Small/apartment-sized amps or Sim/DAW recommendations?

[BigBlooFrostie]

Hello all! Had to make new account and been a while since I was here last. I hope you and yours are doing alright.

I've been doing some lengthy research and hope to get some advice. I am picking up the bass again after some years (and hand healing finally) but now am living in an apartment. So to be respectful to everyone, I was planning on having my amp either playing only with headphones plugged into or having it run into my PC (and hoping to record music with once I get my bearings back.) Basically only I want to be able to hear it, no one else. (For now at least.)

I was told my best options would probably be amp sims or a DAW? I'm not too familiar but eager to learn if anyone has any advice. Or any small practice amps that can also plug into a PC (to record) or even a lunch box type? Budget, probably anything near over $1K is pushing it probably, hah. Rock/punk rock type music with a pick is what I used to and will probably be making music with again, if that makes any difference.

Thanks for reading and any help.

 

[abarson]

I’d recommend the Fender Rumble Studio 40, as you’ll get sick of playing with headphones all the time. It has a huge variety of built in effects and amp simulations, and a USB interface for recording directly to your computer.
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[Snert]

Mighty Bass 50 BT - NUX (I own this)
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RIFF | Guitar Interface & App (I own this)

 

[beans-on-toast]

Unfortunately, bass carries through apartment walls and any amp with a speaker may be heard. DAW software has a steep learning curve. Sims and plugins are usually used within a DAW. When on sale plugins are reasonably priced.

Some DAW apps are free. Here is one.

Audacity

 

[brianrost]

DAW software has a steep learning curve.

Not all DAWs, some are very simple to use. Garageband is one, but you have to own an Apple computer. Just because a DAW has a million features doesn't mean you need to master them all.

Ableton Live has a "lite" edition that comes bundled free with many audio interfaces which you will need forhooking up your bass anyway. If you can operate a tape recorder you can operate Live. Start? Hit the spacebar. Stop? Hit the spacebar. Record? Type R. Many things are done by drag and drop. Drag an audio file from anywhere on your computer onto Live's GUI and a new track is created automatically, hit play and the track will loop until you stop it. You can pitch shift the audio into another key or fix slighty out of tune audio, slow it down without changing the pitch. Live Lite is limited to 8 tracks which is enough for practice applications and it runs on both Windows and Mac OS.

 

[Killing Floor]

Phil Jones Bass Double Four. Nothing even close for a super small amp that sounds like a bass amp.

 

[lug]

Phil Jones Bass Double Four. Nothing even close for a super small amp that sounds like a bass amp.

This. Be prepared to have to rob at least 2 liquor stores to afford it, though.

 

[abarson]

This. Be prepared to have to rob at least 2 liquor stores to afford it, though.

Only two? You live on the good side of town.

 

[lug]

Only two? You live on the good side of town.

I only rob late Friday nights to maximize profits. :smart:

 

[KohanMike]

I too recommend a Phil Jones Double Four. It's about $480 new, easily fits your $1000 budget.

 

[Medicine Man]

Audio 1-2 ch interface < $200
Reaper DAW - $60
Native Instruments Free version Guitar Rig plugin.
Sony MDR 7506 - $100

I used one of those red Focusrite interfaces before upgrading to a full digital board, but entry interfaces seem pretty comparable to me. I prefer Reaper over much more expensive DAWs. It doesn't have any digital instruments built in, though, but there are plenty of free to cheap things to get started out there. Plenty of budget left over for either paid plugins or better phones, or beer money, no armed robbery required.

 

[REV]

As others have said bass is going to carry through the walls of your apartment. I would recommend the Bighead Pro (HA-2). With a decent set of headphones you won't bother your neighbors and you'll enjoy great sound.

 

[Eric Wolfe]

Not all DAWs, some are very simple to use. Garageband is one, but you have to own an Apple computer. Just because a DAW has a million features doesn't mean you need to master them all.

Ableton Live has a "lite" edition that comes bundled free with many audio interfaces which you will need forhooking up your bass anyway. If you can operate a tape recorder you can operate Live. Start? Hit the spacebar. Stop? Hit the spacebar. Record? Type R. Many things are done by drag and drop. Drag an audio file from anywhere on your computer onto Live's GUI and a new track is created automatically, hit play and the track will loop until you stop it. You can pitch shift the audio into another key or fix slighty out of tune audio, slow it down without changing the pitch. Live Lite is limited to 8 tracks which is enough for practice applications and it runs on both Windows and Mac OS.

Another vote for Ableton- the Lite version comes bundled with the focusrite Scarlett Solo - use this as interface to computer and DAW. Easy to set up.

 

[Passinwind]

Unfortunately, bass carries through apartment walls and any amp with a speaker may be heard. DAW software has a steep learning curve. Sims and plugins are usually used within a DAW. When on sale plugins are reasonably priced.

Some DAW apps are free. Here is one.

Audacity

Here's another, much more capable free one (IMO): BandLab: Make Music Online

 

[Grinderman]

Small/apartment-sized amps

I think your massive aspirations are not only highly audible but very laudable.

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[Ögon]

For at home practicing i use 2 options:

Option 1: an audio interface with headphones, without any DAW, just straight in and using headphones as monitor without any processing:

Steinberg UR22C

Audio-technica MX40

The interface has a mix knob and with that and the gainknob and the volume control on your computer, you can easily dial in a good mix for your practice. This option gives me most focus and best results when practicing at home.


Option 2: simple stereo speakers (nothing high end)
with a VOX Pathfinder bass (10w) that i modded (i put a 6inch speaker in there)

(On gigs i of course use something more powerful.)

I have been thinking about replacing it with something bigger (or the amps below), but what i have is good enough for practicing at home; it lets you focus on your notes, and that is most important.

The fender rumble 40 is a easy winner, a lot of options on it, easy to use, many like it.
The Vox VX50-BA has it's own unique sound, also really cool.

Fender Rumble 40 (10 inch)

VOX VX50-BA (8 inch)

 

[alex1fly]

Almost any multi effects pedal has a headphone out. Same for modeler pedals. Lots of good options in that world.

 

[pbass2]

Since you'll be using headphones it sounds like, just go straight to the computer/DAW route. You don't need an amp unless you need it for gigging. Doing music in the box these days is so easy and convenient, and ultimately the most versatile way to go. You can practice your bass while you're learning to record/mix and write music. You don't have to be a "power user" and know how to do everything--heck I've been using Logic for over 20 years professionally and there's still a bunch of stuff under the hood that I simply have no need for. Are you PC or Mac? If you're Mac, my advice is skip Garageband and go straight to Logic. It's way more intuitive - Garageband to me is awkward and doesn't simulate a traditional recording experience. Logic is only $200 and it's ridiculous what you get stock with that. Would keep you busy for a loooong time.

 

[otp57]

Hello all! Had to make new account and been a while since I was here last. I hope you and yours are doing alright.

I've been doing some lengthy research and hope to get some advice. I am picking up the bass again after some years (and hand healing finally) but now am living in an apartment. So to be respectful to everyone, I was planning on having my amp either playing only with headphones plugged into or having it run into my PC (and hoping to record music with once I get my bearings back.) Basically only I want to be able to hear it, no one else. (For now at least.)

I was told my best options would probably be amp sims or a DAW? I'm not too familiar but eager to learn if anyone has any advice. Or any small practice amps that can also plug into a PC (to record) or even a lunch box type? Budget, probably anything near over $1K is pushing it probably, hah. Rock/punk rock type music with a pick is what I used to and will probably be making music with again, if that makes any difference.

Thanks for reading and any help.

Phil Jones Bass Double Four or any Phil Jones small amps, Phil Jones master the art of making small amps sound go on bass to me.

 

[KeepItMoving]

Phil Jones Bass Double Four. Nothing even close for a super small amp that sounds like a bass amp.

This. Be prepared to have to rob at least 2 liquor stores to afford it, though.

These are, in fact, remarkably good amps. They're sold online by Musician's Friend, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover a few months ago that they're included in those occasional 20%-off-one-item discount offers they run. So if you can bide your time and keep your eye peeled, you might be able to grab one for more like $400 than the usual $480.