The thing is you can't switch the presets with the spark control since it doesn't connect to the amp directly. The spark control will only work until you mobile app is up and running. It's ridiculous and it's a deal breaker for me. That makes the Mini and Go unusable for live performance. Only spark Live connects to the spark switches directly.
@@YourGearSucks thank you for your answer. I consider buying the airstep but I’ve heard that the functionality differs. The stomp mode doesn’t work with Spark Go, you may only switch presets. The three modes of the airstep are available only with Spark 40. I’m not sure though.
@@ArturPopko yeah functionality is limited depending on the spark used. But I find the ability to switch and stomp the drive channel in its basic mode more than enough for my needs.
@@user-um8jn6di7j the spark link can be used to transmit mono audio from one source to one destination. On my wireless unit you can switch between 5 channels of transmission. Unclear if sure you can do that with the link but I don't think they would have overlooked more than one being used in a room. As for the control x and an expression pedal not sure how that works together. But the expression input on the ULooper has not yet been activated. It's for a future firmware update.
No it cannot natively as the speaker shuts off as soon as the line out is engaged. However, you can get an xsonic ulooper which creates its own line out signal and still keeps the spark speaker on. I'll be doing a full review of the ULooper soon. Cheers.
@@YourGearSucks This is exactly what I wanted because I have a boss katana 50 MK2. It doesn't have a looper function or an effects in and out. So I wanted to get the spark mini to a looper like the one you mentioned and then out to the katana. But I need these spark mini as a stage monitor. Does this set up hold water? And thanks for your fast reply You're the man!
@@YourGearSucks so yes you would need this particular looper you're talking about because of the USB function, so that it doesn't cut the sound to the spark correct?
@@jasonmelo9379 the line out of a ULooper is a 1/4 so you can send that to whatever you like. The line out will be affected by the sparks preamp tho. It's meant to be sent to stage speakers so you'd probably have to disable the preamp section on the katana so you don't get double preamp colouring.
@@jasonmelo9379 yes correct. The ULoopers line it is designed specifically to allow you to use your spark as a stage monitor. It's pretty much exactly what you're looking for.
So we can combine a Spark mini (or the go) with any cab or amp and not necessarily from the Positive Grid brand to enjoy the audio effects of the Positive Grid app and the sonic goodness of the cab or the amplifier that matches it?
Yep. That's what this video show you can do. It won't sound 100% the same across all cabs and amps. Each amp and speaker has their own tone profile but this vid shows best practices and you can always eq to taste. Cheers.
I'd like to buy a Go or a Mini. I started playing guitar with a Nux Mighty Plug Pro. Looking to comparison, Mini only has 2 times more output. I have many Bluetooth speakers at home and therefore 2 choices I can do: buying a Mini and use it as well as a Bluetooth speaker too or pair the Go with my speakers via cable. What do you suggest? Thank you
Go with the mini. The sound quality and power is much higher - you can easily Street jam with it. The go is really only good as a pocket solution when you need absolute maximal portability.
Hey bro, Nice video for a Canadian Lol. Was wondering about the Spark cab. A flat responded power cab. I just ordered one. If i like it, I'll get another for some ping pong effects. Can you do I video about this? Hell, you might already have. I'll check. But if not, consider it. PEACE
Hey I appreciate it! Proud canuck here. I don't have any cabs around (they take up too much room in the studio) but I do have combo amps with FX returns which kinda work the same way - you can watch the demo video here of how to set your spark for a combo amp with and without and fx send return - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ycxoyzAcTao.html
@YourGearSucks Thank you, good sir. I do love Canada. Your women are gorgeous. Not as fake as the states. But I already do that. I use the little Go as a preamp or in the fx loop because of all the effects. It's really fun. But you have a new subscriber. Keep up the good work. PEACE
@@journeyfms yeah the speaker systems in each are FRFR because they have to double as a Bluetooth speaker as well. But as a preamp modelling system that you can take on stages and to gigs, it's fantastic.
Don't worry - this is normal. You can't have Bluetooth sound and sound input to USB-C at the same time. The only backing track you can have is your loop using this setup You should be able to still use the app with it as normal
Thank you! Yeah I'm realizing since this is a third party device they had to do that as part of the Park's limitations. Smart engineering on Xsonic's part.
You've gave me more info than I've managed to find anywhere else, but could you let me know if I can use a 'Y splitter cable' from the 1/8 headphone jack on the Spark 40 into 2 x 1/4 jacks on my Scarlett 2i2 safely? I've been reading so many contradicting solutions. I just don't want to fuck up any of my equipment 😉
Yes. Absolutely and in your 2i2 just make sure your channels are panned to left and right appropriately to recreate the stereo signal when you're recording otherwise they both come out centered. You can only fuck it up if you force the stereo signal into a single consolidated mono one without any resistors in the line to reduce the signal strength.
Nicely made video! You have the cameras to demonstrate your various topics and you talk us through it. Soooo many guys with experience and savvy will make a demo/tutorial and make casual passing reference to some aspect of their topic that is a boring detail to them. Their hand, holding a male jack connector, will disappear behind an amp, which is full of inputs back there and they'll say "plug it in". For me, the guy who really needs the demo, the show is over!! Those videos are a waste of our time. My time anyway. But you SHOW me where/how the jacks connect. Details for dummies. Thank you.
Just had mine arrive today, open box special through Best Buy Canada. My question has to do with the built in amp. This is my first acoustic/electric, and of course I didn't get any manual with the guitar - not even a truss rod wrench. I did get the 9 volt battery with it, and was able to verify tuning once i turned the panel on. What I'm wondering is do i turn this on just for tuning, or do i need it on to also play through my Vox amplifier?
The amp is a preamp typical of acoustic guitars. If the tuner is on the preamp signal is typically off so you have to have the preamp on to play through an external amp.
I love the sounds that I can get from my Spark 40 after I adjust the tones in my presets. I want to start doing more looping. What do you think of the idea of going into the looper and then into my PA? It solves the problem of the overly bassy sound of the Spark 40 cabinet and allows one switch patches going into the looper.
Either or will work depending on your signal chain desires tho the output to a pa should be set to mono for your looper unless you have a stereo looper which some are.
I want this guitar sooo badly but can’t find it under $250, where did you get yours, and do you know if anybody has one for cheaper? But it’s a great video anyways, love the vid.❤❤
What about just a stand alone setup! , i do some open mic at places where you have to supply your own sound but the establishment does your vocal ! So does it hold up opposite an separate microphone?
That's all based on the mixer and the sound person for the night. I'd recommend a Spark going in curbs the low end, enhances the high end and any vocals need compression and a 15% reverb tail. That kind of functionality is dependent on the mixer but as far a sparks go they can plug in and be good to go. Vocal tone shaping for live is so difficult and requires someone who knows what they're doing with equipment that can do it.
I don’t understand why you would buy a cheap digital beginner to intermediate practice amp and then run it through a fender tube amp when the fender amp is a thousand dollar professional quality amp … so you’re skipping the preamp.. the thing that makes the amp sound good and running a cheap amp into the poweramp essentially creating a bigger crappy amp lol. Just use the fender on its own and get a couple pedals and your tone will be amazing! But this is not the way lol
Lots are looking to take their spark guitar sounds louder and in a and setting like in a jam space. So it's just a practical tutorial of how you do it for working musicians.
I'm using an app on my phone to switch the broadcast cameras. It's a creative media studio so we have dedicated Blackmagic ATEM hardware that can be controlled in various ways. That specific app is called MetaControl for Android. We also have the one from Apple which does a more professional job.
Thanks for giving a properly technical video with no nonsense. I'm combing through a whole bunch of acoustic reviews today and I think a lot of the videos I've seen miss the quality inspection details I actually care about. I was surprised this video only has 400 views, so I just wanted to say thanks for putting the time in for us :)
Mini is a game changer. I had a spark 40 and sold it Now i bought a mini and I'm very happy with it as a practise amp or a BT speaker. Thanks for the video.
I first walked in during the pandemic to buy a neck when restrictions just lifted and I was like "What the F is this place?" and it's such a hidden gem. Also Thier staff is so stoked to help and chat guitar nonsense with you. Super great company and they do so much QC to make sure your stuff is fantastic. I'm blessed to have them in my city area.
I have owned a Spark 40 for a year, and I think it's the best practice amp ever invented. I use it two hours every day. However, I use it exclusively thru headphones, because the speakers aren't too impressive. A big discussion topic in the modeling world is how to hook up an extension cabinet. Usually it's in the context of tone "warmth". With the Spark the problem is a little different, because the Spark 40 has no setting for HP Line Out. The headphones are always at headphone level, meaning you always have to deal with a certain amount of noise when plugging into a cabinet, regardless of whether you come into the effects loop return of a combo amp or a powered FRFR cabinet. This is the only fault of a Spark 40. Otherwise it's perfect.
In version one you set the Spark mini to mono and lose the ability to adjust the fender amp controls. And the spark mini doesn't have any controls on top. Since you disengaged the amp in the mini you can't adjust any of the tone controls. If l understand you correctly. In version two what if you use a Spark 40? You can use the controls on top of the 40 ex. Treble bass middle?
In scenario one I keep the amp in the spark engaged and pop it into the fx return on the fender (bypassing the the fender'S preamp and controls). So I can adjust the tone in the spark app. In scenario 2 you disengage the amp head in the app because you're going through the amp head on the fender (so you don't want to double this up). With the 40 I think if you start fooling with the bass treble and middle it reengages the amp head but I'm not 100% sure. It's an interesting question and when I get back into the studio I'll pull out my 40 and check that out. But in any case youd want to adjust those settings on your fender in scenario 2 given that the preamp on the fender is what's colouring your sound. Otherwise you can use the eq pedal in the app to do it.
I've had the Spark 40 since it was released, I actually waited six months or on the pre-order. The best accessory I've had is the Spark Cab they got this Xmas. The sound is fantastic and goes really well with the Spark.
Hmm might have to play around with 3D printing a clip on cell phone holder that can clip onto the headstock. Get rid of the clip on tuner and just use the app plus the controls.
As long as it has an fx send/return. I believe the 100s do. The 50s do not. But the katana is very versatile and customizable so even if you pop it in the input jack and have a clean setting with a very neutral preamp section, you could get it going.
Hey there. Output can be switched from mono or stereo on the Spark MINI or Go only. For the 40 you use a summing cable or just the left side of a stereo to dual mono cable. Check out my use your spark on stage vid for more details. If you're talking about the low power versus high power pickup option in the spark app I think that happened with a firmware update.
This guy might have just explained how an effects loop works on an amp better than anyone in 37 year of playing my guitar. You would be surprised how many guitar players don’t understand how it works.
