Positive Grid Spark Tutorial : Fix the bass and ditch the app
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ค. 2024
- #sparkamp. #positivegridspark. #sparkampreview. #positivegridsparkamp
If you own the Positive Grid Spark Amp or even if you're thinking of getting it, this video is a must watch. I address all of Spark Amp users' concerns: how to get rid of the bass, how to use the Spark without the app, and how the physical knobs work and what they actually control on the amp. I spent several hours going through all of the nuances of the amp....and believe me, there are many!
00:00 - Intro
00:47 - What the Physical Knobs Control
01:55 - Amp Presets
02:25 - How to Control the Gate, Comp/Wah, and Drive
02:58 - How to Control the Mod/EQ, Delay, and Reverb
05:04 - How to EQ the Bass Out
06:29 - Best Way to Use the Spark without the App
07:47 - How to "Clear" the Knobs
08:07 - Final Thoughts
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This is the only Spark 40 vid I've been able to find the goes in depth with how the physical knobs control the app. I now use the EQ trick to get rid of the extra bass. Thanks Mark!
I really appreciate you taking the time to let.me know that it was helpful. A comment like yours makes it worth the work. Have a great weekend and take care. Mark
That was the best video for Spark I have seen. Most I have watched have been pretty disappointing. Thank you!
Nice job. Very clear and concise instructional delivery.
Useful explanation of Spark Bass fix, and kind of indicates the Mini is all you need if you use the app at all since the knobs actually get in the way or don't do what you'd expect.
I own a Positive Grid Spark Amp and they are great little practice amps, great video- very helpful
This was a huge help. I just the amp and was struggling with the bassiness of it.
Just found your channel and subbed. I’m a Spark guy myself. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for this information. It can be a bit confusing using the Spark amp. I learned a few things I didn't know. Have a great day.
great video Mark. Thanks so much for the tutorial. SOOOOO USEFUL!
Hey climb. I really appreciate you checking out the video hope you have a great week take care. Mark
This was needed! Thanks. Well presented and informative
Thank you Mark. A very enlightening video.
this is great. Love the Spark, but want more out of it. Thank you Mark!
Thank you for this. I've had one for some time and had no idea what to use the physical knobs for.
Really enjoy your spark videos!
Hey brother. I really appreciate you taking the time to check it out and leave me a comment. I hope you have a great day. Take care and be well. Mark
I can’t imagine why an ‘anti-app’ user would have bought one in the first place. It’s not like they kept it a secret that it needed the app, and you only found out when you bought it.
RIght. LOL. There are plenty of other options. I get that you don't want to be tied down to the app but I use it app free a lot. I had 3 in person lessons today which is incredibly rare since I only have 4 in person. But the app was super convenient to call up a Billy Gibbons sound, a Kossoff sound kinda, and something resembling Little Wing (I have the Hendrix extra pack, they marketed the crap out of it and then as soon as I purchased it, there wasn't any additonal support or fanfare.lol). anyway, great point. I appreciate you taking the time to check out the video and leave a great comment. Please take care and be well Steve! -Mark
Love this channel. Always learning something here
Another great, straight-to-the-point video. The relationship between the knobs and the software has always confused me. Now to frantically search to see if you have a video on the Spark Control.
You’re right, the equalizer fixes the bass overload quickly and easily and it’s never been a problem since they added that pedal. The ability to tweak the sound of this amp with the different amp models and pedals is amazing. If you don’t use these options you wasted your money on this amp. That would be like buying a seven speed bike and only riding it in first gear.
I agree. I was having a blast before I downloaded the app. But when I started using it, my mind was blown!
So they added the equalizer that's what I been looking for people told me they just updated an it fixed it. I'm still not sure I fully updated but I couldn't connect at all til I did something recently an now it works. Except some presets from the cloud people shared don't work an cut my amp out completely soni have to turn it off disconnect Bluetooth and restart.
Thanks! Great video explained everything I've been wondering about. Cheers!
First time watching your channel. You do a great job presenting useful info quickly and clearly. I am a Spark Amp owner and I learned a few things so thank you! 'Earned my sub. I look forward to learning from your other vids. Other than that, my only reaction is to say that if your mic was closer to you or you used a lavalier mic, the sound quality would be a little warmer and potentially easier to listen to for extended periods. Great job and thanks for this vid!
This was helpful. I bought the spark amp based on your original review Mark. However, I never learned how to use it properly.
Hey Patrick. I never recommend taking too much time fooling around with gear but in this case I encourage you to get to know your way around the basics, put it on your desk or wherever its going to be in easy reach. I'd be surprised if you dont find yourself playing more. Mark
I don't know why people make the Spark more complicated than it is lol. Super easy app to navigate, and who can complain about all of those tones for $300 or less!?!?! I love mine. I know people complain about the bass but I haven't had a problem with it. I keep it raised up off the ground and it sounds great. Not sure if its just certain units or if I just got lucky lol. Love this thing. As a person who plays guitar solely for their own pleasure, this is the perfect piece of gear.
Its bassy for me using headphones could that still be it laying on just a band. I'm recording with it rn. I'm just wondering how to properly navigate it. Nothing weirdly enough beats my metal tone from an old boss recorder. I wished I could emulate that now on the spark. If I find my boss I'ma honestly use it as my go between if possible at this point should be.
Great video man! Really helped me understand my Spark amp better.
Wow I love this video. Such a simple but awesome help. Thank you
Thanks for this. I am a complete novice but do have the spark. I don't really have a use for all the features yet but it's amazing what you can do with it.
No doubt Tom. I'm using it right now. Have a great evening. Mark
Just run an EQ pedal in front of the amp and you don't lose the ability to use the other pedals. And you now have an option of a pre or post EQ. Or both.
After setting up 4 presets that I love, I rarely connect to the app. It’s a good affordable practice amp.
Finally, a kindred spirit. Thanks so much for letting me know. I appreciate your time and comment. Have a great weekend and take care. Mark
@@8MinuteAxe I totally agree. The EQ pedal was a game changer. Just wish it had its own slot in the chain.
Excellent presentation. Thank you, sir!
This will be a good one. I have a Spark amp and love it.
Thanks for the video. I like most people love the app. It seems pretty easy for most things and the cloud sounds are great for people like me with very little experience with pedals. I download sounds I like and then see what pedals they use, and just tweak them a little to get a sound I like.
Great video Mark, that was awesome man 😀🤘🎵🔥🔥🔥🔥
Hey Adam. Thanks again for watching the video. You're always so generous with your time period I've been trying to keep up with yours. You're way more ambitious than I am. Have a great day and good luck on getting to a 1000. Mark
I have had my Spark 3 years now and the EQ was the best upgrade. Absolutely no problem reducing the bass and getting the bright tones I like. My only complaint is that there is no Fender splash style reverb. Last year, I asked Spark if they were ever going to come out with one and they said they are working on it. I think the only other issue iI have is that I would like to get a more "organ" smooth sounding soft fuzz setting. If anyone knows how to do that, please set me know. All the distortion pedals seem to be quite similar...but I am still having fun trying. Great amp all around and I do use it for small family event gigging. Excellent video!
Great video, you were straight to the point too
I have both the original and the mini and I LOVE the mini. I've given my original to my son. The mini is so convenient and more than sufficient for bedroom playing and messing about. Sounds surprisingly good for what it is and the battery life is awesome.
Thanks for the video. It was well done.
A good video, very informative. Thanks!
I learned more than I knew before. I'm such a tech Luddite. Thanks Mark!
I think I am a semi-Luddite, at least. There is just so much technology out today that I don't care about. I am an analog person in a digital world.
Me too. And I'm not picky. That's why A) I put a ton of time into my reviews and B) I don't do a lot and try to be as transparent as possible. Mark
Thank You! It seems you can never get enough information about this amp. There is a lot to get to know. This video will watched many times for sure. I have the amp, given as a gift, and should use it more. Sometimes for me its easier to just plug into my line 6. For the spark, I need to use it more, as the more you put into it the more you get out of it. Love the video Thanks mark
the only real info you need is return it and buy the boss katana mk2 100w basically the same price can turn the wattage down for practice you can download tones just like the spark but the sound is sooo much clearer and better sounding
Thank you, that was very helpful.
Great video less is more for me , I only use about 4 tones myself even on my pedalboard I have only 4 pedals , Spark 40 is a great little product , thanks for this little tutorial
Thanks for the suggestions - especially the knob twisting to avoid jump (never even thought of that one!). Rather than being an 'anti-apper,' I have become an 'anti-wire guy.' I found another video that suggested a battery pack and using a wireless guitar system - What a game-changer for me! I do have to remember to recharge the two items, but well worth the removal of all the cables. BTW - other videos have suggested changing the speakers to 4" car speakers (I have seen Pioneer and JBL) to get rid of the bass issue - I will try that fix next.
Hey Jim it's funny. I feel like wireless is the last thing we always get to when it comes to technology ( I mean specifically guitar players). I think it's time to invest in a reasonably Good wireless system. I bought one for about 50 but it slowed my cable internet to a crawl. I'm glad you got something out of the video. Mark
I've had one of these for over a year. Dialed up the app a few times. Liked the Wooden Bridge pre set, a sorta Trower type of thing (i'm a fan). I need to play this amp more. First gen CyberTwin gets played the most.
Liked this video so much I subscribed to the channel
Great info, thanks!
Great tutorial!
Thanks again. I was so disappointed at the performance of this one. I thifhjt for sure people would like to know how to use the amp without the app. Enjoy your day. Mark
Another great video! Tks 🤠
great video,,,i havent even learned how to use the tone cloud yet,,,but will
Positive Grid should send you some $$. I own both Spark amps and the Mini sounds better even without the app. Thanks for explaining what’s going on with the bass and how the controls work without the app. I’ve watched over a hundred videos and none are as helpful.
Excellent
Thanks for tips!!
Magnificent. You have explained all the issues in a way that I can't get across, and I tried. Amongst the 4 of us who get together to jam and rehearse, there are 5 Spark amps (one of us uses two Sparks connected by and ABY, that 's another story). They are great but you have isolated the issues so well. Another issue when mustilple Sparks are in the room and you use an Airstep bluetooth controller and you turn your Spark off, the Airstep will connect with the nearest Spark amp. Happened yesterday in rehearsal. Some kind of bluetooth security issue there?
Very useful demo! One thing to mention is that you can stuff something in the bass port by removing the grill cover (it's Velcro) and experiment with how much bass you want to block, then you're free to use the other pedals and not the EQ.
Stuffing the base port is a stellar mod for this amp👍🏼👍🏼, but don’t discount the versatility of the eq pedal.
I used a physical eq pedal in the effects loop on every board I had up to when I got this amp.
The tones it will open up for you is surprising.
What do you recommend stuffing in the base port
@@stevenmeansphotography3861 an old sock or bit of cloth
A kitchen towel works. Any cheap one from Walmart or a Dollar Store works. But it will also cut the bass response if you're listening to songs with the Bluetooth @@stevenmeansphotography3861
I feel bad, I missed it!
Great Video though! Keep it up!
Great video. I agree about liking using the presets more than the app. Although the app is amazing I wind up tone chasing when I should be playing!. Good advice about moving all the nobs also to get full control
that's my problem if I don't play tube amps. digital amps offer up such a vast amount of choice that I'm forever trying to find that "perfect" sound. to many choices lead to distraction from playing, though the spark is a bloody good amp, even without using the app.
@@michaeleastham3868 yep. An absolute no brainer purchase. It's my intention to set up 4 tones and remove the app and forget it exists!
Mark have you checked out the Spark Mini amp? Any thoughts or review? Maybe less of the bass issue?
That looks like a pretty cool amp and app. I've been wondering what to get as a little one with good sounds. I have no idea about the pedals and options so having a ton right there sounds cool.
Hey Richard. If you're looking for a one size fits all for your electric and you aren't planning on gigging outside of yours or a friends garage or porch then you can't beat the spark. Anybody over the age of 30 that doesn't like it has a short memory. It's unbelievable how much technology they give you for $250. Mark
I got one of these as. gift. Pretty much just use it w/ my Ovation. Match made in heaven BTW. /// This cleared up a few questions that I didn't know that I had. This just sort of showed up in my feed after searching "Spark Amp" once. /// Great channel. The slightly (I'm sure intentionally) glitchy vibe as a refreshing change from everyone wanting their content to look "Andy" perfect.
Hey Dan it's funny. Sometimes the transition thing is intentional and sometimes. I'm just in a hurry sometimes. I just don't have the shot I need when I finish filming I try to get. 1% better with each video. I think I get 10% worse with color with each video. I'm in a negative area right now. At the end of the day those things don't affect the amount of use that much and it's hard to keep up. I guess either you got a little bit of insight from a youtube or I wasted your time. I do appreciate you checking out the video. I hope you have a great evening. Please take care and be well. Mark
Just got the Spark 40w. Have awhile till Inget some pefect made presets to busk with. I was well aware of the bass issue, but like my Street Cube Alex…lots of brittle high end too. I think that’s the bane of these portable solid sate amps. But I have a great EQ pedal tgat will help with all the freq problems.
I got the BIAS FX 2 vst for my pc…talk about over the top bass. Ikll stick with Guitat Rig….98% great sounding preset right out of the gate.
Great vid....I have a spark mini as well, I'd love to discover why it will suddenly change tone
I love your term "anti-apper." I am about a 99% acoustic player, but at least I know what is possible with this amp if I ever start doing much electric guitar playing.
I’m basically an acoustic player as well, but I enjoy adding simple amp elements to my acoustic tone-chorus, delay, reverb, a bit of tremolo. Really opens up your sound.
This. Anti-apper is a nice way to call those people morons.
Really helpful! Thanks! I have a Spark, and am an anti-apper.
I was really proud of this one and it took forever to make. I'm glad people are getting some good use out of it. That's what I was hoping for. :)
Thank you Very Much !!!
Hey Craig. Thank you. I hope the video was somewhat helpful. That video took a long time to make and didn't get a lot of interest yet. It looks like some people are finally finding it useful which is all I hoped for. Thanks for your time and comment. Take care and be well. mark
Here before...
Been awhile since i used this amp but did yesterday.
Just plugged in and hit preset 1,,,,had to look to see what tone i had it on,,,,clean with the gain dimed. Hit a DS-1 for more of more :)
Sounded great !!! Plugging in today.
btw,,,,some guy suggested prying off the baffle and stuffing a sock in the bass port if things got too bassy.
I love my Spark but not being able to access Trem when using the EQ pedal is a no go. How does Spark handle an actual Trem pedal plugging into the amp? Or even a combo reverb & Trem pedal plugged into the amp?
Without Bass it sounds like a 1974 AM radio on my Bose headset ...ya gotta have some bottom end ... not a fan of that sound ...However I discovered the knob vs app setting jump as they Sync up ... Great video... I like rattling the dishes lol ....
nice video They can upgrade the spark app did you email them ?
Great tutorial! Sorry for the slightly ignorant question but I just got my first amp which is a Spark amp but I'm wondering how you added the Guitar EQ pedal. Is there a certain place to download this?
For anyone who may not have figured it out, you can double-tap the pedal you want to switch out. It took me way too long to figure out that I could double tap 😅
I saw a video where you can remove the front cover and plug the center bass hole as well.
Thank you. You saved me buying this thing. The fact they made the encoders Absolute is kind of ridiculous, they should have done continuous encoders with Relative MIDI control pickup. Since it's basically a midi controller with a speaker and a battery, what's the difference if the knob goes to 10 or round and round?
That's a great point about the knobs. Can you explain more about the encoders? I think I understand the basics of what you mean but if you could provide more detail on your suggested way of doing it, perhaps I could elaborate the idea in a future video (I'm being serious here, not sarcastic or passive aggressive). Thanks Wei. Mark
Question. I would like to use the spark as a streaming Bluetooth speaker but the muddiness is so overwhelming that it’s not possible to use. Is there a way to use the graphic EQ pedal while streaming music from my iPhone?
This past Sunday one of the tone presets that I downloaded out of the blue started to act weird...it was constantly turning on the treble pedal ...that made me nuts and I had to play 4 songs with that effect on ...I fired it yesterday and now works fine...weird
Good video. I am a bit of a tech nerd, but the after a while, the app just becomes a distraction from actually playing. I have already assigned my favourite tones to the buttons. I found it didn't always save by the long press, but you can also save them from the burger menu top right.
Hopefully someone can help. My Spark firmware and Iphone app are up to date. However, the Guitar EQ (as shown in this video) are not appearing in my app. Any suggestions? Thanks.
yeah... turning down the 100hz and 200hz downs a good start and definitely cleans up the sound.... But the actual low frequencies rumbling, when playing the Spark through bigger speakers or studio headphones, are in the 60hz-range. And those are only available in the Bass EQ. I hope they develop ONE EQ from 30hz to 6khz... maybe as an output block, or something.
You can stuff some socks into the middle of the speaker chassis after removing the velcro front - it helps a lot to get rid of the muddy bassy sound without the eq Pedal.
Yes will get next week
Hey Aubrey. I hope it works out well for you. I love mine. Thanks so much for checking it out. I appreciate your time and comment. Mark
The app is a bit of a pain when you just wanna practice. I’m gonna give this a try.
Great video....I subscribed. Still need to update the firmware....will it do anything but give me a few more pedals? If that's it I don't want to be bothered....I use it for acoustic mostly. I think the company are idiots for not giving us a XLR out....I use a guitar wireless to go to a bigger amp or PA....so stupid....I've seen a few videos where people are complaining about the noise level connecting to the Sparks cabinet....I get noise with my wireless too....can control it a bit but it's still a pain in the ass....I'd add a XLR out if someone would do the mod in a video. It's so stupid that I have to get rid of the chorus to use the EQ pedal. I could use a regular EQ also....I'm going to use a regular chorus pedal tomorrow with the software EQ....I use the purple rain sound file and it needs the chorus but the bass is a pain in the ass. The people running this company are idiots. Great job explaining the knobs....I was pissed off about the knobs going wankers! Now I know why....stupid idiots making this amp. Another stupid thing....the power supply for the amp is positive center....for the pedal it's negative center....yes I know the voltage is different but it's another thing we have to remember. Stupid idiots.
Was about to get rid of it but I'll try this bass fix first. Others have suggested plugging the bass port. Not sure if that's going to cause a problem,
The bass fix resolved my problems with the amp. It's still a little bass heavy as bluetooth but I can live with that.
nice.
👍👍
This amp also makes a good Bluetooth speaker. I've got a battery for it so now I carry it from room to room if I want to use it with my TV or my guitar.
Do people actually complain that this thing has too much bass? Jeezus, that’s a selling point for me - I struggled my whole life with small home amps not having enough bass. 👍🏻
The part that bugs me about the app is that I have to allow Bluetooth to know my location in order for me to connect to the amp from my phone. I don't understand why someone needs to know where I am when I'm playing guitar.
So it can find the other Bluetooth device?
@@Ghostinaboat Hi Stephen, The bluetooth devices should be able to "see" each other with out me disclosing what city I am in. What ever. I just deal with it. It's still a great amp. Thanks for your comment.
It sounds like the Alexa of guitar amps. Sure it’s spying on you but it’s just so convenient. I want one.
@@psych336The fact is I am playing a lot more now that I have this amp regardless of the blue tooth thing so I really don't want to complain. Too much fun trying all those sounds! My only regret is that I can't get a second one. I also use it as a PC interface to Audacity when I want to record. Thanks for your comment.
I'm a software developer. Bluetooth tracks location similar to how your cell phone signal can be used to track your proximal location. It's a physical capability of Bluetooth and does not necessarily mean they are tracking where you are. Even if BT is used to track location, it can only know "you are near another BT device or not" instead of your latitude and longitude.
Plus you already told positive grid where you live when you bought the amp :D
bravo ...will share this on the Forum
Another way is to remove cover put foam in the bass port really does control the bass
Hey Joel. So interesting that you mention that. I've had about a 100000 views. Total on my 4 or 5 spark and no one has mentioned that previously. Today two people recommended that. Ill.give it a try I really appreciate you checking out the video and for contributing to the channel. I hope you have a great weekend. Please take care and b well, mark.
Did I understand correctly that removing bass via the EQ pedal can NOT be combined with the addition of chorus/reverb effects?
Not quite. You can use Reverb and delay while using the eq. You can't use modulation effects like chorus, phaser, univibe etc because those effects are all listed under modulation which is where they put the eq pedal at. Hope this helps.
My amp keeps losing its audio idk what to do and I don’t have the cable to update the firmware , honestly pisses me off considering I paid for this only a year ago
Can somebody please tell me where this pedal is. I dont see it in any of the tones. And I can’t find it on the tonecloud. Thanks in advance
Hey Chris. I'd be happy to help you. First of all if you purchased your spark before July of 2021 then you have to do an update. If you purchased it after that date or you've done an update since then, then you have it. If you go to the mod/EQ category it's the 12th pedal. Note that # 13 is a bass EQ which is also excellent if you're using the spark as a bass amp as well. The one thing that sucks is that you can only use one effect from each category so if you like using tremolo chorus phaser or flanger you can only pick one. For me it's a no-brainer. An EQ pedal has always been on my pedalboard. If you still can't find it or you need help with anything at all don't hesitate to email me at markaranalli@gmail.com. Don't worry I don't sell anything. Thanks so much for checking out the video. I appreciate your time and comment. Have a great weekend and take care. Mark
I ended up finding it! Thanks for responding. I am absolutely in love with the spark. Big difference from my 17 year old starter amp 😆. Rock on 🤘
Hey Chris. Me too. I have some nice amps. Dr. Z. Gibson Goldtone. Engl Straight. Modeling has improved so much. One more generation and tube amps will be obsolete. 20 years ago my buddy who is a professional photographer laughed when I said that digital would replace film. I'm glad you found it. Take care and have a great weekend. Mark
I really have to ask the question...
What's the point in buying a smart amp and not using the smart features??
Wish the EQ didn't require you to give up the other modulation effects. Should be able to pop that EQ in other slots and use it there.
ABF'nT! I was disappointed when I got mine.....6 mos. on pre-order. 5 minutes and in the closet. I'm a tube guy anyhow. But I know I would play it if it sounded better. Maybe I'll give it another shot with this info.
Sparky!!
what would happen when u add 68uf -100uf on each speaker to filter out those ultra low boomy bass
non polarized electro caps
So if you don't use the app just the 4 presets, does that mean the first knob with the 7 amps can't be used?
No, if you turn that knob it will switch from the preset that you were using to the amp you've selected. Press a preset button and it will switch to whichever preset. It's like 7 factory presets and four user presets. hth :)
@@ianlucas8116 you da man Lucas, thanks so much.
Who is an "anti-apper"? Most folks love playing with the settings chasing sounds.
Honestly I feel like this is a contrived issue - especially since you admit that the amp cannot be adequately controlled with the knobs.
Once you have everything set for a tone you save it. End of story - for that tone.
Umm, so, your solution to the bass problem is to eq the amp.... Woooow, how innovative!!!!
Is there an app for Windows?
Hey Justin. I know they've been working on one or at least they say they are. I got this from the Spark forum: I have the app running smoothly, in "BlueStacks", on a "Win 7" laptop and two "Win 10" desktops. No problems ... yet. That's the best I could find so far. It looks like there are several ways to do it, all which look to be workarounds. I hope that helps a little. Thanks so much for checking out the video. Take care. mark
best option is to not buy a spark at all get a boss katana mk2 100w I bought both and returned the spark because the katana is so much clean and has all the tone adjustment like the spark has just takes a bit more work but the sound clarity and balance is unmatched
i actually think the app is a nice idea, I'm just afraid that as a bass player it won't sound good enough, that the small speakers can't keep up that long term ill get tired of the "smaller" sound