Vox amPlug 3 Bass Headphone Amp (AP3-BA)
The amPlug 3 Bass is a headphone amplifier small enough to live in a gig bag pocket. It plugs straight into the bass, so you can put in the hours without putting any sound into the room. This third generation adds features to the previous version and improves the sound alongside them, and it does the whole job with analog solid-state circuitry rather than a digital model of a bass rig.
- Circuitry: analog solid state, for clean or overdriven bass tone
- Channel 1: wide range, for clean bass tone
- Channel 2: thick, punchy driven sound
- Effects: stereo, for a wider image in headphones
- Rhythms: built in, for woodshedding without a drummer
- TRRS connection: connect a smartphone for video recording
- Format: pocket sized, no cables and no amp needed
Practising bass quietly usually means compromising on tone. The amPlug 3 Bass gets around that with analog solid-state circuitry, two channels and stereo effects, in a unit that plugs directly into the instrument and runs into your headphones.
Two channels
Channel one gives you a wide range and keeps things clean. Channel two moves in for a thick, punchy driven sound. That covers most of what a bass part needs before you go anywhere near a pedal.
Stereo effects
The onboard effects are stereo, which matters more in headphones than it does through a cabinet. It stops the sound collapsing into the middle of your head.
Built-in rhythms
Rhythm patterns are included so you have something to lock to while woodshedding. Playing bass against a pulse is a different exercise to playing it alone.
Record straight to your phone
A TRRS connection lets you hook up a smartphone and record video with the amPlug sound going down with it, which is handy for lessons, auditions or posting a clip.
Small enough to carry everywhere
It fits in your pocket. That is really the point. The amPlug travels with the bass rather than being something you have to plan around.