Method of recording / practising with my current bass head.

[jmone]

Wasn't entirely sure if this needed to go under this or amps but here is my situation,


I essentially need to downsize my rig due to limited space & can't really practise out loud as frequently.

I have a GK rb1001 http://www.gallien-krueger.com/products/rb-heads/ and I honestly don't want to lose the tone the head gives me with my basses.

Wondering what the best / cheapest way to get the signal on my computer? I'm assuming the direct out xlr - but don't know what gadget would get that on my computer most efficiently. And it's a must there is no input delay!

What would I be looking at in terms of sound quality? I would like to record a few covers and maybe send a few bass lines to other musicians as well. But it will be primary used for practising.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[BassKnuckles]

Well, I've done quite a few different things, I've mic'd my cab with a usb mic into Audacity. (cost me 25$ for a cheap mic)
Or you can pick up an audio interface for very little $ depending on quality. I use a Presonus that I picked up at GC for 75$ into Logic Pro X and have
no problems and get great recordings. Audacity is free and works great on a budget.

 

[jazzsoul]

I think the best is to get an Audio interface. The Tascam US-144 Mk2 works fine. You can connect your amp to the Interface or you can also connect your bass directly to the Interface. If you like the preamp of your bassamp I would recommend you to connect the DI of your amp to the Interface. As already mentioned the Audacity software is free and good.

http://www.amazon.com/Tascam-US-144MKII-USB-Audio-Interface/dp/B002TTKI84

 

[jmone]

Well, I've done quite a few different things, I've mic'd my cab with a usb mic into Audacity. (cost me 25$ for a cheap mic)
Or you can pick up an audio interface for very little $ depending on quality. I use a Presonus that I picked up at GC for 75$ into Logic Pro X and have
no problems and get great recordings. Audacity is free and works great on a budget.

I have the low end presonus thing but unless I put headphones directly into the back of the unit, there is a crazy amount of audio lag making it hard to play along with tracks or a drum machine.

I think the best is to get an Audio interface. The Tascam US-144 Mk2 works fine. You can connect your amp to the Interface or you can also connect your bass directly to the Interface. If you like the preamp of your bassamp I would recommend you to connect the DI of your amp to the Interface. As already mentioned the Audacity software is free and good.

http://www.amazon.com/Tascam-US-144MKII-USB-Audio-Interface/dp/B002TTKI84

Similar to what I replied to BassKnuckle with, am I capable of "monitoring " my sound outside of audacity so I can hear myself play in real time? The processing unit in the presonus that I do have just isn't on par with what it should be.

 

[BassKnuckles]

strange. I have a pioneer home receiver with 2 bookshelf kenwood speakers for monitoring, plugged into my presonus WITH a 1/8=>1/4'' adapter and can play through logic with 0 latency. BTW it's the audio box22vsl

 

[jmone]

strange. I have a pioneer home receiver with 2 bookshelf kenwood speakers for monitoring, plugged into my presonus WITH a 1/8=>1/4'' adapter and can play through logic with 0 latency. BTW it's the audio box22vsl

I am going to dig mine out of whatever cupboard I stuffed it in and I'll post back if I can get it working again. But that's interesting - I used the USB to monitor because I assumed it had a higher bandwidth than the 1/8" headphone jack. Kind of silly I didn't even try running that as a mic into my computer.

Do you notice a loss in quality at all with your unit. I honestly don't remember how well it worked. It was one of those things I have kicking around the house and got disappointed when it didn't work the way I wanted it to; with regards to the lag

 

[Robus]

GK MB500 DI out => compressor => Roland Quad Capture => Reaper is my standard setup for practice and home recording. I have a cab connected to the amp but usually have the amp's master volume turned all the way down so I'm listening through my monitors. If there is any latency I can't hear it. If I'm not running Reaper then the bass signal just goes from the Roland directly to the monitors.

 

[jmone]

I am going to dig mine out of whatever cupboard I stuffed it in and I'll post back if I can get it working again. But that's interesting - I used the USB to monitor because I assumed it had a higher bandwidth than the 1/8" headphone jack. Kind of silly I didn't even try running that as a mic into my computer.

Do you notice a loss in quality at all with your unit. I honestly don't remember how well it worked. It was one of those things I have kicking around the house and got disappointed when it didn't work the way I wanted it to; with regards to the lag

I had a test. Put the DI into my Presonus Audiobox USB and it has a VERY VERY slight delay and it really screws up my playing. It also has this incredible buzzing sound that I can't get rid of. It's actually associated with the Audiobox because even when the bass + amp are turned off and the volume is turned down, I still hear this annoying buzz. However, when I actually play my bass - the sound gets masked by the playing and it isn't noticeable.

I am impressed that I am able to maintain some of my GK tone from the head. I am realizing my speakers are not the greatest though.

GK MB500 DI out => compressor => Roland Quad Capture => Reaper is my standard setup for practice and home recording. I have a cab connected to the amp but usually have the amp's master volume turned all the way down so I'm listening through my monitors. If there is any latency I can't hear it. If I'm not running Reaper then the bass signal just goes from the Roland directly to the monitors.

I may look into that Roland capture device. It's clear mine is not working the way I need it to.