Silent practice : micromonitor+headphone amp OR basic multi-effects pedal

[vivek_abhi]

Thanks.. Great advice from everyone and amazing to see so many different ways to do this. In summary, I saw these various options from above
1) Bass > pedal board > Mixer > headphones / computer for recording
2) Bass > small but expensive headphone Practice Amplifier like Cafe Walter/ Phil Jones Bass Buddy / GK MB200
3) iRig for someone who has iphone/ipod
4) Bass trainer like Tascam BT1
5) Portable pure headphone amp like VOX Amplug
6) A decent multi effects processor like Zoom B2/B3, Boss ME 50B, Line 6 POD etc
7) A small portable solution like BOSS TU-88 or Korg mini pandora which has multiple features into one like headphone amp/tuner/metronome/aux input etc

Hopefully I dint lose out any anything.

For now, I am inclined towards TU-88/Korg mini pandora/Zoom multi effects for these reasons :
1. 100$ is my limit hence expensive multi effects processor and good quality practice amps are out
2. The mixer solution imho is the most practical and cheap but since I was anyways planning to buy a new tuner, it loses out here
3. Tascam Bass trainer BT1, vox AMplug, iRig are great solutions but too specific for my needs

Conclusion (till now)
The Boss TU-88 is around 60$ and the korg pandaora / Zoom B2 are 100$. One of these will be my first choice. If i can manage to shell out some more money the Zoom B3 looks great since it can even be used live and for basic recording and has everything I want.

I will be reading up and browsing for 2-3 more days and then decide to buy.
In case, you see something wrong with my analysis please let me know. Or any other idea in general would be great too...

Thanks again, I didnt expect so many different responses in one day.

 

[singlemalt]

I do 95% of my practice work with headphones on. The cheap smallish mixer gives you the basics with room to grow.

I picked up a Yamaha MG 102c for $75. I run my bass through a MXR M-80 bass di + ( preamp, eq, some grit, di, phantom powered, goes everywhere box) which is powered by the mixer. Also going to inputs: cd player, ipod, drum machine, tape deck, vocal mike with a couple channels left over. Effects loop to an Alesis microverb.

On the output side: headphones, lines to the a power amp and speakers, a line to a $10 pawnshop tuner, or out to the looper so I can run multiple inputs balanced for volume. If I had to, I could do a small gig with this mixer, the power amp and my floor monitors and speakers.

The mixer route just gives you lots of room to grow as you pick up new stuff. The multi effects I've tried didn't have the best headphone sound. (I've got a zoom B9, but I run it into the mixer or the interface) With a mixer you can eq each input, and pan side to side, which can help you hear the bass lines on your playback.

Another route would be an inexpensive usb interface into your computer. Go this direction and you will be able to record as well.

The iRig is a toy, not worth the dough.

The whole shebang is on a shelving unit with a light and a pull out keyboard shelf for papers or music. I can practice standing up or pull up a chair.

 

[scottfeldstein]

What he said ^^

 

[bluewine]

Hi Scott,

I use a pair of Koss powered head phones, Korg Pandora 4x amp modler and my iPod. Works fine for me

 

[plainman]

I like the VOX Bass Amplug for walking around the house and playing, but if I am just playing in my usual spot, my amp has a headphone jack so I can basically keep my same setup.

 

[caeman]

Behringer Bass V-Amp Pro.

It is a short-depth rack-mount unit, but with it, you get a few effects, amp/speaker sim, multiple outs (including head phones). And if you hook the outs to a power amp, it can be your basic bass rig.

 

[willbassyeah]

One thing to take note when using Pandora mini, if you have a separate FX board that you are going to use, ie, bass->fx-> Pandora mini->headphone, I don't recommend the mini, I realise the mini hate FX playing through it. But no prob when plugging in bass->Pandora mini-> headphon.

 

[Itouchdownthere]

I think the GK MB200 sounds like the best option 4 me. I recently purchased a Korg PX4B off ebay and it lasted 2days before it started making a loud high pitch screeching noise. So im done with the Pandora idea. Everywhere i have looked the GK is about 250$. My other option is the Yamaha MG 102c mixer its only 100$

 

[Duckwater]

I just use a mixer(I'm fortunate enough to have a decent carvin mixer) into my computer, and into my headphones. My band also uses the mixer for all of our live mixing.