slowing down a part to practice to?

I use audacity. Free and works on Windows, Linux, and Macs.

 

a metronome

 

Tascam Bass Trainer!!! Best practice device I have ever used.

 

Check out "The Amazing Slow Downer". Google it, I think the download is about $50. Well worth the price.

 

Best Practice is another good program. Lets you loop, slow down without changing pitch, and change pitch without affecting speed.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/bestpractice/

 

+100 on this one

VERY Well worth the price

 

Te Tascam Bass Trainer is a great tool. I'd highly recommend it.

Amazing Slow Downer works great and doesn't cost a lot if you're looking for a software-based solution.

 

On a little different note - I slow down midi files with Cakewalk. I actually did this with YYZ.

 

Like mentioned above, the tascam bass trainer is a fantastic device. Slowdown feature is awesome as well as altering the pitch of a song to avoid having to constantly re-tune. Even though the onboard tuner works perfectly. Good onboard metronome as well.

 

I used to use the Tascam Bass Trainer and loved it.

 

Another vote for the Tascam Bass Trainer. In addition to slowing down a piece in increments, you can also loop - either an entire track, or just the part of the track you need to work on (at least with the Mark II, I don't know about the 1st model - plus, I use the CD model, not the MP3 model.) We're even using it with a line into a stereo when I'm practicing with the drummer I'm working with.

 

AmpegSVX will do this as well.

 

i do it with logic. slow it down 10-20% and EQ the rest of the song out.

 

And Another

 

Here's a couple of links that relate to the topic:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481448
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23303

 

+1. I use this, and I also have the Tascam MP3 Bass Trainer. Amazing Slow Downer is FAR, FAR superior in it's ability to slow down tracks to stupidly slow tempos yet still sound pretty normal. The Tascam works but it's sounds much more choppy at anything more than a few clicks down, and it won't go to near the extremes that ASD does.

They both have pros and cons.

ASD: It's easy to adjust your loop points so that you can make a portion of a song loop without breaking rhythm so that you can play a section repeatedly until you nail it. Works with MP3's or CD's. Has EQ options to take out low end, boost it, etc. Having a software window open with a bunch of sliders makes it easy to make adjustments. Hitting the space bar pauses, then hitting it again continues. Simple to use. The con of course is that it requires you be at a computer to use it.

Tascam: Most of the same features as above, but since it's on a little device they aren't as easy to get to. Once you get used to using it, you can fly through things pretty quickly. Sound quality of slowing down tracks is very inferior to ASD. The attractivness of the Tascam is it's portability. I use it more than ASD for that reason alone. I have small children in the house, so practicing after 8 p.m. requires I use headphones. I load up songs on the Tascam and let it run. I have a bunch of instructional books with accompanying CD's that I've ripped to MP3 and placed in folders on the Tascam. I can grab the book, plug in my bass and headphones, and I can go through different sections very quickly. If I didn't have kids and could practice without headphones, I wouldn't need the Tascam at all. But as it is this thing has been wonderful.

 

yeah ! what he said !

 

I also use the Tascam to learn parts. The loop and slowdown functions are the best. I also use it to practice along with songs, both from band practice recordings and from the original artists recordings. I can repeat them as many times as I want and don't distrub/drive crazy the wife and kids.

 

+1 Tascam Bass Trainer.