Can someone recommend an inexpensive pedal that will allow me to plug an iPod and headphones into it so that I can practice songs that I need to learn? I have a 6 month old son and even practicing with a small amp is often out of the question. Is there anything cheap that will allow me to sound like a bass, and still work on songs quietly? I just want a decent bass sound...I don't need cab options and different amp choices. I would prefer a small footprint too.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Recs for a pedal for quiet practice
- Thread starter DougBass
- Start date
For the money I'd get a Behringer POD for about $99. It does some things BETTER than the Line 6(I have both and prefer the Behringer tube sim). It has amp sims and cabinet sims plus effects in stereo. Your iPod(my mp3 player) OR PC speaker output(the light green 1/8" jack on your PC) plugs into the AUX input. It's what I used for 6 months learning 100+ songs for a new-to-me band:
Note that WinMedia player can be used to slow things down(with som loss of quality) for learning faster lines. Goldwave( http://www.goldwave.com/ ) can be used to change pitch(PITCH) and keep the same tempo(TIME WARP).
My daughter was given a Behringer POD for use in her college dorm(jazz band bassist) to practice. The only thing to be VERY careful with is to NEVER set anything on top of the controls as they are soldered directly to the main circuit board(same as Line 6) and pressure(i.e. a Houston phonebook) can break connections. Been there, done that, bought another one.
Note that WinMedia player can be used to slow things down(with som loss of quality) for learning faster lines. Goldwave( http://www.goldwave.com/ ) can be used to change pitch(PITCH) and keep the same tempo(TIME WARP).
My daughter was given a Behringer POD for use in her college dorm(jazz band bassist) to practice. The only thing to be VERY careful with is to NEVER set anything on top of the controls as they are soldered directly to the main circuit board(same as Line 6) and pressure(i.e. a Houston phonebook) can break connections. Been there, done that, bought another one.
I have a Line6 Tont Port... I love it. I use it mainly for the reasons that you mentioned. As an added bonus, it comes with pretty decent effects. It also comes with Ableton Live, which is a pretty good recording program. I think I paid around 100 bucks for it on sale at guitar center. If cost is an issue, then there are lower priced versions of the Tone Port.
Just DO NOT buy one of those lightsnake things. They are garbage. They are tempting because of the low price.
Just DO NOT buy one of those lightsnake things. They are garbage. They are tempting because of the low price.
I have the Behringer and it is pretty cool. Easy to use, sounds good.
The way I handled this situation was to not be quiet at all, ever around my infant child. She was used to noise and I could practice at low volumes with the bass in my lap and her next to me on the couch
She can sleep through an explosion now, which is awesome... unless of course there's an explosion.
Bobby
edited (she's 11 now, BTW)
The way I handled this situation was to not be quiet at all, ever around my infant child. She was used to noise and I could practice at low volumes with the bass in my lap and her next to me on the couch
She can sleep through an explosion now, which is awesome... unless of course there's an explosion.Bobby
edited (she's 11 now, BTW)
If you're using an iPod Touch, you could try [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Never tried it as I'm not an iPod user, but it looks pretty slick. Looks like there's a free/trial version, but the full app is only $39.
Just a thought.
5sg.
Just a thought.
5sg.
This little Mackie mixer works for me:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mackie-402VLZ3-Compact-Audio-Mixer?sku=630342
It has a button that adjusts the input impedance to match a bass guitar. It makes it sound much better. I have a drum machine and my iphone hooked up to it.
The other cool feature is that the main out and the headphones output are independent. This lets you keep it hooked up to an amp for loud practicing or to listen through headphones. You just turn the main volume down and that turns down your amp without reducing the headphone volume. I used to have a behringer for the same purpose, but if you turn down the mains the headphone output is also reduced so you need to turn off your amp for quiet practice. Maybe not a big deal, but for me I had an active monitor stashed in the corner and it was a pain to get to the on off switch so I just left it on. Its nice to be able to turn it down from the mixer.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mackie-402VLZ3-Compact-Audio-Mixer?sku=630342
It has a button that adjusts the input impedance to match a bass guitar. It makes it sound much better. I have a drum machine and my iphone hooked up to it.
The other cool feature is that the main out and the headphones output are independent. This lets you keep it hooked up to an amp for loud practicing or to listen through headphones. You just turn the main volume down and that turns down your amp without reducing the headphone volume. I used to have a behringer for the same purpose, but if you turn down the mains the headphone output is also reduced so you need to turn off your amp for quiet practice. Maybe not a big deal, but for me I had an active monitor stashed in the corner and it was a pain to get to the on off switch so I just left it on. Its nice to be able to turn it down from the mixer.
If you're using an iPod Touch, you could try [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Never tried it as I'm not an iPod user, but it looks pretty slick. Looks like there's a free/trial version, but the full app is only $39.
Just a thought.
5sg.
+1
I use the AmpegSVX software and a USB interface to my PC...pretty close to the above. The AmpegSVX is pretty much like the Amplitube but with ampeg amps. My fav part is you can slow an mp3 down without changing the pitch. Makes it easier to hear what's going on in those fast riffs.
I am usually loud around him. I often pull up videos on youtube through Tivo and play along for him. He loves it. I like to play at night when everyone else is asleep (less interuptions). I just need to be mindful of him and the Mrs....that's when I REALLY get in trouble...
I'm using a Classic iPod the 160 gig model.
Thanks for the suggestions...keep them coming
I'm using a Classic iPod the 160 gig model.
Thanks for the suggestions...keep them coming
I noticed that feature in the iRig software too! That's pretty handy... if there's something tricky I want to learn, I slow it down through my recording software. Seems like just having it as a built in feature would be much less hassle.
5sg.
