How To Run The Spark Amp With An External Speaker Cabinet
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มี.ค. 2021
- This is a little tutorial on how you can run the Spark amp to an external speaker. This is ideal for those that want to use the Spark amp with a band or performance setting.
Video for power amp (44 Magnum by Electro-Harmonix): • Electro-Harmonix 44 Ma... - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
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I would love to see Positive Grid come up with like a Spark Pro that's pretty much the Spark amp but designed to be used like an amp head. So the Spark Amp with all the outputs needed and a bit more wattage.
Total agreed- love my mini. If I could get them functionality on stage would be my go to
Positive grid head is literally that but it's $1000
Now that’s a greatest idea, I think . If Positive Grid were to come out with a Pro for live performances amp , then I think it might just blow all the other amp out of the way 🤗🙏🏽… Already one would experiment on how to use the avails spark products in pro live rig situations ….
@@clydebermingham121 they have one, positive grid head or rack bud
Excuse my stupidity, but what's the difference between an amp, & cabinet?
Gotta love that transistor technology, man! Apparently it works really well for amplification, and digital signal processing(effects). I think transistors don’t get enough love from guitarists.
My Roland KC-350 amp has stereo RCA inputs for "Aux In", I ran the Spark headphone cable to those RCA inputs, works really great!.
So glad someone finally explained this thank you!
You just might be a genius! This worked great with my Dr Z cabinet in a live jam situation. First time playing the Spark out of the house. Thanks for the awesome tip!
Any time...That’s awesome! 🤘🏼
So can i just run any pre amp like a Seymour duncan power stage and a regular 8 ohm guitar cab?
@@guitar_goes_brrrr8237 I’ve never tried a pre amp with this 44 Magnum but have used my pedals with it and it works good. I’ve only tried the Spark with the 44 Magnum like he shows in the video and it works great
AWESOME BRO !!! Just got a spark yesterday and i got vox cabs ...and it's an oh yeah moment!!!
Digging the Skid Row riffage! Great vid! About to try this using the the effects return on my amp!
This is the answer to my prayers. I have so many tones that I love with amp match. This is literally insane. You save me dude. This is it. I can now use my children of bodom tones live. You did it. I'm honestly blown away. I am dude....... I love you!!!
Did you ever get this setup and if you did how does it sound?
Great job brother!! This thing is the Swiss army knife of the guitar world!
Nice job. Just got the Spark. Working thru it and learning its limitations.
I been using my wireless guitar bugs with a quarter inch to one eight inch adapter with the receiver into my fender ultra chorus. Works great.
That’s awesome. Thanks for your effort. 44 magnum coming my way. 🤘🏽
Thanks for the idea. I followed your instructions but picked up a used a Mooer Baby Bomb 30 to save a few bucks and it works great. Plenty of volume.
I'm fairly sure you need to use a 1/8 stereo to summing with resistors 1/4" mono cable or eventually that cute little spark amp wont spark. While most stereo summing cable just short the Left and Right output conductors, the use of resistors to prevent the signals from back-feeding into each other. This prevents it from being distortion or noise issues, as well as preventing damage to your output device.
Did the same to my Vox Vt40x, but into a normal mini stereo amp (50$ amazon). All coming out of my vintage Technics Tower speakers!
Thanks for that totorial..
I run 1/8 Stereo into 2 1/4 Mono..into 2 aktive Hifi Studio speakers...uaah Sound pure
Someone finally figured it out niceee!
You point out the biggest flaw in the Spark, no output jack. Thanks for solving the issue. I took mine apart and installed a line out. I got tired of having to convince the sound guy to mike my 'pee pee little' amp when I got a tone I really liked.
It's not really a flaw. The Spark is designed as a practice amp, not a stage amp. I would say it's more of a design oversight. ;D
@@ubermac85 I agree with you Scott. Positive Grid don't want people buying a practise amp that will kill sales of their pro gear. I'd love to see Rocket Rose's mod.
Would be great to see a video about installing a line out. With the line out, do you mute the Spark, or does it still stay active?
@@Jonathan-L yes usually amp manufacturers do not put line outs on smaller amps so pros have to pony up for the line out but in this case what pro cab are they offering as an upgrade? It would make sense if there was a spark 80 or something with a line out but we have nothing.
I just use the headphone out to the aux in of my amp. Sounds legit on a 12” speaker
Just sold my Marshall 2203 Master Lead and ordered my Spark 40 last night! As I lay in bed last night I got to thinking that some additional speakers would really be nice, so here I am. Oh, I see you have a Charvel model 6; I have a Charvel / Jackson Model 6!
I have a magnum 44 and it’s amazing 🤘🏻
Thank you for the info and demo. I ordered the magnum from sweetwater.
So following Rickord's tutorial, tried this with a Spark Mini. Used a Mooer Baby bomb 30 watt micro amp ($110 Amazon), piped the Mini thorough a Mesa 4x12 V30 and was OVERWHELMED!! Absolutely kicks $%$%$#$. Really loud but not a lot of noise and maintains tone really well. You can use the pedal amp volume control and the Spark volume basically as two separate masters, with your guitar volume on the side.
Also tried this with a little Marshall Code 25 and worked just as well.
Cheers!!
Awesome to hear!!! I was just contemplating buying the mooer 30 but didn't know If it would be enough. But reading this now, ITS ON!!! Thanks for the info
You sound quite knowledgeable do you know if a MXR micro amp would work?
This video made me realize that I could use the power amp in on my katana, via the spark headphone jack. Got an adapter for my cable, and it works great. It's really nice to hear it through a proper speaker
So all you need is the cable to connect the spark to a katana?
Answered my question. Great Job. Many Thanks!
What a great idea. Never would have thought of this. I just might have to try this with my Spark and Magnum :)
Did you try it and if so how does it sound?
Oh yeah I did. I had mentioned that I tried this already and it worked great, but looks like I had multiple posts here. Not sure why but that was 3 years ago so who know. s haha.
On another note, Positive Grid just came out with their own powered cab, called the CAB, which of course, plays well with all the Spark amps. That should bring in new customers, as well as keeping their existing Spark amp owners happy too, in case they want to go bigger.
The music is too loud. No worries but I couldn’t finish because it’s maddening
Liked for the info and the skid row licks!
Thanks for the video. This is a great idea. Also, loved the Skid Row too! lol
This is great, of course. I think PG needs to get their selt together, and create a product with a touch screen, so we don't need our phones, or a set up like this (as innovating and effective as it is!)..... with the processors out there now, PG needs to move forward. GREAT VIDEO, by the way :)
Excellent video. Thanks !!
I'm gonna try this! Awesome 😎
I’m trying this tonight. Oh it’s on!!
Thanks dude. This was very informative and you play awesome!
Thanks man anytime!
Thanks for this! I don’t have a speaker cab or other amp. Just a guitar and Spark. Play mostly through headphones but want a better external speaker for when I do play without headphones. I narrowed it down to a Line 6 Power Cab that has a built in power amplifier. Saves me from buying the Magnum. So Spark direct into the Line 6 Power Cab. Should work.
Did it work well?
I ended up buying A Headrush 108 FRFR directly from the headphone out. It worked. It was very loud for the bedroom. I returned it and am looking into 5” monitors.
@@paulcavaliere213 but the Spark itself has a pair of 4".
I have a 5w Bulgera tube Amp I have experimented going through that into the spark. It gives a bit more punch. So now I want to do this trick to hook to feed my 4x12a Marshall stack. I will post a video.
That’s So Awesome Thanks For Sharing!!!
You are the best man! Thanks!
Thanks! 🤘🏼
Awesome. Thanks for the info!
Great job I have a spark amp so will buy a external cabinet 😊 👍
Killer tone!
I built a cable that splits a guitar speaker cable into alligator clips on one end. I just clip onto the Spark's speaker tabs & run the signal into a Palmer Direct PDI09 ("The Junction"). Nothing beats the sound of it. Out of the Palmer I go into the 44 Magnum. That way you can still hear the Spark's speakers. Be aware the signal to the Palmer will change as you adjust the Spark's volume knob.
What is the cable stereo to mono
Awesome idea, thanks.
I intend on getting a spark. For now, though I am running the Positive grid plugin suite from my Focusright 2n2 output into a marshall 4x12 Kind of the same thing. Great Vid!
Great video man !!
I have a couple of frfr 2,000 watt speakers. Gonna give it a try! Thanks, just something never would of thought of if I had not come across your video!
How did you end up running this setup??
Update?
@@creepingdeth141 It worked great. However, I ended up selling the Spark amp.
@@HumbleHeartMinistry really what was the reason
Thank you for this. So Glad to know this is possible.
Tried this with a Spark mini into a 15W EHX Howitzer. I hardly got any volume unless both amps were turned up full and gain on the EHX. Sound quality was terrible. It turns out there is a setting to switch the headphone output from stereo to mono. That made all the difference in getting it to work. However, tones still don't sound quite the same as through Spark's internal speakers and my volume is still nowhere near what the EHX can push through my 2x12 cabinet. BTW, Spark does have a footswitch available now in 2022. Now that I've figured out this much, it's something I may consider down the road. As it is, I don't quite see this replacing my more traditional pedalboard and amp.
Update, Just plugged it into the speakers and now I’m deaf! AWESOME!!!
Sweet, thanks for the video
gREAT vIDEO rICK, Could I offer suggestions for future videos? 1) Have the MIC Closer to you to improve tone quality. When you speak sound like you're in a cave. 2) during the first half of the amp you sort of jump around a lot and look like you have to go to the bathroom. Aside from that you explain things very well, and you have a clear and articulate voice... GOOD JOB!!
And get to the point!
You can use the 3.5 mm headfone line output to a 1/4 inch into the powered head or bottom etc.
Hey man, cool video!! I've beenn looking all over for information on reamping options on this. but, no luck maybe an idea for your next video? Cheers from Canada!!
WHAT?!!!!! LOL... 1000 mahaloz Rickord! I will definitely try this.
thanks. Great info.
One issue its FRFR and has speaker emulation. You should just use a TRS mod to bypass internal speaker and use the spark internal amp to external and use full range speaker (20 to 20)
Amazing.
Nice man, Thanks.
Good video! I will try this. Just got one of these over the weekend. My only complaint so far is there is no acoustic simulator pedals.
Run this with airstep pedal and I'm good to go
Does the airstep control the app’s effects pedals or just the onboard settings on the amp itself? From what I understand it only controls the physical hardware on the amp. I’ll wait until they develop a unit where you can control the app through a foot switch.
You could also wire an output jack pretty easily with a jack that bypasses the stock speakers when plugged in.
Can you clarify how that can be done?
@@lonecunado I did this with my Fender LT25. Basically you cut the wires going from the amp to the Spark's speakers. You buy a 2-way toggle switch. Solder/heatshrink the amp side of the speaker wire you cut to the center two posts on the switch switch. Solder/heatstrink the speaker side of the wire you cut to either the top two or bottom two posts, it doesn't matter which.
Next, you need an input jack. Wire the input jack to the only remaining two posts left on the toggle switch. Solder/heatshrink.
Now pick a mounting point for the output jack and toggle switch on the amp. Locate and drill/cut the appropriate size holes to mount them. The backpanel may be too think to actually secure the jack and toggle switch with the nuts. In that case, cut a larger square shape hole in the back panel and cut a piece of plastic, like a pickguard material, sized to cover the hole and be attached by screws. Cut holes in that piece of plastic to mount your toggle switch and input jack.
You are done! Now you can flip the toggle switch to change whether the amp is supplying sound to the speaker or the output to cab.
So, in my experience doing this, there is a noticeable volume change going to the larger speaker, it's moving more air. You can definitely crank it to get more sound, but there really isn't a tonal difference. Like, I thought the LT25 was being limited by the 8in speaker. I thought maybe it might sound better/less boxy on the higher quality 12in speaker of my other amp.
It really didn't make any difference except a modest increase in volume. So whether it's really worth it to mod the amp IDK.
Thank you for this video! It was so helpful.. I love the Jazz music in the background. Who is that? 😁
Thanks for the video and demo! Are you still using this setup? If so, did you change your headphone jack into the magnum for a summons cable or have any issues?
Hi, is there a special care with the cable to be used between the spark headphone output and the PA44 ? Because after doing that the headphone output is out of order.
This is even better now that Xsonic have released a blue tooth foot switch specifically for Spark
If it can access the effects from the app rather than the onboard settings on the amp then I'm in. Otherwise there's no point.
This guy can shred
Great Video. Now everybody can rock louder
i run a spark using a stereo 1/8 inch to 1/4 mono jack into an old peavey tube amp. works great
Humm.. So I can use my Blackstar Tube amp instead of this and a cab? Would I run it to the effects loop input?
@@Yu54m18 yes you put it into the fx loop power amp input. this bypasses your preamp. also protects your preamp which only expects a guitar signal. the fx input (power amp in) expects a hotter signal more like what your headphone is putting out. all adjustments to volume and tone will be done from the spark at that point. regards.
Thanks John, with your help, I'm starting to get it.
This didn't work for me. I have a stereo 3.5, out of the headphone jack going to a mono 1/4 into my effects return on my Blackstar HT club effects loop..any thoughts on what I could be doing wrong?
@@AslanRising sounds like you're doing it right. make sure you have the output volume up on the spark. this should bypass your blackstar preamp controls all together.
Brutaaaaaaalll!!!!
Excellent video Bro! I knew you could use the headphone out, but I didn't know that you needed to then run it through an amp first. That 44 sounds awesome : ) BTW, if you don't mind, could you please reply and post the patch you were using in the tonecloud? Thanks!
Great Video! I dont have a spark myself and im considering getting one eventually. 2 Questions: Can I use a 1/8 female to 1/4 male adapter and regular 1/8 inch cable for this? and can I plug it from the Spark Headphone out to the Return of a combo amp?
Man U are the best!
Thanks man! 🤘🏼
I like this idea! Thank you for the inspiration. I have another question too. Could an ART Power Plant 410 (rack preamp) also work? I was going to get a used one anyhow. It is able to push petals at a higher wattage to satisfy a Power amp better.
Very cool
Thanks man!
Great video! Just curious, what is the wattage of your speaker cabinet ?
For anyone else trying to make the Spark, which is amazing, work with some serious volume!
This 44 magnum is too loud and too sensitive, it rocks and sounds cool but if you want to use the very fun interactive features of the Spark to play along with songs while it shows you exactly what to play and when to play, the cabinet makes the song/music sound very thin and with zero bass!
Here is what you want!
L2M Line 6 speaker.
A cable that is double RCA to 1/8” headphone end.
Plug the Spark from the headphone Jack to the speakers RCA plugs!
This sounds amazing! Both the music and you get the True Tone sound from the Spark with a ton more rockin sound then the two stock 4” speakers!
Excellent vid bro ! ! Great back ground jams. Who's playing the guitar ? ?
Dude thank you
Another question mate is the auxiliary cable stereo into the spark and the other end mono or both mono
Excellent data.. could it been run through an valve pedal or valvular preamp?
The spark amp sounds great coming into my headphones and sounds like shit using the speakers it came with. I can't wait to try this
Thanks really interesting, but wich power has to be the External Speaker Cabinet?
I see a lot of comments about the headphone out. Think of the headphone out as a line out. To adjust the signal turn the volume for the headphones to around noon to 2 o'clock max. Also the spark by itself is really bass sounding does that go away with the external cab?
I used PC surround speakers for long time using headphone out on several processors. Sounds killer. Hahaha.
Hi can you use the smaller Electro-Harmonix 5MM 2.5-watt Power Amp Pedal to do this as well
The headphone jack has a volume control on the Spark amp for music volume. Did you set that any particular way?
Could I connect out the headphone jack to my fender blues amp input? Or would I need the adapter pre amp?
As the headphone out is stereo you don't make it clear that the plug into the power amp is mono. You either need to combine the stereo signal or you will only be getting half the sounds. This may not seem an issue if you are using a single rig in the Spark but they expand the modulation and echo/reverb to make to sound seem bigger and wider so you could well be loosing elements of the sound in only using half the signal path.
You could run 2 of the 44 mags and a custom stereo cable that would send the output from the headphone jack to two separate 44 mags and use your cab in stereo. Just an idea but it should be an easy fix for this if you wanted to get the most out of the sound. Now you will have to balance the power of each 44 mag at this point and would not be as convenient in a gig situation but running a volume pedal wah combo in front of the spark could also solve this issue. Though at that point you have really got intricate in all of this.
It's a wrong way to go about it the headphone output is full range the guitar cabinet is not full range these signals are not compatible if you wanna make your spark go louder you need a full range flat response cabinet it's called the FRFR cabinet
@@chrishill9707 If you were using the Spark to play music I would agree with you. However, as the Spark for guitar it will be emulating a guitar cabinet and therfore the predominant frequencies will be those present in a guitar cabinet. Years ago I would use my guitar cabinets for playing music. The bass, cymbals and vocals might not have stood out but the guitars sounded great.
Spark makes a footswitch now. Has four channels on it to change tones that you can pre-set
About the cable you are recommending; is it an 1/8" mono or stereo end? I got the Spark 40 after signing up on the pre-sale list. I love it, it's a great practice amp. And, I've already signed up on the pre-sale list of the Spark CAB 140 watt!
My only pet peeve is that they didn't use a 1/4" stereo headphone output. Other than that, it's wonderful.
You could probably hook up a Quad Cortex via the same method to a guitar speaker cab, right? Thanks
thanks
Great idea thanks for posting I have question ? The spark has 4 ohms . When you use auxiliary speakers what is recommended 4/8 ohms ?
Thanks again
The cabinet I’m running it through runs at 8 ohms and it’s outputting from the headphone jack and not the auxiliary output.
Couple things with this setup.
The volume control is terrible from the 44 magnum. The knob is basically just cracked from off, and that is too loud!
Then when you use the great interactive feature of the Spark, playing with a song, the song is played with zero bass! It sounds very thin and tinny.
I just tried this yesterday and could not figure anyway around these two issues.
Does anyone know a way of correcting this?
I’m using a Marshall 4x12, thanks!
The Spark needs a foot switch. I have a Helix which I love. How does the Spark compare in terms of tone, not features?
All they need is an output jack and a built in screen and this could bury everything I was lookin at.
Put a small tablet on top and Bob's your uncle.
God, I need to make a TH-cam video that teaches common sense,........ Wanna team up?
You want an iPad and it’s the bomb
@@TheGreekPhysique or an android tablet, or old mobile ph
Exactly
hmm makes me think if ya had a left right channel split on that headphone jack you could run it to two seperate cabs and get stereo right?
I plugged my Spark 40 into my 1000 Watt Mackie Thump 15" Speaker, and OMFG.
Thanks
Thanks, but my problem is no sound both from a Spark 40 , even songs from smartphone connected via BT and from guitar cable connected to SP40 ,pls help
got my set up exactly like you have it set up but . ever know and then when I down load a tone it does not like that pacific tones