Positive Grid Spark cabinet or guitar amp?

[@Jerry_Fried]

I always thought that combo amps were called combo amps not because they combined a pre-amp with a power amp but because they combined an amp with a speaker cabinet.

[@YourGearSucks]

Yeah given you can have powered cabs and amp heads without speakers for the purpose of simplifying it for the video and where the insertion point is for the spark I kinda depicted the speaker and power amp as one part of the combo. Just trying to make people think of that section like a powered spark cab.

[@pjo1964]

Amp + speaker, you're right!

[@MrKenstar2]

You are correct

[@MrKenstar2]

He did a bad explanation, it was misinformation actually

[@mclinlin39]

I just got a 40 today for Christmas. I just installed the app & since it’s too late to start jamming, I started checking the app out and ran into your channel. I had stopped playing for quite a while due to injuries & I feel like a beginner again in some ways. I had gotten rid of most of my gear & have been playing through a little Fender Mini amp…lol. Needless to say I’m excited again to play & look forward to learning from you! BTW, I think your channel is going to grow quickly with the content you are covering.

[@YourGearSucks]

Thank you so much!!!

[@YourGearSucks]

Hey your comment really sat with me. If you need any info or specific advice or anything. Please reach out. I'll personally walk you through anything you want. [e-mail]

[@francoisdegrandi5739]

Hi, 11:27 Thank you for this extremely informative video. I connected the Headphone Out of my Spark 40 to a G4M GA100 amphead + 2x12 cabinet with a summing cable : I get a high pitch sound as soon as it is connected... Otherwise all ok when I connect headphones to either Spark or amphead. Have you ever come across this issue ? Do you think a ground cancelling cable would be the solution ? Thank you for checking this out.

[@matthewbsox]

This is super helpful! I’m getting the GO from my wife for Christmas and I’ve been wondering whether I could essentially use it as a pedal board with all the amazing modeling options through the app. This answered so many questions I had. Much appreciated!

[@YourGearSucks]

Awesome! You'll enjoy it a lot. And thanks for the sub!

[@stevenpipes1555]

You took the words right out of my mouth. Im getting a go next week. I already have the Spark 40 and have been wondering about the idea of just using it as efects. I have a stupid loud peavy combo with a great clean sound but all of the gains sound terrible. If it works like im hoping, I'll use the Go as a signal processor for that giant clean channel.

[@slicksalmon6948]

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.

[@DanielDavis730]

Will u still get the valve sound

[@grishyroy9271]

Very informative, thank you! FYI, comment not criticism, it’s called a “combo” amp because it has the amp and speaker(s) in one unit. All valve (tube) heads (and some non valve, like Peavey Transtube) have pre and power amp sections.

[@YourGearSucks]

Yes.. for sure.. the power amp section can be included in powered cabs.. so I guess it's a slight distinction but yes, an important one. Thank you.

[@ylarry7146]

Excellent video - thanks.

[@YourGearSucks]

Thanks for watching!

[@robertphillips4155]

Thanks for making the video, I appreciate all of the work you put into it. I've got the Spark Go and a Vox Mini Go 50. My Vox does not have a power amp section. Would you see any problems using the cable configuration into the regular normal input on my amp? I've not tried it yet.

[@YourGearSucks]

I'm not familiar with your amp model but you can always try! I also go over how to do it if you dont have an FX Send and Return and are going straight into the input. That starts at around 14:00. Report back!

[@robertphillips4155]

@@YourGearSucks Tried it, works great. I turned the volume of the Spark down so that I don’t overdrive the input. Can switch to any amp/peddle setting and it tracks well.

[@robertphillips4155]

I tried it both with the Spark modeling amp on and off. Worked great both ways

[@YourGearSucks]

@@robertphillips4155 Amazing! Let's goooooooo!

[@YourGearSucks]

@@robertphillips4155 Super cool. You should do a video demo!

[@robertbroderick3896]

Hi, Thanks so much! I have the spark 40, and also a Fender Mustang III solid state modeler amp 100 watts with a good 12-inch celestion speaker. So its very loud to gig well with a band. So I run the left side of the monoline out of the spark 40 to the FX loop Return in (only input on amp). I love the spark 40 for all the pedals built-in. However, I would love to be able to run an external WA WA pedal. So with this setup, I can put the WA WA pedal after the spark 40 0utput but inline and before the Mustang III FX loop Return in correct? If so, that will be perfect! Thank you and I subscribed!!! Bob

[@YourGearSucks]

@@robertbroderick3896 there are lots of placement preferences for wah. If you think about it it's just a large filter knob and filter like wah is like a sharpened eq sweep. That kind of stuff typically goes near the beginning of your signal chain just like an eq pedal. So perhaps put it before the spark amp. But there are many people who have used them in many different ways and in different positions in the chain. Especially with heavy gain you may want to place it on other spots. But try both before and after your spark! It can't hurt. Thanks for the sub!

[@wglennhowells]

Can I plug spark 40 into effects return using a 1/8 to 1/4 summing cable with a resistor?

[@YourGearSucks]

Yep! That's the best case method!

[@keithjpell]

Thanks. I subscribed. I wish I would have seen this about 2 years ago! I have 2 questions. Can I use a summing cable in place of the splitter cable you used? Can you put a looper pedal between the spark and the amp if you use the effects loop?

[@YourGearSucks]

Thanks so much! Yes you can use a summing cable tho you'd only really need to use the summing cable with the Spark 40 because you can't set it to mono output in the app. With the Go and the Mini you can set them both to mono in the app so both left and right get a truly consolidated mono signal and you can use the cable I use. Or a summing cable with it set to stereo out.

[@terrybowen9810]

I have the 40 for on the go. I didn't like it in the fx loop on my marshall dsl 40. Sounded more hollow than my dsl pre amp can create. Running into the front of the combo, I turned down the eq on the spark and the dsl to use the modeling. If you don't turn down the mids, treble and bass it' overloads and will sag. You can run the modeling heads on spark long as you turn everything down. This will allow you to stack both amps. Getting some great pre amp versatility

[@YourGearSucks]

Nice! I have a DSL40 too. I might just fool around with it as you suggest. Thanks for the insight. 😎

[@fernyb15]

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?

[@YourGearSucks]

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.

[@fernyb15]

@@YourGearSucks I have followed your advice. Mini, used, 200€

[@YourGearSucks]

@@fernyb15 fantastic. I have 3 of them. They're great!

[@say_when5988]

Ordered the mono cable and waiting to try it out on my Vox AC15C1 😎

[@dananthony6258]

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.

[@YourGearSucks]

Thanks man. Feel free to share it with your buds. And I agree, more guitar players than I would think don't know it's function either.

[@manuchip666]

A Spark go and a Fender `blues junior with only an input for the guitar . Will it works ???

[@YourGearSucks]

Yes. I have a blues Jr too (it's in another video of mine). You just need to disable the amp head in the app. I cover that in the video. Cheers!

[@bluesman354]

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?

[@YourGearSucks]

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.

[@Thrive-Off-Grid]

You need to change the line out / headphone setting to mono in the spark for this to work. Its set to stereo so you are missing a part of the signal and both halfs do not output the same signal.

[@YourGearSucks]

Hey thanks for the comment. At 10:40 in the video I show how to do that exactly. In the second video on this channel I go through the cable app settings extensively as well. But it's good you mention it here in case someone missed it.

[@Thrive-Off-Grid]

@@YourGearSucks Ok cool yeah I missed it. Someone shared your video on a Spark FB group. Yeah I beat my head against the wall for a while before I knew about that setting.

[@Thrive-Off-Grid]

@@YourGearSucks Here is a content idea. My plan is to get the new Boss IR-2 as that is an IR loader. So that in combination with a Spark could potentially turn a Spark into a Katana basically. Ive done this with my HeadRush MX-5. I turn off the amps in the Spark and only use the FX and tone controls on that side, while I use the Amps and IR's without the FX from the HeadRush side. Its way more fuller sounding and its all in one rig.

[@YourGearSucks]

@@Thrive-Off-Grid that's cool! You should document and post that. 😎

[@Thrive-Off-Grid]

@@YourGearSucks I will over in the FB group. I did post the add for the Boss IR-2 and it went right over the fan boys heads that it could be a plug in for the Spark not a replacement.

[@joeytroup11]

I tried on my iPhone and IPad and there is no HP output option on my app. Are you using android?

[@YourGearSucks]

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.

[@ConditionZero76]

Mine doesn't give the HP line out option ? I did exactly as you said and it's not there??

[@YourGearSucks]

@@ConditionZero76 which unit do you have? And are you talking about the hi-z option or the mono option?

[@ConditionZero76]

​@YourGearSucks Sorry, I have the spark 40. You showed how to go to HP line out and switch it to mono. But when I tried to do that, there wasn't any option for it on the spark 40? I watched your video step by step repeated everything you did but theres no hp option anywhere? What exactly is the purpose for switching it to mono out? Thanks

[@YourGearSucks]

@@ConditionZero76 yah the spark 40 doesn't allow for a mono line out. You have to get a summing cable to do that. That's unique to the spark 40. All other sparks allow for that option. I built my own summing cable but you can find one in the links in the description. Let me know how it goes. 😎

[@ConditionZero76]

@YourGearSucks Really, that explains that, I guess lol. So is that all I need, sounds like it's just plug and play? what's the actual purpose of mono? Is it so both amps aren't running at the same time? Again, thank you for your help..

[@YourGearSucks]

@@ConditionZero76 the purpose of outputting to mono is that it mimics the mic'ing up of a traditional amp and gives the sound guy the ability to "one channel one instrument" your guitar. The second thing is, the spark features stereo effects which if you just take one side of will sound odd if you send them to a amp source or PA. So you want both left and right to consolidate to one signal so you get everything in one channel.

[@charvlim5159]

Would this be a good option to my boss katana head 100W?

[@YourGearSucks]

@@charvlim5159 if it has a line out, yes. Works the same way. Cabinet speaker outs have different specs so don't use those.

[@allanglover6371]

Would this work with a boss katana mk2

[@YourGearSucks]

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.

[@allanglover6371]

@@YourGearSucks thanks much appreciated 🙏

[@allanglover6371]

@YourGearSucks also want to add you explain things sooooo much better then the other videos I looked at

[@YourGearSucks]

@@allanglover6371 aww thanks dude! I try.

[@pjo1964]

A combo amp is amp and speaker.

[@YourGearSucks]

Yeah I just consider the speaker as part of the power amp section. But you're right.

[@FrederickCouch]

I pay both a bass and a guitar. For me, an frfr is the best solution since it can amplify audio for both. I really like the Spark cab. It also has a stereo input that can connect via a headphone output directly. I do not even use it with a spark amp, since it had its own class d amp built in, but with boss me80 and 50b through a two notes torpedo. Works like a charm.

[@YourGearSucks]

Yep. My favourite thing to use is an frfr with my spark too. Simplifies everything.

[@ridethewind3099]

Hi, How's that work again??? Just got the cab, really like it, just watched Ola review? Kinda bummed me out, probably was getting a ck or something? Saidz it was a good home cab? I hope not, bout to play out? Anyway, could ya reexplain that please, just looked for a direct line in??? Thanks...

[@journeytree]

the spark 40 is the modern day line 6 Spyder

[@YourGearSucks]

Hah no way! The Spyder is an awful amp. The Spark is absolutely stage ready. But agree to disagree 😎

[@journeytree]

@@YourGearSucks The spark is awful as well. So much bass that it sounds terrible without an artificial sounding eq

[@YourGearSucks]

@@journeytree 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.

[@royhale7283]

To bad you can’t split the headphone out to split the time base in the effects loop and the drive base to the guitar input.

[@YourGearSucks]

That would be amazing. You reading this, @positivegrid

[@msilliphant]

y is it sooo dark in here????

[@matthewearl9824]

This wont work unless you can turn off cab emulation on the Spark. That is why the Spark cab is an FRFR

[@YourGearSucks]

HI there. I show how to do that at 15:00

[@matthewearl9824]

@@YourGearSucks No. What that did was turn off the preamp. This is not using your amp as a cab. The correct way is to keep the preamp on and turn of cabinet emulation which you cannot do. You no longer are using any of the amp models in the Spark that are supposed to give you the tones. You are running pedals into an FX return which has no preamp. No disrespect at all but this is bad practice and not the proper way to do this. Since you cannot bypass the cab emulation, you must use an FRFR. Again, I am not trying to bash you or anyone.

[@YourGearSucks]

Hey there. I appreciate your comment. So in the video I only turn the head and cab sim off when I'm going into the front input. Rendering the spark as a pedal platform. But you're right that in most of the video I'm engaging the spark as a preamp/cab sim + pedal platform into the cab section of the amp. But Spark doesn't allow for the separation of the cab from the head in the software so it is what it is. And in the Spark cab, given that it's taking signal from the headphone out, the same criticism applies, doesn't matter that it's FRFR. That said, FRFR speakers is most useful if you're playing full music through them. If you're just doing guitar, you don't need FRFR. But it makes sense that the Spark cab is FRFR given it's entire amp line is as well. To maximize your spark as a platform into an existing non Spark amp as a cab, the video above is the best way. Cheers.

[@soccerphotocat8905]

I must agree with Matthew. Cab emulated output is designed for a full range speaker system not a mid focused guitar amp. While it works, you’re missing part of the sound. In addition, combo amps are referred to as such because they are a combination of an amplifier (pre and power) and a speaker.

[@matthewearl9824]

@@YourGearSucks Their entire amp line is not FRFR related. The Positive Grid BIAS Guitar Rack and Head are $1300 each and require a real cab and not an FRFR. The FRFR is specifically used to emulate the speaker cab frequencies properly as it is meant to be heard. Playing the spark amp into the Spark Cab IS correct and is not the same as what you are doing. Playing it through a power amp section and combo amp cabinet is NOT correct as you are emulating the Cab section twice. Again, no disrespect.

[@DanielDavis730]

Going into a valve amp would have to be a 100% better

[@Eddie_Mx3]

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

[@YourGearSucks]

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.

[@wAiEr1009]

Someone show this guy how to mic a cab plz