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Silent Practice
- Thread starter TempoGuy
- Start date
This item is made by TaoTronics. I found it on Amazon. Very use to use. The charge lasts a long time. I think there are some amplugs that have the bluetooth built in too.
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Thanks! Much appreciated. I was trying to imagine how much bulk the Bluetooth transmitter added. The visual really helps. This seems cheaper than buying a whole new one just to add Bluetooth…
Phil Jones Big Head Pro.
Still going strong, still amazing. Highly recommend if you can swallow the price!
I use my Quilter Interbass. the Balanced line out is also a 1/4 headphone port, a 1/8 adapter allows the use of any earbuds or headphones.
There are many, MANY preamp pedals out there with "phone out" and "Aux in" so that you can patch in an external device (your phone/mp3 player for example) and listen to the net sum of sounds (bass + aux) through headphones.
I use a TC Electronics SpectraDrive pedal when I travel and like it a lot as it also gives me EQ, OD, and some Compression. The Aux in signal is a straight passthrough so you can tweak the bass sound to match what you are playing without coloring the Aux.
I use a TC Electronics SpectraDrive pedal when I travel and like it a lot as it also gives me EQ, OD, and some Compression. The Aux in signal is a straight passthrough so you can tweak the bass sound to match what you are playing without coloring the Aux.
https://www.gallien-krueger.com/plex-preamp
Headphone output. Aux in. Amp modeling. Everything plus the best tone in the world.
Here are some ways that I practice at low volume:
1. Vox bass device into bass w one earphone + AirPod in other ear w song/material to be learned via Bluetooth. The Vox has 3 Drum patterns in it which I can use as a metronome.
2. Small practice amp under desk (e.g. Fender Rumble 25, Ampeg BA-108) and music from source (or Metronome Online) into WonderBoom speaker via Bluetooth.
#2 I've been able to achieve low enough volumes that don't disturb WFH Zoom conferences in same house.
the Vox mini headphone amp was inexpensive and is much better than expected. Plus it's very tiny, compared to my old Rockman Bass Ace. I bring it everywhere when traveling— able to work on stuff silently while waiting for band to set up at rehearsals, or silently in hotel room, etc.
I have the Vox for bass and find it is fine when on a budget, but I think a lot of players will outgrow it.
A little 2-band mixer or a pedal with phone and aux would serve better while still being very portable.
I picked up a cheap Harley Benton compact amp - headphone jack and audio input, with the benefit of a input control knob.
I use the KISS "keep it simple stupid" method. Small mixer and headphones. In my case an Allen and Heath ZED 10 and AKG headphones. This mixer also has USB so it serves to interface with my pc. I plug in my bass, metronome and music source. I like the ZED because it has two channels that have input gain switch for guitar use.
For live sound "low volume" practice I use a yard sale $15 line 6 guitar amp that has an aux in and a headphones out Jack.
I don't practice for the purpose of finding the right tone. If I were doing that it sure wouldn't be quiet and I'd be using my full bass rig.
For live sound "low volume" practice I use a yard sale $15 line 6 guitar amp that has an aux in and a headphones out Jack.
I don't practice for the purpose of finding the right tone. If I were doing that it sure wouldn't be quiet and I'd be using my full bass rig.
Like Joe Nerve says a Vox Amplug works great.I have one that I plug my headphones into and it also has a 1/8 inch stereo in that I use a 1/8 stereo to 1/8 inch stereo cord that I plug in into my headphone out on my cellphone and bring up whatever song I choose.Works great and only $55 at Sweetwater.I doubt if you will find any options cheaper than that.
Phil Jones Bass Bighead! It has great tone and you can use it for many different applications, including silent practice. You can play it plugged into the wall or use the internal battery to play whenever. It's small and portable. You won't regret it.
I also use my mesa subway D-800 for the same purpose on occasion, but prefer the Bighead for silent practice.
I also use my mesa subway D-800 for the same purpose on occasion, but prefer the Bighead for silent practice.
I use the phones/output jack in 4 channel keyboard rigs.
1 channel bass
2 channel computer or radio/CD player
3 channel drum machine
1 channel bass
2 channel computer or radio/CD player
3 channel drum machine
My VOX Amplug is GREAT for practicing. Use your own phones, has a few built-in drum patterns with adjustable tempo, and you can run an external mp3 player with it too. Best $50 investment ever.
Get a mixer, use headphones, plug your CD player/computer/iPad/iPhone or whatever into mixer, I use a Tech 21 SansAmp VT Bass for my bass sound.
This is not as unsatisfactory as it might sound. In many recording studios you are playing with headphones.
I do most of my practice late in the evening and have a daughter who is a sound Nazi. I think her ears are about twice as sensitive as a normal person. Sometimes she even complains about the noise of the un-amplified strings. She is 3 rooms away in an average size 3 bedroom house. (Not a trailer.)
This is not as unsatisfactory as it might sound. In many recording studios you are playing with headphones.
I do most of my practice late in the evening and have a daughter who is a sound Nazi. I think her ears are about twice as sensitive as a normal person. Sometimes she even complains about the noise of the un-amplified strings. She is 3 rooms away in an average size 3 bedroom house. (Not a trailer.)
A 4 channel mixer or something. A channel for bass, one for the metronome, and a stereo channel for the music.
Behringer Xenyx 802 4-channel Analog Mixer
Behringer Xenyx 802 4-channel Analog Mixer
