Headphones Practice: RP355 vs Tonelab ST vs ME-25 vs Pocket Pod vs ???

[burnsbert]

So my wife and I recently had an NBD (New Baby Day) which means Daddy has to use his headphones while practicing from now on.

The problem is that I'm not getting a decent tone in headphones from either of my two amps (a Valvetronix VT15 and a 15W Marshall SS). And this is after upgrading my headphones to Sony MDR-7506 studio monitors. I'm particularly disappointed that my VT15 isn't cutting it, as it sounds wonderful without headphones on a number of different settings.

So I'm looking for the best headphones practice solution I can find under $200. Can anyone recommend anything? Some possibilities I'm considering:

1. Digitech RP355 -> headphones
2. Boss ME-25 -> headphones
3. Vox Tonelab ST -> headphones
4. Line 6 Pocket Pod -> headphones
5. Vox amplug AC30 -> headphones
6. Tech21 Blonde -> my solid state amp -> headphones

Thanks for your insight :-)

[burnsbert]

PS - I play moderately clean with some overdrive crunch. I prefer Fender Amp sounds, but also enjoy the Vox style overdrive.

[dguitar3]

The Boss TU-88 has a built in metronome and speaker simulation although I don't think it's COSM. I've always thought that was neat.

Congrats on your baby! I've got on coming anytime now.

[Califiddler]

I just use my Vox DA-5. It has the amp modeling and effects for the guitar, and I can patch in computer, iPod or CD player to play along to. I use $20 Sony headphones that came free with my Tascam DR-07.

But 1) I'm not that demanding tone-wise to begin with; and 2) I am willing to accept lower sound quality as a fair trade for the convenience of the headphone practice.

[Neems]

Get a mono adapter for your headphones and try plugging them into your Tech 21 Blonde. I haven't tried this with the Character pedals, but I think they have enough power for low-z phones.

Place any buffered effects pedals, such as digital delay or reverb, after the Blonde and then plug the headphones (with the mono adapter) into the last pedal in the chain. TB dirt pedals can go in front of the Blonde. I do this with a couple of Boss pedals and a SansAmp DI with great results.

Make sure your headphones are low impedance and high sensitivity. Your Sonys should work fine. Play around with the gain and volume on the Blonde for max output. If your headphones aren't loud enough, you can find louder ones for $30 or so.

[giantslayer]

1. Maybe
2. I stumbled across a page on the Boss site that states that the ME-70, the big brother of the ME-25, has amp models intended for use into an amp, rather than a standalone modeler, so I would rule that one out. (http://www.bosscorp.co.jp/en/ME-70/index2.html)
3. Probably won't sound too different from the headphone out on your amp. I have a Tonelab LE and the preamp simulations have a nice organic warmth to them, but the cabinet modeling is kindof flat and the lack of mic options can make it hard to dial it in right.
4. Maybe
5. I have a hard time imagining this sounding any better than your AT15
6. I guess you'll only know that if you try it.

[thejerk]

I, too, like clean-mild crunch/OD, blackface to 5e3 Fenders, and vox OD sounds.

I was in your same boat a while back, ended up going pocket pod. Decent little unit, can go through batteries fairly quick, but you can get some nice tones out of it. My one criticism is that it is bulkier than something like the Amplug would be, but it is worth it for the added versatility.

It is really nice to be able to walk around the house while playing. For portability, the pocket pod is a better option than an amp with a headphone out IMO. I already had a toneport, but I didn't want to be tethered to the computer. I have a small battery powered amp already (homemade), so I didn't need anything that could do both jobs.

Quite a few models/effects, their blackface deluxe is especially good IMO. Plus, if you need to, you can use it direct through a mixer or PA.

It will never be quite the same as a real, air pushing amp... but it gets the job done, and the price isn't too bad.

[cjburr]

A bit out of the price point but Guitar Rig4 with the Rig Kontroller can't be beat.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...mbo?sku=704505

hook your headphones into this and you'll be in sonic nirvana and all the tools to practice and record are there too.

[jc93230]

Maybe a different take, but you in my opinion, unless you are recording and mixing anything will do to practice. Muscle memory, timing and all the parts that require practice can be accomplished with very basic stuff. I wouldnt bother trying to chase "tone" through headphones. Think iGTR (cheap) or pocket pod (more expensive but distracting for practice)

[cjburr]

having a metronome and the ability to play back what you're practicing has been invaluable to me....sometimes I think i did pretty well only to hear it on playback and find it needs more work.

having all those amps and effects at your fingertips for the price you pay is icing on the cake, I've found I play more when I can use different presets to get me close to the sound of the song I'm learning.

[Axis29]

It's definitely above your 2 bill tag, but Lance recently picked up a Boss eBand JS8. This might be one of the greatest practice aids I've ever seen! As soon as I can afford one, I'll be picking one up.

You can play backing tracks, record a backing track or just your solo, USB to the computer, metronome, center channel defeat, or you can slow down a lick or track to figure it out...

Pretty dang cool!

[giantslayer]

Originally Posted by cjburr

A bit out of the price point but Guitar Rig4 with the Rig Kontroller can't be beat.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...mbo?sku=704505

hook your headphones into this and you'll be in sonic nirvana and all the tools to practice and record are there too.

That one looks like it is probably above his price range. Some form of software modeling may be your best option, though. I have no experience with these, however.

[Bill]

I don't know if they still make it, but a year or two ago I bought a Line 6 Toneport DI-Gold/PodFarm amp emulation software for my Mac and absolutely LOVE it. It came with around 100 amps, couple dozen cabinets and speakers, around 80 or so various effects, etc. plus a little hardware doodad that pretty much gets rid of latency effects. The whole package came to $99.

I use it with either some nice Sony headphone monitors or cheap earbuds and adjust accordingly.

[bigdesert]

I've got a Pocket Pod I use with headphones. It has models of a Tweed Bassman, Deluxe, Champ and also BF Twin and Deluxe Reverb and AC15 and 30 models, among others.
To my ears, it sounds quite convincing when used with headphones. However, playing through an amp or a home audio system, i didn't like it; maybe I just didn't take enough time to tweak the different output modes.
If you go for this solution and play more than 2-3 hours a week, you'd better buy an AC adaptor, as batteries don't last long.

[Mojohand40]

I use an RP250 (before that a Behringer V-amp, then an RP200).
I say try a Digitech, like the rp250.
Many useful features, like built in drum patterns/metronome, built in tuner, tons of effects, built in expression pedal that acts as a volume or wah or whatever you want.
It has an AUX input to plug your mp3 player or CD player into, etc. for play along.
Great Reverb !
For headphone stuff i think the Digitech is pretty sweet.
I use mine for recording as well.
-

[dconeill]

I use a Korg Pandora (PX-4D) and I like it.

I find an amp/speaker/reverb sound I like and then use my pedals on top of that. Plug in an MP3 player or a portable CD player and I have backing tracks. Works well for me. PX-4D and its successor PX-5 are each available for under $200.

[drewsblues]

Originally Posted by dconeill

I use a Korg Pandora (PX-4D) and I like it.

I find an amp/speaker/reverb sound I like and then use my pedals on top of that. Plug in an MP3 player or a portable CD player and I have backing tracks. Works well for me. PX-4D and its successor PX-5 are each available for under $200.

+1

I use the same model. It ain't perfect (by a long shot), but it's a good practice machine.

Pros:

• Super-portable
• Line-in for iPod, MP3 player, CD, etc.
• Built-in backing rhythms that can be adjusted for pitch, tempo
• Built-in metronome and tuner
• Several emulations of amp/effect combinations

Cons:

• The amp models are, to my ears, pretty middling. Useable, but nowhere near some of the competition -- including my old PodXT -- with regards to being a convincing alternative to the real thing. The reverbs, in particular, are as smooth and pleasant as sandpaper on exposed flesh.
• Built-in rhythms are limited. If I want to practice over a 16-bar blues, for instance, I'm S.O.L...

Still, if you need to practice, and need to do so with headphones, it's a functional little device. If you can get one used (cheap), it'd be a good deal.

My two coppers in the pot...

[sotob]

I have a VT30 and ran into same quality issue regarding headphones. I got a new pair of Sony MDR-Xd200 and that made an improvement. Keep in mind that the VOX VT series had a safety feature for the headphones that is meant to save your hearing and so you well never hear it on 10!!

To completely satisfy myself I started using my GDEC and cranked up with no issues with the hphones. But what about my SCXD that has no headphone jack? I'm about to pull the plug on the Weber Headphone tap attenuator.

[studio1087]

My headphone rig......



I love a good Blackface tone with some reverb and trem.....a little crunch....this does a fine job.....



$99 new - I paid $59 used. Money well spent.

John

[Ash Telecaster]

I have the Boss GT-8 which has awesome amp models but honestly what I mostly practice with is my Roland cube. For $100 it does a darn good job. I run my ipod into it and plug in the head phones.