I use the IRig and have now for about 3 years, I have the first generation. The app is good, has some options for amps/effects, a decent digital tuner and all music in your phone is available to play along with. The slow down function is really very good. And it is inexpensive and super small, fits in my briefcase.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I use the IRig and have now for about 3 years, I have the first generation. The app is good, has some options for amps/effects, a decent digital tuner and all music in your phone is available to play along with. The slow down function is really very good. And it is inexpensive and super small, fits in my briefcase.
I chose HX Stomp bc of Bass AND guitar.
This was one of the main reasons I got a PLEX, and the aux in just didn’t sound good, so I sold it. I also had a TC Electronic BG combo with this feature, and it’s six in didn’t sound good, and it also made a HUGE pop in the headphones when turning power on and off. I got a Fender Rumble instead, and it sounded a million times better. Then I got an Ampeg SCR DI and it sounds even better than the Fender. Chrystal clear, best sound for bass, best sound for aux, portable, battery option. Built super tough. Very nice!
I do headphone practice one of three ways:
1. through the headphone jack of Mesa Subway amp
2. through my recording rig or through my Line 6 Tone Port that connects to PodFarm.
3. through my iPad using Positive Grid Jam Up - I also have the Positive Grid app that lets you build a simulated amp and cab. I can add effects, etc. It does cost money to add amp and effect pedal models.
#3 is my preference - I can record and play along with songs. I can slow down, speed up, change the pitch of songs as well. The audio interface for the iPad was $100.
YMMV
kevorargh
1. through the headphone jack of Mesa Subway amp
2. through my recording rig or through my Line 6 Tone Port that connects to PodFarm.
3. through my iPad using Positive Grid Jam Up - I also have the Positive Grid app that lets you build a simulated amp and cab. I can add effects, etc. It does cost money to add amp and effect pedal models.
#3 is my preference - I can record and play along with songs. I can slow down, speed up, change the pitch of songs as well. The audio interface for the iPad was $100.
YMMV
kevorargh
Plug your bass and headphones into a USBMix and plug the USBMix into your computer. Done.
It's 4" X 5" (10cm X 13cm)
It's 4" X 5" (10cm X 13cm)
For just headphone practice I go cheap and small with this.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...tra-compact-personal-in-ear-monitor-amplifier
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...tra-compact-personal-in-ear-monitor-amplifier
This is what I do - both my amps have a line in and a headphone out. Sounds like not an option for you with your heads. I also have a Vox Amplug, does the same thing and is portable. I plug my iphone or ipad into it with a 1/8" miniplug cord, and the headphones plug right into the amplug, which plugs into the bass. Never saw the need to purchase a separate, higher-priced headphone amp device. At $35, hard to beat.
I had a GK Plex but realized it was too much gear to be using solely for silent practice. It’s a great unit though and I might be wrong but I think the aux in might be in mono?
Anyway I picked up the Zoom B1 Four. Lots of amp and can sims , effects, looper, drum machine, aux in and usb to hook up to editing software if needed. The best part! $80 and it sounds really good.
Hope this helps with your quest!
Best wishes
Brent
Anyway I picked up the Zoom B1 Four. Lots of amp and can sims , effects, looper, drum machine, aux in and usb to hook up to editing software if needed. The best part! $80 and it sounds really good.
Hope this helps with your quest!
Best wishes
Brent
Another Amplug user here. I have other means of getting sound into a board/computer, but for idle noodling that doesn't disturb the household, it works quite nicely! 
This is a great option that I hadn't considered and could also serve a convenient and tiny back up head to my various tube amps...
I am leaning towards this or the HX Stomp...assuming I can find either for a decent price (or better yet used).
If this worked with my Android devices I would grab this based on price/performance alone. Unfortunately, I stopped using Apple products in about 1995. I am really looking for something that I can use without tethering to a PC.
Honestly, I am surprised more people haven't brought up the iRig. I have had one for about 6 years and love it. Does it sound as good as an amp, no. Would I ever consider using it as an interface for serious recording, no. Does it get me a very reasonable sound and practice platform at a very favorable price, absolutely. Plus, it is small enough that I can take it anywhere.
Zoom B1 four
Cheap, works and sounds good.
Also fits on your bag or case and you can even gig with it!
Cheap, works and sounds good.
Also fits on your bag or case and you can even gig with it!
If this product actually comes out before I have solved the dilemma this might be a great alternative to the more costly HX Stomp. However, if I had a nickel for every NAMM announced product that took 6 months to come out (or never came out, or was never sold in Canada)...
I mainly practice through headphones and use these for different scenarios:
1) Zoom U-24 (Interface) - always plugged into my Mac for USB power and with my better headphones. Use it with my Mac to play along to tracks or simple recording. Can also use it as a standalone - powered by USB, power supply or batteries.
2) B1 Four - sometimes standalone, sometimes into the Zoom interface. Also used for gigs.
3) Vox Amplug - living room
All of these options were around $100 or less. Unless I needed something else for gigging, I wouldn't invest more money into it. I think practicing through headphones completely dry helps with technique and getting your own good sound personally, there's nothing to hide behind.
1) Zoom U-24 (Interface) - always plugged into my Mac for USB power and with my better headphones. Use it with my Mac to play along to tracks or simple recording. Can also use it as a standalone - powered by USB, power supply or batteries.
2) B1 Four - sometimes standalone, sometimes into the Zoom interface. Also used for gigs.
3) Vox Amplug - living room
All of these options were around $100 or less. Unless I needed something else for gigging, I wouldn't invest more money into it. I think practicing through headphones completely dry helps with technique and getting your own good sound personally, there's nothing to hide behind.
Last edited:
It looks like they split the line for iOS and Android (which is befuddling, but whatever):
IK Multimedia - iRig UA
Feature wise it looks the same as the iOS version.
Thanks for this! I will check out what rigs are included and listen to some demos tonight from home! If I like what I see and hear this will easily kill my GAS for an HX Stomp...at least until they flood the used market or I feel that I need one for ampless gigs.
Cheers!
^^^
This. The HX Stomp is a versatile beast. You can spend a lot of time tweaking sounds but it's also really easy to dial up an awesome sound on the fly. It sounds fantastic as a stand alone rig plugged into the FOH and I use the headphone/line-in almost every night for practice.
I personally love the Zoom B3n That I recently picked up. The headphone quality is amazing, and I use it into a powered speaker when I want to practice without the cans.
