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Home Silent Practice Rig HELP

#41
I would highly recommend the Allen and Heath Zed10. It is a $250 mixer, it will USB to your computer or ipad as a multitrack recorder, it will also function as the default audio player for iPad or computer. So you can play along with audio files or YouTube videos.

It has a built in headphone amp and you can get powered studio monitors or a powered wedge when you don’t need to be silent.

You’ve now got a nice little mixer with built in effects for small gigs, a multitrack recorder and a device for silent practice.
 
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#44
They seem to be not very popular on here, but I've been using a Korg Pandora Stomp.. Costs like $100, has headphone jack, aux in, tuner, metronome, a bunch of drum patterns, and a bunch of different effects. I've even brought it to the studio and ran it through the PA once or twice when we've had no drummer. It's not really suitable for gigs imo, but as an affordable practice tool it's great.
 
#48
I'd suggest an outboard preamp with a headphone jack. For silent practice and composition sessions, I use an Ampeg SCR-DI in conjunction with a pair of Sony MDR-V6 Studio headphones.

The Ampeg SCR/DI is the same preamp circuit they use in their BA series amplifiers. It has a both a headphones out jack and an auxiliary input that allows you to plug in your drum machine, metronome, MP3 player, or smartphone so you can play along if you wish. Something that comes in quite handy for practice sessions. There's a bunch of other features under the hood as well. They go for $199 new and around $120-150 used. Check out the manual here.

The Sony MDR-V6 phones are legendary for their relatively low price (about $75 street), pristine sound quality and a frequency range of 5-30K Hz. And yes, that's '5' as in five hertz. So there's nothing your bass can put out they won't be able to handle. I've found I don't suffer ear fatigue while using with them because the frequency response is virtually flat across the entire spectrum. You don't get any artificial boosting on the lows like with many headphones. These are extensively used in the live broadcast world. You can buy arguably better headphones. But not without spending at least three or four times more that what you'll pay for an MDR-V6. Highly recommended.
 
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#50
Amp 2.JPG I've just been using the headphone/line out jack on my Marshall Bass 12, when I want "Silent". Been doing that since 1988... always done the job for me.:cool:
 
#51
Zoom B1on. All day. Has drum beats to practice with, looper, tuner and tons of effects for $50. And I DO gig with it. It's my only pedal and some of the stages we play I barely have room for even this little thing.
 
#52
I use aPhil Jones big head and use a 5 string bass and it works great Superb sound quality.
Previous to that I had one of those Vox amplugs. I actually liked the sound of it but it was too plasticky and not very durable and after the headphone socket broke and I bought a new amplug then the jack socket broke. I decided to get something more professional a durable. the PJB big head also has a usb out for using with a computer for recording.
 
#53
I'd look at that amplug also.
Super portable and can take it anywhere.
I think the sound is fine for what it is, and is good enough for practice. I don't need studio quality sound for silent practice. It's a good trade off.
 
#54
johnpbass said:
I use the Ampeg SCR-DI for silent practice.
Click to expand...
I have this, too and it works well.
J Wilson said:
... a Mackie 802VLZ mixer.
Click to expand...
This is about the best and most flexible low cost mixer. Lots of uses beyond practice, too.

Interfaces like iRig may work for you if a PC or tablet is at hand. The Zoom recorders mentioned by other posters above are popular so they must do something well, eh? There are so many good choices!
 
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#56
singlemalt said:
Zoom B3. Swiss Army knife for bass.

This replaced my small mixer and spider web of devices.

Usb to computer, headphones and you are there.

Bonus stuff: boatload of fx, tuner, looper, drum machine, di, interface, amp and cab sims.

It can run on aa batteries, Wall wart, or usb power.
B3n has aux in.

Bought mine used for under $150, use it every day for silent practice.
Click to expand...

I second the Zoom B3. Plug in your bass, plug it into your computer with the USB, plug in your headphones and you can play along with MP3s, YouTube, etc. And, then you can take it to gigs and run it through your amp or the PA. It has over 100 effects/preamps, etc.
 
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#57
Basstards said:
Zoom B1on is great and cheap. I wouldn’t use it on a gig. But for practice it’s perfect.

I haven’t tried the other suggestions, which I’m sure are also great.
Click to expand...

I do something similar with a Line 6 POD HD500. I imagine they go used for a few hundred now (due to HD500x and Helix).

Edit: I have used it for a gig. Effects, amp modeling, some reverb, then DI to board.
 
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