Best option for headphone practice?

  • Thread starter Thread starter napalmdeath
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napalmdeath

napalmdeath

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Aside for computers/plug-ins, what's a good smaller device with great tones, (high gains primarily, but cleans as well), simple, great sounding basic modulation, reverb, etc... What say you?

Thought about an HX stomp, but it's overkill, really, and the price is decent for other applications, but I don't need to spend that for a sole headphone device. I looked at the ToneX pedal, but I've read/heard more negatives about the high gain tones sounding kinda shitty. I think it's marketed more towards profiling your amps and the on boards are so-so.
 
Not sure about budget, but I use Axe FX FM3…about to pick up a Kemper Player also

FM3 can be found $700 -$800

Kemper Player for $500 - $650
 
Nashville Riff Co said:
Not sure about budget, but I use Axe FX FM3…about to pick up a Kemper Player also

FM3 can be found $700 -$800

Kemper Player for $500 - $650
Click to expand...
Overkill, and too complicated. I've actually considered the FM3 to double as a multiFX unit, but they're too complicated with their deep editing and I hate things that I have to tweak via computer. And tweak. And tweak, and tweak.
 
Also, I have a pair of 38ohm ATX-M50 headphones, so keep that in mind. Some units vary and are finicky with headphone ohm matches/mismatches.
 
Apogee Jam+ and your iPhone if you use one. Easy, compact, not too expensive.
 
napalmdeath said:
Also, I have a pair of 38ohm ATX-M50 headphones, so keep that in mind. Some units vary and are finicky with headphone ohm matches/mismatches.
Click to expand...
You mean the ATH-M50x? I use those with the OX box, but that's also overkill.
I am considering the Friedman IR-J for that role, but only when a used one at a good price appears around here. A bit expensive, but real tubes. YMMV.
 
Nashville Riff Co said:
Not sure about budget, but I use Axe FX FM3…about to pick up a Kemper Player also

FM3 can be found $700 -$800

Kemper Player for $500 - $650
Click to expand...

On the cheap, look into a Mooer Prime P2 or S1 (same devices, different format). I have both; great for travel and headphone use. Get the free IR loader and you can load a few of your own IRs. Maybe a ToneX One or L6 POD Express (with Helix models)
 
Problem solved.
IMG_6572.jpeg
 
japetus said:
I use it all the time for headphones and other things. Still great clean tones, usable verbs, I can EQ a good OD tone with the "hidden tap hold settings". And it still works after all this time!
Click to expand...

Yea dude hard to beat for a simple/straightforward practice setup!
 
Korg Pandora will tear open the sky and expand your consciousness to the 12th power. In fact Reinhold put the exact same circuit in his Ecstasy namesake.
 
skoora said:
Korg Pandora will tear open the sky and expand your consciousness to the 12th power. In fact Reinhold put the exact same circuit in his Ecstasy namesake.
Click to expand...

I forgot about these; had one for many years.
 
It may sound stupid, but after several attempts with small devices like Mooer, Valeton, etc. I ended up with Kemper. As a device for practicing through headphones, I'm not kidding. It is decently controllable via the front panel, there are heaps of profiles and you can connect it to a PC at any time and also use it as a very decent sound card. At first I had a toaster, I changed it to a rack. If you want portability, then of course this is not the way to go.
 
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mcstinger said:
It may sound stupid, but after several attempts with small devices like Mooer, Valeton, etc. I ended up with Kemper. As a device for practicing through headphones, I'm not kidding. It is decently controllable via the front panel, there are heaps of profiles and you can connect it to a PC at any time and also use it as a very decent sound card. At first I had a toaster, I changed it to a rack. If you want portability, then of course this is not the way to go.
Click to expand...

My Helix floor and FM9 sound great in headphones, but OP said HX Stomp was overkill for what he's looking for.
 
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