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Recording Amp With no Line-Out

hellrat

hellrat

Jan 18, 2022
20
7
#1
I'm looking to buy a Hartke HD25 practice amp, but theres no line-out on it. It's solid state amp with no external speaker, so i can't stick a DI box in there either.

Is there any way to record it direct? It has a headphone jack, I guess I can I run that into my USB audio interface (?) Any better ideas? Can I tap the signal somewhere else that's better? I don't mind snipping/soldering wires.
 
#2
hellrat said:
I'm looking to buy a Hartke HD25 practice amp, but theres no line-out on it. It's solid state amp with no external speaker, so i can't stick a DI box in there either.

Is there any way to record it direct? It has a headphone jack, I guess I can I run that into my USB audio interface (?) Any better ideas? Can I tap the signal somewhere else that's better? I don't mind snipping/soldering wires.
Click to expand...
If you haven't bought the Hartke yet, why restrict yourself to that one choice? You might instead consider buying a Quilter InterBass plus the small cab of your choice. The Interbass by itself would probably sound better for recording than the Hartke would, and the (up to) 45 W should be more than sufficient for practice in most scenarios.

If you're set on the Hartke, the headphone output is probably the one to use. You may have to experiment with volume settings to get one your USB interface is happy with.
 
#3
Thanks for the reply. I like Hartke and GK and wanted to stick with one of them. Hartke has the Kickback 12 which also looks good, but maybe more than I need (and a little larger). I was looking at some other small practice amps, and was disappointed many didn't have a line out. I know they try to cut corners on small amps, but would really make sense as their main purpose is practice and recording. And a small chip and XLR can't cost more than a few bucks.

Anyway, I found the GK MB110 and that looks PERFECT. Ok, it cost 3x more than the Hartke, but more features (and line-out) way better sound and built in the USA to boot. Definitely going with that. Nothing beats the sound of a Fender P-bass and a GK. Take me down to the Paradise City...
 
#4
hellrat said:
Thanks for the reply. I like Hartke and GK and wanted to stick with one of them. Hartke has the Kickback 12 which also looks good, but maybe more than I need (and a little larger). I was looking at some other small practice amps, and was disappointed many didn't have a line out. I know they try to cut corners on small amps, but would really make sense as their main purpose is practice and recording. And a small chip and XLR can't cost more than a few bucks.

Anyway, I found the GK MB110 and that looks PERFECT. Ok, it cost 3x more than the Hartke, but more features (and line-out) way better sound and built in the USA to boot. Definitely going with that. Nothing beats the sound of a Fender P-bass and a GK. Take me down to the Paradise City...
Click to expand...
Most DIs with have a 'thru.' So what you will do is split your signal before the amp.
e.g. Radial ProDI 1-channel Passive Instrument Direct Box

If you want an amp simulator as well, the DSM Humboldt is one of the few I've found that actually has a Hartke speaker sim. It will also allow signal splitting for recording effected or not. Will also get an approximation of a GK.
DSM Humboldt Electronics Simplifier Bass Station Zero Watt Analog Bass Preamp
 
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#6
two fingers said:
Honestly, any number of free DAWs will come with EQ and compression. No need to run through an amp at all. You can probably make it sound WAY better than the cheap preamp that will come in a budget combo.
Click to expand...
Yea, thanks, you're probably right. But I figured if I'm gonna buy a practice amp, a line out would be a nice option to have. And the GK MB110 sounds pretty good to me.
...actually, the previous post about the DI gave me an idea. If I get that, I can record 2 tracks in parallel, one direct, and one from the amp. Hmm...
 
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