Headphone Amps

[lactose]

I was thinking it would be nice to have a headphone amp to plug the megatar into. I would like something that at least had a little reverb, maybe distortion. I googled and found the pocket pod, pandora, and the pocket rockit. Any one have a heaphone amp they like ?

[rjgoos]

Lactose,

I simply plug a set of headphones into the output of my effects pedal. I don't know if most effects pedals support stereo headphone output, but the cheap one I have (Zoom 504II) does. You can either plug your two cords in to a Y-adapter (good) or use a small mixer (better) to feed the input into the pedal.

Or, a small practice amp (Roland Cube) also has a nice headphone output.

I would guess that ~95% of my solo practice time is done with headphones. I can practice with headphones while watching the Twins or Vikings lose!

[tapmeister]

Most of the units for for guitar don't have a very good bass response, so you might want to consider something that's designed specifically for bass.

If you just want it for practicing, effects may not be that important, so look for a good output level without overdriving the unit.

If it's maxed out all the time, then you won't have a good sense of the dynamics in your playing.

Rolls makes some small devices that have a great headphone amp in them, so maybe go to a music store and try those out. The quality of the headphones you use will make all the difference, too.

Happy tapping,
greg

Originally posted by lactose
I was thinking it would be nice to have a headphone amp to plug the megatar into. I would like something that at least had a little reverb, maybe distortion. I googled and found the pocket pod, pandora, and the pocket rockit. Any one have a heaphone amp they like ?

[TheEclectic]

The quality of the headphones you use will make all the difference, too.

So what are good headphones for using with the tap instruments?

I have tried the ear buds that cane with my iPod and they don't cut it.

I am currently using some Sony fully open air headphones, but they do not have the clarity and bass response as the amp speakers. They are about 10 years old and in need of replacement.

--

To stay somewhat on topic: I use the headphone out my keyboard amp when I need to practice quietly.

Prior to that I used that headphone out on my Tascam US-428 USB mixer. A USB mixer may be a good way to go as it also gives you the opportunity to do some home recording.

[tapmeister]

Assuming you're talking about an instrument that goes intot the bass range, and if they're something you think you'll be wearing a lot, then I think spending $40-$80 is worthwhile.

Before I lost them on the road I had a small pair of Sony ear buds that I really liked.

Sony makes a pretty wide range of bud-type phones:

http://www.sonystyle.com

search for in-the-ear

happy tapping,
greg


Originally posted by TheEclectic
So what are good headphones for using with the tap instruments?

I have tried the ear buds that cane with my iPod and they don't cut it.

I am currently using some Sony fully open air headphones, but they do not have the clarity and bass response as the amp speakers. They are about 10 years old and in need of replacement.

--

To stay somewhat on topic: I use the headphone out my keyboard amp when I need to practice quietly.

Prior to that I used that headphone out on my Tascam US-428 USB mixer. A USB mixer may be a good way to go as it also gives you the opportunity to do some home recording.

[lactose]

We recently had a headphone shootout at work. The verdict:

-Sennheiser HD28 - probably the flattest and most accuarate, but a little tight on the head. Lots of noise isolation.
-Sony MDR - more comfortable, more bass
-Bose Triport - not flat, but nice sounding (seemed like more bass and treble). Definitely the most comfortable.

[seveneight]

Zoom G1 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--ZOMG1). Nice sound and basic fx without too many bells and whistles. Long battery life. For phones, a pair of small Koss titaniums from Radio Shack. I think they're rated down to 18 Hz.