• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Minimal headphone practice setup?

E

eric blank

Sep 13, 2010
16
0
BK NY
#1
After years of not playing and owning any bass stuff, I'm finally back in the game with a bass (Fender Mustang) and can use some guidance on a headphone amp setup. I'm totally lost on where to start and what I should be looking at based on my needs, which aren't much since I'm just playing at home for fun these days:

- Minimal in size. Something that can fit in a drawer when I'm not using it.
- Can plug into an outlet.. I don't want to deal with batteries
- Can connect my iPhone or iPad so that I can play along with songs
- Sounds good :-)

What's out there that I should be looking at? Thanks!
 
#4
If I need to practice quietly, I use one of the two methods:

1. Rumble 25 Combo amp. $100. Has headphone and aux inputs.

2. Vox Bass Headphone Amp. ~$45. Has headphone and aux inputs.

Screenshot_20200322-104259_Chrome.jpg

Note that the Vox Bass Headphone Amp does take batteries (I think 2 x AAA). So I bought a 4 pack of rechargeable batteries and a wall charger. I keep a set charged as backup. Works great.
 
  • Like
Reactions: imabuddha, LuckyBastard, roccobass and 5 others
#10
I have an Ampeg SCR-DI. It’s a preamp/DI pedal with an aux in and headphone out (both 1/8”). The tone is somewhat ‘baked in Ampeg’ - but it really is great tone so who cares lol! Aux in has its own volume knob too - it’s a two channel mixer.... Also, consider that when you get to the point of playing out/gigging - you have your DI box to go to the front of house PA plus the Scrambler distortion circuit if you want it. The pre itself is fantastic for warming up a sterile class D head. It’s a really great multi-use piece of kit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: palmann, yaddy306, dbbltime and 4 others
#11
eric blank said:
After years of not playing and owning any bass stuff, I'm finally back in the game with a bass (Fender Mustang) and can use some guidance on a headphone amp setup. I'm totally lost on where to start and what I should be looking at based on my needs, which aren't much since I'm just playing at home for fun these days:

- Minimal in size. Something that can fit in a drawer when I'm not using it.
- Can plug into an outlet.. I don't want to deal with batteries
- Can connect my iPhone or iPad so that I can play along with songs
- Sounds good :)

What's out there that I should be looking at? Thanks!
Click to expand...
https://media.sweetwater.com/api/i/...504cb4e/images/items/750/PLEXPreamp-large.jpg

Or...
https://media.sweetwater.com/api/i/...38f3a1daa63/images/items/750/SCR-DI-large.jpg
 
#19
LaklandLaksNADA said:
If you have a pedalboard pick up a used little mixer. I got a behringer eurorack1002 for about $25 on reverb. I plug my pedalboard into it and can run music into another line. Gives good control over everything and is dirt cheap.
Click to expand...

I also agree this is a good way. Before I integrated the Rolls PM50 (now a PM55p) onto my pedalboard I picked up a cheap 6 channel Alto ZMX862 Mixer. 3 band EQ on each main channel and the ability to run straight in from your bass.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: joshmmorrison

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back