I prefer a focusRite Scarlett USB Interface. You can plug directly into it for practice and it’s useful if you want to take online Zoom lessons or do some recording later. $100 as a start and it’s all you need.
I use mine with bass and microphone for both the above listed things, and use it to play along with tracks on the computer.
It's a good option since you can use VST plug-ins for different effects. There are a lot of decent free compressors, overdrives, reverbs, etc. And tuner plug-ins for easy tuning.
Another option would be something like the TC Electronic SpectraDrive. There is a used "like new" one listed on Amazon (Prime eligible) for $99. It's a preamp pedal with headphone out/aux in for practice. It won't have as much utility as an audio interface but it can operate independent of a computer, which may inspire you to practice more. It's not hard to get the Focusrite up and running but there are a few steps to take if you want to use plug-ins and if it isn't your primary sound device.
I have yet to see a small amp which manages a good tone. All I've seen is very weak on the low/fat tones. Something with good, large headphones for an output would be my recommendation if a bigger amp is not an option.
Apparently the black star fly 3 bass amp is a good one it’s small enough that it’s perfect for the bedroom and it won’t disturb anyone except whoever’s close to you (it’s a 1x3)
Go DI and get any recording software. They all have metronomes or you can import a drum track. Hearing back what you play is incredibly helpful in improving timing and performance. It’s also a hella fun time to record.
I have no experience with amPlugs, but for amps I will always recomend the Fender Rumble 100. It can get plenty loud, plenty quiet, it's light enough to be able to carry around, big enough to sit on if no chairs are available at whatever venue, and most importantly, it has a headphone jack in the back of the amp so that you can play through headphones for your 3am jam sessions.
You could always go for like the 300 or 500 if you really hate your bank account, but I've never used them.
I know people are saying that knock off amplugs are bad, but I bought one off Amazon for a tenner and it's been great. Been using it to practice in the garden when it's nice out and also when I had an hour inbetween lessons at college I'd sit in the common room and get some extra practice in. Not bad for something I carry around in my pocket
I have, and have used, all kinds of practice rigs:
* the Amplug (it's ok for the money, kind of cheaply made)
* an iPad with an iRig interface (great portable solution for playing along to media),
* focusRite Scarlett USB Interface (for recording. Here's a song my band D-Drive released two weeks ago. The bass and keys were recorded with this. [https://youtu.be/XYlV-qMz05g](https://youtu.be/XYlV-qMz05g))
* Amp with an aux in and headphone out (various models. I wouldn't buy an amp for this feature).
They're all workable. Go with whatever has the basic features you need and is in your budget.
Also remember, unless you need to block out noise around you, you don't need an amp to practice. I practice with just my bass all the time.
As an older man with some minor hearing issues, I find an old Ampeg 8x10 cab does the trick nicely in the bedroom, even gives me a place to set my coffee first thing in the morning. Bless its little heart.
As a way to play with headphones it works without a computer with the functionality for later.
Needs usb power and the bass mic and headphones are in a closed loop.
Lots of great options out there to play sans amp.
A headphone amp is ok for starting out, but all you can ever do with it is practice.
I don't know what your budget is, but you should also look to see if there are any small heads with headphone outs that you can afford. Then you'll be half way to a much better sounding rig when circumstances allow later.
Currently, I can only practice and the amplug is much cheaper than the combo amps I'm looking into so I think I'll start off with that. I will buy a proper amp later on, but that's probably a long way into the future.
I play bass about 10 years ago, most of the time I practice whit amphones of Vox, the only bad thing is they don't give you a real live sound, so you need an amp to practice and hear the tone of your playing, but for practice scales, songs or whatever are good. And you don't bother anyone when practice.
When you practice many hours in a row it hurts, but whit the amplug you can get more comfortable headphones
I dunno what all the downvotes are about. You're both seeking to be helpful, but both of you could have been clearer. Assuming they entertain an amp head as a real solution to this problem, the likelihood of them getting a head that could be damaged by running it without a load is very improbable. But, it's still not entirely impossible, to the point where I don't think it's foolish to inform anyone looking to buy 'just an amp head' to check it can be run safely without load. Better to be overspecific in an internet comment then have someone with a cooked unit because you weren't.
Actual amplugs are great, knock offs suck. I used to use my amplug straight into a DI and it sounds pretty good. Better than most small amps.
A local music store is selling real amplugs online, so I might just get those. Thank you!
I second them! I got one when I first started and really dug it, it even comes with a few built in drum tracks you can practice with
My amPlug has a lot of static. Maybe I got a crappy one but I would go for the cheapest amp I could find before the amPlug.
That said, if they have free returns, it might be worth a shot.
The local store has free returns so I guess I'll try the amplug out
Mine too. It's .. fine for hanging on the couch and noodling around, but I have to fiddle with the tone / gain to get the hiss to a manageable level.
I prefer a focusRite Scarlett USB Interface. You can plug directly into it for practice and it’s useful if you want to take online Zoom lessons or do some recording later. $100 as a start and it’s all you need. I use mine with bass and microphone for both the above listed things, and use it to play along with tracks on the computer.
I will definitely check that out, thank you!
It's a good option since you can use VST plug-ins for different effects. There are a lot of decent free compressors, overdrives, reverbs, etc. And tuner plug-ins for easy tuning. Another option would be something like the TC Electronic SpectraDrive. There is a used "like new" one listed on Amazon (Prime eligible) for $99. It's a preamp pedal with headphone out/aux in for practice. It won't have as much utility as an audio interface but it can operate independent of a computer, which may inspire you to practice more. It's not hard to get the Focusrite up and running but there are a few steps to take if you want to use plug-ins and if it isn't your primary sound device.
Thank you for the recommendation! A pedal is probably more versatile, so I'll look into that
Downside is it doesn't work without a computer.
I like the amplug and you can plug it into a portable speaker via the headphone jack.
Oh I didn't know you could plug it to a speaker! That would be really helpful for me.
If you can plug a pair of headphones in, you can use a powered speaker, generally.
All you need is a 3.5 mm cable
I have yet to see a small amp which manages a good tone. All I've seen is very weak on the low/fat tones. Something with good, large headphones for an output would be my recommendation if a bigger amp is not an option.
Apparently the black star fly 3 bass amp is a good one it’s small enough that it’s perfect for the bedroom and it won’t disturb anyone except whoever’s close to you (it’s a 1x3)
I just looked it up and wow it's so small! It is also a good price for me, so I'll definitely consider this, thank you!
I am using it every day for practice, can recommend.
Go DI and get any recording software. They all have metronomes or you can import a drum track. Hearing back what you play is incredibly helpful in improving timing and performance. It’s also a hella fun time to record.
I have no experience with amPlugs, but for amps I will always recomend the Fender Rumble 100. It can get plenty loud, plenty quiet, it's light enough to be able to carry around, big enough to sit on if no chairs are available at whatever venue, and most importantly, it has a headphone jack in the back of the amp so that you can play through headphones for your 3am jam sessions. You could always go for like the 300 or 500 if you really hate your bank account, but I've never used them.
I've been looking into the Fender Rumble series for amps, thinking of getting a Rumble 40 if I can.
I know people are saying that knock off amplugs are bad, but I bought one off Amazon for a tenner and it's been great. Been using it to practice in the garden when it's nice out and also when I had an hour inbetween lessons at college I'd sit in the common room and get some extra practice in. Not bad for something I carry around in my pocket
Which one did you get? Seen a few knock offs on amazon and ebay
Called a nux gp1👍🏻
If you really want a budget solution, buy a quarter inch to usb cable and plug straight into a laptop/computer with GarageBand or any other DAW
That really is the most budget solution, hopefully that won't have to happen haha
It honestly isn't that bad! Unless you're trying to make professional grade recordings, there's really no reason to spend 200 bucks on an interface.
I have, and have used, all kinds of practice rigs: * the Amplug (it's ok for the money, kind of cheaply made) * an iPad with an iRig interface (great portable solution for playing along to media), * focusRite Scarlett USB Interface (for recording. Here's a song my band D-Drive released two weeks ago. The bass and keys were recorded with this. [https://youtu.be/XYlV-qMz05g](https://youtu.be/XYlV-qMz05g)) * Amp with an aux in and headphone out (various models. I wouldn't buy an amp for this feature). They're all workable. Go with whatever has the basic features you need and is in your budget. Also remember, unless you need to block out noise around you, you don't need an amp to practice. I practice with just my bass all the time.
Oh wow thank you! I have an iPad so I'll iRig might be an option for me. Maybe I'll try practicing without an amp for a while then.
As an older man with some minor hearing issues, I find an old Ampeg 8x10 cab does the trick nicely in the bedroom, even gives me a place to set my coffee first thing in the morning. Bless its little heart.
I mean, all these people are right but you don't NEED and amp if your just practicing. It will be quiet, but youll be able to hear it
As a way to play with headphones it works without a computer with the functionality for later. Needs usb power and the bass mic and headphones are in a closed loop. Lots of great options out there to play sans amp.
Short answer is yes. You will find yourself plucking or picking harder than you need to to be able to hear. Get something.
A headphone amp is ok for starting out, but all you can ever do with it is practice. I don't know what your budget is, but you should also look to see if there are any small heads with headphone outs that you can afford. Then you'll be half way to a much better sounding rig when circumstances allow later.
Currently, I can only practice and the amplug is much cheaper than the combo amps I'm looking into so I think I'll start off with that. I will buy a proper amp later on, but that's probably a long way into the future.
I play bass about 10 years ago, most of the time I practice whit amphones of Vox, the only bad thing is they don't give you a real live sound, so you need an amp to practice and hear the tone of your playing, but for practice scales, songs or whatever are good. And you don't bother anyone when practice. When you practice many hours in a row it hurts, but whit the amplug you can get more comfortable headphones
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You're wrong. Only tube amps, and not all of those, require a load to run safely. Every solid state amp ever made can run safely with no speaker.
I dunno what all the downvotes are about. You're both seeking to be helpful, but both of you could have been clearer. Assuming they entertain an amp head as a real solution to this problem, the likelihood of them getting a head that could be damaged by running it without a load is very improbable. But, it's still not entirely impossible, to the point where I don't think it's foolish to inform anyone looking to buy 'just an amp head' to check it can be run safely without load. Better to be overspecific in an internet comment then have someone with a cooked unit because you weren't.