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silent practicing

giantoz

giantoz

Feb 26, 2010
54
46
#1
hi, I'm looking for the best (and economical) way to practice with some headphones. and since I dont have enough money for a good amp and effects-modeling would be a nice feature, but quality sound is most important

Most headphone amps I've seen look like junk, though I've seen this thing the cafe walter ha-1a that looks nice. I've also considered that tascam mp3 training thing-but reviews of that go back and forth and im not sure. if there is a cheapy thing that works nice, that would be great-but I want quality sound without artifacts and white noise and all that.

with all these recording interfaces around I thought that might be a good idea and recording is pretty cool too. I am using windows 7 though and am afraid of getting one that isnt compatible.

any advise? thanks for listening guys.
 
#3
Zoom B2 (version with footpedal and USB interface). It has a lot of tonal variety via amp/cab modeling, effects, and a very robust EQ section with compression.

It also has a built in drum machine and a USB interface to record with.

Link Removed
 
#5
Sundogue said:
Zoom B2 (version with footpedal and USB interface). It has a lot of tonal variety via amp/cab modeling, effects, and a very robust EQ section with compression.

It also has a built in drum machine and a USB interface to record with.

Link Removed
Click to expand...

+1. I have one of these and it is great for practicing. I have the USB from my mac piped into it so I can play along with iTunes. Technically the model is Zoom B2.1u.
 
#6
If you really want to go cheap, the bass Pockit Rockit is only $30, and for what it is, it sounds pretty decent. The options above are certainly better, but this one's alot less dough. And yeah, I occasionally use mine for playing while watching tv.
 
#7
Grateful said:
+1. I have one of these and it is great for practicing. I have the USB from my mac piped into it so I can play along with iTunes. Technically the model is Zoom B2.1u.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's the name. I only have the straight up Zoom B2, but I only use it live.

Personally when I'm practicing on my own I could care less about tone as I'm either learning new songs or parts, which is why I prefer to use my Tascam CD Bass Trainer. The tone is actually pretty good on it, but for practicing nothing beats it.
 
#9
My amp stays right beside my bed, so I plug the headset and practice even when wife is sleeping, a mere 2 meters or less from me. I go further and do the old trick of putting my mp3 player with in ears, then the headset from my amp. Voila, instant play-along practice, and nothing but a slight clakity sound to the rest of the world (slightier now, cause of flats)
 
#13
A Behringer xenyx 502 is like $45 and can be hooked up to your PC sound card with the right cables. Might be just what you need. I tried the Cafe Walter and found that I already had something that sounded way better - my RNP mic preamp, which can drive my Senheiser HD600 directly with a simple cabling mod. The Cafe Walter sounds muddy compared to the RNP but it is quite usable. I also go from bass to the RNP into my Wamirack 192X audio interface to mix with what my PC plays.
 
#15
CamiloDíaz;8762239 said:
My amp stays right beside my bed, so I plug the headset and practice even when wife is sleeping, a mere 2 meters or less from me. I go further and do the old trick of putting my mp3 player with in ears, then the headset from my amp. Voila, instant play-along practice, and nothing but a slight clakity sound to the rest of the world (slightier now, cause of flats)
Click to expand...

Now that is a big bed!
 
#16
Most of my practice is with computer sound files. I had a small guitar amp with a line out. I disconnected the speaker, and ran the line out to the input of my sound card. The amp sits next to my computer, and gives me volume and basic EQ for the bass. Overall levels are set on the computer. Since I already had the components, including a 1/4" to 1/8" shielded cable, this setup cost me nothing.
 
#20
+ 1 on the idea of using a small mixing board. That behringer 502 is the newer version of what I have. It is very small. I had the Pocket Rock-it for while, but I like the board better since I don't need to be wandering around while I practice. These boards have RCA jacks for audio in, so you can plug your ipod right in and play along. Very basic, very effective.
 

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