practice area setup question

[brianrost]

If you have one, or can get one used, the Zoom B3 (but not B3n) connects to a computer via USB cable and you can run the output of the pedal to an amp or headphones. You get the benefit of all the amp modeling/effects inside the pedal. Nice for both practice and recording.

As far as the suggestion for the Focusrite Solo, there is also the iTrack Solo which can connect to either a computer OR an iOS device. It has a Lightning connector as well as a regular USB.

 

[JRA]

if i wanted to have my bass and backing/playalong music both running into my headphones what would i need to do that

just wanting play along abilities

a mixer is what folks use to 'mix' the sounds/audio from different sources. that's what they're designed to do: the right tool for the job. a small mixer with one or two more inputs than you think you need is what i'd advise. good luck!

 

[Nephilymbass]

if i wanted to have my bass and backing/playalong music both running into my headphones what would i need to do that, i can play the backing music either off my windows computer or my iphone .
it seems like a basic dumb question but im not very tech savy atleast not yet any help appreciated

I’ve done it several different ways. Lately I just plug my phone or iPad into the aux in on my Mesa D-800 and use the headphone out on the amp. Pretty simple setup really.

If your amp doesn’t have this ability there are now a ton of pedals that range from pre amp style pedals to loopers that have aux ins and headphone outs. You could also pick up a small mixer that has a headphone out as well.

 

[mrcbass]

It depends on what I'm working on. For simply working out lines or grooves (not concerned about tone) I'll use this:

If tone is a consideration I'll use the aux in and headphone options on my amp.

Assuming you already have the unit, I would guess that you could use the recording interface you showed on the previous page. I've never done it, but it would be easy enough to try. Just get an 1/8-14 adaptor for your aux source and see if you have a strong enough signal coming from your source music to make this work. I wouldn't go and buy that unit just for this task though.

 

[logdrum]

Amplug 2 for bass
amPlug 2 - Vox Amps

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/amPlugBassG2--vox-amplug-2-bass-headphone-guitar-amp -- I am not affiliated, in fact haven't been a customer ever.

All you need is a 1/8 stereo cable -- but I think that is included also. Anyway no more than 40 online and 2 for the cable at Fry's and probably the same from Walmart.

 

[Andyman001]

Pretty sure the Audio Box has to plug into a computer.
I use a mixer, but rarely use headphones, but the option is there.
Get something cheap & used
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Has separate level controls and headphone out with volume control.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Whatever you do, make sure you are always on an oriental rug when holding and/or playing your bass.

 

[LowActionHero]

I use a mixer, or lately an Amplug.
Sometimes tracks low in earbuds and bass through the Amp.
Or go 'old school' and run tracks through headphones with the bass in earbuds under them.

 

[Grapevine921]

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/502--behringer-xenyx-502-mixer

 

[Paul Corrosion]

The budget option, if you aren't able to buy the requisite equipment and your amp doesn't have an aux in, is what I do when I'm learning songs - use two pairs of headphones. I plug my phone earbud headphones into whatever I'm playing along from (phone/laptop) and then plug my overear headphones into my amp and place them over my "budded" ears. Works a treat.

 

[RoketRdr]

I gotta say there's a lot of really good options being posted here that I never would've thought about. Keep em coming and I may just change my practice rig with a new setup.

 

[Holdsg]

I've used both the Ampeg SCR-DI pedal, and the AUX in/phones out on either my Genzler Magellan or Bergantino Forte heads as a fantastic sounding headphone practice rig as has been described by others. I like that I get a similar tone to my stage rig this way.

I experimented with the iRig and Amplitube, but just found I liked real vs. virtual gear better.

 

[Dr Zee]

This is where I practice.
I use a drum machine and practice singing along with the Bass not using the keyboard for current project but it's there if I want it. The mixer has enough channels to take a stereo signal from the computer off to the left in the picture, and the mixer has a USB out as well for recording. The mixer sometimes goes out to do small shows as well. I put this system together on the cheap to be able to cover a lot of situations.

Oh, and I double down on the use of an Oriental rug.

 

[CarpeBasso]

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/502--behringer-xenyx-502-mixer

These are great, I have one I'm my desk that hasn't been turned off in years. I grabbed a couple of small Mackey powered studio monitors on sale (50w each) that I send the output to. I send the audio out from the computer to the mixer. I can plug my bass in to a channel and mix the output to the Mackeys, or just listen through headphones. Honestly, most of the time I just play my computer files through the mixer/Mackeys like a stereo, and practice along through a small SWR amp. But the point is, you have a number of options to suit your situation, plus you have a very nice little 100 w. stereo.

 

[jbhaugh]

If you have a practice amp built in the last 10 years or so, you probably already have the capability of playing a song through your rig (via the Aux Input, from a phone or computer or iPod or whatever you have). You plug in your bass however you've been doing it, then plug in the music player and the headphones and voila! You can hear the song and your bass in the headphones and play along. Just beware some Class D amps will not mute the speaker when doing this if there is a cab connected (but it should work with a low-powered combo such as a Fender Rumble 40 or smaller).

 

[1dreday]

Can anyone recommend decent to really good headphones do they make bass guitar specific headphones?

 

[Matty Koff]

Can anyone recommend decent to really good headphones do they make bass guitar specific headphones?

I picked up a $50 set of audio technica headphones at my local guitarcenter that would probably do you ok. I'm sure you could find something for even less than that.

You shouldn't need anything too fancy.. unless you're also looking for something that will protect your ears from a drummer in a studioish type of situation than I'd recommend something like the beyer dynamics DT770M

Barring that - i'd stick with with inexpensive over the ear cans that come with at least a 1/4th trs adapter and fits your head comfortably. Got a local guitar center near by? They usually have sets laying out you can try on.

 

[StatesideRambler]

Can anyone recommend decent to really good headphones do they make bass guitar specific headphones?

Try here: Headphones for bass practice, no budget restriction
Some searching will bring up several other threads on the topic. For a bass specific headphone, the only one I know of is made by Phil Jones Bass.

 

[Grapevine921]

These are great, I have one I'm my desk that hasn't been turned off in years. I grabbed a couple of small Mackey powered studio monitors on sale (50w each) that I send the output to. I send the audio out from the computer to the mixer. I can plug my bass in to a channel and mix the output to the Mackeys, or just listen through headphones. Honestly, most of the time I just play my computer files through the mixer/Mackeys like a stereo, and practice along through a small SWR amp. But the point is, you have a number of options to suit your situation, plus you have a very nice little 100 w. stereo.

Mine lived all the way through college and is still on my desk today! It's great, I run out of my audio interface into it, I can plug my bass in, I even have my TV running into it (so I can take full advantage of those studio monitors I just had to have)!