Oh Yes Another Silent Practice Set Up Question. What Direction Should I Go In?

[Julian G]

95% of my home practice is though my headphones (JBL now used to be Senheiser) through either a Focusrite Scarlett Solo hooked up to my computer or more frequently now I use a TC Electronic Spectradrive. Sometimes I will also hook it up to my TC BH550 amp as well to the Spectradrive.

It all works well and the Scarlett Solo or Spectradrive won't break the bank

 

[4 Out of 5]

+1 on the bass AmPlug. I love that thing. Wish it had more than 3 drum beats, though.

The Bass Amplug 2 has got 12 drum beats including the metronome. Have a look at the instruction sheet that came with it, otherwise you can download it as a pdf from the Vox website.

 

[somebrains]

You should message this dude and ask what his loop is.

 

[timonvh]

+1 on the GB-10.

 

[el murdoque]

I was considering the soundcraft notepad 5 because it's a 5 channel mixing console with usb so if I understand correctly I can plug my laptop via usb into the mixing console I can plug my bass into my Radial JDI then the JDI into the board. Plug headphones into board?

If a board doesn't have a usb I/O than you need to add an audio interface to make it work? Sorry for the questions I'm not well versed in this area.

Combining audio sources and mixing them to a single output is literally what a mixer is built to do.
Mine was around 20 bucks second hand. It's a cheap behringer unit. I have my E-Drums, my bass rig(s) and a cable that ends in a 1/8" jack connected to the inputs, an active monitor wedge hooked to the output and the headphones on the headphone jack.
So I can play bass or drums, either at any given volume through the wedge or silent through the headphones and I can connect any other source to the 1/8" jack - Like laptop, mp3 or my phhone, which luckily still has that output. Should I upgrade my phone I will have to buy one of those units that does bluetooth to audio and hook it up, too.

 

[Clark W]

I was considering the soundcraft notepad 5 because it's a 5 channel mixing console with usb so if I understand correctly I can plug my laptop via usb into the mixing console I can plug my bass into my Radial JDI then the JDI into the board. Plug headphones into board?

If a board doesn't have a usb I/O than you need to add an audio interface to make it work? Sorry for the questions I'm not well versed in this area.

If your laptop has a headphone out jack, 1/8th stereo jack to RCA into your board's stereo channel. I do this but from a desktop into a Zoom LiveTrak L-20. Then my bass into my Sansamp BDDI to the board. Then headphones out from the board. The L-20 is more board than you need, but the principle would be the same on a smaller board.

 

[nilorius]

There are two ways to practice silent:
1. Turn your amps volume very low
2. If you don't have a headphone out in your amp, buy a tiny mixer and use it with the headphones.

 

[Christophe C]

Yeah, that Vox AmPlug fits the bill for me.

I had one and the sound quality was very bad : very noisiy.
I prefer to use a cheap Zoom B1Xon or a Boss Tu-88

Or if you only use a computer : a USB audio interface (Focusrite 2i2) may be a good option with the recording bonus

 

[JakobT]

Sell your Peavey, and get the Rumble 25. Simple, cheap and versatile.

 

[casualmadness]

If funds were unlimited sure but I'm trying to keep at $150.

I was going to suggest the bighead pro as well. I have it and it's fantastic. I've seen the Bighead non pro sell used under $150. Keep an eye on the used market.

 

[trofud]

You already have a computer. Go over Kijiji and get a used audio interface, you don't need more for silent practicing. Your budget is more than enough for a used Audiobox/Scarlett Solo/whatever. You'll be able to even buy beer with what's left.

I've been using that setup for years, never failed me. And if you're using a laptop, even better: you can take that setup everywhere and practice whenever.

 

[Bodeeni]

I have used a Focusrite Scarlet solo into my pc laptop everyday. Several DAW/amp sym free apps that work fine. I practice with youtube or mp3s. I think it is a no brainer.

 

[CAILLOUX]

phil jones big head pro

 

[Tom Gallo]

For years I used a cheap Behringer 4 channel mixer. Bass goes into one input and stereo from your music source into two inputs panned left and right.

 

[Blues Bass 2]

Looks like I'm going to be that 1 guy . I use an Ampeg BA108 and it works great with my computer or for playing like a regular practice amp . The thing that makes it my favorite is it has the aux inputs that are controlled by a volume just for the aux so you can mix your bass volume with whatever source you run into the aux input . It doesn't weigh much so taking it to the computer to plug in isn't a hassle at all . It also only costs about $100 so you get a practice amp and an interface for $100 .

 

[PSPookie]

I'm using a Roland Go:Mixer Pro. This has been a great solution for me for around $150

Roland GO:MIXER PRO Audio Mixer for Smartphones

 

[micguy]

I'm using a little Mackie Mixer and an iPod.

<$100 even if you have to buy an old iPod on ebay.

I have a Mackie 402 - it's a little Swiss army knife of connectivity. It'll do what you need it to do, and be adaptable for a lot of other situations as well. I also have a couple of Rolls PM351's (one is a backup). I use those for live gigs - not as adaptable as the Mackie, but it does what I need it to in that situation, and you can power it off a pedalboard supply (the Mackie has a wall art, which is fine at home, but I wouldn't want that on a gig).

 

[neptoon]

I have this thing called a JamHub...I got this when I was living with my kids and my son was playing electric drums or guitar...works great...might be overkill for your situation, but for me, I love it

 

[RhynoRock]

I also recommend the Amplug. God that thing sounds good, especially thru a good set of headphones.

 

[Max Bogosity]

The cheapskate's solution is to plug one set of earphones into your GK head, plug another set of earphones into your laptop, and stick one in each ear.