tips to seal out the noise and you have all the deep bass tones you could ever want.

Those look a LOT like my AKG 240 Studio 55 OHM Headphones

 

[Uzziel]

My cousin said he missed my birthday this last year and maybe he can get a amp for me. Look at my Six string bass and my Burning Fire electric bass made by Glarry. I have more guitars... Funny how the Indio semi hollow electric guitar is the one with the bridge too close to the pickups and jack input that keeps coming loose.

The Glarry instruments are so much better!!! I even got a Glarry Burning Fire electric guitar that was red before I drew scales on it with a sharpie.

 

[FretRiff]

Okay maybe the most affordable headphone amplifier and not the ultimate ones.... Uhh yeah.. I have no money, a broken laptop, A sound I might never get, a past due phone bill that I was notified of ..

Give a SPECIFIC budget, and please stop talking in generalities. What do you want to spend?

 

[FretRiff]

I don't know what to do. I just got a message from T-Mobile yesterday and I have an over of $60.00. I need to mow lawns with a rental

This is easy: if your financial circumstances are that tight, put away thoughts of upgrading your still-working gear and when you have more stable financials start with a certain budget and then go from there. I gave the cheapest possible option: try using cheap wired headphones that your amp can drive since your AKGs seem to be taxing it. That's my first recommendation at the lowest budget.

 

[Lowbrow]

You could buy this amp and have it sent to the closest Guitar Center. Use the headphones out. It takes 1/8”. It cuts off the speaker and you have a little practice amp in the deal. I know this because I’ve owed one for years and with the 12” sealed speaker it it truly a great sounding amp.
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[Uzziel]

I think your issue is your strings. If you want deep fundamentals and less harmonics you should try flats. I usually use Fender flats but for deep fundamentals I suggest GHS Precision Flats for your 4 string. I have an Ibanez that the Precision Flats helped me avoid swapping out the pickups.
I don't think GHS makes a 6 string set but La Bella does. If you don't want flats on your 6 string you could try DR Nickel Lo-Riders. I have them on my only 6 string and they're pretty good. But not as much low end fundamentals as flats.

WOW I almost didn't see this after forgetting to check my notifications.

I have La Bella Deep Talking Bass for My Six string.

To

Give a SPECIFIC budget, and please stop talking in generalities. What do you want to spend?

I have no budget to speak of

This is easy: if your financial circumstances are that tight, put away thoughts of upgrading your still-working gear and when you have more stable financials start with a certain budget and then go from there. I gave the cheapest possible option: try using cheap wired headphones that your amp can drive since your AKGs seem to be taxing it. That's my first recommendation at the lowest budget.

Wow that's what I needed to hear. I'm gravelly disabled and can't manage my money very well but I MIGHT be able to buy $28.00 headphones.

 

[Uzziel]

You could buy this amp and have it sent to the closest Guitar Center. Use the headphones out. It takes 1/8”. It cuts off the speaker and you have a little practice amp in the deal. I know this because I’ve owed one for years and with the 12” sealed speaker it it truly a great sounding amp.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

WANT!!! LOL no money but I can save up.

 

[Uzziel]

The main issue here seems to be that the headphone amp cannot properly drive your headphones, especially if they are studio-grade headphones that require more power or have higher impedance. This is pretty common with mass market affordable headphone amps. Try using cheaper wired headphones, especially bass-focused ones like UrBeats3 for $28

But you asked about 'ultimate'. Asking about 'ultimate' anything without specifying a budget at the outset isn't terribly productive.

Quality bass headphone amps like the Phil Jones Bass HA-1 or HA-2 "BigHead" tend to be highly recommended as they are built to provide enough power and low distortion to drive studio headphones well and offer better bass reproduction compared to typical headphone outs on amps or interfaces. They have lithium-ion rechargeable batteries fed by a USB jack. They're yours for $200/$359

This? Here:

Amazon.com