Growing up in a house with little privacy and a joint family, I was constantly trying to find out how to play my guitar with headphones.
It was necessary to do some practice for me because if I had not done it, I would have been scolded in my school. But I practiced at home, so the rest of the people would be disturbed.
So, what should you do to prevent this scenario?
The answer is as simple as making a sandwich. But first, let me tell you how I came to know about this.
At first, I didn’t have any idea that we could also play our guitars with headphones. I am always looking for a lonely place to practice the guitar where no one disturbs me or judges my skills. I used to waste a lot of time doing this.
But one day, my music teacher told me some amazing ways to use a guitar with headphones. And you will not be surprised to know that the ideas given to him proved to be helpful for me.
So, today I am here to share some of those ways with you so that you can all easily play the guitar with headphones. In this article, I’ll go through the many methods by which you can play the guitar with headphones. so that you can choose which one is the best solution for you. Have a look at them:
How To Play Headphones With A Guitar?
1- By Connecting Your Headphones To The Guitar Amp
As per my experience, this is the quickest method for playing the guitar with headphones. But it was conducted when your amp has a headphone output. Most guitar amplifiers now include a separate headphone output port. I can simply connect my headphones to it and begin playing as I normally would.
I’d like to add one more point guitar amp headphone outputs always need a 6.5mm or 14-inch wire. That means I need to have an adapter if my headphones’ wires have a shorter length than this. Because it uses so many wires and most amps are not portable, this method is not travel-friendly.
If you’re using headphones with your guitar amp, be sure the level is turned down before you start playing. Then, to avoid damaging your hearing, gradually increase the volume level. As you are well aware, everything has both positive and negative aspects. Now I’ll discuss the benefits and drawbacks of this method.
2- By Using A Micro Guitar Amp
For guitarists who travel or want to practice in silence, like I, micro guitar headphone amplifiers are the best suitable choice. They are becoming increasingly popular day by day as they have lots of pros.
Let me tell you that it’s a little self-contained guitar amplifier that can even fit in our pockets. It’s highly portable because it doesn’t require my adapter or connection. Aux input, on the other hand, can be used to jam with the music.
I will just have to connect it to my guitar and plug my headphones into the 3.5mm output to use them. There are no cords or adapters to deal with. Furthermore, the sound quality is adequate but not comparable to that of a true amplifier. So, don’t use it for professional work.
3- Connecting To A Computer Or Smartphone Using An Audio Interface
This is an excellent alternative for musicians who wish to play the guitar in peace while traveling.
This method involves connecting the guitar to an audio interface, such as the iRig HD 2, which is then connected to a smartphone, tablet, PC, or Mac. After that, we may play the guitar with whichever headphones we choose connected to our device.
However, depending on the type of gadget, the procedure changes slightly.
4- For Personal Computers and Laptops
An audio interface is a piece of technology that connects our guitar to our computer or laptop through USB or Thunderbolt. After that, we may play the guitar with any headphones connected to our device. However, depending on the interface or machine, we may need to download some drivers.
Connecting a guitar to mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets, is another simple option to play it through headphones. You’ll need to buy a digital guitar interface made specifically for mobile devices for this.
You’ll get a lot more out of an interface if you go with this choice than if you just play the guitar with headphones. It may also be used to record, process, and create music. But for doing this another requirement is suitable headphone that is good for studio purposes such as AKG K361 and TASCAM TH-300X.
5- By Using Multi-Effect Pedals
The line-out output on most current multi-effects systems is commonly identified as the headphone’s output. We can also plug in our headphones if they have any type of amp modeling. The output is sometimes referred to as “phones” or just “headphones.”
The best feature is that they include a variety of connectors, including audio outputs, USB connections, and headphone outputs, making them quite adaptable.
It will enable us to connect to a PA system in order to perform live. It can also be linked to a computer for simple recording in a digital audio workstation (DAW) or simply listening to music via headphones.
6- By Using a Headphone with a Guitar Amp Built-In
If you’re not happy with the above-mentioned methods or don’t want to utilize an amp, you’ll only have one option: play the guitar through headphones that are equipped with a built-in guitar amplifier.
There are various headphones with a built-in guitar amplifier on the market, but the Boss Waza Air Wireless Guitar Headphone and the Vox amPhones AC30 Active Guitar Headphones, in my opinion, are the best alternatives.
How To Detect Problems In Guitar Amps & Headphones?
A decent amp and well-working headphones are required in any setup if we want to enjoy guitar music clean and loud. However, they can both go down from time to time, but they are quite easy to detect.
So, let’s find some mind-blowing ideas by which you can easily detect any problem with your amp or headphones. Here are some ways:
1. Try A Different Guitar Amp
I will detach my guitar amp’s headphones and use them with another guitar amp. If it works, I’m certain that the headphones are in good working order. It’s possible that the issue is with my amp or instrument.
2. Check The Amp With Different Headphones
Another headphone may be plugged into the amp as well. The amplifier serves as a link between my instrument and my headphones. It’s a headphone adaptor for guitars. As a result, it’s possible that’s why my guitar won’t connect to my headphones. If my headphones don’t work with my amp, I’ll have to think about alternative options.
3. Examine The Amp‘s Output Port
Now I need to look at the output port. Without my knowledge, this port might become defective. It’s a little section of the amp that I usually overlook.
4. Seek Professional Assistance
If the issue is with this amp port, I’ll need expert assistance to fix it. In the event of a severely damaged port, it is preferable to purchase a new amplifier.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What exactly is a guitar headphone amplifier, and how does it function?
An amplifier is a gadget that allows your electric guitar to be connected to a set of headphones. It enhances the signal from your guitar so you can plainly hear it via your headphones. The majority of guitar headphone amplifiers are lightweight and portable.
- Which headphones are best for guitarists?
The finest headphones for guitarists range from studio headphones to noise-canceling headphones to headphones with a built-in amplifier.
- What are the most common issues with guitar amplifiers?
The most common issues that frequently happen with guitar amps are wiring faults, which include everything from blown fuses to broken wires. Replace any faulty tubes you detect if you’re using a tube amp with a guitar.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to play the guitar with headphones and how to quickly diagnose guitar and amp issues. Playing the guitar with headphones may be a terrific method to develop your abilities, whether you’re a novice just getting started or a skilled performer seeking a new adventure.
Finally, I can claim that you’ve figured out how to connect headphones to a guitar. Right? If you wish to live in peace, this is a fantastic system.
I did my best to provide you with information on how to play electric guitar with headphones. Now, you can play your guitar whenever and wherever you want without disturbing others. I hope this has been of great assistance to you.