• 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.

New to Recording - Need Help

michinho

michinho

Oct 11, 2013
140
1
34
London, UK
soundcloud.com
#1
Hi all,

I posted a thread on here the other day regarding XLR inputs and I got a great answer from audioglenn. Although I've been playing bass for about 8 years, I really am brand new to recording and the vast array of equipment you can purchase and use. I really just need some help in utilizing what I've got and what I can get to get the best out of what i'm trying to do.

Ok, first off my equipment is as follows:

Fender USA Standard Jazz Bass, Fleabass (Seymour Duncan ssb-4 pickup and Aguilar OBP-1 Preamp), Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2 amp, Genz Benz Focus 4x10T. The only pedals I use are My Korg Pitchblack into my Diamond Bass Comp then into my Aguilar Tonehammer DI.

I have a self built computer that I got the parts for a few years back (I can't remember exactly what parts I chose but if anyone knows of a site that can detect what components are in your PC i'd be very grateful. I think I heard somewhere that such ha site does exist. This way I can look to what I need to upgrade for sound quality purposes), Logitech Speaker System Z323, Phil Jones Headphones and a recently acquired Behringer Xenyx 502 Mixer (not the USB one) which i have not had the opportunity to fully play with yet.

I mainly want to accomplish three things...

#1 :Practice with headphones whilst hooking up with my computer/ipod to practice along with mp3s at the same time. I have read numerous threads on this but i'm still a little bit stuck on what to do/how to achieve this. I tried a Vox Amplug but hated the quality of the sound. I'd like to mention that I like the sound of my Bass Direct, so can I use the XLR D.I. out of either my Tonehammer or from the back of my Genz? I want to have the purist sound of my bass coming through the Tonehammer or the Genz if possible. Can I use my Behringer mixer to achieve this? If so, how? what leads/adapters will I need? and where would I need to plug what leads in to the mixer? On the side of one of my Speakers on my Desktop Logitech there is a headphone jack. Could I use this as the source to plug in for mp3s if using the mixer or any other device that is recommended? I tried plugging an Aux cable from this jack into the back of my amp into the Aux in and i got a terrible high pitched hiss when I tried to use headphones from the Genz (I don't like using headphone practice like this because it's too far from my computer, and I have to keep walking back and forth from my desktop, i'd rather have everything in front of me)

#2 :Exactly the same as question 1 but instead of always using headphones can I use the Logitech Speakers? If I was too use the mixer can I run a lead from the mixer into the speakers? (RCA etc) if so from what output of the mixer? Besides the use of the desktop speakers could I use this method from the mixer going into the back of my Genz cab with the 1/4 speaker inputs that it has? I ask this because sometimes I was just want to use my Tonehammer as my "amp sound". I'm aware that I can go from my Tonehammer into the effects return on my Genz and go through that way, I was just curious on whether this alternative method could be done. I wasn't sure due to the speaker load etc.

#3 I would eventually like to record. Mainly for my own ideas and for my band (if we want to record demos etc) I understand I would need to purchase an audio interface (Focusrite has really caught my eye in terms of value for money) but as I said before that I want to achieve my purest bass tone either through my Genz or my Tonehammer, what would be the best interface/audio software to get? I've seen lots of videos of people plugging their bass directly into an interface and using amp modelling plugins on the computer to "shape" their sound, but if I was to use the Genz or Tonehammer directly before the interface, could I model my sound using them? That is ideally what i'd like to do.

So yeah, any advice for a beginner with lots of questions, I would be highly grateful.

Sorry for all the questions! I just want to be certain before I purchase any more equipment!

Thanks,
 
#2
What works best for me (I have similar requirements) is DI -> Scarlett -> USB.
Audacity (freeware) works fine.
I'm using a fancier DAW but for just recording, Audacity works fine.
Use the headphone monitor ports on the Scarlett.
If you have powered PC-type speakers, you can get a $5 adapter that goes from the Scarlett 1/4" Monitor Out to a 1/8" TRS suitable for powered PC speakers.
I have exactly that setup. There is no upper bound on the cost of professional near-field monitor speakers, but they're far beyond what I (and probably you) need just now.
 
#3
ArtechnikA said:
What works best for me (I have similar requirements) is DI -> Scarlett -> USB.
Audacity (freeware) works fine.
I'm using a fancier DAW but for just recording, Audacity works fine.
Use the headphone monitor ports on the Scarlett.
If you have powered PC-type speakers, you can get a $5 adapter that goes from the Scarlett 1/4" Monitor Out to a 1/8" TRS suitable for powered PC speakers.
I have exactly that setup. There is no upper bound on the cost of professional near-field monitor speakers, but they're far beyond what I (and probably you) need just now.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help, I will certainly be looking into the Focusrite stuff!

my speakers are powered with a wall wart from the bass box. There's also a red and white rca input on the box. Can these be used at all?
 
#6
The RCA inputs on the Logitech box are Aux inputs to play (for instance) an MP3 player or a TV or such with a line-level output.
If your bass is active, it may provide enough output to drive this.
I don't know about that mixer. If it can accept XLR inputs and has RCA outputs, you may be able to drive it that way.
You may be able to go from the mixer into the effects return, using the ToneHammer as a preamp - not familiar enough with the ToneHammer pedal to know if you can use the XLR DI at the same time as a 1/4" line-level output. Some preamp pedals can, I donno about the TH.
 
#9
As far as #1 on your list, I have been using a Cafe Walter HA-1A headphone amp daily for six months and it has performed perfectly. It has a very clean sound with no hiss or inherent noise, so what you hear from it is what you really sound like. It is a solidly built unit that comes with an AC adapter or it can run on two 9V batteries, has inputs for your guitar and an external source (with separate volume controls), and an aux output.

I tried two other headphone amps: a Vox Bass amp and a Concept3 amp. The Vox amp broke after only a month and the Concept3 was extremely noisy.

You have to order the Cafe Walter unit through Bass Northwest. Check it out:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#10
#1. Invalid Link Removed If this is your head, then plugging in an aux cable from pc headphone jack or ipod into the aux input should work fine, and then headphones into the headphone out from the head.

Alternatively, you can use the XLR DI from the head into the mixer, ipod with an 3.5mm->1/4" into the mono input, and then use the headphone slot from the mixer. Unless I'm missing something obvious, I don't see why that wouldn't work.

#2 For use with speakers, use the main out, with a 1/4" to RCA cable. Again I'm just assuming this will work, but I don't see why it wouldn't.

#3 As for audio interfaces, take a look at TASCAM. They have some cheap models going around. Again, you can use the DI from your head, so you'll get the tone that you want.
 
#11
i think an external hard disc with all the mp3s u want to practice with plus something like an edirol fa-66 interface is all you need. i don't think u need the mixer.. really don't use the xenyx with the rest of the setup.. use the di from the genz or the aguilar (according to the tone you want) and experiment if the diamond comp sounds better before or after the genz or the aguilar and then into the input of the interface.. (should give good results if u don't go beyond soft clipping.. good luck)
 
#12
ArtechnikA said:
What works best for me (I have similar requirements) is DI -> Scarlett -> USB.
Audacity (freeware) works fine.
I'm using a fancier DAW but for just recording, Audacity works fine.
Use the headphone monitor ports on the Scarlett.
If you have powered PC-type speakers, you can get a $5 adapter that goes from the Scarlett 1/4" Monitor Out to a 1/8" TRS suitable for powered PC speakers.
I have exactly that setup. There is no upper bound on the cost of professional near-field monitor speakers, but they're far beyond what I (and probably you) need just now.
Click to expand...
THIS.

I also have a Scarlett that I use to do what you want to do. I monitor directly from it with headphones, or via external speakers. It is a USB output device, so I can play along with anything that the computer can play (mp3, youtube, etc). It is also a USB input device, so I can record (I use REAPER). I don't do this, but you could use the DI out of the shuttle into one of the mic preamps on the Scarlett.

There are a lot of USB audio interfaces that have the ability to monitor from the device, so they will also work. I have no hesitation recommending the Scarlett, however. It is my practice rig and I use it this way nearly every day.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back