Ok, I have a question about headphone amps.

[RandomEvent]

Yeah, this is going to be a very stupid question...

Anyway, I was looking to buy one of those Cafe Walter or Earwig amps because I'd like to be able to practice in my bedroom instead of having to sit in my garage all the time and hook my bass up to my combo amp. Basically, what I'm wondering is if those types of headphone amps function by themselves, right? I'd just need the amp, and to plug my headphones and bass in, and I'd be good to go? Or would I need other equipment.

 

[Jeff Scott]

That is all you will need, plus the guitar cable you forget to mention! Look for a used Raven Labs PHA-1.

 

[RandomEvent]

Well, yeah, I meant the cable too, lol. Thank you for the quick answer. And I checked the Bay for a used Raven Labs but didn't see one. Anywhere else I would want to check for used gear besides the here, eBay, or craigslist?

 

[georgestrings]

I've got a Korg Pandora PX4B that I'm quite happy with - you *might* want to check one of those out...



- georgestrings

 

[Jim Dombrowski]

Do the headphone amps you're looking at have inputs for a tape or CD player? That would be an important feature to me.

JD

 

[Red Fenders]

I bought one of these yesterday. I plugs right into your bass, no cable needed. It has a line out for headphones or recording ( haven't tried recording yet) and an input for iPod, MP3, CD. etc. It has a tone control (called "Filter) and a switch for "tite" or "big" sound.

It sounds pretty good, you can get a variety of sound out of it and it has more than enough volume.

Michael

MIM P-Bass, S1b amp, looking for a "real" amp

 

[Nick Kay]

If you have a computer in your bedroom, a sounder investment would be a good DI box. You can use it for practicing at home, especially with music or tabs from your computer, along with home recording AND going into the PA at gigs.

 

[Oreomeister365]

how does one use a DI box with a computer to get a signal?

 

[Nick Kay]

how does one use a DI box with a computer to get a signal?

Just plug the DI into the microphone input on your computer with an XLR to 1/8" TRS converter. You could also use the line-in, but I get a better sound from my mic in, personally.

 

[Jim Carr]

I've got a Korg Pandora PX4B that I'm quite happy with - you *might* want to check one of those out...

+1

I've used mine for several years, and still do. Compact, CD and Bass in, headphones out. It has modeling and effects (don't use these much), metronome (yes!), tuner (yes!), drum beats, short recording clip, all built-in. The whole thing is about the size of a well stuffed wallet. Runs on batteries or a wall wart.

I have heard assorted rumors during the last 3 years that they were discontinued. These have proven to be false rumors, though the latest ones I have not investigated...I think I may need to buy a second Pandora PX4B, just as a backup, because I find it indespensible for preparing music sent to me by employers as MP3 files attached to email!!!

I can connect the headphone output of my (Mac) laptop to the CD/line in of the pandora, plug in my bass (Upright, too) to the pandora, double click the MP3, and I am learning new material for a gig or recording.

Anywhere!

 

[georgestrings]

+1

I've used mine for several years, and still do. Compact, CD and Bass in, headphones out. It has modeling and effects (don't use these much), metronome (yes!), tuner (yes!), drum beats, short recording clip, all built-in. The whole thing is about the size of a well stuffed wallet. Runs on batteries or a wall wart.

I have heard assorted rumors during the last 3 years that they were discontinued. These have proven to be false rumors, though the latest ones I have not investigated...I think I may need to buy a second Pandora PX4B, just as a backup, because I find it indespensible for preparing music sent to me by employers as MP3 files attached to email!!!

I can connect the headphone output of my (Mac) laptop to the CD/line in of the pandora, plug in my bass (Upright, too) to the pandora, double click the MP3, and I am learning new material for a gig or recording.

Anywhere!

Agreed on all counts - especially the using of a Pandora to MP3 files from email(although I go the PC route)... I've found the key shifter to be quite useful, as bands don't always play songs in their proper keys - and being able to practice ANY time, night or day, w/out disturbing anyone else has been great... I typically use mine with either a portable CD player, or an MP3 player - and a decent set of headphones(Grado S 60s) - and the sound is pretty good.... I'd recommend the PX4B to anyone - it's an absolutely amazing little box, and one I'll always keep around - for a coverband musician, it's as good as it gets, IMO...




- georgestrings

 

[Jim Carr]

So are there any truth to the latest wave of "PX4B is being discontinued" rumors?