How to listen and play together?

[NYgiant]

Searched for this and can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for. I need to play my bass through headphones instead of my amp sometimes. Ok, easy, I plug my bass into the amp and the headphones into the headphone line out. But……….how in the heck can I play along with music I have in the Amazon music app on my phone?

Im having difficulty figuring out how to get the music from my phone to play in the headphones along with the bass guitar. I usually would stream my iPhone to a Bluetooth speaker and then play the bass coming out of my amp.

Is it possible to do both but have it all coming through the headphones so nobody else hears it?

 

[Redbrangus]

It depends on the amp -- many have a 'line in' input to enable exactly that function. If your amp doesn't have that feature, you probably need to do something different, like using a cheap small audio mixer. So what amp are you using?

 

[NYgiant]

It depends on the amp -- many have a 'line in' input to enable exactly that function. If your amp doesn't have that feature, you probably need to do something different, like using a cheap small mixer. So what amp are you using?

It's a GK MB 500.

 

[Markmann]

Yup, same as what @Redbrangus said. When I play a long with prerecorded music I use a mixer. Depending on your amp, you can do it one of two ways. One would be to run the amps headphone out to one channel of the mixer and your phone or music player to a second channel of the mixer. Another way would be to plug your bass straight into the mixer and not use the amp at all.

 

[NYgiant]

So with the pictures I posted is what you're recommending doable? What device do I need to buy with regards to a mixer and cables? I bought some studio headphones and should be delivered tomorrow.

Would prefer to use my iPhone or iPad as the music source.

 

[Redbrangus]

Yep, you're out of luck as far as being able to do that with your amp, AFAIK. The cheap mixer route is probably the easiest thing, unless you're also interested in using a computer as a DAW -- then you could input your bass to an audio program via a plain old digital audio interface.

All you need is a simple device with two inputs and a headphone out, although almost any mixer will have more features than that. You'd need the adaptor cable that connects from the line out of your amp -- do use the amp as a preamp, as most audio mixers don't have much in the way of instrument inputs -- to a mixer input. And you'll need to get your music source into the mixer, which can be done with an adaptor cable or some sort of cheapie Bluetooth receiver and an adaptor cable to interface THAT to the mixer.

Or if you're starting from scratch because you don't have any of that stuff, lots of folks like these: amPlug 2 - Vox Amps or something similar.

 

[NYgiant]

Yep, you're out of luck as far as being able to do that with your amp, AFAIK. The cheap mixer route is probably the easiest thing, unless you're also interested in using a computer as a DAW -- then you could input your bass to an audio program via a plain old digital audio interface.

All you need is a simple device with two inputs and a headphone out, although almost any mixer will have more features than that. You'd need the adaptor cable that connects from the line out of your amp -- do use the amp as a preamp, as most audio mixers don't have much in the way of instrument inputs -- to a mixer input. And you'll need to get your music source into the mixer, which can be done with an adaptor cable or some sort of cheapie Bluetooth receiver and an adaptor cable to interface THAT to the mixer.

Or if you're starting from scratch because you don't have any of that stuff, lots of folks like these: amPlug 2 - Vox Amps or something similar.

ok great. Something like this would do what Im needing?

IK Multimedia iRig 2 Portable Guitar Audio Interface, Lightweight Audio Adapter for iPhone, iPad and Android Smartphones and Tablets,... https://a.co/d/7pLtGx4

 

[hennessybass]

A small mixer is a great option, and probably most affordable. Nice if you have a "practice space" where you always work, so it can be set-up, and you are not moving stuff around.

I have a couple amps that have the headphone out, and the "aux in." This is my preferred option, as it is often the most simple.
And you can use the amp as an amp - so double duty.
I actually have this one FS... Boss Waza-Air Bass Guitar Wireless Headphone Amp
I purchased the amp while traveling. It fit in the front pocket of my bass gig bag. Selling because I now have a preamp pedal that does the same, and I don't really need a small 200w amp.



If you need ultimate portability - or if you like to practice on the couch, or move around the house, then these are great options...
I've not used those little Vox Amps things, but that is an option.
Boss makes this... https://www.talkbass.com/threads/phill-jones-bp-200.1624218/#post-27839512

 

[vickerekes]

Easy solution would be to run the headphone output of your music source into the effects return of your amp loop (an instrument cable will give you a good mono). Plug your bass (and headphones) into the amp, set your levels right, set the blend, and you're good to go...

 

[hennessybass]

Easy solution would be to run the headphone output of your music source into the effects return of your amp loop (an instrument cable will give you a good mono). Plug your bass (and headphones) into the amp, set your levels right, set the blend, and you're good to go...

I don't think that would work.
Plugging your music player into the FX return, would kill what ever was plugged into the input of the amp.
The FX loop is after the preamp section, and It's a loop, and when you only use one side of it, you break the loop and what ever is plugged into the preamp (the bass) would not work.
I think there may be issues with levels here as well (line level, instrument level, etc).

Of course I could be wrong... personally, I'd try to speak with someone at GK before I did that, just to make sure I would not damage my amp.

 

[Killing Floor]

My PJB practice amp has aux in and level control. I also have the Fender Mustang Micro that takes Bluetooth music from your phone but the level is controlled by the phone and it's not as easy.

 

[Redbrangus]

ok great. Something like this would do what Im needing?

IK Multimedia iRig 2 Portable Guitar Audio Interface, Lightweight Audio Adapter for iPhone, iPad and Android Smartphones and Tablets,... https://a.co/d/7pLtGx4

Uhmm... I don't think so. That one uses a TRRS audio jack on the phone -- your Apple devices won't have that. My experience with the Lightning-to-audio adapters has been pretty unsatisfactory, to say the least. Maybe someone makes one that's reliable/dependable, but I haven't encountered it yet.

Yes, using the effects return won't work, for the reason stated.

My PJB practice amp has aux in and level control.

Are you offering the OP the loan of your amp? That's mighty kind!

 

[Blues Bass 2]

I use an Ampeg BA108 . Like the pjb amp Killing Floor has it has an aux in with a level control . Just plug your bass into the regular input and the music source into the aux and you can adjust the level between the two . Works awesome . A used BA108 should be under a hundred if you can find one . The RB and the newer ones don't have the aux level control . I use mine with my computer to practice .

 

[mambo4]

Nevermind

 

[Killing Floor]

Uhmm... I don't think so. That one uses a TRRS audio jack on the phone -- your Apple devices won't have that. My experience with the Lightning-to-audio adapters has been pretty unsatisfactory, to say the least. Maybe someone makes one that's reliable/dependable, but I haven't encountered it yet.

Yes, using the effects return won't work, for the reason stated.

Are you offering the OP the loan of your amp? That's mighty kind!

Yep. Come get it. The dogs are loud but they don't bite.

 

[abarson]

The NUX Might Plug Pro has headphone output and connects to devices either via USB or Bluetooth.
Mighty Plug Pro - NUX (nuxefx.com)

 

[HardNHeavy]

vox headphone amp?

 

[logdrum]

If your phone does not have a headphone out, just get a phone to headphone out adaptor

If your amp does not have an aux in, you have 2 options, get a pre-amp that has one like a Palmer Pocket bass or NUX NBP-5 or cheaper still is a summing pedal from Saturn Works where you can plug a source from your phone - music source and your bass at the same time. They take care of all the impedance matching etc because line or headphone sources will sound like crap through the amps input,

Or NUX Mighty Plug or Fender Mustang Micro

I need another NUX Mighty Plug because my wife discovered that here ukulele with preamp sound great with it for practice and took it over - which is a good thing as she is singing and playing again.

 

[logdrum]

If you are getting a heartache because your amp aux has no level control, you can get a 1/8 to 1/8 with a volume pot in between. There is usually a volume control on your phone for your music, but maybe yours doesn't or you haven't found the volume control yet

 

[NYgiant]

The NUX Might Plug Pro has headphone output and connects to devices either via USB or Bluetooth.
Mighty Plug Pro - NUX (nuxefx.com)

If your phone does not have a headphone out, just get a phone to headphone out adaptor

If your amp does not have an aux in, you have 2 options, get a pre-amp that has one like a Palmer Pocket bass or NUX NBP-5 or cheaper still is a summing pedal from Saturn Works where you can plug a source from your phone - music source and your bass at the same time. They take care of all the impedance matching etc because line or headphone sources will sound like crap through the amps input,

Or NUX Mighty Plug or Fender Mustang Micro

I need another NUX Mighty Plug because my wife discovered that here ukulele with preamp sound great with it for practice and took it over - which is a good thing as she is singing and playing again.

Thanks for all the help guys, really appreciate it. I looked up the NUX Mighty Plug Pro and that looks like what I was wanting to do.

NUX Mighty Plug Pro MP-3 Headphone Amp for Guitar/Bass, Various Effects, Amp Modeling, IRs https://a.co/d/5dUZPiA

There is also this one that looks like it does the same thing but half the price. Not Bluetooth compatible but can plug directly into a phone or iPad.

IK Multimedia iRig 2 Portable Guitar Audio Interface, Lightweight Audio Adapter for iPhone, iPad and Android Smartphones and Tablets,... https://a.co/d/5mXThRA


Not sure which one to get. But again, thanks to all that posted because now it's possible to do what I had no idea about just last night.