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Learning Songs Off PC With Bass

BassNGuns

BassNGuns

Aug 20, 2010
144
18
#1
Hi,
I have to learn a bunch of songs and I'd like a simple
way to just plug my Bass into my PC and mix in the song
with it. Like a Bass Trainer, but for PC. And then practice with headphones.
Will the mixer in Windows just handle it and I could just plug into the Microphone input?
If not....is there something I can just download online and then plug my axe in with a USB connection on the other end?
Thanks in advance.
 
#2
I'm not an expert, so this might be nonsense, but I think it's something like this.

Bass signals need a bit of boost, usually either from an on board preamp, or from a preamp contained within a pedal or an amp head. Plugging the bass directly into the microphone socket won't do anything, and if you're using an active bass or going through an outboard preamp, this may be overkill. A jack-to-USB is probably not viable.

What you need is some kind of unit like this [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] and some kind of corresponding software, like ProTools or something.

Plugging a bass directly into a laptop will do either nothing, or possibly (blind speculation) damage something.


This might not be true ^^ as I say I'm no expert, but that's how I think it works.
 
#3
J-B'ass said:
Plugging a bass directly into a laptop will do either nothing, or possibly (blind speculation) damage something.


This might not be true ^^ as I say I'm no expert, but that's how I think it works.
Click to expand...

This isn't true. I'm no recording expert either, but I've plugged my bass straight into my PC microphone jack (had to get a jack adapter for the sizes) to record on Audacity and it worked just fine. TONE was for crap, but that's another story. But I'll leave it to others to figure out how to set up the rest.
 
#4
hrodbert696 said:
This isn't true. I'm no recording expert either, but I've plugged my bass straight into my PC microphone jack (had to get a jack adapter for the sizes) to record on Audacity and it worked just fine. TONE was for crap, but that's another story. But I'll leave it to others to figure out how to set up the rest.
Click to expand...

Ah, excellent :) was it active, or through some preamp?
 
#7
This is a pretty good recording software and it's free.

http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/

All you have to do is plug your bass into your PC's line in or mic slot. You'll need a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter though.

Do note I haven't tried playing mp3's through it so I don't know if you can load them up then mix in your bass. Doesn't hurt to try though.

Or you can do what jkramer suggested, which will definitely do what you're looking for.
 
#9
An M-Audio Fast Track Pro or similar USB recording/playback interface can be used with headphones or powered speakers so you can hear PC audio along with your instrument. You can also use it with Audacity or similar software to record your instrument in sync with other tracks.
 

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