I currently have two ways of playing my bass (not counting unplugged): through my iMac setup and through a Roland MicroCube. Using a computer rig to just play is a PITA, but playing through the cube sounds unspeakably dinky.
So, I'm looking for a decent bass amp for strictly studio use.
If you're looking for something small, for studio use..... I would suggest the Spark 40. It's a small 40w amp that has a number of bass models in it. Run it direct to your interface via audio out or USB direct and you get the quality of the sound without having to use big speaker cabinets and lots of power.
I've got the spark and use it audio direct for recording and I'm fairly impressed with it's versatility and sound quality. All of my recent recordings are using it so you can search back and listen to it. Of course,,,,, I'm not playing a bass through it but I have heard a few folks using it for bass on the spark FB page and it's sounds pretty decent.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
I have the Bronco 40 and love it. It's a rugged little amp, pushes plenty of air for studio work, and has an XLR-out with a 10" speaker. It also has an Aux-out that I've used with a vocal mic.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2025 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
Indeed, you do not actually need an amplifier for studio work. For many years, I used my Line 6 POD 2 as my studio "amp". It worked very well. The only reason I moved to the Spark amp was that the POD2 was limited to the built-in models and that was about a dozen or so, most of which I didn't use because I didn't like their sound.
There are a number of small modeling racks and "pedals", for lack of a better term, that will do a superb job in the studio.
I picked up my POD2 on Ebay for half the price of a new one at the time. Even it has a bass amp model in it that was a favorite of guitar players and it was one of my go-to models.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
As Herb said you don't really need an amp for studio recording/playing. I use Amplitube, I use it for guitar and bass, but you may not need to spend a lot of money, if any, to get a good sounding bass amp vst.
There are also a lot of free pedal VSTs available.
Google/bing free bass amp vst and you will find a number of bass amps and pedal.
Note that I do not have any experience with any of the above. Also I always check for viruses and malware prior to installing any freebee and most are not infected if gotten from a reliable source.
[edit] typo
Last edited by MarioD; 03/15/2205:10 AM.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor. It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Thanks for all the thoughts, folks. To be clear, I'm specifically looking for an amp, that I can just plug into and play, without using a computer. Carry on! =8^)
Thanks for all the thoughts, folks. To be clear, I'm specifically looking for an amp, that I can just plug into and play, without using a computer. Carry on! =8^)
I recommend that you check out the Fender Rumble line of bass amps. I had a Rumble 40 combo and a Rumble 200 combo in the U.S. but had to sell them when I moved to France (no 230VAC support). I just ordered a Rumble Studio 40 and GTX-7 footswitch from Thomann. The Studio 40 costs 422 € at Thomann.fr. It contains a lot of presets of different bass amps and more input/output options. The GTX-7 footswitch costs 95 €. The regular Rumble 40 costs 299 € at Thomann. It is an excellent sounding amp, without the extras bells and whistles. If 299 € is too expensive, a Rumble 25 (169 €) or Rumble 15 (130 €) are decent options. [NOTE: All Thomann prices include 20% TVA.]
I've owned a lot of different bass amps, but Fender Rumbles are really good for the amount of money they cost.
Part of it's brand loyalty, the only other amp I've ever owned was a tiny Fender Vibro Champ. I still remember that awesome red crystal ON light. Anyhood, looking forward to delivery, a lot!
I'm wondering how good this amp will be for guitar as well as bass.
For the record, here's what I got:
Gibson Les Paul Studio guitar Aria Pro II bass Boss GT-8 multi FX processor Roland GR-20 guitar synthesizer
and I can't imagine I'd have a problem getting those to sound good.
Guess you've tried Logic's zillions of combinations of bass amps, cabinets and speakers? I frequently render RT bass tracks DI and use them. FWIW.
But then I'm just an ole hack upright player
Bud
Last edited by Janice & Bud; 03/16/2209:16 AM.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
Part of it's brand loyalty, the only other amp I've ever owned was a tiny Fender Vibro Champ. I still remember that awesome red crystal ON light. Anyhood, looking forward to delivery, a lot!
I'm wondering how good this amp will be for guitar as well as bass.
For the record, here's what I got:
Gibson Les Paul Studio guitar Aria Pro II bass Boss GT-8 multi FX processor Roland GR-20 guitar synthesizer
and I can't imagine I'd have a problem getting those to sound good.
ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; RME Fireface UCX II; BiaB 2025 Ultra Bitwig Studio 5; Studio One Pro 7; Melodyne Studio 5; Acoustica Premium 7 Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770
Mark, You might also want to consider if your amp has a rugged face or a fabric one. Fabric faces makes me nervous, just takes a guitar stand or stool to poke thru and tear it. I chose the Fender Bronco 40W amp in part because of this. It has a steel grille.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2025 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
You might also want to consider if your amp has a rugged face or a fabric one. Fabric faces makes me nervous, just takes a guitar stand or stool to poke thru and tear it. I chose the Fender Bronco 40W amp in part because of this. It has a steel grille.
Eh, I'm good with the risk, if that's what I'm getting =8^) because whatever I'm getting, it has THAT LOOK (see Amazon listing) and I am PSYCHED. I'm getting a bass amp, yay! And like I said, this thing won't be hitting the road or facing bottle throwers any time soon. Probably the biggest physical risk will be coffee spillage.
Guess you've tried Logic's zillions of combinations of bass amps, cabinets and speakers?
Oh, yeah. I love what Logic can do to an electric guitar. And I'll probably still do any bass recording by direct inject, I mostly want the amp for just playing and noodling.
True Confessions: Part of why I'm getting this amp now is incentivizing myself to play at all, so I want to make it as EASY as possible to pick up the bass and play it, and hey, a new toy CAN help with motivation – I once cracked a years long cold streak by getting new guitar strings.
I only know Mark Bass because my last band's bass player used one. I doubt he chose it for any reason that the speakers are yellow and draws attention to him. Part of why I don't play with them anymore.
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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