Minimal headphone practice setup?

[sharpiemarker]

The PJB Big Head is the best option that meets all those requirements. It has a battery but you can just run it off a mains USB charger. I love the simplicity of it too; no distractions, just high quality sound.

It may be more money then you want to spend but this has been my favourite most used piece of equipment I have bought for myself in years. Lest amount of cable mess and simple to use

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Here you go. This works great. Has Aux. in, very good headphone amp, has a compressor, overdrive for some dirt if you want that, a DI if you need to take you signal to a board or something else. Love mine.

 

[roccobass]

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.

View attachment 3752840

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.

If I may be of assistance. Here’s a picture of my main in home practice rig. I couldn’t my IPHONE in the picture and you may need an adapter to connect it.

 

[equill]

Do these headphones have an aux in line for listening to music or backing tracks from a laptop?

Oops, my bad - I thought we were talking about the Amplug here, not the headphones (because I didn't remember they were even a thing).
Still OK, though; from the [url="https://voxamps.com/en-gb/product/amphone/']site[/url] I see "AUX input jack lets you jam along with your CD/MP3 player."
No indication of a metronome/drum machine for the bass version of these, though. That may be an Amplug-only thing.

 

[cattrax]

Found new one for $175 ...ridiculous price but great little boxes. I have two older models and they make excellent practice tools.

This is a great thread and a lot of good options have been mentioned. I don't know if it matters to the OP, but of all devices that have been mentioned so far, is the Korg the only one that will do "pitch change" of the aux input source? That would be a helpful feature in order to practice along with songs in the key my band does them. Any other devices with that feature built in?

 

[Jeff Scott]

- Minimal in size. Something that can fit in a drawer when I'm not using it.

...Ampeg micro vr ..... Solves both your problems.

View attachment 3753858

Yep, that'll certainly fit in a drawer.....................

 

[Bodeeni]

I like the digital Irig HD 2. Tiny and connects and powered to I phone with lightning cord. Comes with Amplitude bundle which has effects amp etc and great to play along to Ipad content. There are several others that are similar. I just prefer a lightning connection

 

[Ric Vice]

Most of the really great Bass practice amplifiers apparently didn't sell that well. I have one of the 3Leaf Enabler's that worked as a preamp, practice amp and DI. It was and is an exceptional box. If you can find one.

Fodera also made what they called a Private Practice Amp. It's not as flexible as the Enabler but sounds amazing.

They do come up for sale on occasion.

 

[jdubbass38]

Here’s some other options... these however are straight DI’s.

Tech 21 Dug dp-3x

Ampeg SCR DI

 

[overit]

+3 on the Zoom B1 Four. I bought mine used from GC for $50 and the features are worth way more than that, even at it's $80 MSRP.

I use mine with a 1 Spot adaptor, USB cable into adapter or computer, or with rechargeable batteries.

I also have the Vox Amplug, is it smaller but mine has become noisy over the years and the OP wanted no batteries.

 

[alpla]

If you are ok with using a computer, th focusrite 2i2 is very good option, but you need always the computer on.

 

[Lovep]

I use my Peavey mixer. It has Bluetooth for wireless iPhone connection.

 

[CallMeAl]

View attachment 3754038
This is what I use at home for quiet time. Inexpensive, and works great. I usually play direct into it, but sometimes line out of an amp for more tonal options. The plus side is that my SO doesn't bother me when I have my headphones on, unless it's important.

Can you run an aux input through that, maybe in the mic input?

 

[CallMeAl]

Haven’t seen any talk of iRig; anyone have experience with those?

 

[Pocket4]

I can't beat that VOX plug but this Tascam unit is really good with your music through USB cable. Times as they are I'm going to spend more time with stuff like this.

 

[jchrisk1]

Can you run an aux input through that, maybe in the mic input?

I haven't tried an aux through the mic input, yet. I'll give it a try, but I'm thinking the signal may not match up. I'm pretty sure it's only possible in the 1/4" line input, unfortunately. You would need an 1/4" to xlr transformer adapter. I'm not positive, though. I'm only comparing this to my powered speaker, where you have to flip a switch between line/mic.

 

[eric blank]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

Seems like there's a lot of options. Right now I'm gravitating towards the GK Plex, TC Spectradrive, and the Zoom B1 Four. I like that each of them have a small footprint and a built-in compressor. The tuner on the Plex and Zoom is a nice plus, too.

 

[BassmanPaul]

When I want silent practice I use my Tascam CD Trainer as a headphone driver.

 

[dcallred]

I like the Tascam GB-10 trainer. You can change pitch or slow down parts so you can figure out what is being played

 

[Rob Wagner]

I just received the Valeton Rushead MAX. It has excellent sound for a mini and super convenient for practicing in the early morning while the kids are still asleep. It gives me more practice time since I don't have to lug out and set up the amp every time.