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Favorite practice tool w/ aux in and headphone jacks?

#61
Katoosie said:
I have the SSL2+.

It's fantastic and small. 2 headphone outs, is not expensive and it feels quite nice to the touch.

If it's good enough for Lee Sklar, it's good enough for a bedroom gremlin such as I.
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how do you run the SSL2+? Any issues with mono / stereo inputs or outputs? Does it have to run through software or can it go direct into another external power amp and speaker?
 
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#62
Yamarc said:
how do you run the SSL2+? Any issues with mono / stereo inputs or outputs? Does it have to run through software or can it go direct into another external power amp and speaker?
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I use it quite simply as an interface.

Bass - instrument input with an instrument cable - usb into my imac.

No issues with any inputs or outputs so far and I've had it for quite a few months, too. I bought mine used so who knows how long my unit has been out and about.

I don't know how to answer your last question - I use it as an interface with a DAW but you don't have to - as soon as I plug it in, I can play and listen through it without the DAW software being fired up. It's powered by a single USB C connector.
 
#63
So lots of great solutions listed that really make me reconsider mine.

For anyone running one of those great preamp pedals (EBS Microbass 3, Ampeg SGT etc) that has all the features you could want except bluetooth, I suggest the following.

Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth Transmitter

I use this when travelling so I can use my airpod pro’s with the plane’s inflight entertainment system. But it has a switch on the side to go from transmit to receive. I tested it yesterday with a Boss RC3, works great. Definitely makes me regret selling my Microbass 3 now as I could have enabled the one thing it was missing.
 
#64
TaySte_2000 said:
So lots of great solutions listed that really make me reconsider mine.

For anyone running one of those great preamp pedals (EBS Microbass 3, Ampeg SGT etc) that has all the features you could want except bluetooth, I suggest the following.

Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth Transmitter

I use this when travelling so I can use my airpod pro’s with the plane’s inflight entertainment system. But it has a switch on the side to go from transmit to receive. I tested it yesterday with a Boss RC3, works great. Definitely makes me regret selling my Microbass 3 now as I could have enabled the one thing it was missing.
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There's an interesting idea! I may actually end up getting something like this for an old iPod. Another thread informed me that you can now buy "upgraded" second-hand iPods with extra storage and bigger batteries. But they don't have Bluetooth. The ability to literally have my entire music library with me (with plenty of extra storage!) is pretty tempting.
 
#65
Another vote for the Fender Micro Mustang. I used to use a laptop for aux in/music practice but this is much easier to set up. If you’re going straight into the bass you can put on your strap and walk around freely, which is surprisingly nice. Add an audio extension cable if you want to plug it into your pedalboard (assuming it’s on the floor) and sit in a chair (or get a longer one if you want to stand). I switch between using w bass or pedalboard and it’s great! Really any similar plug type interface would let you do this but my experience has been w the micro mustang.
 
#66
Yamarc said:
Hi all - I've tried some of the older headphone amps of yesteryear (Cafe Walter, Raven Labs, Phil Jones Big Head, Darkglass element, etc), but I'm looking for any suggestions for newer practice tools.

I generally run from my pedal board (ending with a Noble pre) into a Bergantino IP112 stack, but I'm looking for a high quality tool that I can use to blend in Spotify songs (via aux in) and play along with the music. A headphone output would be nice for silent practice, but I'd really like something that doesn't only send the aux in signal through the headphone output. I also want something that won't denigrate my signal / tone too much. Bluetooth capability for the aux in would be nice, but not necessary.

I've looked into the Solid State Logic SSL 2+, a Rolls 351, or maybe a mixer. Any other options I should consider?

Thanks!
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You mentioned that you've used the PJ Bighead before, was it the Bighead Pro? I'm not sure what changes they made from the Bighead to the Pro, but I'm also curious what about it(whichever model you used) didn't fit your needs or satisfy your requirements. FYI, I've got 2 and my only complaint is that I didn't buy them sooner. Best practice tool I've used.
 
#70
This is a great thread and timely.

What I personally have been trying to figure out, at a relatively low cost, is how to send my bass via wireless to a device that receives aux (Spotify) via Bluetooth, then have that device send the combined bass + aux signal via Bluetooth to speakers in my house.

I'm now looking at the Nux Mighty Plug and Mighty Plug Pro (have to investigate the difference between the two), along with one of those mini mixers (probably Pyle) but not sure how to get from there to my Bluetooth speaker.
 
#71
On-board all the way for me. Aux in-> straight into bass. Phones out - > straight out of the bass. As to why this does not come standard on active basses that already include a battery anyway - - don't ask me.

P. S. Not selling this anymore, so please don't smite me

IMG_20210402_155204a-edit-20240125222924.jpg
 
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#73
I’m going to throw out there the Cranborne Audio Camden EC1 with the Twelve South Airfly (and a 2 x 1/4 to 3.5mm adaptor).

I know Tim Lefebvre is using this with the JF Capo as his recording chain.

Add on some Beyer DT990s and you may never want to plug into an amp again.
 
#74
If you're getting all your bass tone from your pedalboard and just want to pipe in music for practicing through headphones, then just get a simple mixer. I like to have 2 channels for my bass specifically for stereo chorus (when desired), and IMO having pans on the channels is a must for fine-tuning the chorus (try it, you'll never go back to 'hard left/right' on stereo chorus). Here's a unit that serves that purpose well:
Alto Professional TrueMix 600 6-channel Analog Mixer
 
#75
Invalid Link Removed is on my shopping list. Right now, I've got a DSM & Humboldt Electronics Simplifier Bass Station, but I'm moving to a Tech21NYC setup (BDDI v2 and Q\Strip) that will have no headphone amp or aux in, so I'm planning on getting the X8 to serve as location recorder and headphone amp that can play backing tracks. I also have an ancient BOSS TM-3 Training Monitor/Line Driver. It's not very loud, but it works.
 
#76
TaySte_2000 said:
I’m going to throw out there the Cranborne Audio Camden EC1 with the Twelve South Airfly (and a 2 x 1/4 to 3.5mm adaptor).

I know Tim Lefebvre is using this with the JF Capo as his recording chain.

Add on some Beyer DT990s and you may never want to plug into an amp again.
Click to expand...


I just scored a used one from GC for $349 (plus shipping and tax) I’m mainly playing at home now, barring a recording project over the next few months.

The problem with a lot of suggestions and very much including mine of the Nux. Is we’re compromising quality for convenience.

The op is running a $1200 di box, I assume an expensive bass, very high end cabs when playing with an amp, you want something that really sits at that same level.

I have a Jad Freer Capo and Summit TD100 I’m going to put in front of this to just really push that highend studio chain.

I’ll use an audio interface or a Twelve South Airfly into the aux to be able to play-along with tracks.

Those 3 devices will give me a lot of flexibility and I’ll have a dedicated little station at home that could still all slow into a gigbag if there was ever a crazy reason to take it anywhere.
 
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#77
tim lefebvre on Instagram: "Thx to @geoffstanfield Now I have 2! Don't sleep on this great and not outrageously expensive pre! Posted @withregram • @cranborneaudio @timlefev is a first-call bass player for artists that have included David Bowie, Tedeschi Trucks Band, @rachel_eckroth , @scarypockets , Wayne Krantz and many more. Whether recording bass or producing records, it’s fair to say Tim knows great tone, so we were delighted to learn that Camden 500 is a part of his studio setup. Check out Tim’s Patreon for more gear, music & lessons, link in bio. #cranborneaudio #camdenec1 #mixingengineer #studiogear #musicgear #gottone #homerecordingstudio #gearnerd #mixbus #makingmusic #recording #recordingmusic #recordinggear #MusicProducer #recordinginterface #audioengineering #musicproduction #proaudio #recordingengineer #recordingstudio #soundengineering #studio #studiogoals #studiolife #500series #homerecording #bassplayer #micpreamp #bassist #preamp"
 
#79
TaySte_2000 said:
I just scored a used one from GC for $349 (plus shipping and tax) I’m mainly playing at home now, barring a recording project over the
The problem with a lot of suggestions and very much including mine of the Nux. Is we’re compromising quality for convenience.

The op is running a $1200 di box, I assume an expensive bass, very high end cabs when playing with an amp, you want something that really sits at that same level.

I have a Jad Freer Capo and Summit TD100 I’m going to put in front of this to just really push that highend studio chain.

I’ll use an audio interface or a Twelve South Airfly into the aux to be able to play-along with tracks.

Those 3 devices will give me a lot of flexibility and I’ll have a dedicated little station at home that could still all slow into a gigbag if there was ever a crazy reason to take it anywhere.
Click to expand...

if you ever flip it, lemme know!
 

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