Many seasoned guitarists will have a standalone tuner or use their multi-effects processor (I use my HD500x tuner). The one area where Positive Grid dropped the ball is the tuner. It’s meant to be good enough you can use it when you need something to practice or as you will learn, use in different settings. Just remember, this is being sold as a practice amp, not a studio amplifier and recording tool you can use to create endless sounds. You can still add a noise gate, a tube screamer, distortion and reverb pedals. You are quite limited in terms of how many effects you have for your sounds, so you have limited options, and I couldn’t see the ability to choose and configure things you might be accustomed to in other digital modelling interfaces such as EQ for tuning the sound. Cycle through the different sounds categorised by genre and select one, it’s instantaneous as the amp switches over to your new chosen sound. I love the simplistic interface on the app and it is incredibly responsive on my Galaxy Note 10+. Unlike the standalone software, you have a more limited selectio. If you’re expecting an interface that offers the same level of customisation as the standalone Bias FX modelling software, taper your expectations now. I think it is worth focusing on the accompanying Spark amp application that you install on your phone and use to interact with the amp. If you don’t want to bother with the app initially, you don’t have to set anything up except what sounds you want. I turned the amp on, opened up the app and it found the amp and paired with it. While the Spark amp does not require the use of the accompanying smartphone app (it has dials for volume, tone, amps and more as you would expect), you definitely want to pair this thing via Bluetooth to your phone. It’s not overly heavy, but it has enough of a weighted feeling that makes it feel like a solid amplifier and construction-wise, it’s quite pleasant to look at. The first thing that stood out to me is the Spark looks like a real amplifier albeit a small one. The box comes with the amp, a power adapter and a USB lead: that’s it. A practice amp that sounded good, I could easily travel with and had enough volume for most situations where you would want to use it. The Pod also does not have a speaker either, so I need to find my headphones (my kids have usually taken) and fidget about.įrom an ease of use perspective, flick the switch and plug my guitar in the Spark amp really interested me. The downside with my Pod is that it’s not exactly plug-and-play, it also doesn’t have a power switch, and it’s usually wired up for recording, not for picking up and playing. I already have a modeller, a Line 6 Pod HD500x multiprocessor, which I’ve learned to use and really hone my sounds over the past few years I have owned it. When the Positive Grid Spark Amp was first announced, it piqued my interest for a multitude of reasons. The point I am making here is digital modelling has evolved to the point where it is not only good enough for home use but also touring and in the studio. Metallica famously made the switch to Axe-FX somewhere around 2013, the savings on not shipping heavy speaker cabinets and amplifier heads would be astronomical for them. Amp modelling is so good in fact, and you probably don’t realise many of your favourite artists are using guitar modelling software, VST plugins and digital amplifiers instead of traditional pedals and amplifiers in the studio and live performances. These days, digital amps and effects are commonplace. Over the years, I have seen the landscape when it comes to guitars, effects and amplifiers dramatically evolve. Find out more here.Unbeknownst to some, I am an avid guitar player and I have been playing for around 15 years now. Named “the ultimate bedroom amp” by MusicRadar, Spark lets you practice, jam and record like never before. Spark is the practice amp and accompanying app that jam along with you using intelligent technology, and is packed with innovative features like Voice Command, Auto Chord detection and access to over 10,000 tones. Watch below as Roy walks us through these super useful features. Your guitar blends right in, just like you’re part of the mix. You can also import music from Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube and play along with all your favorite tracks. It’s a smart virtual band that goes wherever you go! The app also provides backing tracks for guitar players, from metal, to blues, rock and beyond. With Spark’s Smart Jam technology, the amp and app work together to learn your style and feel, then generate authentic bass and drums to accompany you. Grab your guitar, plug into your Spark, and let's dig in. In this video, Roy Ziv demonstrates Smart Jam technology and how to use backing tracks for guitar using the Positive Grid Spark amp.
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