Practice advice - amp or speakers?

[ucs8779]

Hello All,

I'm still new to bass guitar but have some home audio equipment I've used with my electric guitars.

I'm trying to decide if I really need a practice amp or better computer speakers for practice for worship band. I also use headphones but there are times when I want to listen through the speakers or play something for others so they can hear it.

I have a TASCAM US-100 audio interface, some decent Logitech computer speakers (more on that shortly) a Zoom B1X Four. I have a couple of sets of headphones - Audio Technica ATH-M20x and Tribit IC-BTH70.

I also like to record once in a while and I use Mixcraft when doing so.

I'm fairly confident the sound I hear through the headphones is the best I'll get with what I have, but as I said I don't always want to use the headphones.

When I use the computer speakers, they just can't handle the bass and will vibrate and distort the sound.

I'm looking at the practice combo amps in the 15W-25W ($100-$150) range. I've considered upgrading to studio monitor speakers but I'm not sure they are what I'm looking for as I also just like to listen to music from the computer.

The ultimate goal would be an amp and some new speakers, but I'd like to pick one for now due to budget.

I'd like to learn from your experience. I'm leaning toward an amp but would like to read your suggestions.

Thank You!

 

[AGCurry]

Since you can already listen to music through headphones or speakers, get a musical-instrument (combo) amplifier. You'll hear better what your bass guitar sounds like, or should sound like.

 

[OOD]

If you go the Monitor route, GK has a very nice free amp sim that sounds really good. You’re good going to have a delay though. If I get the delay in the monitor out enough to not notice it, I have to sacrifice hearing some pops and cracks in the monitor and that’s even with a computer I built with recording in mind.

I think you’d have a better situation with an amp that has an aux input. The music won’t be wonderful through the bass amp, but the bass will be way easier to dial in, especially if you haven’t messed with a DAW much. You can always get a better computer speakers later.