• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Practicing with headphones

#61
I’ve got a Palmer Pocket Amp Bass that I keep in my gigbag in case of amp issues and I need to go direct. I also use it as an active DI in bypassed mode. The thing I use it for most though is as a headphone amp with aux in. Very small and also runs on a 9v battery. I had a GK Plex I was using the same way and I actually like the Palmer much better, though the build quality isn’t as nice as the Plex.

Invalid Link Removed
 
#62
seanm said:
I prefer a cheap mixer. This allows me to mix in several different sources and output to headphones or an amp if I want to.

But if you need portability, the Big Head may be a better solution.
Click to expand...
This is what I do but too, even though some of my amps have headphone/aux in capabilities. The mixer just gives more control and I think I paid $60 bucks for it new.

I practice in headphones because you can hear every little nuance of your playing, good or bad. Also for learning songs ( I play mostly covers) you can hear things better for transcription purposes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: seanm and ktedrow
#63
Did not read the full thread (so apologies for anything that has been covered). For the feedback requested in the OP...

I had the HA 1 and was not a fan. It sounded way too sterile IMO. I tried it with several quality headphones Audio Technica ATH M50, M30, M20, and Orange 'O' Edition Headphones. I borrowed a friends Vox Amplug 2 Bass and liked it quite a bit more (closer to amplified sound). I ultimately sold my HA 1 and bought an Emerald Balor Acoustic bass for my quiet practice needs.

I also tried the PJB Bass Buddy. I liked it quite a bit more than the HA1 (extra EQ bands helped), but still did not love it. This is what ultimately led me to realize that I may want to try something other than headphone amps. While the price is much higher, I definitely prefer an acoustic over headphones for quiet practice. Completely a personal preference and most people will disagree with me, but that is where I landed on it.

Another interesting candidate that I did not get to try... Ashdown Pocket Bass. If you do not have to have a dedicated compact solution, I have generally liked the sound from the headphone outputs on my bass amps.
 
Last edited:
#64
I almost always practice with headphones because I love my family... I'm also shy about people hearing my less than stage ready material.

I've been using this little bugger:
https://www.amazon.com/AP2BS-amPlug...t=&hvlocphy=9060351&hvtargid=pla-405661307968

It has worked out well. Not very good tone wise, but I can plug it in with some headphones and roam around the house. Plug in my phone or computer for playback.

Stage up from the is through the computer using guitar rig or through my Fend Rumble with headphones.

I often wonder if I am doing something detrimental by using headphones so much.
 
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
#66
I use an Ampeg SCR-DI or a similar preamp pedal to drive headphones.

I use either a Sony MDR-V6 or the newer MDR-7506 for my headphones. Great sound, flat response, unbelievable low end, and bargain priced. You can get marginally better headphones. But you’ll need to spend about four times more to do it. Highly recommended! :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: G-Z
#70
I use a Mackie 402 - it's a Swiss army knife of connectivity, useful for a lot of different things, including practicing. You can connect pretty much anything to it - you can plug your bass in directly, or (for a bit better fidelity and signal to noise use a good DI into it (in my case, I use a Radial J48). It'll take mic or line balanced ins, instruments, stereo/rca stuff, etc.
 
#71
I prefer practicing with my Aguilar rig at low-ish volume, but when the kid is sleeping I run through a PreSonus interface into my PC with AmpliTube, with headphones out of the interface.

It's a decent practice setup that allows me to get a bunch of options that sound better than DI (to me), as well as use any sort of backing I want because all the sound is coming from the PC. It may just be my particular set of headphones, but I don't particularly love the sound. It gets the job done, though.
 
#72
This is another approach to headphone practice. If you have an iPad/iPhone. Get an IK Multimedia iRig interface with AmpliTube. Also get Anytune Pro. I can put my whole practice setup in a Crown Royal bag. This setup is stupidly inexpensive and Anytune is far and away the best practice app on the planet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bombpop14
#74
Hate headphones, I have to feel a little of the bass and hear some of the room.

Side note, practicing unplugged is not good for you in the long run. It hides many noises that would be getting picked up by the electronics while amplified, and you invariably end up plucking harder than you should to get volume out of the bass. Ok for warming up though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dramatwist and FatFunk
#75
daveonbass said:
I've been looking at the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] for practicing with headphones. Looks interesting. Got me wondering if any TBers have experience with one of these, or maybe another product that I'm overlooking.

So... do any of you TBers have experience with one of these, or maybe another product that I'm overlooking?...
Click to expand...

I practice with headphones a lot. I’ve found that it really helps to add a little bit of stereo reverb to the chain on a short room/ambience setting as this gets a little closer to the feeling of pushing air from a cab in a room rather than a dry DI sound. I built myself a small 19” practice rack with a Sansamp RBI and Lexicon reverb into a little Mackie mixer (all bought secondhand and well-used on eBay). Works great, and easy to mix in other sources (Spotify on my phone) etc via the Mackie mixer. Also easy to run my pedalboard in front of it. Cost all-up less than the price of a new Helix Stomp (lots of 19” rack gear on eBay, seems to be out of fashion now). If I hadn’t gone down that route I’d recommend a Stomp (which one day will also replace my pedals, probably).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eidolon0274 and IamBuzzy
#76
Another Phil Jones Big Head user here, I've had mine probably close to four years. I agree it can be sterile but I've got limited desk space and I don't really want to clutter it up with a mixer, even a small one. But, I will admit that I've recently thought about going the mixer route for the expanded tone controls (channel EQ) but the simplicity of the Big Head keeps me grounded in place. I also like that it is not made of cheap plastic. FWIW, I had a Bass Buddy before.

For headphones I use the Phil Jones headphones. I've got other headphones but for the money the PJB's are a solid choice, though I'm not sure if there is anything "bass" special about them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mingus_Habens
#78
Eidolon0274 said:
Hate headphones, I have to feel a little of the bass and hear some of the room.

Side note, practicing unplugged is not good for you in the long run. It hides many noises that would be getting picked up by the electronics while amplified, and you invariably end up plucking harder than you should to get volume out of the bass. Ok for warming up though.
Click to expand...
One important reason for silent practice is to avoid disturbing others. Feeling the bass and hearing the room are the opposite of that. What seems inaudible to you may well keep somebody else awake or distracted from work or homework. One needs neither of those to learn songs, work out fingerings and voicings or to practice scales and etudes. If you believe you need those in order to practice I’d say you’re not focusing narrowly enough.

As to “not good for you in the long run,” I am at a loss for words.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dramatwist, SLO Surfer and Mingus_Habens

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back