Positive Grid’s Spark Amp promises to bring together all of the world’s greatest amps and pedals inside one practice amp. But does it work? And, is the Spark Amp worth it? Let’s find out…
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The Spark Amp’s combination of affordability, practicality, and innovation makes it a must-have for every guitarist, whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced player. The Spark Amp isn’t just an upgrade to your practice; it’s an investment in your musical journey.
- Its compact design means it takes up minimal space.
- It emulates the warm, rich sound of a tube amp without the need for actual tubes.
- You can use it to record directly into your PC, simplifying your music production process.
- It features a built-in AI drummer and bass player, providing a dynamic and responsive jamming experience.
- Get access to a vast library of guitar tones, opening up endless possibilities for your sound.
- Create and share your own unique tones via ToneCloud
Transforming your novice guitar skills into something more can be frustrating, especially when your growth feels stunted by subpar equipment.
The majority of beginners are confined to basic practice amps that offer little to no tonal quality. While these amps serve their purpose during the initial learning stages, you’ll soon find yourself yearning for a more refined sound.
High-end amp stacks and premium practice amps, however, not only put a significant dent in your wallet, but they also consume a considerable amount of space.
Not to mention the added complication of pedals; which ones to choose, how many to buy, the appropriate budget, and the constant debate between clone pedals and the authentic ones.
Plus, the cost of acquiring even a few decent pedals can be quite intimidating too.
Mastering the use of this equipment for the perfect tone becomes an art form in itself, and that’s before you even contemplate the intricacies of home recording. Basically, it’s a bit of a slog – especially for those new to the guitar.
But what if you could bypass all of this nonsense and go straight to a killer guitar tone, have instant access to some of the most iconic amps, effects, and pedals on the market and, best of all, do it inside a single package?
This is what Positive Grid’s Spark Amp sets out to do. But does it pull it off? Let’s find out…
What is The Spark Amp?
The Spark Amp is often referred to as the reinvention of the practice amp. It seamlessly blends power, versatility, and convenience, offering an all-in-one solution for all your guitar-related needs. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, the Spark Amp can transform your guitar playing experience.
As a guitarist, space management is key. Most of us don’t have the luxury of dedicating an entire room to our gear. This is where the compact design of the Spark Amp comes in handy.
First unveiled at NAMM a few years ago, the Spark Amp was a game changer. Its creator, Positive Grid, known for the remarkable BIAS FX software, has outdone itself once again.
The Spark Amp may be small in size, but it is impressively powerful. This 40W speaker not only functions as a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) but also offers you access to a myriad of guitar tones and effects.
It can be controlled via your smartphone, and it features backing tracks and AI-powered transcribing, enabling you to get tabs for all your favourite songs from YouTube.
When I first came across the Spark Amp, I was skeptical about its capabilities. However, upon testing it, not only was I proven wrong, but I also found myself utterly captivated by the sheer scope of what it could do.
The moment I plugged in my guitar, selected a guitar tone from ToneCloud (I chose one named Pike, modeled after Matt Pike’s guitar tone), I knew I was dealing with something special.
The Spark Amp’s compact design is a big plus. Mine sits comfortably on my desk next to my iMac, taking up minimal space. With it, I can access thousands of guitar tones, which I can further customize by adding or removing pedals and tweaking the amp settings.
Spark Amp Specs
- Amplifier Type: Solid State
- Power Output: 40 Watts
- Speaker Configuration: 2 x 4″ Custom-Designed Speakers
- Number of Channels: 30 Amp Models
- Effects: Over 10,000 tones powered by Positive Grid’s BIAS tone engine, including modulation, delay, and reverb effects.
- Presets: Seven slots for saving customized amp and effects setups, with access to thousands of presets created by professional guitarists and the Positive Grid online community.
- Smart Features: Smart Jam feature learns your style and feel, generating authentic bass and drum parts to accompany you. Auto chords feature provides chord diagrams in real-time for millions of songs.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Bluetooth music streaming with full-range sound.
- Audio Interface: Built-in USB audio interface for direct recording to your computer or smart device.
- Additional Features: Voice command for hands-free control, tuner, metronome, and 40 drum loops for practice and jamming.
- Hardware: Headphone output for silent practice, and stereo 1/8″ aux input.
- Software Compatibility: Works with BIAS software on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android devices, with the ability to share and download thousands of tones via the ToneCloud.
- Dimensions: 350mm (Width) x 180mm (Height) x 210mm (Depth)
- Weight: 5.2 kg
The Spark Amp’s interface, available on your phone or iPad, is user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. It enables you to emulate any tone you desire – from exact replicas of Matt Pike’s High on Fire guitar tone to James Hetfield’s Ride The Lightning tone.
If customization isn’t your thing, you can use the preset amps and settings for a near-perfect tube amp sound – without the actual tubes.
Recording Capabilities
But what about recording, you might ask? Well, the Spark Amp has you covered. The Spark Amp easily connects to your Windows or Mac computer and syncs with your recording software. If you don’t have any recording software, worry not, as the Spark Amp comes with a free copy of the comprehensive PreSonus Studio One Prime recording software.
You can start recording and demoing your tracks immediately. Positive Grid even includes the necessary cable to connect the Spark Amp to your PC.
Personally, I prefer running my Spark Amp through Ableton Live, where I program some slow-paced drums and start cranking out some sludge/doom riffs. For capturing ideas swiftly, the Spark Amp, coupled with a DAW like Ableton or PreSonus Studio One Prime, is utterly amazing.
Smart Jam
Smart Jam is one of the most innovative and impressive features of the Spark Amp. It’s designed to make your practice sessions more engaging and interactive. The basic idea is to provide you with an AI-powered backing band that can adapt to your playing.
Getting Started With Smart Jam
To begin, you need to connect the Spark Amp to your device (smartphone or tablet) using Bluetooth. Once connected, you’ll have to launch the Spark Amp app, where you’ll find the Smart Jam feature. In the Smart Jam section, you’ll see a list of AI drummers with different styles, like pop, rock, blues, and more. Select the drummer that suits your style or the style you want to practice.
Playing with Smart Jam
Once you’ve selected your AI drummer, you’re ready to start jamming. To kick things off, you’ll need to play a chord progression or a simple rhythm for about 30 seconds.
The AI will “listen” to what you’re playing, then it will analyze your chords and rhythm, and create a custom backing track (drums and bass) to go along with your playing.
The backing track isn’t just a loop; it evolves dynamically based on your input. If you play a slow rhythm, the AI drummer and bassist will follow suit. If you speed up or switch to a different rhythm or chord progression, the AI will adapt to match your changes.
Customizing Your Jam
What’s more, the Smart Jam feature allows you to customize the generated backing track. You can adjust the tempo and the style of the drums and bass. This flexibility allows you to experiment with different grooves and feels, helping you to improve your timing and rhythm.
For practice, Smart Jam is amazing – even more so if you’re not used to playing with other musicians.
All The Amps
The Positive Grid Spark Amp includes a comprehensive list of 30 different amp models. Here are some examples, covering a variety of styles from clean to high gain:
- ’65 Blackface Lux: Modeled after the Fender Deluxe Reverb.
- ’65 Blackface Vib: Modeled after the Fender Vibrolux.
- ’59 Tweed Lux: Modeled after the Fender Deluxe.
- ’59 Tweed Bass: Modeled after the Fender Bassman.
- British 30W: Modeled after the Vox AC30.
- British 800: Modeled after the Marshall JCM800.
- British 900: Modeled after the Marshall JCM900.
- British Silver Jubilee: Modeled after the Marshall Silver Jubilee.
- American High Gain: Modeled after the Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier.
- German High Gain: Modeled after the Bogner Uberschall.
- British Invasion: Modeled after the Orange AD30.
- British Pop: Modeled after the Vox AC15.
- ’60 Blackface Duo: Modeled after the Fender Twin Reverb.
- ’66 AC Boost: Modeled after the Vox AC30 Top Boost.
- ’67 Blackface Bass: Modeled after the Fender Blackface Bassman.
- ’68 Plexiglas 50W: Modeled after the Marshall Super Lead.
- ’69 Plexiglas 100W: Modeled after the Marshall Super Lead 100.
- ’87 Silver Jubilee: Modeled after the Marshall Silver Jubilee.
- ’92 Treadplate: Modeled after the Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier.
- ’94 Match DC: Modeled after the Matchless DC30.
- ’02 Insane: Modeled after the Line 6 Insane.
- ’05 Liquid: Modeled after the Bogner Uberschall.
- ’14 Uber: Modeled after the Bogner Uberschall Twin Jet.
- ’14 British OD Custom: Modeled after the Marshall JCM 800.
- ’14 British Plexi Custom: Modeled after the Marshall Plexi.
- ’14 British Pop Custom: Modeled after the Vox AC30.
- ’14 Treadplate Custom: Modeled after the Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier.
- ’14 Insane Custom: Modeled after the Line 6 Insane.
- ’14 Acoustic Custom: A custom amp for acoustic guitar.
- ’14 Bass Custom: A custom amp for bass guitar.
Plus, each of these amps can be customized further with the use of the virtual pedals and effects provided within the Spark Amp system, giving you the ability to fine-tune your sound to your liking.
Is The Spark Amp Worth It?
If you haven’t gathered by now, I am a massive fan of the Spark Amp. To me, it’s not just a practice amp; it’s the ultimate music companion. It redefines the concept of a practice amp by offering so much more:
Spark Amp Pros
- It features a built-in AI drummer and bass player, providing a dynamic and responsive jamming experience.
- You gain access to a vast library of guitar tones, opening up endless possibilities for your sound.
- You can create and share your own unique tones via ToneCloud, connecting with a global community of guitar enthusiasts.
- It doubles as a smart speaker, making it a versatile addition to your home or studio.
- Its compact design means it takes up minimal space.
- It emulates the warm, rich sound of a tube amp without the need for actual tubes.
- You can use it to record directly into your PC, simplifying your music production process.
- It seamlessly integrates with DAWs like Ableton, enhancing your creative workflow.
Before the release of the Spark Amp, the buzz around the product was palpable. I was skeptical about whether it could live up to the hype. However, after six months of owning and using one, I can confidently say it’s the coolest piece of guitar gear I own.
The Spark Amp’s combination of affordability, practicality, and innovation makes it a must-have for every guitarist, whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced player. The Spark Amp isn’t just an upgrade to your practice; it’s an investment in your musical journey.
I wouldn’t trade mine for all the tube amps in the world.
To purchase your own Spark Amp, visit the Positive Grid website. As of now, it’s priced at $255 or £196, providing excellent value for its cost.
In conclusion, the Spark Amp isn’t just about making your music sound better; it’s about enhancing your guitar playing experience as a whole. With this versatile tool, you’re not just practicing; you’re creating, experimenting, and, most importantly, enjoying the journey of being a musician.
The Spark Amp’s combination of affordability, practicality, and innovation makes it a must-have for every guitarist, whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced player. The Spark Amp isn’t just an upgrade to your practice; it’s an investment in your musical journey.
- Its compact design means it takes up minimal space.
- It emulates the warm, rich sound of a tube amp without the need for actual tubes.
- You can use it to record directly into your PC, simplifying your music production process.
- It features a built-in AI drummer and bass player, providing a dynamic and responsive jamming experience.
- Get access to a vast library of guitar tones, opening up endless possibilities for your sound.
- Create and share your own unique tones via ToneCloud
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