spark amp

[Durrango]

Anyone have any thoughts on the new spark amp. Looks pretty nice, wonder how it sounds.

Spark | 40W Smart Guitar Amp & App

40W Smart Guitar Amp & App

www.positivegrid.com

Mike

 

[matthew bear]

Welcome to the Forum
The only thing I know about it is what you posted

A lot of people like their Bias software though.

 

[KenG]

Obviously for home use only but a neat toy. Price isn't bad either since you're getting an app to help learn songs.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Obviously for home use only but a neat toy. Price isn't bad either since you're getting an app to help learn songs.

Ken, I'm wondering that if it sounds good, it could be used with IEMs and sent straight to board for FOH amplification?

 

[KenG]

Ken, I'm wondering that if it sounds good, it could be used with IEMs and sent straight to board for FOH amplification?

I'd think the main issue would be changes on the fly when using it live. With no ftswitches you're reduced to using the app on the phone/tablet or the manual controls. If you set up a single sound for songs and only need to change settings song by song maybe it'd be ok but then you're not accessing all it can do. In my opinion plying/recording at home that could be worked around since real-time changes aren't critical. I have not heard this in person so I couldn't say how good it sounds either.
Hopefully I'll get a chance later to try this out! Probably kick my crush20s butt.

 

[mdubya]

This is a really cool piece of gear at a great price. There is some really interesting stuff coming out these days.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

This is a really cool piece of gear at a great price. There is some really interesting stuff coming out these days.

Looks like competition for the Yamaha boxes.

 

[CB91710]

Obviously for home use only but a neat toy. Price isn't bad either since you're getting an app to help learn songs.

40 watts is a bit overkill for home use.
Certainly good for a worship band... or any situation where you can mic the amp.
I remember back in the 80s, keyboardists and even some bassists were running those little GK amps that weren't much larger than this one.

But I do think they missed the mark on three issues:
1 - No effects loop... you are limited to pedals ahead of the amp, or the modeled pedals (and I have no idea how well it takes pedals)
2 - No analog line out... so you MUST mic it if you don't get enough dispersion from the two 5" drivers. It does have a headphone out that can be used as a line out, but that silences the speakers, so your only feedback is from the PA. The alternative is to use the USB output and D2A that into the PA.
3 - The internal effects do not include a looper. It has a "Smart Jam" mode that offers SOME of the function of a Trio, but it looks like it only does bass and drums... you can't practice soloing over your own backing track... unless I guess you record it and upload it to Youtube. Using a Trio in front of the amp would work fine, but then you're back to using external effects and the Spark becomes nothing but a clean power amp. Using the internal effects ends up putting the same effects on everything coming out of your looper.

Don't get me wrong... I think it's a sharp little amp at an awesome price, and I do have one on order.

2nd issue... yes, they are shipping, but they are a few months behind. I ordered in January and am not expecting to hear from them until April or May.

 

[KenG]

40 watts is a bit overkill for home use.
Certainly good for a worship band... or any situation where you can mic the amp.
I remember back in the 80s, keyboardists and even some bassists were running those little GK amps that weren't much larger than this one.

But I do think they missed the mark on three issues:
1 - No effects loop... you are limited to pedals ahead of the amp, or the modeled pedals (and I have no idea how well it takes pedals)
2 - No analog line out... so you MUST mic it if you don't get enough dispersion from the two 5" drivers. It does have a headphone out that can be used as a line out, but that silences the speakers, so your only feedback is from the PA. The alternative is to use the USB output and D2A that into the PA.
3 - The internal effects do not include a looper. It has a "Smart Jam" mode that offers SOME of the function of a Trio, but it looks like it only does bass and drums... you can't practice soloing over your own backing track... unless I guess you record it and upload it to Youtube. Using a Trio in front of the amp would work fine, but then you're back to using external effects and the Spark becomes nothing but a clean power amp. Using the internal effects ends up putting the same effects on everything coming out of your looper.

Don't get me wrong... I think it's a sharp little amp at an awesome price, and I do have one on order.

2nd issue... yes, they are shipping, but they are a few months behind. I ordered in January and am not expecting to hear from them until April or May.

If it were 40W into guitar speakers it'd be loud for sure. With tiny speakers like the ones in the box it's hard to say what that equates to, especially since they are so puny they will likely not project at all. I'm not sure I would want this live, and be stuck either living with a single setting or trying to change on the fly with my phone!

 

[edro]

My biz partner has one on order....

Sounded good in the vids...

 

[Deftone]

I remember back in the 80s, keyboardists and even some bassists were running those little GK amps that weren't much larger than this one.

I had a GK 250ML combo and and GK 250RL head. Both were 100w stereo.

 

[CB91710]

If it were 40W into guitar speakers it'd be loud for sure. With tiny speakers like the ones in the box it's hard to say what that equates to, especially since they are so puny they will likely not project at all. I'm not sure I would want this live, and be stuck either living with a single setting or trying to change on the fly with my phone!

It has 4 presets, so you can assign those and switch between them without your phone, and you can still "twiddle" with the knobs.

 

[Deftone]

I'm interested for sure. But I'll wait to see what people say after they have them.

 

[jkes01]

I just watched this video earlier. It has ”full range“ speakers cause it also is a Bluetooth boom box. It’s got some really cool features.

 

[jb_abides]

 

[SWeAT hOg]

I just watched this video earlier. It has ”full range“ speakers cause it also is a Bluetooth boom box. It’s got some really cool features.

I didn't watch. Does it play in stereo? That's pretty cool. Also an easier sell for the missus....'Honey, remember you said you wanted tunes on the patio in the summer?"

 

[jkes01]

I didn't watch. Does it play in stereo? That's pretty cool. Also an easier sell for the missus....'Honey, remember you said you wanted tunes on the patio in the summer?"

Yes

 

[CB91710]

I didn't watch. Does it play in stereo? That's pretty cool. Also an easier sell for the missus....'Honey, remember you said you wanted tunes on the patio in the summer?"

And it's not that much more than other BT speaker systems.
I think the Marshall (branded) speaker was more, and it sounded like shit.

 

[mdubya]

It is super cool for the price. It will learn your songs and add bass and drums to it and you can use it as a recording interface. It is Positive Grid, so is has decent tones. I've got great modeling, but the song building and recording features will be worth the price of entry, for me.

 

[Skeletor]

Has anyone used the BIAS FX software?
I pre-ordered the Spark and due to all of the delays they offered a Bias download.
Haven't had time to investigate but - assuming it needs some sort of hardware interface for guitar?