Silent Home Practice Setup

[operative451]

Nux PG2 and big round retro styee headphones from primark! Ok, its not going to win 'tone of the year' any time soon, but its surprisingly good for a total of about 40 quid... Also the Nux has an input, so you could run phone/mp3 player/reel to reel tape deck into it if you wanted..

[Ashweb]

I use a Vox AP2 headphone amplifier. Plugs directly into your bass, runs off two AAA batteries and has mini jack sockets for headphones and aux in if you want to play along to a track. It can provide a pre set rhythm and you can set the tempo but I find this a bit fiddly and it eats the battery life considerably. I pair it with TGI headphones and it sounds great although as I'm no longer tethered to the amp I tend to wander about a bit which isn't always appreciated...

[lemmywinks]

I use a USB powered mini desk, probably the best option if you want to use it with a Windows laptop or tablet, it's one of these:
https://reverb.com/uk/item/2635070-refurbished-behringer-xenyx-302usb-premium-5-input-mixer-and-usb-audio-interface-full-warranty?_aid=pla&pla=1&gclid=Cj0KEQjw9b6-BRCq7YP34tvW_uUBEiQAkK3svfJiqKSCMmkDqZCTVCEFGaXnMjWtxrqlbM9dRYIB7S8aAm9D8P8HAQ

Had some cheap Sennheisers but recently picked up a pair of bluetooth heapdhones from Aldi (with 3.5mm jack aux in) which actually go a fair bit deeper and sound clearer. The main advantage for me is cutting down on cables, The desk uses just a single USB cable for power and also uses this as a line in. I have a bluetooth adapter on the way from China to cut out another cable too so eventually it will be a single guitar lead and a short USB cable. I hate cables but want the flexibility of a desk so I can quickly boost or cut volume levels or low end on seprate channels.

It also functions as an audio interface, has a switchable aux in on channel 2 (with seperate 2 band eq like chanel 1) and works with my Windows tablet. Before this I used a small desk but that had a bulky power brick and required a seperate aux in cable so wasn't as neat. I also had a Korg Pandora PX3B which was very portable but sounded lifeless to me, handy little thing though.

Edited September 7, 2016 by lemmywinks

[dannybuoy]

I must say that Behringer above looks like one of the best options and is a bargain to boot. Being able to cut the bass out of the mp3 you're jamming along to is a feature I miss!

[AndyTravis]

I use a line6 sonic port into their mobile pod software and run Spotify if I'm learning a set.

I used to use a peavey amp link kit and the pocket GK app - but a load of features of PGK Stopped working after a few IOS updates which was a shame as the loop and speed/key functions were excellent.

[Chaos Daveo]

[quote name='lemmywinks' timestamp='1473285102' post='3128795']
I use a USB powered mini desk, probably the best option if you want to use it with a Windows laptop or tablet, it's one of these:
https://reverb.com/uk/item/2635070-refurbished-behringer-xenyx-302usb-premium-5-input-mixer-and-usb-audio-interface-full-warranty?_aid=pla&pla=1&gclid=Cj0KEQjw9b6-BRCq7YP34tvW_uUBEiQAkK3svfJiqKSCMmkDqZCTVCEFGaXnMjWtxrqlbM9dRYIB7S8aAm9D8P8HAQ

Had some cheap Sennheisers but recently picked up a pair of bluetooth heapdhones from Aldi (with 3.5mm jack aux in) which actually go a fair bit deeper and sound clearer. The main advantage for me is cutting down on cables, The desk uses just a single USB cable for power and also uses this as a line in. I have a bluetooth adapter on the way from China to cut out another cable too so eventually it will be a single guitar lead and a short USB cable. I hate cables but want the flexibility of a desk so I can quickly boost or cut volume levels or low end on seprate channels.

It also functions as an audio interface, has a switchable aux in on channel 2 (with seperate 2 band eq like chanel 1) and works with my Windows tablet. Before this I used a small desk but that had a bulky power brick and required a seperate aux in cable so wasn't as neat. I also had a Korg Pandora PX3B which was very portable but sounded lifeless to me, handy little thing though.
[/quote]

Thanks for this, I'm snapping one up on payday

[Musicman20]

Zoom B3 - has lots of other uses. I sold mine but I'm going to get another.

Edited September 8, 2016 by Musicman20

[Jazzjames]

Bass -> USB interface e.g. Focusrite iSolo -> Logic on your computer. Then you can use iTunes or whatever and EQ out the bass on the original track, and play your own lines without clashing with what's on the record.

Edited September 10, 2016 by Jazzjames

[dave_bass5]

Bass in to my iphone or ipad via iRig HD interface and headphones. That all i use at home these days. Ampkit has both a TE and Ashdown rigs so plenty of variation for me, and no other power sources needed as it all works off the lightning interface.
Probably not the best but certainly portable and can be used in car/van/train etc without any need for a power source.

[Muzz]

If you've got an iPad, then a Sonic Port, Jamup Pro and headphones and you're done for about £80 (less the iPad). It's what I've used for ages, and it's great.

[bubinga5]

[quote name='NJE' timestamp='1473266102' post='3128524']
I use Bass, Apogee Interface, Laptop, Garageband and then I can use the Internet to practice whatever I want to. I tend to use Youtube playlists for cover band rehearsals, incredibly handy.
[/quote]This. AKG cans also. Great set up and a great sound. Focusrite 24 pro on its way, so amazing sound coming.

[Musashimonkey]

Focusrite Clarett 2Pre into iMac for 'serious' practice.

PJB or Zoom B3 and headphones for living room tinkering.

[steve-bbb]

i have a line6 basspodxt with headphone socket or alternatively iPad with an iRig Pro with Amplitube, some of the amplitube modelling plugins are quite acceptable especially the ampeg sims

Edited September 11, 2016 by steve-bbb

[Telebass]

[quote name='Muppet' timestamp='1473263679' post='3128479']
I still use the Tascam MP-BT1. Great bit of kit though I have replaced the rechargeable battery once.
[/quote]

Same...

[Telebass]

[quote name='lemmywinks' timestamp='1473285102' post='3128795']
I use a USB powered mini desk, probably the best option if you want to use it with a Windows laptop or tablet, it's one of these:
[url="https://reverb.com/uk/item/2635070-refurbished-behringer-xenyx-302usb-premium-5-input-mixer-and-usb-audio-interface-full-warranty?_aid=pla&pla=1&gclid=Cj0KEQjw9b6-BRCq7YP34tvW_uUBEiQAkK3svfJiqKSCMmkDqZCTVCEFGaXnMjWtxrqlbM9dRYIB7S8aAm9D8P8HAQ"]https://reverb.com/u...B7S8aAm9D8P8HAQ[/url]

Had some cheap Sennheisers but recently picked up a pair of bluetooth heapdhones from Aldi (with 3.5mm jack aux in) which actually go a fair bit deeper and sound clearer. The main advantage for me is cutting down on cables, The desk uses just a single USB cable for power and also uses this as a line in. I have a bluetooth adapter on the way from China to cut out another cable too so eventually it will be a single guitar lead and a short USB cable. I hate cables but want the flexibility of a desk so I can quickly boost or cut volume levels or low end on seprate channels.

It also functions as an audio interface, has a switchable aux in on channel 2 (with seperate 2 band eq like chanel 1) and works with my Windows tablet. Before this I used a small desk but that had a bulky power brick and required a seperate aux in cable so wasn't as neat. I also had a Korg Pandora PX3B which was very portable but sounded lifeless to me, handy little thing though.
[/quote]
This looks very interesting!

[Phil Starr]

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1473260022' post='3128438']
Zoom B1.on + £20 Seinheinser headphones + an audio source, could be an MP3 player, tablet or laptop
[/quote]
You are probably bored with this answer by now but this is what I use, I get about a weeks use out of rechargables too. Happy days.

[xzodar]

PJB Bighead with PJB headphones and music via an iPad app is working for me. (Also works with an iPhone)

I'm using an app called Anytune which allows you to vary tempo and pitch as well as set loops within the song to practice with etc as well as a step change function for practicing tricky passages and then speeding up slightly in increments which you can set.

I'm using a tablet stand from Ikea which keeps it all nice and compact.

Edited September 11, 2016 by xzodar

[landwomble]

I have used my Zoom B2 and a Bose Sound link Mini 2 and it's surprisingly good...

[joeystrange]

I'm also looking at a silent practice setup and the Zoom B1 looks good.

Can anyone point me in the direction of these £20 Sennheisers that have been mentioned? I don't want to get the wrong ones and find out they're useless.

[paul_5]

Bass into a DHA VT1 DI EQ. iPod into the line in and a pair of Sennheiser in-ears from the headphone out. Sounds great.

[Phil Starr]

Sennheiser HD201's are perfectly adequate https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-Closed-Dynamic-Stereo-headphones-Black-Silver/dp/B0007XJSQC Look for closed back because it cuts out the sound for people near you and also some of the background noise you would otherwise hear.

[joeystrange]

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1475016330' post='3142405']
Sennheiser HD201's are perfectly adequate https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-Closed-Dynamic-Stereo-headphones-Black-Silver/dp/B0007XJSQC Look for closed back because it cuts out the sound for people near you and also some of the background noise you would otherwise hear.
[/quote]

Looks good to me. Thank you very much.

[BottomE]

This is about as lightweight as it can get. One of these plugs into my bass. Phone goes into it as backing track source. Boom. Works ok when on the road and in hotels.

[FinnDave]

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1475046014' post='3142485']
This is about as lightweight as it can get. One of these plugs into my bass. Phone goes into it as backing track source. Boom. Works ok when on the road and in hotels.


[/quote]

Exactly what I use if I feel the need to play without disturbing wife or neighbours.

[mrtcat]

[quote name='xzodar' timestamp='1473591185' post='3131386']
PJB Bighead with PJB headphones and music via an iPad app is working for me. (Also works with an iPhone)

I'm using an app called Anytune which allows you to vary tempo and pitch as well as set loops within the song to practice with etc as well as a step change function for practicing tricky passages and then speeding up slightly in increments which you can set.

I'm using a tablet stand from Ikea which keeps it all nice and compact.
[/quote]

Trying to understand why you have my set list on your ipad lol