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Practicing with headphones.

#21
Thank you for all the replies!
I think I want something like the one scottgun posted, the xenyx 502.
But I was wondering if there was something even smaller than that.
I don't need a mic input, and I don't need 5 inputs as well.
All I would use the thing for would be to plug my bass in, plug it into the computer, and playalong to tunes with headphones.

Now if I use something like that, how would I set things up?
Connect my computer to the stereo input on the mixer, plug my bass into the line in and plug my headphones in?
 
#22
My son has the Tascam Bass trainer, plays CDs can change speed and key independently, has a bunch of digital effects for your sound. It's a good tool. Since it's a CD player, it's the size of a typical CD Walkman.

I have a Digitech BP bass processor, actually a couple of them now. It has inputs for a iPod player, but I don't use it that way. I do like the built-in drum loops and handy tuner. The sounds are typical digital amp/cab modeling. A couple hundred sounds, 4 or 5 of which are good. Not particularly small or portable, but really nice for my needs.
 
#24
gkaneko said:
Thank you for all the replies!
I think I want something like the one scottgun posted, the xenyx 502.
But I was wondering if there was something even smaller than that.
I don't need a mic input, and I don't need 5 inputs as well.
All I would use the thing for would be to plug my bass in, plug it into the computer, and playalong to tunes with headphones.

Now if I use something like that, how would I set things up?
Connect my computer to the stereo input on the mixer, plug my bass into the line in and plug my headphones in?
Click to expand...

I seem to recall I was looking for the smallest mixer as well. I'll bet they exist, but I settled on this (actually mine is the UB502, same thing different number afaik) and while there are 5 inputs, channels 2-3 are on one gain and balance knob and panner, as is 4-5. So it's really 3 channels to me. It does help in that I plug into the speaker output of the computer (an 1/8" stereo) with cord that splits to 2 1/4" jacks. I put one in the 2-3 jack and the other in the 4-5 which lets me pan and expand the stereo field. Plug the bass in and you are ready to go. Plus, if you ever want to record into the computer, you got outputs for that as well. So that's one cable to the mixer, one for the bass of course and then the headphone cable. A little messy, but not bad.


Being in the computer lets me play along to YouTubes, and if one of those has tricky bass parts, I can record it in to the free Audacity program, save it as a wav, then use the Slow Downer program to half speed it if needed.
 
#25
gkaneko said:
Thank you for all the replies!
I think I want something like the one scottgun posted, the xenyx 502.
But I was wondering if there was something even smaller than that.
I don't need a mic input, and I don't need 5 inputs as well.
All I would use the thing for would be to plug my bass in, plug it into the computer, and playalong to tunes with headphones.

Now if I use something like that, how would I set things up?
Connect my computer to the stereo input on the mixer, plug my bass into the line in and plug my headphones in?
Click to expand...

Here's how I do it with the Vox AmPlug: Headphone Out goes into Mic In on your computer, then connect your headphones to your computer's headphone plug. Fire up whatever MP3 player you use (I use Winamp) and you're good to go!:bassist:
 
#28
I do Link Removed via USB into my computer, I can record it, I can also output my computers sounds through my POD to my amp or headphones. It also models amps rather well and has some decent effects.

I use Amazing Slow Downer to loop tracks, adjust pitch, speed-up or slow down. Transcribe is cool too and I'd use that if I didn't already have Amazing slow downer.

The only problem I have with this set-up is set-up is portability, I need my laptop and my pod (which is the giant floor model) both power adapters and all the cables and hookups...It takes me like 5 minutes to set up and practice after I tear down for a gig and my whole room is snaked with cables for my cat to attack.
 
#29
I don't want to annoy or disturb my family or neighbors by practicing through an amp, so after initially plugging my bass , radio/cassette/ CD player into a mixer...using headphones, I bought both a Line 6 pod, and Korg Pandora PXB-4. The Pandora has an aux-in for radio. CD, etc. Both require a decent, although not necessarily expensive set of headphones. Simpler IMO than using a mixer. I can practice whenever I have the opportunity and I disturb no one. Now, some amps have not only headphone jacks, but AUX -IN as well. Try it. I am sure that you will be glad you did.
 
#32
BlakeJustBlake said:
I've been looking at this for awhile now, is it particularly useful for developing a good ear?
Click to expand...

I think it is good for developing your ear. I have had both the CD and mp3 versions. I found the playback sound quality of the CD version to be superior to the mp3 version. I guess that should be expected. I sold my mp3 version a few months ago and will buy the CD version in a few months once I save up the scratch.
 
#33
I just got the MP3 version (I don't really have any CDs and my computer is to slow to burn something, plus I imagine burning it wouldn't really salvage the quality issue) I haven't really gotten a chance to play with it, I was messing with it earlier just seeing what it does though and I'm pretty excited.

sorry, kind of hijacking.
 
#34
DudeistMonk said:
I do Link Removed via USB into my computer, I can record it, I can also output my computers sounds through my POD to my amp or headphones. It also models amps rather well and has some decent effects.

I use Amazing Slow Downer to loop tracks, adjust pitch, speed-up or slow down. Transcribe is cool too and I'd use that if I didn't already have Amazing slow downer.

The only problem I have with this set-up is set-up is portability, I need my laptop and my pod (which is the giant floor model) both power adapters and all the cables and hookups...It takes me like 5 minutes to set up and practice after I tear down for a gig and my whole room is snaked with cables for my cat to attack.
Click to expand...

I have this too (although the guitar version, will buy the X3 soon) but I don't use it for practicing because of the setup, as you mention it's pretty annoying compared to just plugging the Vox in the bass and GO! I use the POD for recording DI bass for demos/albums/etc.
 
#35
Korg Toneworks Px4D. Rhythm tracks, lots of modeling for bass with a ton of programable spaces, size of a wallet, Phrase trainer, tuner, really cool love mine and oh yea you can plug in an ipod and play along or when you want to play with others you can go directly into a pa with it or use as a preamp.
Get one you will not be sorry they are cool little things.
 

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