Hm. You're sure? It certainly has a stereo input. The headphone out isn't stereo? Nor the mains?
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.
headphone practice solution
- Thread starter scottfeldstein
- Start date
Hm. You're sure? It certainly has a stereo input. The headphone out isn't stereo? Nor the mains?
It looks like there were two Behringer mixers discussed at some point, no? The Zenyx502, which I believe will get you stereo all the way through and the MX400 which is the cheaper, mini mono mixer.
It also just occurred to me that I actually have a Samson S-Amp. I just went to the attic and pulled it out. That is not a mixer per se but a true single stereo input, 4 stereo headphone output device.
Ah! Right, I'm thinking the Xenyx 502. That's what on my Amazon wish list. And actually they have it at my local Guitar Center, so I could just go pick it up there and spare myself the shipping and the wait.
That's a lot of functionality for a great price!! The on line reviews regarding sound quality, which is sometimes an issue for Behringer, were good too. A couple of drawbacks - no power switch (gets warm if left plugged in), doesn't travel well, only works on 120v, and no phantom power on the mic input. Doesn't sound like any of those matter for what you're doing.
Nope, they shouldn't. But many reviewers say there IS phantom power on their units. Sounds like there was an undocumented revision of the specs at some point. Not that it matters to me, I have no intention of using it that way.
I use iRig along with Amplitude. The iRig is designed to let you plug in your iphone, bass, and headphones all in one handy little device.
Give this a quick look:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Very nice. Just downloaded it. My first impression is that it is WAY more bass friendly than the Amplitude. Very good bass sound, even in ear buds. No song importing and pitch control. Pretty cool so far for $5.00.
There is also a free or 'LITE" free version as well. I found that a bit too late. Don't know the difference yet.
So far the free Amplitude has not impressed. This little app has. iRig's can be found for around $20.00 with a little searching. It's a bit awkward though. Works fine but I have to find a way to keep everything from flopping all over the place.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Very nice. Just downloaded it. My first impression is that it is WAY more bass friendly than the Amplitude. Very good bass sound, even in ear buds. No song importing and pitch control. Pretty cool so far for $5.00.
There is also a free or 'LITE" free version as well. I found that a bit too late. Don't know the difference yet.
So far the free Amplitude has not impressed. This little app has. iRig's can be found for around $20.00 with a little searching. It's a bit awkward though. Works fine but I have to find a way to keep everything from flopping all over the place.
Just checking back to see how things went: wow! a classic, swerving all over the road, Talkbass thread, with digressions in to sorta-scientific mumbo jumbo! I love it!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I picked up a Yamaha MG102c mixer off a scratch and dent sale for under $80. Looked like it had been resealed at the retailers. I had a cold and was bored so I unpacked it and reworked my practice station. Works flawlessly, and sounds great.
I run my bass though my floor stuff (MXR-M80 DI +) into one of the two channels with built in compression. (XLR) The Cd player runs through standard stereo RCA into channel 9,10; ipod the same into 7,8. Drum machine into the 2tr. Stereo outs to monitor and mains. Alesis microverb on the aux send and return. I can insert other effects into CH1 & 2.
Headphones get a stereo mix from the monitor or mains. Sounds complicated, but it's all together cleaner and quicker to use than the Rube Goldberg contraption I had going with the old compressor, Bass Rockman, and a mini stereo cable that I moved back and forth from one source to another.
Everything flips on with a powerstrip.
First thing I noticed was some of the training materials I work with have a clever stereo mix on the backing practice tracks: bass and drums only on left, everything center, and drums and piano right. Very cool! I couldn't do that with the old set up. No more moving the cable around, I just turn on the source and it's there.
I have high hopes for using this to run multiple inputs into my looper with better input levels. I still have room for a synth, guitar, and vocal input. With powered monitors and powered mains you could mix a small band.
So, to the OP's original headphone practice problem, I'd go with the small mixer. And I have the ipod deal and a couple other options. I've been working on this same problem for a long time.
I've blown $80 on lots less useful stuff, this thing is a winner.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I picked up a Yamaha MG102c mixer off a scratch and dent sale for under $80. Looked like it had been resealed at the retailers. I had a cold and was bored so I unpacked it and reworked my practice station. Works flawlessly, and sounds great.
I run my bass though my floor stuff (MXR-M80 DI +) into one of the two channels with built in compression. (XLR) The Cd player runs through standard stereo RCA into channel 9,10; ipod the same into 7,8. Drum machine into the 2tr. Stereo outs to monitor and mains. Alesis microverb on the aux send and return. I can insert other effects into CH1 & 2.
Headphones get a stereo mix from the monitor or mains. Sounds complicated, but it's all together cleaner and quicker to use than the Rube Goldberg contraption I had going with the old compressor, Bass Rockman, and a mini stereo cable that I moved back and forth from one source to another.
Everything flips on with a powerstrip.
First thing I noticed was some of the training materials I work with have a clever stereo mix on the backing practice tracks: bass and drums only on left, everything center, and drums and piano right. Very cool! I couldn't do that with the old set up. No more moving the cable around, I just turn on the source and it's there.
I have high hopes for using this to run multiple inputs into my looper with better input levels. I still have room for a synth, guitar, and vocal input. With powered monitors and powered mains you could mix a small band.
So, to the OP's original headphone practice problem, I'd go with the small mixer. And I have the ipod deal and a couple other options. I've been working on this same problem for a long time.
I've blown $80 on lots less useful stuff, this thing is a winner.
Pretty much what I'm planning with the Behringer mixer. Bass into one channel (via my pedal board which terminates in a sansamp bass driver DI). iPod into the RCA stereo input. Headphones in the headphone jack. The end. And all it'll cost me (besides headphones) is the $40 mixer and a $5 RCA adapter for the iPod.
I'm kind of broke for a couple of weeks, could be a bit before I start buying this crap. But I kind of have to. Practicing in private has become impossible and I live in an apartment anyway, so headphones is clearly the way to go.
I'm kind of broke for a couple of weeks, could be a bit before I start buying this crap. But I kind of have to. Practicing in private has become impossible and I live in an apartment anyway, so headphones is clearly the way to go.
Add in the expense for a pair of sunglasses if you don't have them. Behringer likes to put incredibly bright blue LEDs on their boxes. My digital delay has one and it's blinding. According to reviews, your mixer has one as well.
I know you are trying to stay rather inexpensive, and recommend you spend some time deciding on those headphones with more of a critical eye. You will appreciate better phones. I highly suggest you get with an actual audiophile group, such as the guys at headphone.com (I'm not selling, they are just very knowledgable and passionate about headphones), and ask them for a reasonably cheap way to go.
I'm not having much difficulty identifying first-rate headphones. A larger problem is affording the ones I want.
Basically I decided that my quality goal was the Sony MDR 7506. I actually got a chance to try them last week. I was blown away.
The challenge is how to get as close to that as possible without spending $85. It seems that I could save myself a Jackson if I go with the Sony MDR V6. As someone here pointed out, there's an informative discussion comparing the two at Amazon:
Amazon.com: Customer Discussions: MDR7506 vs. MDRV6
And if I am feeling exceptionally cheap, I could go with the well-reviewed JVC HARX 700. It might not give me that studio monitoring quality, but the reviews are outstanding and they're only $40.
Basically I decided that my quality goal was the Sony MDR 7506. I actually got a chance to try them last week. I was blown away.
The challenge is how to get as close to that as possible without spending $85. It seems that I could save myself a Jackson if I go with the Sony MDR V6. As someone here pointed out, there's an informative discussion comparing the two at Amazon:
Amazon.com: Customer Discussions: MDR7506 vs. MDRV6
And if I am feeling exceptionally cheap, I could go with the well-reviewed JVC HARX 700. It might not give me that studio monitoring quality, but the reviews are outstanding and they're only $40.
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
Talked to the audiophiles and they recommend the AKG K 81 DJ as a cheaper solution, and if you want to spend a little more, the SHURE H440's. The Shure's cost 100 with them, you might be able to get them somewhere else for a little less. I'm a headphone lover, so this pursuit is one I relish. If you really want magic, get a Apogee Duet and you'll feel like you are on stage, not for the loudness..the clarity. Headphones need some ooomph, to really sing.
Totally. I think that's what was so stunning about the 7506. The clarity. The openness is the word that comes to mind. It's like, I put on Bonnie Raitt's "I will not be broken" just to get a basic rock band ensemble sound. Whoa. It wasn't just that the track was clear, warm, full-range and beautiful. It was that I was there. In a room. A wood paneled, acoustically perfect room, with Bonnie Raitt and her studio musicians. There was an incredible sense of place in the audio.
When you're used to hearing mishmash on earbuds or 6.5-inch car speakers competing with truck noise on the highway, it's a revelation.
When you're used to hearing mishmash on earbuds or 6.5-inch car speakers competing with truck noise on the highway, it's a revelation.
Just discovered that the Yamaha mixer will power my MXR M-80 DI with the phantom power switch. It's doing it's thing, happy as a clam, with no battery!
Thanks for the headphone suggestions. I'm using some Koss UR-40 that were under $50. I tried on everything in a Radio Shack on day and these were the lightest, most comfortable, best sounding of the bunch. Also happened to be in the lower price range. Going on three years with no issues, and they get used everyday.
My kid's Skull Crushers reggae version with bass boost are pretty cool, but I've repaired the plug already (kid's!) and they need a battery to run the booster. Tends to push all the lows up so good for pulling up a weak bass line but not on every mix. Also, hot heavy and the cans are too small for my ears.
I almost never hook up my rig in the house, it's just too disruptive to the family. Headphones have the added advantage of shutting out distractions.
I can get my fix with the rig at practices or gigs.
Thanks for the headphone suggestions. I'm using some Koss UR-40 that were under $50. I tried on everything in a Radio Shack on day and these were the lightest, most comfortable, best sounding of the bunch. Also happened to be in the lower price range. Going on three years with no issues, and they get used everyday.
My kid's Skull Crushers reggae version with bass boost are pretty cool, but I've repaired the plug already (kid's!) and they need a battery to run the booster. Tends to push all the lows up so good for pulling up a weak bass line but not on every mix. Also, hot heavy and the cans are too small for my ears.
I almost never hook up my rig in the house, it's just too disruptive to the family. Headphones have the added advantage of shutting out distractions.
I can get my fix with the rig at practices or gigs.
I'm going to tell you, if you value your wallet do not go too far down this path! I went so far as the Apogee Duet, and the Senn HD650's, a combined purchase totalling 1K. Thankfully, I purchased this pair separately. There are so many options for headphones, amps, and for those completely over the top, special cables. You want to really see sexy look up the vacuum tube amplifiers made by WooAudio! Geez, thankfully I've never actually heard one, otherwise I'd own at least two. The entrance price is actually pretty reasonable. You have been warned...the sounds possible for the low low of 1K will make you sell jelly!
Heh. Well, I'm still struggling to cross the $50 line in the headphone area, so I think I'm safe for now. 
Well I started in, but didn't look through the whole thread. I think the Fodera practice amp looks awesome.
Or another bass amp that has a headphone out and accepts Aux In. I use my Eden WTX-260, it has stereo 1/4" Aux Ins, and a headphone out. I have a 1/8" mini-plug to dual-RCA adapter cable (a Y-cable I bought at Radio Shack), and then two RCA-to-1/4" adapter jacks/plugs, which gets both channels of the iPod into the Aux Ins on the WTX-260. I run my bass into the amp normally, and use the volume control on the iPod to control that volume. It sounds good- now that I have really nice Sony headphones, it sounds very good.
So there are a number of Eden amps with 1/4" headphone outs and stereo Aux inputs, any of them would work. I also think a number of Fender Rumbles have RCA aux inputs; and the TC Electronic amps all have Aux inputs (RCA I believe) and headphone outs. I think many SWR amps would also work for this.
Or another bass amp that has a headphone out and accepts Aux In. I use my Eden WTX-260, it has stereo 1/4" Aux Ins, and a headphone out. I have a 1/8" mini-plug to dual-RCA adapter cable (a Y-cable I bought at Radio Shack), and then two RCA-to-1/4" adapter jacks/plugs, which gets both channels of the iPod into the Aux Ins on the WTX-260. I run my bass into the amp normally, and use the volume control on the iPod to control that volume. It sounds good- now that I have really nice Sony headphones, it sounds very good.
So there are a number of Eden amps with 1/4" headphone outs and stereo Aux inputs, any of them would work. I also think a number of Fender Rumbles have RCA aux inputs; and the TC Electronic amps all have Aux inputs (RCA I believe) and headphone outs. I think many SWR amps would also work for this.
Can run the bass into the input on a computer and play along to mp3's through head phones. Will work with a practice amp(with headphones jack of course) or preamp or any other direct application. If using windows you'll have to go into audio settings and make sure the playback on the mic/input is not muted.
Any practice amp with 1/8" aux input & headphones jack will also work.
And I personally use the Xenyx 802, it most definitely has stereo and phantom...i dont think it costs much more than the 502. Also, in headphones... people may bash me on this but I have tried other models and have found no better contender. Nady makes the QH360, they're older now so they're only $25. I bought 2 pair of these 9 years ago and last year one of them finally developed a short in one side...so I went and bought 2 more. These things sound good and have held up through years of daily use.
Any practice amp with 1/8" aux input & headphones jack will also work.
And I personally use the Xenyx 802, it most definitely has stereo and phantom...i dont think it costs much more than the 502. Also, in headphones... people may bash me on this but I have tried other models and have found no better contender. Nady makes the QH360, they're older now so they're only $25. I bought 2 pair of these 9 years ago and last year one of them finally developed a short in one side...so I went and bought 2 more. These things sound good and have held up through years of daily use.
