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Silent Practice

SplinteredSkull

SplinteredSkull

Guest
Jul 20, 2013
937
487
Roanoke, VA
#1
My friend and I are going to be starting up a band again soon, and we've already started writing some stuff. We had been constricted on time before due to previous commitments but now we have plenty of time for practicing and writing - generally in the evening/at night when people want to sleep and noise ordinances are in place. I'm guessing what we need is just something we can run our amps into and then headphones out of. Would a small mixer work? Something with at least 4 inputs would be nice so when we pick up our 2nd guitarist and/or vocalist they can join in as well (drums are going to be loud no matter what, guess we'll have to plan around certain times for that). Also having another output for recording the practice would be great too. Any suggestions as to some stuff that would be good? :bassist:
 
#2
Splintered Skul said:
My friend and I are going to be starting up a band again soon, and we've already started writing some stuff. We had been constricted on time before due to previous commitments but now we have plenty of time for practicing and writing - generally in the evening/at night when people want to sleep and noise ordinances are in place. I'm guessing what we need is just something we can run our amps into and then headphones out of. Would a small mixer work? Something with at least 4 inputs would be nice so when we pick up our 2nd guitarist and/or vocalist they can join in as well (drums are going to be loud no matter what, guess we'll have to plan around certain times for that). Also having another output for recording the practice would be great too. Any suggestions as to some stuff that would be good? :bassist:
Click to expand...

Yeah, the right mixer would work - also checkout the JamHub. http://jamhub.com/
 
#7
Splintered Skul said:
Don't worry: I'd be starting with volume down and slowly turn up
Click to expand...

That can still lead to hearing loss and tinnitus. The human bodies ability to adapt is amazing, hearing is no different. What was once "uncomfortably loud" and makes your ears ring, quickly becomes common and no longer makes your ears ring.

When that happens, that's hearing loss, and you can't get back what you lose. The Audiologist who fitted me for my custom ear plugs told me hearing aids don't help the kind of damage high decibel exposure creates. Not trying to preach, just seen it happen to too many people.

Jam Hub seems like it's the best option for what you want to do. If everyone in the band chips in the price should be doable. Consider that you will likely spend more trying to do what the hub does than if you just bought one. Knobs mean options. So, while you may not want or need all those options right now, you likely will someday.

Either way, my opinion has always been that it's better to have something and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

Just my .02 .
 
#8
For drums the drummer could just get one of those electronic drum sets by Roland or Yamaha and plug that into the mixer as well.

Just a thought because my old drummer used one for practice at home and no one outside his room could hear it. And his Yamaha one felt and sounded pretty close to the real thing.
 
#9
Splintered Skul said:
I actually just looked at the Jam Hub; but $300 is a bit much to me. Something cheaper would be preferable. Cool tech and idea, but less knobs and more $ in the wallet is better. What kind of mixer should I be looking for and how would I set that up?
Click to expand...

Depending on the mixer and etc, it will end up costing more going the mixer route over the Jamhub, plus the Jamhub will take up less space - but for example, the Allen & Heath MixWizard WZ3 with EIM would be perfect. Plus you could use it at live gigs too. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#11
Thank you all for the concerns on my hearing ;) Trust me that I know what is an acceptable volume. I use earplugs during some live performances, and I got a taste of hearing problems once before after a concert.

But as for the mixer route; could I not just get something like a 4-6 channel mixer and use something like a headphone splitter? Or else plug up to the main and monitor outs?
 
#12
Splintered Skul said:
But as for the mixer route; could I not just get something like a 4-6 channel mixer and use something like a headphone splitter? Or else plug up to the main and monitor outs?
Click to expand...

Here's a heaphone mixer/splitter that might work along with a mixer: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Electronic drums with their own sub-mixer are also a good way to go.

Let us know what you end up with and how it's going. :)
 
#13
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

This one is a little cheaper and has some good features. Could use it along with a mixer like this I guess:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/behringer-xenyx-1202

But that's really only $60 cheaper than the JamHub. However, I would have a separate mixer and headphone amp/mixer for other purposes. Unless there was a way to plug directly into the headphone splitter.. but then the signal levels would all be uneven and that would probably be more trouble trying to adjust than it's worth. I think I have a 3 channel DJ mixer laying around though. Works and sounds great with turntables, my only gripe out using it for this is that it has RCA inputs only. They make cables for that though.

Overall, it would probably be best to simply get a JamHub. Unless I come across the mixer or headphone splitter for fairly cheap, it would be the most convenient option. But that's if it ends up being necessity and everyone feels we need it.
 

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