Help me build a home practice rig (please?)

[gfour]

You can go through the laptop by connecting B3 to it and then play while listening to YouTube (essentially the laptop becomes the mixer -- you might have to adjust something from the sound mixer program in Windows). You can connect the B3 as a USB audio interface or just plug its output to the sound input of the laptop if there is one (sometimes there's a mic input that you must disable its "boost", for it to work as line input). But in both solutions (USB vs laptop input) you go through a sound card that might have latency, i.e. your playing could be arriving at your ears 1/6 of the second late or something, in which case you would have to fiddle with some option somewhere to fix it.

Or, you could get a Vox amPlug (or a Joyo Super Lead, even cheaper: Amazon.com: Mini Guitar Headphone Amp Pocket Amplifier Super Lead Sound Joyo JA-03: Musical Instruments), as old spice said.

 

[InhumanResource]

I own basses. I own a Zoom B3. I own a Windows 7 laptop. I own earbuds.

I'd like to set up a home practice rig such that I can listen to a song (mp3, Spotify, Youtube, CD etc.) and play along, and hear myself and the song in either a decent set of speakers (better than laptop speakers but doesn't have to be audiophile quality), or a set of headphones/earbuds. I'm not looking for lots of volume. I would like to be able to mix the mp3 or other audio source to different levels relative to the bass levels, but that's not a show stopper if I can't.

What's the best, and preferably not terribly expensive way to do this? Do I need specific software? Are there decent speakers that use the 1/8" audio jack on the laptop? I believe the B3 can route audio through the laptop? Is that right?

You can select the B3 as your playback device and hear everything the computer is playing plus your bass through headphones. This is my main practice setup for home!

 

[gfour]

You can select the B3 as your playback device and hear everything the computer is playing plus your bass through headphones. This is my main practice setup for home!

Right, you can do it the other way around (have the B3 mix everything, not the PC) and get rid of latency problems! The PC way is useful when recording, but the OP doesn't need that...

 

[corndog]

Geoff: another option for your consideration is getting an Ampeg SCR-DI and a pair of Sony HDR-7506 headphones. You can plug your stereo music source (mp3, iPod, computer feed, etc) into the SCR-DI, and plug your bass into the SCR-DI, and plug the headphones into the SCR-DI. Perfect silent practice along with your music, and it gives you lots of control over the sound levels and tone. And the sound will be high quality!

I used my SCR last night with headphones and it sounded great. Lots of tone shaping available and with both input and output volume level controls, you have complete control. Can't say enough about the SCR.

 

[IvanDrummer]

That's what I would do too.
Just about any practice amp made in the last 10 years will do what OP is wanting, and be a lot more flexible than computer speakers.
You'd be hard pressed to find a small amp anymore that doesn't have an aux in and headphone out.
Something like a GK MB200 into a 1x10 cab makes a great small practice setup that would also allow you to play coffee house volume gigs/jam with acoustic guitars. And it would be expandable with a different cab into enough volume to play larger gigs with PA support.

Hi Iz4005,
Do you reckon a Markbass LM 250 Black Line (8ohm - 150w; 4ohm- 250w) head with a very decent 112 speaker (8ohm - 300w) would do for home practice? Obviously, volume and gain low, when others are at home.
I eventually intend to get a better amp and another one of the 'very decent' 112 speakers when I get to gig. I don't want to get a combo really.... and I'd rather spend that 'combo' money on a nicer cabinet, instead. Thanks!
p.s. I also have a usb interface but I am getting a bit tired of practicing with headphones.