• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Best setup for listening to music.

@Freight Train, are there any professional studio monitors that seamlessly integrate a dedicated subwoofer for the paired monitors, a 2.1-type situation that works with honest results? I seem to remember Yamaha even marketed a dedicated sub for the NS10's at one time, and have seen others. So are their any that are faithful in adding to the stereo pair and not the usual box of lumps?
 
95% of the songs you want to learn are likely already on YouTube with isolated bass lines and someone showing you exactly how to play it.
That, I know, however, for the few songs that don't have said "tutorials" it's up to me to work them out. Most are songs written in other campuses of our Church so, often all I get is a recording of their service.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FeltTipPen
Studio monitors are a good solution.

If you're looking for a more "hi-fi" solution (and perhaps cheaper), you can try the Edifier S350DB. It's not flat (not a studio monitors), but works very well, with any source. Pretty powerful too. And with the included subwoofer it goes low enough. It's better than many more expensive speakers.
When I record myself I often use these as monitor speakers to hear myself, just plugging the bass into soundcard of my PC. It's not a bass amp, by it's good enough.
 
I haven't read all of the posts but it sounds like you have some good suggestions. I've been using Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones (I know they have a little bump in the bass, I bought them because they sounded good to me) through a Genzler Magellan Pre-Amp for practicing and preparing for Sundays. I have older Audio Engine A5 powered speakers that I plug my iPad into also. I found that I have to listen to the songs at a reasonably lower volume to be able to hear what the bassist is/may be doing. If I can't really hear what the bassist is doing I'll listen to the kick and the drummer's patterns.
 
@Freight Train, are there any professional studio monitors that seamlessly integrate a dedicated subwoofer for the paired monitors, a 2.1-type situation that works with honest results? I seem to remember Yamaha even marketed a dedicated sub for the NS10's at one time, and have seen others. So are their any that are faithful in adding to the stereo pair and not the usual box of lumps?
Man I’m sure there are but I’ve been totally immersed in super-high end mastering stuff for so long I have no idea what’s out there in “normal land” these days. The best I’ve seen are the ones I use in my mastering room., the Velodyne DD (Digital Drive) series, I use a pair of DD-12’s. They come with a calibration mic and internal calibration software that measures how your main monitors tail off in the bottom end, then create a LPF to match that so no filter is applied to your mains. But if someone is doing a purpose-built matched system like you’re asking about the results could be as good. Problem is most in the past have done that with smallish main speakers and a sub that’s going up to 200Hz. or more to fill in, and I personally can’t deal with that sound. So ideally IMO it’d be mains that handle down to 50Hz. or so and the sub takes it from there. But don’t know if anyone’s doing that.
 
Last edited:
Man I’m sure there are but I’ve been totally immersed in super-high end mastering stuff for so long I have no idea what’s out there in “normal land” these days. The best I’ve seen are the ones I use in my mastering room., the Velodyne DD (Digital Drive) series, I use a pair of DD-12’s. They come with a calibration mic and internal calibration software that measures how your main monitors tail off in the bottom end, then create a LPF to match that so no filter is applied to your mains. But if someone is doing a purpose-built matched system like you’re asking about the results could be as good. Problem is most in the past have done that with smallish main speakers and a sub that’s going up to 200Hz. or more to fill in, and I personally can’t deal with that sound. So ideally IMO it’d be mains that handle down to 50Hz. or so and the sub takes it from there. But don’t know if anyone’s doing that.
Thanks for getting back to me!

All the Best,

JW
 
Headphones and ear buds are best for the task, yes. I'm more concerned about playing along to a track in practice. My setup is bass plugged into it's amp and music playing on a computer. The speakers were very ordinary, hence my question, and the motivation to try something different. I also have a practice amp that I use when travelling that worked better than the speakers. The surround sound system was gathering dust in the store room, so I though, I might as well try that. It sounds great when playing a CD and has improved the sound of the computer, so I shall probably stay with that for now.
 
Seems to be well covered modern times have isolated bass tracks.
Depending on artist in the old days we bought books or magazines which included music notation and tablature.
Highly likely to be a wealth of posted music notation for popular songs.
Some accurate some close enough and may contain errors or different methods having been notated by the public not the musician

Subwoofers for car audio and home audio has a widescale of products.
Easy desk monitor would be home theatre system with satellite and subwoofer speaker.
Many or most now have classic analog inputs and direct connectivity with bluetooth
 
When I don't feel like using the computer or my Nux Mighty plug to practice with songs, I connect my AKG K361 and cellphone to my Micro Cube, sounds great to my ears.
IMG_20241009_160521_edit_174745666341564.jpg
 
Decided to plug my computer into my Roland Cube, despite the noise, (computer PSU) it sounds better than the computer speakers. I shall attempt to connect it directly to a good sound card at some stage which might work as well as I need it to. Those who suggested a studio monitor allowed me to think of it. My bass is plugged into an old Studio Master solid state bass amp so no need to blend them at all. Stupid thing is, I was using just that to practice whilst I was on the road, so should have thought of it anyway! Oh! Well! I AM brain damaged, (truth) that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
If your using a headphone jack output you need an isolation transformer between the amp and computer.

Look a getting an external USB audio interface, the Peavey USBP works great.

My home speakers are a Pair of Tannoy DMT 10 II studio monitors driven with a Hafler Power, very clean and revealing.
 

Latest posts