Tascam Bass Trainer..Or the like

[Mickyk]

I'm thinking about purchasing one of these and by all accounts they are pretty good tool to have in respect of learning to play better,?or is that not true,anyway i am progressing but not as fast as i'd like to be doing.
I have been playing about a year now and i have a few songs in my toolbag but i need to push myself on a bit i think.
?So does anyone reccomend these things and if so which one do i get.

[Dad3353]

I've no experience with 'tools' of the sort, but it looks, to me, to be darned expensive for what it does. In what way would this be beneficial to you..? Do you have a bass teacher..? What, exactly, are you wanting..? Play more songs, or learn how to play the bass..? Do you play with others at all..?
There is speed-up/slow down software out there for a PC which cost nothing at all (Audacity; there are others...) if that's what you're after. I may be off track, of course, in which case: ignore.

[Mickyk]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1497104968' post='3315892']
I've no experience with 'tools' of the sort, but it looks, to me, to be darned expensive for what it does. In what way would this be beneficial to you..? Do you have a bass teacher..? What, exactly, are you wanting..? Play more songs, or learn how to play the bass..? Do you play with others at all..?
There is speed-up/slow down software out there for a PC which cost nothing at all (Audacity; there are others...) if that's what you're after. I may be off track, of course, in which case: ignore.
[/quote]

Hi bud thanks reply,agree they seem expensive,there's a lady that uses one on utube and she seems to have hit it off with this tool,i was just thinking that maybe it could do me some good,as i don't have a teacher to guide me as that is expensive ,so for around a £100 quid i thought give it a try,anyway i just want to play better and learn more songs basically.I don't actually play with others yet because my confidence isn't there .

[Dad3353]

There seem to be two uses for this... 1 - Recording oneself, and 2 - Slowing down tunes to be able to follow at a slower pace. For the first, I would suggest buying a decent USB interface, which should not cost more, and for the second, using software which is freely available, all of which assumes that you have a PC of sorts (Mac, laptop, whatever...) Not to say that the gadget won't work, but I'd suggest that it's of limited usefulness for the cost. As an 'add-on' for practise when travelling, for instance, maybe, but there are more cost-effective ways of learning songs, I feel.
I would add that, cost for cost, a couple of lessons with a good bass teacher are maybe the best 'bang for buck' to be had. It needn't be a long-term commitment, but would assure a good start on which to build, and maybe a way to pick up great tips on how to learn songs more quickly. Just sayin'; hope this helps.

[SpondonBassed]

Like Dad says, you might get more value from a couple of hours with a mentor/instructor. You should try to play ensemble too. You will make mistakes and your confidence will take a knock but it will bring you on like nothing else.

I'm pretty sure you will already own hardware that you can play along to and manipulate tracks.

Good luck.

[phil.c60]

Sorry to be the odd one out......I've got one, an older one, I've had it for a long time so it's a CD based one and I like it. I especially like that I can take any CD form my collection, put it in, change key, change tempo, loop parts etc. easily and with no fuss. I'm sure there is software available to do all this, but it's also portable and quick to set up. It's great for learning songs, but as others have said as a technique or practice aid I'm not so sure. As they have also said, a few lessons with a good teacher would be a better start, and if money is an issue there's lots online for free i.e. Scott's Bass Lessons which cover some really useful stuff.

[mep]

I have a n old CD one and use it for practising now whilst playing along to songs in our set. Quick and easy to set up. Most amps how have aux in and headphones but this does have some useful features.

Some time ago I used to teach and found this a useful tool. I could use the different features to provide all sorts of backing tracks for my pupils by recording to a pc and burning them a CD.

[Grangur]

I have one for sale

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/307073-fs-tascam-gb-10-bass-and-guitar-trainer-recorder-multi-function-thingy/

[Happy Jack]

I have the current model and I use it all the time.

I can put the reference tracks onto an SD card, take the Tascam to a rehearsal, and have instant access to the tracks if the band needs to check back against them. Just use the headphone socket to run the signal through my bass rig or the PA.

Play in a different key? Want to change the tempo? Easy.

I don't use the record function because I prefer my Zoom H2.

[tony_m]

I've got one of the older CD-based BT2s, and use it all the time for learning / playing along with songs we're doing, with headphones so as not to disturb Her Indoors. We also used it at rehearsal last week, patched through the mixer into the PA, so we could decide which of the originals the band did before I joined we fancied having a go at.

Have to confess I've never used any of the other functions on it, and in retrospect wish I'd gone for the more expensive digital / mp3 version so I didn't have to keep burning a new CD every time we added a new song!

[NickD]

I love mine.

Everything I need in a tiny package. Speed change, pitch change, loop function for tricky bits, tuner, metronome. When the band sends me sketches of songs I use it to record a few different options and send them back for approval. It lives in my bass case and I would buy another if it failed.

I thought the bass sound was crap to start with, but then I replaced my headphones and it was fine.

I do have DAW/interface etc, but for convenience, ease of use, etc, it's great.

[ead]

I have one of the ones where you load on MP3s rather than play a CD. I've used it 3 or 4 times a week (with headphones0) for practice and leaning new stuff. I will be devastated when it eventually dies.

Pick one up pre-loved if you can find one, they are really good for what you descibe imho.

[zzaass]

Used this quite a lot.
[url="https://www.ronimusic.com/index.html"]https://www.ronimusic.com/slowdown.htm[/url]

Edited June 10, 2017 by zzaass

[Mickyk]

Thank You to all that have replied on this ,some really useful information and i'm soakin it up man. I'm looking into having a couple of lessons if i can find anyone in my area,they are a bit sparse round here and don't want to travel.
I must say i'm leaning towards one of these things maybe the mp3c one as my CDs have been made redundant some time ago like me,ah well not to worry i have more time to spend leaning my new found passion.
Any more input is appreciated.

[MilkyBarKid]

The tascams are great,but sound quality degrades very quickly when slowed down, and they're unreliable, my first one conked out completely, the batteries stopped holding charge after a while, and they are expensive, light also failed, and jack failed. Tthe second one I bought, the jack doesnt work, and the effects are stuck on, and the tuners not great on the b string, - its a bit better on the others. I use transcribe on pc now - the sound quality is much better.

[ead]

[quote name='MilkyBarKid' timestamp='1497197363' post='3316464']
The tascams are great,but sound quality degrades very quickly when slowed down, and they're unreliable, my first one conked out completely, the batteries stopped holding charge after a while, and they are expensive, light also failed, and jack failed. Tthe second one I bought, the jack doesnt work, and the effects are stuck on, and the tuners not great on the b string, - its a bit better on the others. I use transcribe on pc now - the sound quality is much better.
[/quote]

By contrast mine has been going strong for about 7 years now.

[Geddys nose]

I'd be lost without my Tascam used various reincarnations since '98, They are very reliable IMO and great for travel practice (Got a small travel bass) much easier than firing up the PC.

The BT1 is the best version from all of them for me.

[Count Bassy]

I have the Mp-BT1, and also the GTR1. Use the GTR1 mostly as it has additional features - notably recording! Also has rhythms etc., which can make practicing a lot more satisfying.
The BT1 has a few more specialised bass features.

Thankfully I'm not a great fan of effects, because the built in effects seem pretty horrible.

Yes, all this stuff can be done on a PC, but why would you want that when a pocket sized unit will do it all for you?
I would be without one.

[StringNavigator]

 

I'm not in sales, but I enjoy this gizmo so much that I feel like throwing in my two cents... If you have a little cash, and are new on the bass (or even a pro covers musician), this tool makes a lot of sense. 

Portability/Privacy: The main thing... They're very PORTABLE! Store it in your bass case. Much smaller than an amp and headphones prevent others from becoming annoyed (especially your family) (put yourself in their shoes...). Use it on the porch, in a vehicle, hotel room/rooming house, in the park (or some scenic area), when travelling, military, away on a job, in the hospital... Not essential for practicing, but headphones allow you to practice when others may be asleep, not feeling well or watching a movie.

New Ampeg BA-110V2: It has an aux input (and headphones jack) so I can plug the Tascam in without putting on headphones. I like this little amp because the cab shape includes a 60 degree angle to aim the speaker directly at yourself. I keep it under the desk. There's something about the 10" speaker @ 40 Watts peak that gives a great sounding bass tone. The small speaker has to work and the tone is very much like an Ampeg B-15N without tubes. I also tried the BA-112V2 @75W peak. It's louder, but I get better tone with the 10"!? I don't expect much from it at a rehearsal, but it's a lot lighter than the Classic-SVT 810E and doesn't shake the house. 

Cheap CD's and Key/Tempo changes: I keep using the CD type, because I've bought many CD's at flea markets for little cost. As I often need to play a tune in a different key (to protect the singer's voice), I can still learn it by playing along in the new key. The Tempo function lets me learn/practice at a slower tempo and then speed it up gradually as I learn the song. This function is also handy for practicing scales, triads, excerpts... Just gradually increase the bpm until you're able to play it faster.

Rehearsal/Audition Prep: Mostly, I enjoy it as a tool for learning covers, especially when in a hurry for auditions (loop function). The trainer allows me to hear myself in the mix as if I were the bass player, so I can really notice if I'm stiff or flubbing the parts. It's like being inside the song.

Adaptor Burn-Out: Avoid battery u$e, they won't last long. I always seek out an electrical outlet, if possible. And NEVER leave the adapter plugged into an outlet when the unit is not in use. The adaptor will surely burn out if left plugged in!

BT vs PC: I could buy the $oftware and use my computer, but what if someone else needs the PC? Also, firing up the PC may be a pain. I can pick up the Tascam and go into any room. And why drag the  computer outside the house when you can just bring the trainer? The trainer is simplicity. Recording music is a different matter and is probably better with software on a PC. I haven't looked into iPhones.

 

 

Edited October 21, 2018 by StringNavigator

[fretmeister]

I do that in my iPhone in AmpliTube. It works well and I get a good amp model too.

 

Roland do a good one as well.

[Krysbass]

Been using a 1st generation Boss Micro BR for the past decade for all the songs I've had to learn and keep on top of.

Crazy thing is; its main function is a compact 4 track digital recorder, but I've hardly bothered with that. 

Instead I just use the mp3 function for storing and practicing songs and still find it to be an invaluable piece of kit  - even if technology has moved on in the meantime. 😏

[LeftyP]

Yes, I have the Tascam GB-10 bass trainer/recorder and use it every day.  I generally listen via headphones so as not to disturb the neighbours or Mrs LeftyP.  It is a great tool for learning songs and trying out various bass lines.  You can change key/speed or loop a few bars to play over again.  It has a built in metronome and tuner too. I am in our church band and we have a communal contact site where the songs are posted - lyrics, sheet music and chord charts.  I print off what I need, find a version of the song on YouTube which I convert to MP3 and load it into the Tascam.  I can play along and try all kinds of variations to the songs.  Being able to change the key is a great option as sometimes the videos are not sung in the same key as our music.  The unit is so small and light that you can slip it into your guitar case, or even your pocket and take it anywhere.

I still have the Tascam CD version of the machine - now surplus to requirements.

Edited October 21, 2018 by LeftyP

[kodiakblair]

I've an old Korg Pandora takes care of most things. Great wee thing if trying out basses or selling basses. The young fella who bought my Danelectro last Sunday had never saw one before,said I'd give him a shout if one turned up.

 

Wow. ebay prices are scary 😃