Headphone Practice with Mackie Mix 5

[Ellarzed]

I am pretty dumb and I am trying to practice with a Mackie Mix 5 using only the headphone out. I have my phone hooked up to the Tape In and that works fine but I am having some trouble with the bass. I tried the 1/4 inch line out on my amp into the 1/4 inch line in on Track 1 and I got nothing (could be my line out is broken ... don't have any other gear laying around to test it). Does this at least make sense? Or do I need to use the XLR input from the DI (which also may or may not work on my amp)? Just started playing again after 15 years and I am wondering if I should just put my bass back in the closet :s

I know there are lots of other options out there but I have no money and need to make due with what I have which is a Mackie Mix 5, a (possibly broken) GK MBE Microbass Amp, and a jazz bass. Playing out loud is not an option.

 

[Uncle Ernie]

Have you tried plugging the bass directly into channel 1? The sound may not be ideal, but at least you will know if your mixer works.

 

[tothemax]

The DI XLR out from your amp would be my choice. You are not going to get a line level output from your bass, it's a Low Z. The DI circuitry in your amp should convert your bass input to a balanced signal to the mixer. It would also allow you to add any effects in your signal chain (between your bass and the amp). Also, you could send your phone signal to either of the other channels with 1/8" stereo to dual 1/4" phone plug adapter. That would give you a little more control of your mix.

Cheers,