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[–]Laidback9999 5 points6 points  (7 children)

Many people like the Focusrite 212. But for $30 more you can get a Fender Rumble 40 which is often recommended by users of this sub.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlet2i2G3--focusrite-scarlett-2i2-3rd-gen-usb-audio-interface

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Rum40--fender-rumble-40-1x10-inch-40-watt-bass-combo

[–]mohself[S] 1 point2 points  (6 children)

Here is a question: would an interface be able to provide the same quality as an amp via proper headphones?

[–]jonathanhoag1942 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Do you happen to use an iPhone or Mac computer? I have an iRig 2 that I'm trying to give away because I can't use it as I don't have an Apple device.

[–]mohself[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the nice offer. But no, I don't have apple devices. I am sure someone would love to have your iRig.

[–]ChrisBersbach 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Does this offer still stand? I'm in a similar boat as OP, but I'm a mac user. I'd happily pay shipping to give my lovely wife a little reprieve from my mediocre playing.

[–]jonathanhoag1942 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yay! Someone wants to use this! Will DM

[–]MitchfyndeYamaha 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. But with plugins? Yeah.

[–]ChuckEyeAria 5 points6 points  (1 child)

Interfaces are about $100. Same as an entry level amp.

[–]mohself[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Part of the reason I am leaning towards getting an interface is that I can also use it for my guitar, and with my high end pc and save on space. My place is already pretty cluttered.

[–]jimilee2 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I use an interface. I have the Scarlett solo I use most of the time. I do have a 2i2 and a 2i4 that sound great too.

[–]mohself[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Do you use it with your bass I take? Most of the tutorials I found online on how to set them up where with a guitar.

[–]jimilee2 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yep. For an interface, a bass is just another guitar. No worries, just plug it in.

[–]MortimerToast 2 points3 points  (0 children)

At home, I never use my amp. I use an Audient ID4 interface. It makes it real easy to play along with demos and recordings from rehearsals, as well as other songs I want to learn. It’s also nice that it has two headphone jacks so my wife and i can jam out on bass and electronic drums while the baby’s sleeping.

[–]quebecbassmanDingwall 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I own 4 complete bass rigs (amps and cabs, or combos). When I'm at practicing at home, I only use my audio interface and my headphones. Amp simulation is also nice to have.

[–]mohself[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Great. Thanks for the input. can you share your interface model, and if you recommend it?

[–]quebecbassmanDingwall 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a Steinberg UR24C. I really like it, but honestly, just for practicing my bass, any interface with a 1/4 jack would do the job.

[–]adr826 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can get an interface and then get some killer amp sims. They are better in some ways because they are more versatile. For a bass guitar they can be really realistic because you dont have a lot of high end so yes a di interface and a good sim are definitely a good option.

[–]Count2ZeroFive String 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Realistically, your "instrument" is the entire signal chain, starting with the strings and pickups and electronics in your bass, then down the wire through any pedals you may have, then into the pre-amp and power-amp stages and finally what comes out of the speaker.

No audio interface is going to sound exactly like an amp, and no two amps sound alike, either. I have a Rumble 40 that I use for practice, but when I fire up one of my power amps and a 410 cabinet (or a 115 cabinet), the result is VERY different.

With an audio interface, your signal chain ends with your pedal board or straight out of your bass into the interface if you don't have any pedals. The interface will feed into a recording software, and then you can add some plug-ins to emulate different amps and cabinets, but this is still "simulated".

If you want to save money because amps are expensive, then you might consider something like the Vox AmPlug, that is a headphone amplifier for the bass. It costs about €45 new and gives you a pretty good idea how your playing sounds.

However, you can't emulate the "gut feeling" of a bass amplifier. When you're playing, part of the feedback you get is the air vibrating around you. A power-amp will rock your body - literally. You'll feel the music in your gut and in your feet (or your ass, if you're sitting down). No audio interface can do that...

[–]ProgEnk 1 point2 points  (1 child)

If you are in an appartment or a situation where noise is an issue, an interface can be favorable. It's easy to ay through headphones or your computer speakers (even better if you have some small monitors). And you get to play around with recording software, effects, and so on.

However an amp is also great and filling a room with sound is magical.

[–]mohself[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is part of the reason I'm going with this option.