Hi folks
I just got a Backbeat (personal subwoofer/headphone amp) https://getbackbeat.com
I should say that I converted to ‘feel’ the bass by having a TecAmp Bass Board (vibrating platform) at home and find it hard to describe how great it feels to have the feel of a huge bass rig shaking you to the core whilst you play.
As such I’m surprised that it’s taken me so long to get around to trying the backbeat but I finally got one last week and have been putting it through it’s paces playing at home through my studio setup.
First of all it’s smaller than I thought. It clips to all my straps but works best on the Comfort Strapp type as the clips are tucked between the material and the foam padding. Getting the position just right takes some practice and adjustment but I’ve got it placed so it vibrates right down my spine!
Its very powerful. Half power is more than enough and gives a brilliant tactile feedback.
Unlike super early Kickstarter versions the current versions have a stereo aux which also vibrates the back so you can feed a signal into there to feel the bass drum etc.
Downsides - it takes practice to remove the strap without knocking yourself out - I find it easier to i clip the strap at the bottom of the bass then the top and let the strap stay in your shoulder.
It would be nice to see an updated one with Bluetooth connectivity
Using as a headphone amp is fine but you don’t get any frills, just raw signal. I’m used to quite a delicious headphone setup but with the tactile feedback you actually can use less ‘volume’ anyway. However turn the volume down too much and you can hear the pack vibrating. Obviously only in solo playing situations.
I’m really pleased with it. I think that playing without it (in places where I can’t take my Bass Board especially) will feel really strange once I’m used to it. I’m looking forward to using it at my friends studio especially where I tend to play straight to desk with no amp feel.
If we ever have a Basschat bundle again in person I’ll bring it for people to try - I’m surprised they aren’t more popular but I appreciate they are a bit of a gamble if you haven’t bought vibrating aids before
I did briefly try it with the bass board at the same time and even I thought that was ridiculous and had to stop in case I fractured my skeleton.
Cheers
ped