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Topic: headphone amp for practicing.. |
C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 20 Jun 2004 6:32 am |
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Is there a head phone amp with a guitar AND a CD (or tape) player input, with the ability to mix guitar and line input separately? I am NOT interested in those that have any semblance of distortion. My son gave me one and it has bad harmonic distortion. IE, single notes ok, 2 or more are distorted.
If you know of such a device that fits the above description, I would appreciate it.
Thanks, and may our precious Lord richly bless you always,
carl |
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Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
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Posted 20 Jun 2004 11:38 am
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Carl,
Have you considered a small mixer? maybe one of the little Behringers? |
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 20 Jun 2004 12:35 pm
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well, do mixers (per se) have built in headphone amps?
carl |
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George Kimery
From:
Limestone, TN, USA
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Posted 20 Jun 2004 12:49 pm
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| Wasn't the Peavey 112 built with this purpose in mind? I used to have one and I know it had RCA jacks and a headphone jack. Just a thought, but maybe you want something really compact that you can rack mount instead of an amp. The plus would be that you would also have a great sounding, lightweight amp to take out to a gig. |
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Bobby Lee
From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
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Posted 20 Jun 2004 12:57 pm
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| Most mixers have a headphone output, yes, and it's very clean. |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Jay Fagerlie
From:
Lotus, California, USA
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Posted 20 Jun 2004 1:36 pm
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Carl,
I'll second Bill's suggestion, the Behringer mixer.
They have a eight channel unit for around $60.00
With that, you should be able to use your effects also (line level input)
Look at this: http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHUB802
Jay
edited for link, channel, and price[This message was edited by Jay Fagerlie on 20 June 2004 at 02:41 PM.] |
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George Kimery
From:
Limestone, TN, USA
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Posted 20 Jun 2004 2:48 pm
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| John, you have the solution! I just looked up the CD-GT1 on Musician's Friend site and read up on it. I think I'm gonna have to have one. The price is $159.99 plus $19.99 for the AC adapter. |
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 20 Jun 2004 3:52 pm
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Many thanks folks. I shall look into mixers. I kinda had my mind set on a very small headphone amp like my son bought me only with the ability to mix a line "in" and a guitar "in" with NO distortion.
But if I have to I will go the mixer route. No need to take it to a gig, I haven't played a gig in over 45 yrs after being fired 3 times.
So just something with a very clean headphone output with mixing of line, and guitar including headphone output, would be fine.
Thanks again for the info.
carl |
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Bobby Lee
From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
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Posted 20 Jun 2004 5:55 pm
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| I used a little Behringer for a while. It worked well - no complaints - and they are very inexpensive. |
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Jay Fagerlie
From:
Lotus, California, USA
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Posted 20 Jun 2004 6:07 pm
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But Joey,
He can get 8 channels for the same price.
Those additional inputs can be used for a cassette deck, or a video deck for practicing with videos, etc.
Go for the most bang for the buck!
Jay |
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 20 Jun 2004 6:23 pm
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Jay,
The physical size was a consideration for me.
I run a CD player into it, along with my guitar and still have three unused inputs in a compact package. |
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 20 Jun 2004 6:59 pm
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Joey,
Question? On the UB502, can you plug a guitar directly into it? I see a "line in" and a "mic in", but no guitar input.
Also IF you can plug your guitar into the line in, and say plug a CD player or tape player into the phono jacks, can the guitar and the CD be mixed and appear in the headphone Jack?
Remember whatever unit I get will not be connected to an amp in any way. IE, it must be totally self contained with its on power.
Thanks again,
carl |
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John Daugherty
From:
Rolla, Missouri, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2004 4:17 am
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Carl, A line input would not have enough gain for a pickup. The mic input should work for guitar.
If you already have an effects unit, it may have a headphone output. Most do not. My Lexicon MPX 110 has a headphone output as well as line out.
I am glad to hear that you are going to practice again. I went through a long layoff after I got burned out on the music business. I had to deal with liars, "I don't remember saying that" people and union mobsters who took and gave nothing in return but threats.
Happy trails to you Carl, may God continue to bless you. |
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2004 7:14 am
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Thanks John,
That is my thinking about "line in". In order to use "mic in", it would require an unbalanced phono plug to balanced mic plug adaptor. Is there such a device? Also, If my memory is correct, a "mic in" has much higher gain than what a "guitar in" has. This may or may not create a problem.
Also, an effects device is not going to be in use.
I may have missled you nice folks. I will not be any where near an amp or any other electronic device when I use the desired headphone amp. In fact I may rarely use a guitar amp again. I just want to sit in my easy chair with the 7 string Rick and play along with a very small CD player through headphones. Their inputs must be independently adjustable as well as the mix level.
I have the CD player but it has NO level control for its line out jack. This is why I have to have both a guitar level and line level control before they are mixed. Alsong with a mixed level control.
Of course this would require that the unit (IF one is available) have its own power supply.
Does such a device exist? Am I the only musician (well I sometimes call my self one  ), who wants one of these?
I know of NO mixer, per se, that has a guitar input. Does any one know of one? The device my son gave me was a kit that he bought and put together. And it was just what I needed; only it has severe harmonic distortion. Fine for single string stuff only.
So what I want is a small little box that will sit on a table with its on PS or a walwart; with two inputs; guitar and line in; each having its own level control; and then the mixed output has a level control.
And of course a headphone jack. But I want the device to have very low noise, clean as a bell output, with not even a hint of any kind of distortion.
This would allow me to sit and play along with recordings while my wife watches TV. Her health is failing and I want to be with her but I can't stand those stupid sitcoms 
Thanks again for all the suggestions, may Jesus richly bless you all,
carl |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 21 Jun 2004 7:20 am
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Carl, in my experience the cheap little dedicated guitar headphone amps never work for steel. Same problem as with all guitar amps - not enough clean headroom.
You have two good options above from Behringer and Tascam. I picked the next model up, the Behringer UB802, because it has 3 band EQ, whereas the 502 has only two band EQ. Pedal steel going straight in works fine. It has balanced and unbalanced input jacks. You can easily mix the CD input with the guitar and have both come out the ear phones. I run a line from my CD headphone jack into the CD/phono input of the mixer. You adjust the CD volume with the CD player volume, and the guitar with it's channel gain and volume. Then you can also adjust the overall volume with both the main volume control and the headphone volume control. These little mixers are very versatile.
If you have an old Fender guitar amp around ('60-'70s, with two input jacks for each channel), you can use it. With a Radio Shack Y adaptor run a stereo line from your CD player headphone jack into the two input jacks of the amps Normal channel. Adjust the volume to get clean sound with the CD player volume and amp volume. Run your steel into the other amp channel. Unplug the speaker and use mono to stereo adaptors to plug your headphone into the speaker jack. Check your headphone impedance to be sure it is higher than that of the amp, most are. This arrangement will not give you great quality sound from the CD, but it works good enough for practicing. I have done this for over 20 years, with no damage to amp or headphones.[This message was edited by David Doggett on 21 June 2004 at 08:22 AM.] |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2004 9:14 am
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| Carl, did you take a look at the Tascam I suggested? It sounds like just what you're lookin' for. It has a cd player built in, some effects, will run on batteries, and is nice and small. Oh, yeah, if you're not in tune with the cd, you can change the pitch of the cd 1 cent at a time, you can also change keys, and slow down passages. A bunch of stuff you'd probably never use, but it was designed for guitar and vocal practice. JB |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2004 9:15 am
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| And if you buy it from a place like Guitar Center, I believe you have 30 days to return it, no questions asked. |
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2004 9:46 am
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David and others,
Thanks, I am indeed looking into ALL the suggestions here and via email. Again, using ANY other piece of equipment is out of the question. Where I will be using this, there will be NO amp or other device available.
I am thinking the Behrenger UB502 just may be it. I am concerned however that the line input will not be loud enough in the headphones. Maybe, not sure. And I don't think I wish to fool with an adaptor (or other gear) to use the mic input.
IF the "line in" will bring my guitar up to a decent level, then I will lean hard towards this device. But I have not as yet looked at others, which I fully intend to do.
Thanks sooo much for your taking the time to suggests various and sundry devices. I am still in the searching stage. And John, I am definitely going to look at the Tascam. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
My final choice will have to be a self contained unit with a guitar input and a line input; each having its on mixing level control with the two inputs (one manuaral and one stero) mixed down to one stereo output with a level control fed into its headphone output jack. Without any other supporting amps, etc.
Battery only operated units won't be considered. I despise having to use batteries for anything but remote control units; or to start my car
carl |
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richard burton
From:
Britain
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Posted 21 Jun 2004 10:52 am
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Carl, take a look at the Tascam website/Products/Tascam Porta 02mark2 4 track ministudio.
R B. |
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John Daugherty
From:
Rolla, Missouri, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2004 12:07 pm
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Carl, you will have enough help here to get you thoroughly confused...haha
Just so you will know... in the "electronics for sale" section there is a Teac 6-channels mixer for sale. I have one like it but only 4 channels. It has a headphone amp,6 channels in. The inputs are selectable for mic or line. It has EQs for tone.
Mine has guitar jacks (unbalanced) for the mic inputs. You can plug a guitar in these jacks. There is not much difference in a guitar pickup and dynamic mic.
I suggest you talk with him to get the details. Good hunting....... John .. |
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Ben Slaughter
From:
Madera, California
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Posted 21 Jun 2004 12:22 pm
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| Quote: |
| In order to use "mic in", it would require an unbalanced phono plug to balanced mic plug adaptor. Is there such a device? |
Wouldn't this be a "Direct Box" or "DI??" Very common, simple, cheap thing. Used all the time for Bass or acoustic guitar going straight into a PA. Usually about the size of two decks of cards, can get one for under $50. I think I've got 2 or 3 of them.
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Ben
Zum D10, NV400, POD, G&L Guitars, etc, etc.[This message was edited by Ben Slaughter on 21 June 2004 at 01:23 PM.] |
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2004 12:44 pm
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Ben,
I err'd. I should not have said phono plug to Mic plug adaptor. Rather it should have been "unbalanced phone plug to balanced Mic plug adaptor". I know of no device like that, but I will look into what you suggested.
Sorry for the error.
Finally this, at this present stage of my life, it could very well be that I will never again play either of my pedal steels thru a regular amplifier. Instead, I may relegate one or both of them and my Rick bakelite 7 stringer (including portable or built-in CD player) thru whatever headphone amplifier I settle on using headphones.
Again, thank all of you sooo very much,
carl |
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