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Best Solution to Play Bass Without Disturbing Others?

#43
This is what I do to practice at night. I have all my music on my computer in MP3 format and I have a small cheap mixer that has Tape IN and Tape Out RCA jacks.

My computer's "line out" plugs into the "Tape In" on the mixer and I plug my bass in to one of the channels on the mixer and my headphones also go into the mixer. Then I can turn off my computer speakers and practice along with my mp3's and my headphones.

As a bonus, I'm in front of my computer so I can keep notes if I'm figuring out songs. I never have to get out of my chair to change CD's, or adjust levels. Everything is right in front of me.
 
#45
I'm very surprised that the guitarport, with the free downloadable bass amp models and effects, is not good enough for practice. What exactly is wrong with that? Can you be specific? It's more than workable for me, with a pair of $30 Sony headphones, that don't crackle at all. For practice anyway.

Just curious what specifically is not good enough about that setup for you.
 
#48
Dub56 said:
I have a bit of a problem:confused:

I need a way to play my basses privately and quietly (in a dorm, for example) and I'm pretty picky about my tone. I'm not expecting it to me the same as fully amplified, but I want it to sound pretty decent.

I have tried the following:

1.) I bought a pair of nice Audio Technica studio headphones, but they crackled and distorted just like the $30 dollar headphones I already have.

2.) I have a Line6 Guitarport I found for really cheap, and I could use that on my laptop, but it isn't the best bass software and I would still need some sort of headphones.

My main amp is too large, so what I'm most likely going to do is buy a small practice amp and possibly some nice headphones (If I can find some that suit my purpose).

Anyway, what would you suggest? Practice amp? If so, what brand/model? Headphones? If so, what brand/model?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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I have a pair of Sennheiser HD215s. I plug them into my Eden head unit. They sound great and don't distort at all.
 
#53
philthygeezer said:
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Clamp your Ipod to the guitar strap with it and mix the music with your bass. I have one and it works really nicely.
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Yeah these are great mine should arrive wednesday,
his new website is, easounddesigen.com works with
battery's or a common 9v wallwart,there in Montreal
and ship worlwide..
 
#58
James_E said:
I'm very surprised that the guitarport, with the free downloadable bass amp models and effects, is not good enough for practice. What exactly is wrong with that? Can you be specific? It's more than workable for me, with a pair of $30 Sony headphones, that don't crackle at all. For practice anyway.

Just curious what specifically is not good enough about that setup for you.
Click to expand...

I've never really downloaded any models, I'm not sure that I have the guitarport online :hmm:

But it isn't bad, just I might want something away from the computer as well. And I have tried quite a few headphones and I usually get either really muffled response or the crackling I mentioned. I'm going to keep trying new ones but I think that's the only real issue I have with the port soundwise.

EDIT:
Also, I'm thinking of either 1.) a Pandora or Earwig.. something of the sort or 2.) A small practice amp like the SWR or possibly the Roland Micro Cube (I work at best buy which now carries musical instruments and.. I get discount on it ;) ) Anyone have experience with the micro cube?

and also.. What headphones have you all used with good experience? I saw Sony and Sennheiser so far. And to clarify the headphones didn't always distort on low notes, often it was the D on the A string I noticed, or other notes with similar "punch" I'd say.
 
#60
I've tried the Earwig, and while it's nice, it doesn't sound anywhere near as nice as a Raven Labs PHA-1, and even better again a Cafe Walter HA-1.

The CW is an amazing box with the right cans. I use Sony MDR-7506 and I can hear every little nuance in my playing, helps me iron out the kinks.
 

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