How to use the amp without the app!

[@alexbennett16]

At last, I understand how the thing works! I’ve been using the app which is fine, but now I can use the hardware too. Many thanks!

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

All I’ve really wanted to do with mine since I got mine has been to play around with all the models and how many tones I can find useful in the cloud. But one of the best things about it is that you don’t absolutely *need* the app to have some great tones. A lot of that, for me, is because you can assign any “tone” you want to all four buttons. For the most part, I rarely need more than four different sounds to play what I need to. I still have a Digitech RP-1000 that holds 100 factory and 100 user presets, and in “Stompbox Mode” you’ve got 5 presets at any one time. I’ve never really needed more at any one gig.

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

Great comments! I agree! The amp is versatile enough to use on it's own. I do like the "extra sauce" that the app gives you though!

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

Spark Amp Tutorials thank you, and I totally agree! Without the “extra sauce” I would’ve been happy with the amazing tone I get out of the 5W Blackstar HT series amp I got last year. But even though the Digitech RP-1000 is still my favorite modeling pedalboard, it’s still controlled by a 3-line-text LCD screen through layers and layers of menus and sub-menus galore! The Spark App takes that old, original modeling idea and presents it to the user so that really looks like a chain of actual (but in reality, virtual) stomp boxes you can *literally* reach over and *virtually* turn the virtual knobs, which is a *HUGE* step past those (now) ancient, multi-level. menu-driven dinosaurs. Anybody who’s ever used a pedalboard like Digitech’s RP series or Rocktron’s Utopia Bassists’ pedalboard knows *exactly* what I’m talking about!😂 And again, my deep thanks to you for uploading this series about using the Spark amp, it’s helping more and more people all the time!

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

James TheDoctor Duncan thanks! I used to have one but I honestly never had a strong enough desire to learn how to use it effectively! The irony is, after using the spark so much, I can probably now figure it out! The spark lowered the barrier of entry, and now I’m hooked! I may have to fire up the DigiTech at some point (after I knock all these videos out) haha

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

Spark Amp Tutorials that’s great! It felt like forever before I could get that pedal to do all I wanted, so I feel your pain! I’m planning on semi-retiring mine. 😂

[@sgd5k292]

@@sparkamptutorials2169 Yeah, I almost sold my Digitech RP after I got my Spark and what stopped me is it's pedal. I can still do Wah Wah, but have not tried it yet.

[@mark57ube]

Really great explanation thanks. I was wondering why the 7 pre-sets knobs didn't get rid of the hardware presets. Definitely your advice about updating 1 to a clean sound helped me fully understand what is going on - chapeau

[@stevenpipes1555]

This video is fantastic. Simple, very valuable information, and not immediately obvious to many beginners, which is who this amp is, maybe, best suited for. If you chose a wide variety of different amps and efects, to build your presets, you can create a very versatile little amp, even without the app. Its also a great way for beginners to learn about the different effects available out there, as well as the importance of TONE!

[@LeeStridsberg]

Great tips in this video! Glad I found your channel!

[@jimmythenoo365]

Helpful video. I didn't quite realise the significance of the preset buttons/lights til now. I feel more confident of having a play around with the settings. Thanks.

[@inkblurt]

Crazy that PG didn’t include these explanations with the amp! Thanks for this - I was very puzzled about “clean” for example.

[@paulsanderson4118]

Excellent video - I speak as a beginner guitarist who has recently acquired a Spark as a first amp and am feeling very impressed but also overwhelmed by what it can do

[@rbf2co]

Thanks so much for this video! I've been having a hard time figuring out how the physical controls on the amp interact or override the controls in the app. This video really helped! I'll go check out your other videos to better understand this amazing amp. Thanks again!

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

Awesome!! Glad it helped!

[@temp289]

Thanks. I just got the amp and mainly play mainstream jazz, so a round clean sound is my first goal. I don't believe I'll get exactly what I want, but with you information I have a good shot at coming close. Thank you. John Paiva

[@pateltb]

Thank you! I couldn't find any explanations on the web. Your tutorials have really helped.

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

Awesome! Glad to help!

[@oystercatcher7050]

Thank you Andy, I needed this video. I am starting to think you are a mind reader!😎

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

Oyster Catcher nice!! Lol. It was on my very first list, just hadn’t gotten around to it for a while!

[@TKnuckles333]

So, in a nutshell, save yerself a headache, and just fire up the app. Select your amp model, effects, etc. and save your config to the hardware preset. Once saved, you can then use the hardware knobs, to tweak your config, and press and hold, to save that new config. Or, you could tweak your config in the app, and save to the hardware preset, via the app.

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

Pretty much!

[@robertmalone4826]

Thank you Andy brilliant tutorial ❤🎼🎸

[@payamelahian7511]

Great video, you covered all the important things in a short video.

[@kenjitube]

Thank you! I rarely comment on YT but this is really helpful.

[@FabioPanin]

I wished I found this before starting tweaking the knobs. It took me some time to understand that to remove the (significant level of) delay and reverb found in the "clean" preset, I had to use the app. With this I have removed most of the effects for the clean channels. The title of the video may be misleading - the info presented here are an aid to just understand how to use the amp!

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

Thanks for the comment! Good feedback.

[@JamesAllenJr]

Major help there buddy. THANKS!

[@SuperEhima]

You mentioned that if you change the amp type on the amp itself it defaults to one of the 7 default amp models (Acoustic, Bass, Clean, Glassy etc). If i choose the "Clean" amp model for example, and in my app i change the amp to something else like a high gain amp, (still on the "clean" amp setting) and i save it to hardware to one of the 4 presets. Does that effectively override the amp model for the "Clean" amp type? basically i'm wondering if those 7 default amps can be overridden. Or will my amp model always change when i move that knob and then if i want to go back to my custom amp i'll have to select my specific preset from one of the 4 hardware options?

[@swamification]

Mine arrived yesterday. I’m underwhelmed with it straight out of the box. I mostly ordered it to practice bass with headphones. I’m pleased with the bass tones and that I can stream truefire lessons to the amp and into my headphones. Guitar tones are atrocious. I don’t hope to love the Spark for guitar. But I do hope to find one or two usable tones on the off chance that I would like to play guitar through the amp. I can see your videos will help me get there sooner rather than later. Thanks so much! 🙏

[@plantagenant]

My thoughts entirely. Unless my Spark amp is faulty, I've no idea what all the hype is about...to my ears it sounds awful.

[@LiftedAdventures]

What is the output for then??? Gain, Master, then output.

[@persiaguitar]

For an apartment, I wonder if I can use this. I do not want to have trouble with my neighbors. Of course, I know I can use it but will it sound good enough in low volume?

[@RogerThat902]

They tap tempo button being constantly on is super annoying. I do not know how that got out of the planning stage. I don't mind it on "real" amps but for a practice amp it's a pretty annoying feature to have constantly on. Also, maybe I'm mistaken, but would have been nice to have 4 presets for every knob setting. It's a good amp, but the small touches are missing. Hopefully can be fixed w/ a firmware update.

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

That's a pretty good idea! My first thought was that they could turn the "tap" button into a mode selector for multiple lists of preset channels. The nice thing is, they can make improvements over time, so we'll see what they come up with next!

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

Roger That after reading this comment I just looked on Positive Grid’s website to see if they had anything about the blinking Tap Tempo light in one of the blogs or discussion groups, but didn’t find anything. Soooo...I submitted a message to them about it on one if their “did this article help?” links, and asked if they planned to do a firmware update to “fix the issue” lol. The reason it blinks is to show the timing of the delay’s repeat rate, so I don’t expect my one request would get them to change it...but you never know. If it bothers you that much, I included the link below to the page where I sent the request in case you want to make a request too. OTOH, it just occurred to me that since the delay repeat is what triggers the light to blink, I wonder if switching off the delay would make it stop blinking...? Not really a good solution, but I’ll try it later when I’m at home, if I can remember to do it. 😂 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEk6HB8j1ukChTtdPjimZ-bX-nCMU1a8N_RCaUXfcg2jelSw/viewform?entry.643345303=https%3A%2F%2Fhelp.positivegrid.com%2Fhc%2Fen-us%2Farticles%2F360047010312-Tuner-Preset-Tap-Tutorial-

[@joebloggs4754]

you are kidding about the tap right?....i mean really...dam.,,not abig deal.

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

James TheDoctor Duncan you cant make it stop blinking, even by turning off the delay...

[@tjtamnguyen7405]

I have no sound after plugging in the guitar to the Spark Amp. Please advise and help !!

[@jacobbockover1628]

I have a little one but i sont use the app 90 percent of the time. I can say the sounds may have to much lows with bigger speakers. It seems easy enough to copy to the hardware

[@markeythesharkey6153]

I cannot get the spark mini to work as a blue tooth speaker. It’s all connected thru blue tooth in my iPad. Settings in iPad show mini is connected but no sound can be heard from Spark Mini… only iPad speaker can be heard. What am I missing?

[@AcousticGuitarsForMe]

What is the difference from the channel one flashing and not flashing? Thanks.

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

I believe it only flashes after you perform the factory reset, but I’m not 100% sure about that. Does it flash for you other than after a reset?

[@cre8ors1]

Clear as mud

[@sssidney]

Hello great vid I was wondering if you notice a slight hiss on the glassy channel? It’s not there until you strike a chord/note

[@n9xrr]

It would be nice if someone would write a PDF with all this info.

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

Ask and ye shall receive! docs.google.com/document/d/1AUkiIHE6phcEm4NCMxQHuWdcvxtLpQN6M8oDWjrFF0A/mobilebasic#heading=h.t5my1ubcygls

[@Liam_Maddog]

@@sparkamptutorials2169 Wow, thanks!! For those who follow this link and want to save the entire PDF as a document to refer to later, right-click within the document and choose Print Page… then Print As PDF (at least on a Mac) and save it to your desktop or wherever. Boo on Spark for such sh!††y documentation!!! Inexcusable.

[@n9xrr]

@@sparkamptutorials2169 TY so much, just what I needed!

[@sup_413]

@@sparkamptutorials2169 you are my new best friend - THANK YOU!

[@surfrby8876]

Sorry for my ignorance, this is where I get confused, how do the amp models and presets interact with each other ? If I turn the switch to amp model clean but I’m on preset # 2 what happens? Does preset 2 override the clean amp model and I’ll get crunch or do I have to go to preset # 1 and match it with the amp model I’m on to get the clean sound I’m after ?

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

The amp selector knob will just change the amp model itself (and whatever default settings that amp model has) but any other effects in your preset will remain (such as compressor, noise gate, distortion, modulation, etc). Check this out for a demo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGSWo4quacqcmK8

[@dlmullins9054]

I ordered the Spark Amp but even though the ad said it comes with free software, it didn't. I don't have a cell phone because when i retired, i didn't want to constantly get calls. I just got rid of my cell phone because i was always on the phone and wanted to get some rest from that. My wife does have a phone, but i was hoping there was some way to plug the amp into my computer and use it that way. Mainly to record songs i wrote and am trying to write. Can i plug into my computer and use it that way? Thank you.

[@teeeff5369]

Plug the cord that came with your amp into your computer and the back of your Amp. Follow the directions on your PC and upload the software and start recording. As for no phone...even a$60 or so Android tablet should take its place.

[@rmina808]

Question Here. Sorry if this was asked already. If I go into the app and find a tone that I like and save it to a preset, will the amp then remember that preset along with all the effects for when the amp is NOT connected to the Spark App?

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

Yes! Whatever settings are there when you save the preset will be “remembered” by the amp. You can then adjust any of the knobs on the amp as well once you’ve selected the preset.

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

You basically have access to any effect in that preset, even if they were “off” when you saved it. You just need to adjust the corresponding knobs on the amp.

[@rmina808]

@@sparkamptutorials2169 awesome thank you!

[@josemaritano]

Thanks Andy! you videos are great, and really help us to navigate teh Spark world

[@kencohagen4967]

Sparklers? I like it! Thanks, I have an identity now!

[@josua1]

My amp have some terrible loud noises! What am i gonna do?😭 Its really serious! Please help

[@fizzlepop720]

Just got this recently and still learning all the nuances.. when I'm using just the amp by itself, is there a way that I can maintain the same volume when switching from amp models with the leftmost knob? Seems like even if I have it relatively low, it goes much louder when I switch, so I have to keep adjusting the volume or output every time.

[@edelcorrallira]

That's where the app really shines. You can change the output of each effect, so this could be accomplished. Then, you can override the default and set it as desired. Hope that helps

[@temp289]

Well done and helpful. Thanks.

[@serenemachine9110]

Does the tap effect the speed of the modulation as well?

[@johnsilver2039]

Do you know how to download and connect the spark amp app using a laptop computer??

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

John Silver that’s only for updating firmware or recording, not for controlling the amps

[@johnsilver2039]

@@sparkamptutorials2169 Alright.Thanks.

[@fiddlestickzmuzik]

Do I need a DI to patch a synth into this amp..? I have one of these amps coming next week and am just wondering of other ways to use it, as i have loads of synths I am looking for info on other ways to use it so I need a DI right..?

[@ronsta]

I would love to know about this as well.

[@MCCRITTERS]

LOL I thought it was some completely different subject because of the title. ;-) "Spark Amp - How to use the amp without the the amp!"

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

Oops! Late night upload!! I meant without the app!! Thanks!

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

LoL that’s what I thought too! 😂

[@redmonk2149]

Smrt u are so smart!

[@rbinkoriffic9999]

Excellent ! thank you....I want to master the non-app version before i get into anything else great tutorial

[@craigpetterson3962]

Thanks Again. Very informative. 👍🏻

[@bill9989]

Wouldn't it have saved a lot of confusion if Spark had made a "zero preset" being simply whatever you want from the knobs? It would be what you get whenever you turn on the Amp, just like conventional amps. There's enough there to use and then make the four presets whatever you want to assign from either the knobs or from the app.

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

The problem with that is that it is technically a software based amp, so it needs some kind of digital amplifier assigned for any given preset. If you “turn off” the amp, the sound is very dry, flat and full, so it needs to have an amp assigned to it for a decent sound, thus the presets. With the amp knob on the far left, that’s a good set of starting points though at least.

[@hiseminencetheholymacdiarmada]

Lol... “Sparkers”

[@TomMarvan]

Hehe.

[@JustDr3-TV]

I'd Hire this guy lol

[@runef7471]

I return my amp, I just cant handle that biiig noice, almost cant hear my guitar.

[@markmarz]

Thanks!

[@patuolacommeca4430]

By any chance do you have a tutorial that shows the customers who spent their money on this crap the phone number or an email address with real tech support. I can't get help

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

Sorry my friend, I don’t have something like that. If there is something I can do to help, I will try. What seems to be your issue? By the way, I’m not officially affiliated with Positive Grid, but happy to help if I can.

[@jerryfurr8116]

So your saying you can only have 4 different sounds if you don't use the app that's messed up

[@ericwalsh2155]

So you don’t actually play it!?!?

[@FinnBjerke]

Take backplate off and get better sound .

[@donalttweedie85]

I just use one tone.Metttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttal.

[@MobileDecay]

Don't even buy this amp if you're not gonna use the app. It sounds like shit without it. Get something else if you don't wanna use an app.

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

Yeah, very limited without the app

[@nazmoking3171]

If you use the amp without the app you totally wasted your $’s!! Hope there’s nobody out there that short-sighted…

[@horrifyinggelatinousblob]

Man if you guys updated the software to where you can move the noise gate post amp that would make this thing so much better for heavy riffs.

[@sparkamptutorials2169]

Agreed Jeff! By the way, the “you guys” comment isn’t quite right. I’m not technically a part of Positive Grid. Haha. Just a dude with a cool amp making videos about it. But it’s cool that it appears that way, means I’m doing something right I guess! I’ve also been told I’m responsible for a few purchases... haha

[@Bumper_jed]

too much talking

[@apostle7772]

Jesus christ is coming repent choose him today, he loves you.