Bass head with pedals for silent practicing

[pbass2]

Unclear if you need a small amp too for live use, but if you do, hard to go wrong with the little GK MB200. The bang-for-buck is impressive, used ones can be found for around $200 or so. I use mine mostly as a backup but it is totally gig-worthy, sounds great, super small, portable. I have literally had mine in the glove box of my car as a backup before. And I've also run it with an 8x10 fridge and it killed.

 

[monsterthompson]

The Darkglass Element is a device designed for this type of silent practice effort. I haven’t used one but I have considered one. $199 MSRP. Cab sim options. Dual headphone outputs. Can receive audio (backing tracks) over Bluetooth.

One benefit of a pedal board device solution is that there’s “one less thing” to plug in assuming you have a power supply with an open space. You don’t need to run a cable to an amp and also plug that amp into a wall outlet.

 

[OldManNewBass]

Add this pedal to your board, and you will have the ability for silent practice, an aux in for music to play along with, and be set for future silent stage type situations...

CloudVocal EverSync DI/IEM pedal
Plunge Audio Unity Dynamic IEMs

 

[1String]

Most preamps have enough eq to make distortion workable for practicing, some have enough cab sim on the headphone out to help with this too.


Then it’s not an appropriate solution, but there are plenty of others that will work just fine.


It depends on the amp and then pedal, there are plenty of examples of headphone outputs on both.


I refuse to use 1/8” jacks for aux inputs or headphones on any product intended for live use. They are far too vulnerable IME.

Yes, my Genz Benz has no headphone out so I use a headphone pedal. Though I've moved away from pedals and amps and use a audio interface and computer which can do SO much more. And phones.

 

[agedhorse]

Yes, my Genz Benz has no headphone out so I use a headphone pedal. Though I've moved away from pedals and amps and use an audio interface and computer which can do SO much more. And phones.

Your GB amp must be pre-Shuttle/ShuttleMax/Streamliner era.

 

[1String]

Your GB amp must be pre-Shuttle/ShuttleMax/Streamliner era.

Yes it is an "antique" MLine, impossible to find schematics for online, but it's worked well enough for me.

 

[cjac9]

Hi all,
I'm looking into getting one of these small bass heads for silent practicing (with head phones), but I would like to use my pedals in the input too.
Do you know, if I will be able to hear my pedals via the head phones as well?
Any good recommendation's for an amp?

I’m out of town this week. Using an HX Stomp as my headphone amp so I can practice. It’s pretty ideal for this because I can just replicate any pedals in there. One stop shopping. But you could totally put pedals in front of it. I also have an Aguilar AG pedal that has a headphone out. Sounds great but I prefer the HX Stomp since I can make it sound better than the naked direct signal.

 

[agedhorse]

Yes it is an "antique" MLine, impossible to find schematics for online, but it's worked well enough for me.

That’s one I designed, not set up for a headphone output.

 

[1String]

That’s one I designed, not set up for a headphone output.

Bookmarked. Good to know who I might turn to if ever a significant issue. Its SIGNAL ATTACK button didn't work when I first got it but that was just "dust" as it regained function after a few dozen on/off cycles

 

[MaxSpinrun]

This works for me.

 

[tidbits]

I just went on this journey- and if it’s just for practice, the Darkglass Element is a great choice. The option to have your laptop as a Bluetooth input is just great. The ability to switch through several cabsims to fine the one that works for you is pretty nice too.

As others have mentioned, many heads offer headphones out. I’m fond of my Quilter BB802 if you need muscle when amplified.

What I ended up with as a pedalboard solution is the Quilter Interbass. Pedalboard goes in the input, Aux line into the Effect loop Return, and a pretty nice cabsim. Power is a little tricky to sort, BUT it’s also capable of putting out 33W into an 8ohm cabinet if it’s getting 24v/2A. Plenty for bedroom volumes or a small cafe. First impressions have me really impressed.

 

[moles]

Lots of great suggestions here - I'll add (in case no one's thought of it) that you can absolutely pop an AmPlug into the last pedal on your board, and it sounds great.

Obviously not a solution if OP needs an amp for life use...

 

[mikeswals]

Cheap and easy to find on marketplace or ebay. I much rather have this amp (I also bought the Ampeg mini too), yes it works great silent practice with pedals.
The bonus is I can and have used it for:
basement jams, and used it for small bar gigs.