Best set up for silent home practicing?

[bfields]

There are also some multi-effect pedals that include aux-in and headphone-out options. The Ampeg SCR-DI comes to mind, for instance. Pretty sure the Zoom B3 does

I have a B3. It does not have aux in or headphone-out. It does have USB audio, so you can plug your laptop into it, plug your headphones into your laptop, and play music on your laptop.

In fact, a USB audio interface can be another solution, especially if a computer is your usual source for music to play along with.

I bought an amplug and was turned off by the noise--my memory is that it had a hiss that was pretty audible unless the tone's turned down a lot.

 

[JKos]

It would help to know your target budget because there are so many options available at a wide range of prices. There are different levels of "best."

My recommendation would be the NuX NBP-5. Outstanding tone, great feature set for the price, and a good, quiet headphone amp.

Sometimes I pull out my good 'ol Line 6 Pocket POD.

 

[kbob]

I've been playing for two months, and use headphones all the time. I have only played through speakers a couple of times.

For casual and portable practice, I use a Blackstar amPlug2 Fly2 Bass. It's the same company as the Vox amPlugs but a newer design that models Blackstar amps instead of Vox amps. It has an aux input and a built-in metronome/drum track.

For serious and tethered practice, I run the bass through an audio interface into my Mac and use MainStage as an amp stack -- it comes with a bunch of presets which you can tweak to your preferences. (As a beginner, I'm having to learn how I want it to sound as well as how to achieve that sound.) You can play along with any Mac app -- iTunes, Youtube, Spotify, etc.

I also use MainStage for music lessons. Invalid Link Removed

The amPlug was 50 USD. Cheap. MainStage is $30, but you need an audio interface.

 

[jallenbass]

I use one of these. Works and sounds great.

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface

 

[DirtDog]

A small mixer is your best choice for this type of practicing. Run the music source and your bass through three input channels (assuming the music is in stereo) and mix it all down to what works for your needs through the headphones.

Another vote for small mixer. Lots of choice in this market for relatively little money. Oh, and a decent set of headphones. Dead simple, no computer required.

This setup will work just fine until the point where you decide you want to record your playing. At that point, the choice of solutions increases exponentially.

 

[FDR Jones]

Without a doubt, I would start with a usb audio interface.

 

[Willie5String]

Hi,

I am looking for a recommendation for some kind of home set up where I could practice my bass through earphones and play along to other people's songs in my music collection (with the music in the same earphones).

Honestly, I doubt I will be playing with any other musicians since this will be just like a personal hobby. My main interest in bass would be learning to play along to songs I like.

I'm sorry if this question has been asked before. I have been thinking for several years that if I had a set up like this, I might start playing bass as a hobby. I was learning bass before, but it was unsatisfying to just play by myself. As I live in a small apartment, I unfortunately cannot make a lot of noise playing bass through an amp.

Anyway, any recommendation is greatly appreciated.

Get a Boss TU-88, tuner, metronome, headphone amp with a line in that allows you to jam along from an IPad or other device, a decent set of headphones and you are in business. I bought mine from Reverb for $50

 

[Aqualung60]

I use the Ashdown "Tone pocket", highly recommend.

 

[kev451]

I've been using the Darkglass element pedal. It works fantastic.

 

[dr doofie]

It is, I've used the Amplug for several years.

For more control over tone I use my old Fender Bass Pak.

Do those Vox things help at all with leveling out frequency or gain or compression? When I use headphones they tend to distort, even at very low levels and even with all the low frequencies rolled off. Do different headphones have different driver sizes or something?
It's exacerbated by playing along to music as well.
I'm using over ear headphones phones not earbuds and the jack from the amp

 

[dr doofie]

Another option without breaking out an amp is a Vox Amplug:

View attachment 3992216

Handy little things that run on two AAA batteries, and are small enough to go into your case or gig bag's "stuff pocket."

Do you always keep your bass so clean? Or did you "freshen it up" for the photo shoot?

 

[Indiana Mike]

I've been using these. No complaints. shop around. Pricing can vary. Sony MDR7506

 

[Winslow]

Do you always keep your bass so clean? Or did you "freshen it up" for the photo shoot?

No, that's as-is. I keep it pretty clean.

 

[electracoyote]

Another option without breaking out an amp is a Vox Amplug:

View attachment 3992216

Handy little things that run on two AAA batteries, and are small enough to go into your case or gig bag's "stuff pocket."

This is my go-to for guitar and bass. I can walk around to any room in my house. Music from phone 1/8" cable to Vox input, mix your volumes and tones to taste, you're good to go. I actually have the Vox "AC30" version of this, same footprint, and it cleans up well enough for bass practice and gets nice and dirty if needed (I play equal amounts of bass and guitar). Never had a problem with unwanted hiss or distortion, maybe a too-much gain issue? Then again, I'm not expecting pristine sound quality in a low-budget personal practice situation, so it's clean and distraction-free enough for me. It goes where I go, including cramped vehicles and green rooms. Some of the best $40 I've ever spent.

 

[Razman]

Welcome to TB, @CoffeeCup75! I hope you find lots of help and enjoyment on this site.

One of my frustrations with practicing at home is the number of cords needed. One for the bass, one for headphones, and one for my phone going to whatever device I use to link them all together. It's frustrating.

I just picked up a used Vox Adio GT. Granted, it's the guitar version, but mechanically it's identical to the bass version. I can adjust the blend of music and instrument volumes independently on it, and I can connect via Bluetooth with either my phone or tablet - eliminating one wire. I have two wireless systems for my bass, but they are in use already - I'm thinking about picking up a cheap unit, and then a set of wireless headphones. Then I'll be totally free of wired connections.

Brand new these things are too expensive for my tastes - and reviews of them vary - but I'm happy with it and for the sound it does produce, it's fine for small spaces. It also works great as a Bluetooth speaker, gets pretty loud.

Raz

 

[lokikallas]

I use the Alesis IO dock II, an ipad and some AT headphones. On the iPad, I run the Jamup app, using the SVT sim and play along with tracks imported from iTunes. The Jamup app lets me change the key, speed and loop sections for easy learning. All my wife hears is the un-amplified bass guitar (I'm sure thats fairly annoying, but she lives with it)

 

[DWBass]

I use one of these. Plugs into my bass. I attach a mp3 player with all my band music on it and practice in silence. Comes with cheap headphones though. I use either Sony or AKG headphones.

 

[singlemalt]

Zoom B3. Swiss Army knife for bass.

The newer Zoom B3n adds the aux in and other features.

A used B3 should be around $100.

Decent in ear monitors are around $40. Comfortable, light weight headphones will be better than heavy, tight headphones.

 

[Eli_Kyiv]

My practice rig in it simplest consists of bass, small mixer, and RF wireless headphones. Mixer has enough inputs to connect PC or smartphone or both to it. The headphones cable is annoying, hence wireless.

 

[mdogs]

I have been using and iRig for years, plug it into my phone or my iPad and I am good to go. I use either Amplitube or Jam Up for software, either works well. It is about as portable as you can be.