Easiest/Cheapest/Simplest way for silent practice with backing track.

[Shockwave]

Hey all. 

 

Definitely on a budget here. I live buttcheek to buttcheek in a set of flats with no sound insulation (Neighbours either side, above and below). I am finding myself not wanting to practice because I am afraid of a knock on the door.

What is the best way of practising with a backing track, no latency, through headphones with no sound/Mono/Stereo issues? Back 20 years ago, there were always problems trying to run such a setup. 

 

Cheers!

 

R

Edit: I would love something more like a bass pre-amp, though my finances are extremely tight I could possibly stretch a little bit with a Black Friday deal. 

 

Edit Edit: Also to the kind people who have PMed me to offer up a free solution, I really appreciate it, but for reasons I am unable to accept a Gift/Charity, for personal reasons. But I definitely do appreciate it! 

 

 

Edited November 26 by Shockwave

[Dad3353]

28 minutes ago, Shockwave said:

...Definitely on a budget here...

 

Amazon : SONICAKE US Madness Plug-In USB Chargable Portable Pocket Guitar Bass Headphone Amp Carry-On Bedroom Effects ...

 

[AxelF]

Nux Mighty Plug or the Pro version are fantastic - plug straight into your bass, headphones plug into the Nux. You can then steam tunes/backing tracks to it via Bluetooth and play along to them. There's loads of amp/cab and effects models built in too.

[NancyJohnson]

What kit do you have available?  Head?  Laptop/PC?  Interface?

 

There's a few ways to facilitate what you want to achieve, but it would be useful to know what you have.

[ossyrocks]

My son bought me one of these for my birthday:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Valeton-RH-100-Rushead-Carry-Plug/dp/B07W3K92ZM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3DME3ZHW852YZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WVFfzcTeE0mWng3vahUjKikHdVXApkvu7cBUnSbJp2lIZGqfcdo5nOYPjdkKY94sOuKtk_eNBD-7jGtPRb1k9j2iE_9uV0hOGFlpt3q0MasUofzc52_jxET1sVxMaC4intl_oX4OUk-VbqF_di1DrLxbkZLDX8UkmT0FBe3DdoQCJFXIWmH0U5HnEFppw9J7SgTneFgsO4M5fmD9HIO4XI69Hi-iI6G0EZWmgki_UuOuhIBeytlqPckMizjTuRQ6dGHC62DKtYOILofCPbs201Ypnv-Ollxjjut103GTCe8.AO1eJT-UvvDG8ZZr_h0c3IeIV2YZQ4xVGwNxeZjpTXU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Pocket%2BGuitar%2BBass%2BHeadphone%2BAmp&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1732607042&sprefix=pocket%2Bguitar%2Bbass%2Bheadphone%2Bamp%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-5&th=1

 

I've taken it away on short holiday breaks and it works great with an ipad, phone or laptop.

 

Rob

[Boodang]

Behringer 502 analogue mixer… £32. Plug in your bass, auxiliary ins and headphones, job done. 

[Reggaebass]

I can highly recommend the Nux Mighty Plug pro, quality is very good, there’s a thread here on them 

[BigRedX]

It's never truly silent. Even though the room where I practice is separated by a floor and wall from the lounge other people in the house can hear the acoustic sound of the strings (and my foot tapping on the floor) unless they have the TV or music on.

[KingBollock]

The first thing I would do is go to each neighbour and explain that you play music,  and that if your music is too loud, they should tell you, else you have no real way of knowing (this is what I did).

 

I have decibel meters on my iPad and my phone, so that I can keep an eye on the volume. You should be fine with anything up to about 65db, which I would say is like a loud conversation. As BigRedX said, even with headphones, there is still going to be some acoustic noise.

 

I used to have a Zoom B1on that I would stick in a guitar case to take away on holiday breaks. They can be bought cheap, have loads of features and good quality effects. It can also be powered via wall-wart or batteries.

[Shockwave]

4 hours ago, KingBollock said:

The first thing I would do is go to each neighbour and explain that you play music,  and that if your music is too loud, they should tell you, else you have no real way of knowing (this is what I did).

 

I have decibel meters on my iPad and my phone, so that I can keep an eye on the volume. You should be fine with anything up to about 65db, which I would say is like a loud conversation. As BigRedX said, even with headphones, there is still going to be some acoustic noise.

 

I used to have a Zoom B1on that I would stick in a guitar case to take away on holiday breaks. They can be bought cheap, have loads of features and good quality effects. It can also be powered via wall-wart or batteries.

It is embarrassing for me to give specifics about my living situation especially considering how much rent I have to pay to be here... I guess you could consider where I live a halfway house or place for single vulnerable/lonely people. There are many enforced rules here that you wouldn't get in a normal place. I have been here for two years and you wouldn't want to speak to anyone. I can hear my neighbours flick a switch on a plug socket quite easily. 

I was certainly looking at a Multi Effect or maybe a pre-amp with different tonal options as I don't tend to use effects that much. 
 

4 hours ago, BigRedX said:

It's never truly silent. Even though the room where I practice is separated by a floor and wall from the lounge other people in the house can hear the acoustic sound of the strings (and my foot tapping on the floor) unless they have the TV or music on.

I am well aware of that. Obviously my post is more of a "Best endeavours" thing. 
 

4 hours ago, Reggaebass said:

I can highly recommend the Nux Mighty Plug pro, quality is very good, there’s a thread here on them 

Definitely seems something along the right lines. It would have been nice if it had some sort of bass pre-amp built into it. 
 

4 hours ago, Boodang said:

Behringer 502 analogue mixer… £32. Plug in your bass, auxiliary ins and headphones, job done. 

Cheers for the suggestion, I was hoping for something a bit less fiddly and with less footprint. My place is incredibly small. 
 

5 hours ago, NancyJohnson said:

What kit do you have available?  Head?  Laptop/PC?  Interface?

 

There's a few ways to facilitate what you want to achieve, but it would be useful to know what you have.

I have a laptop, an old Peavey Microbass amp which I cant really use at any volume. No interface. I would rather only use the laptop for backing track output into something, than have a pure laptop software based solution due to lag. 


I am sorry if it seems I am being picky, but I have to be considering my living situation. (Very small room, difficult neighbours and no hope of leaving any time soon). I guess I can raise the budget a little bit if it helps. Really hoping on something bargainous coming along on Black Friday. 

Edited November 26 by Shockwave

[Geek99]

Tc electronic bh250:

 

aux in

headphone out

250w if you connect a cab

Toneprint app

 

its tiny 

 

 

Edited November 26 by Geek99

[Len_derby]

Sent you a PM.

[Shockwave]

8 minutes ago, Geek99 said:

Tc electronic bh250:

 

aux in

headphone out

250w if you connect a cab

Toneprint app

 

its tiny 

 

 

I do like the look of them, but too rich for my blood. 

I guess I should say I am looking around £100 or under. Preferably much under. I guess the Ashdown Tone Pocket Amplifier is a possibility as they are on offer at just over 100. Maybe the Palmer Pocket headphone amp as well. But I know nothing about current technology. (I have had a long hiatus)

[pineweasel]

A used Phil Jones Big Head would do the job nicely. It's high quality, clean headphone amp with aux in that can be used standalone, but can also be connected to a laptop and used as an audio interface. The original HA-1 model usually sells for £100 or less - there's one on eBay at the moment.

[itu]

I would suggest a looper with a headphone output + aux in. It's the ultimate training unit: you can hear your own playing instantly. The red one I have is probably an older Valeton looking like a Dapper.

[asingardenof]

I've seen these getting some good reviews: https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/headphone-practice-amp/aguilar-amplug-tone-hammer-bass-guitar-headphone-practice-amp. I imagine all of these types of headphone amp are pretty much of a muchness though. I have the Vox equivalent and it's very handy, you just need a 1.8mm headphone jack and to have a similar sized lead to plug into whatever you want to play music from.

[Si600]

I saw those recently.  Do they model the Vox/Aguilar tone or is it just a look and feel thing?

 

Though as my phone doesn't have a 3.5mm socket I'm sort of looking at a NUX mighty Plug so I can BT to it to play along.  I've brought a bass to work so I can practice at lunch in our storeroom!

Edited November 26 by Si600

[redbandit599]

Look out for a used Zoom B3. More settings than you'll ever need, plus it's a ready made pedal board or DI should you ' go live.' 

 

[NancyJohnson]

@Shockwave 

Personally, I'd source a super cheap audio interface (ie a used Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 or anything that's listed on the for sale ads here), then jack that into your laptop by USB.  It's the easiest way (and you'll be able to use it for recording/tracking in future, should the need arise); headphones into the interface or laptop.  Sorted!

 

While all these matchbox sized things will probably work, they'll struggle and frankly it's wasted £££.

[diskwave]

In case all the above is just a tad difficult, try using a small amp live and kill all the bass with just a smidge of mid push then turn volume down a bit. You'll be surpirsed just how short a distance that configuration actually travels. Oh and letting everyone know who you are etc is solid currency and likely to give you some positive credit with ur fellow tenants.

[MacDaddy]

For 'silent' practice I either use my amp - headphones, phone into the aux (loop return may do?), or Multi FX, headphones, phone into aux.

[Reggaebass]

1 hour ago, Si600 said:

I'm sort of looking at a NUX mighty Plug so I can BT to it to play along.  I've brought a bass to work so I can practice at lunch in our storeroom!

They are good Si, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed 

[NHM]

2 hours ago, NancyJohnson said:

@Shockwave 

Personally, I'd source a super cheap audio interface (ie a used Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 or anything that's listed on the for sale ads here), then jack that into your laptop by USB.  It's the easiest way (and you'll be able to use it for recording/tracking in future, should the need arise); headphones into the interface or laptop.  Sorted!

 

While all these matchbox sized things will probably work, they'll struggle and frankly it's wasted £££.

This is what I've been using for about five years now, it is perfect for playing the bass on its own or along to you tube clips or rehearsal recordings stored on my laptop. You should be able to get a Scarlett and cheap set of headphones for £100. You can put pedals between the bass and the Scarlett too. 

[Grahambythesea]

Blackstar Bass Headphone amp.

[Stub Mandrel]

21 minutes ago, Grahambythesea said:

Blackstar Bass Headphone amp.

This.