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Playing thru PC along w/mp3s?

geoff_in_nc

geoff_in_nc

Dec 13, 2008
720
264
Raleigh, NC
#1
I apologize if this has been asked before, but I couldn't find anything in a search. Also my apologies if this doesn't belong in the "Amps" section, but I couldn't think of anywhere else applicable.

I'd like to be able to play along with my mp3's or youtube vids on my laptop. In other words run the bass into the line-in, and listen thru speakers or my headphones alongside the mp3's or vids.

Does anyone know how to do this simply and preferably with freeware? I'm not looking for an amp simulator, I can accept sterile tone... I just want a quiet way to practice.
 
#5
I opted to get a headphone amp with an aux in. Currently using an Earwig with great results. Bass into the Earwig which accepts a line in from my computer or iPod and sends the signal out to a nice pair of studio headphones. Cheap, decent tone, plenty of volume and the ability to practice while I'm in the van on the way to the next gig. Great little tool.
 
#6
well first of all you need eighter some quality soundcard with 1/4" jack or some USB or firewire audio interface.
I would also highly recommend some kind of amp simulator, there are freeware programs in the net (try a google search), maybe someone here has a link.
I just read you want to connect your bass to an laptop so the soundcard won't be an option. There are interfaces specifically designed for the easy use with the pc like line6 toneport and such, but you probably won't find something 100% for free...
 
#7
The easiest way is to get a micro mixer yes even a Behringer. They cost less than about $40 on sale. Computer out to a stereo channel, bass to a mono channel headphone into the headphone jack and you can play away to you hearts content.

James' method will also work but I would think you would need better than average computer speakers. Try it, if it works for you, great!

Paul
 
#8
BassmanPaul said:
James' method will also work but I would think you would need better than average computer speakers. Try it, if it works for you, great!

Paul
Click to expand...



<$5 at radioshack for a Stereo 1/4" to Mono 1/8" adapter (stereo to stereo works but the bass will only come out one channel)... any 2.1 type computer speaker set (sub plus satellites) will amplify a bass just as loud as the loudest they are generally used to listen to music. As far a fancy audio cards... any onboard is fine. The advanced settings of the sound control panel might need some tweaking to get it all to mesh / sound good.

I've been doing this daily since about 2002.
 
#9
I use the crap out of my Tascam MP3 Bass Trainer at work during my lunch or on vacation at the inlaws ;).
They are small enough that it fits into a pocket sized camera case and I have tons of hours on it with no problems,it has built in effects,tuner and you can slow it down and change the pitch or key if you need to.
Steve
 
#10
geoff_in_nc said:
I apologize if this has been asked before, but I couldn't find anything in a search. Also my apologies if this doesn't belong in the "Amps" section, but I couldn't think of anywhere else applicable.

I'd like to be able to play along with my mp3's or youtube vids on my laptop. In other words run the bass into the line-in, and listen thru speakers or my headphones alongside the mp3's or vids.

Does anyone know how to do this simply and preferably with freeware? I'm not looking for an amp simulator, I can accept sterile tone... I just want a quiet way to practice.
Click to expand...

Invalid Link Removed
 
#12
My current set up:

ipod (or laptop)> Cafe Walter headphone amp> the best headphones I could find

If I need to color the tone of the bass I use a Sansamp Paradriver into the headphone amp but most of the time, straight in is great for practice.

I do have a Tascam bass trainer and still use that if I need to loop something or practice in a different key.
 
#14
i used to plug in through the mic-in on my onboard sound card using the 1/4 to 1/8 converter jack and use the microphone boost to hear myself along with mp3's running on another app. i like using my vt bass though.
now i have a maya 44 soundcard but the onboard did the job
 
#15
James Hart said:
<$5 at radioshack for a Stereo 1/4" to Mono 1/8" adapter (stereo to stereo works but the bass will only come out one channel)... any 2.1 type computer speaker set (sub plus satellites) will amplify a bass just as loud as the loudest they are generally used to listen to music. As far a fancy audio cards... any onboard is fine. The advanced settings of the sound control panel might need some tweaking to get it all to mesh / sound good.

I've been doing this daily since about 2002.
Click to expand...

Sound Control Panel???? Oh! you've got one of those Windows thingies!

;)

Paul
 
#20
I've really been digging my Zoom b2.1u for practice. I just plug it in to the usb-port on my laptop/pc (it can be powered with just the USB, so no need to haul the ac-adapter along for trips), plug in my bass and plug in my headphones to the zoom. I don't have to worry about any delay from crappy soundcards etc, since I'm getting the zoom's signal directly to my headphones. I also hear anything that plays on my laptop/pc as it acts like an USB audio interface. On top of all this, it also gives plenty of good tones for recording onto your pc + some nifty effects to play along with. Not to mention the drum machine, which is great for practicing on the road.

Damn, I sound like I'm trying to sell you the thing :D Just been really digging the little machine, since it only cost me about 100 euros.
 

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