I've searched and search and still can't figure this out. If it's posted somewhere else let me know.
But I'm trying to figure out how to play a backing track and amped harp while listening through headphones. Ideally the only thing people would hear is accoustic harp.
Is this possible? What do I need to make this happen?
I don't think you can do this without modifications to the VHT. You'd need something that replaces the speaker with a equivalent load, then take a headphone signal from that. Then you'd need a mixer to mix the backing track signal with your harp.
Other modelling amps mentioned here often do have this facility - an mp3-in socket, and a headphone socket that cuts the speaker.
With a valve amp like the VHT you can't simply cut the speaker, it will damage the amp.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Sep 24, 2016 10:43 AM
Seems to be a feature on all those kind of amps. The Roland Micro Cube is a old favourite I think.
Ian - those Blackstars have valves as I remember - isn't it a preamp valve repurposed as low-power output device? Does plugging headphones in cut the speaker?
I do this with my Vox DA5. Which is essentially the old version of the rhythm 5 that was already mentioned.
I HIGHLY recommend one of these for home use. The DA5 is a little harder to find, but lots of people love the New Rhythm 5. And it has a built in Drum Machine, or drum beats rather. It has a few good amp models, on board effects w/ tap tempo, a input jack in the back with separate volume (this is designed for mic input to be use with guitar, but works great for an Ipod input), also has a line out which I use for headphones ( the line out has a speaker emulator so you get more of an amp sound in your headphones. Sounds more like a miced amp.), It also has Variable wattage( I believe its .5Watts, 1.5Watts, and 5watts.) AND ITS BATTERY POWERED. And the batteries last a good lone time. This is a little powerhouse amp. I really suggest looking into one.
Another way you could do it is with an external device of some sort.
The POD would work. Also My Looper ( Digitech Jamman XT) has a 1/8" input for a ipod or cellphone.
Or you could get something like the Danelectro Honeytone Amp. They work, buy they arent really that satisfying.
But again, if you can dig up one of those Vox amps. They are GREAT. They run just over $100 usually.
Or if your interested I have a Zoom G2Nu for sale. It is a modeler like the POD, but it has a looper, built in drum tracks, tuner, etc. Tons of extra little features that the POD doesnt have. It has ports for nearly everything. And Richard Hunter actually makes harmonica patches for it so you will have already dialed in harmonica setups.
Heres a quick video demoing the Zoom G2Nu for guitar. You can probably find a better video, but..... let me know if your interested, I'll give it to you Cheap, as I dont use it really. So if someone can get some use out of it, I would rather that .. then it sitting on a shelf here. It is also Battery powered or plug in. So it's very portable and convenient. You could use it on the Go.
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Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Sep 26, 2016 7:48 AM
Yeah the black star amp may be low power enough to deal with the speaker load presented by the headphones. I looked at that circuit and although it does use a double triode in a push pull configuration I think there is a fair bit else going on in there. Just cant quite recall, but maybe I just saw 'at a glance' it was not exactly a traditional valve amp and didn't actually trace it all the way through. Sevenohthree, you are just having fun with playing through the 'phones? Or you working on playing very quietly? Or working on mic technique?
Last Edited by SuperBee on Sep 27, 2016 4:18 AM
Small mixer plus a Pod XT works great for me. Run backing track into the mixer, have the Pod on the mixers FX send. Only complaint is that sometimes instead of playing I will get absorbed twiddling effects and amp settings. Feels somewhat akin to spending movie night just browsing Netflix.
Thanks for all the responses. This forum is such a great resource.
Looks like I'll a Vox amp is in my near future.
Superbee- two out of three. After a brief hiatus I'm refocusing on harp. I put it down for a while but now back at it. Working mostly with playing along with backing tracks. But mic control and getting a proper cup are also important. I've set a goal to hit a jam session in the next 8 months and really need to "step it up".
