How to listen and play together?

[Egg250]

My Fender Rumble 350 has an aux input that I use a bluetooth reciever to send music to the amp.

I had a Boss ME-50B multi-effects pedal delivered today. It has a headphone out and aux in as well.

 

[singlemalt]

A used Zoom B3n will run you about $125.

A Swiss Army knife for bass.

Connected to a computer via usb, it's everything you need. Or connect to a pad via the aux in. Perfect for headphone practice, and so much more.

 

[J Wilson]

Some amps come with an AUX IN to do just what you're asking about, and a lot don't.

I prefer to use a small mixer that supports a HEADPHONE OUT with a 1/4" jack, so I'm not stuck to using cheap headphones (which aren't often helpful for bass, especially 5's or 6's with Low B). I use a Mackie 1202VLZ and A-T AT40fs phones, although it can be done for less. On a mixer you have lots of tone control for both incoming bass and music, so it just works better for me.

I've always had way less than ideal results with itty-bitty plastic battery powered things and cheap headphones. Not inspiring tone-wise or usually enough headroom.

 

[Chris_will_do]

I DI into my mixer, a Soundcraft Signature 12 MTK, and play along with everything I throw at it. Works like a dream.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Vox amplug and a bluetooth receiver. Super portable and cheaper than a mixer that ties you to a desk. You can just bluetooth your phone into the receiver and play away.

 

[SoulReflection]

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.

I vote for a computer as a DAW. I use my Scarlett DI with Reaper all the time. You can play along with your favorite tunes AND record as well as collaborate with others over the internet. I have tried the other options but, for the money, this is the best bang for the buck, IMHO.

You don't even need an amp. Using inexpensive .vst plugins, you have a host of amps and cabs to choose from as well.

I have an inexpensive Rumble 100 combo in the event I have a need to play out.

 

[AncientNoob]

Another vote for the NUX Mighty Plug. I have the older version, before there was a "Pro" version, but it has the same basic functionality. Connect your phone/ tablet via Bluetooth, a set of good quality wired headphones and you're set.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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?

Yes there are several way. Plumbing it up with the gear that you have is not going to work. With your amp, which I assume only had on input you will need some sort of mixer to blend the media signal and bass single in front of the amp input.

Some amps allow you to run a side chain which would use you would plug the media into the effect return, but that is pretty rare. Playing along using amp and blue tooth speaker running your media is going to be noisy as most headsets/ earbuds are designed for sound isolation. Might work with open back headphones.

What I use is an Digitech BR3500 effects modeling pedal that allows me mix the media and bass into one line out of headphone out, but this one is discontinued and alternative pedals that will do the same are going to run $150 and up. That said, it works great for what you are looking for. Best wishes.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

This:

The Bar Band Bassman

 

[themickster]

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?

Have a look at this wireless guitar system with aux in and headphone out

 

[bifbugie56]

bass pod xt through computer usb, headphones out of pod

 

[fauxtoe]

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I've had ZERO complaints with the Fender Mustang Micro. I was about to drop a lot of money on the Waza Air Bass setup and I'm glad I didn't. It works fantastic with bass on the studio direct setting and then you have everything else to play with should you so desire. I use it with my Ultimate Ears 11 Pro's and it drives them extremely well.

 

[vickerekes]

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.

Been doing it for decades...

 

[GregT]

This little mixer is extremely inexpensive

. It also works great.

 

[InhumanResource]

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?

If you have a computer, just grab one of these jawns: U-Phoria UM2 USB Audio Interface - Sweetwater

 

[JC Nelson]

I love NUX products and this is a great choice.

If you want to use your amp and connect your phone through Bluetooth, this can be done.

Here is what you would need.
1. Bluetooth Receiver with 1/8" Out $25
2. 1/8" Stereo to Mono 1/4" $8
3. 1/4" 2F to 1M Mono Y Cable $5
Plug the Y Cable into your Amp
Plug the Bass In on One Side of the Y Cable
Plug the Bluetooth In the Other Side of the Y Cable
Press the Button on the Bluetooth Adapter, Connect with Your Phone
Turn Your Amp On and Jam

 

[ebo]

I use a Digitech BP355 multi effects pedal. I bought it ages ago. Has some ok effects but I use it strictly for practice. Aux in from Ipad, listening to YouTube videos or band recordings, line in for bass, headphone out, XLR if needed (I've never used it live). I get tones which are close enough to my live sound that it works for practice, and my amps, cabs, and pedal board are saved from wear and tear. It's built like a tank but this mode is discontinued. Zoom, Boss, any multi effects pedal should have all the connections you need. Here's the G1 Four. $99 or buy used. G1 Four Multi-effects Processor - Sweetwater

 

[NYgiant]

Another vote for the NUX Mighty Plug. I have the older version, before there was a "Pro" version, but it has the same basic functionality. Connect your phone/ tablet via Bluetooth, a set of good quality wired headphones and you're set.

well….I ended up ordering the iRig2. If it doesn't mesh easily with everything I'm gonna go the NUX mighty plug. Looks nice but I'm paying 49.99 and the NUX is $109. We'll see what happens but I will post here with my impression of it. Should have it sometime Saturday.

 

[JProbber]

Vox amplug and a bluetooth receiver. Super portable and cheaper than a mixer that ties you to a desk. You can just bluetooth your phone into the receiver and play away.

Seconded. Get a little headphone practice amp (the Fender Mustang is the size of a matchbook) which plugs right in to your bass and can bluetooth from your iPhone or any other connected device. Make sure the amp you get has bluetooth...some of them don't.

 

[thedovewarlord]

Lots of options. I see you're already found your solution but given that your amp does not have an aux-in for your music playalong, I'd lean towards getting a small mixer and cables.

Example, you could get this mixer get an XLR cable and go from the direct out of your GK MB500 into channel 1 of the mixer. You can get an appropriate cable that connects your phone to mixer channel 3/4 with this cable plus this cable if you have an iPhone. You can then run your headphones out of the headphone "phones" jack.


What do you think?