Spark 40 and Spark 2 - How to Connect to Spark Cab with XSONIC ULooper - All Speakers Work!

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

I heard back from XSonic finally and here is their response..... Hi, ULooper doesn't support Spark 2 now, please wait for our update.

[@max051472]

I was disappointed when I plugged my spark 40 into the cab as well. Good to see that there is a workaround, although annoying to have to purchase extra. Thanks for the video.

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

Thanks for the post. Thankfully there is a workaround for the 40 and the firmware for the Spark 2 solves the issue. Annoying indeed to had to buy an extra pedal in the first place. Thanks again and rock on!

[@juliogil565]

Cool. I was going to buy that pedal anyways for looping and is cool that it also solves the issue of the spark 40 missing a line out.

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

Yes. Thanks for the post. Worth it!!! Enjoy the setup. Rock on.

[@MascarasMil]

Awesome that you figured it out. I just spent 6 hours trying to get my Katana gen 3 to work with its software. I was thinking of buying a cab for my spark 2 thinking that would be easier. But this looks like a bunch of nonsense from spark. They should clearly explain that the cab disables the spark 2.

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@MascarasMil Thanks for the post. I heard the same on the Katana Gen 3. I had the Gen 2 Artist and sold it. I loved the sound of the amp, but always has issues with the software and it got too complicated to use. Having only 8 presets was a killer for me. My Line 6 Spider IV had 128 presets. Plus having to pay an extra $50 for a Bluetooth adapter was a dealbreaker. I’ll wait for Gen 4! LOL! Agree that PG should have clearly stated the Spark 2 would be muted when plugged into the Cab, especially using the line out. No excuse. Rock on!🤘

[@joeybtherealad]

Well done sir! Thanks for the content.

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

Thank you for the post! Rock on!

[@charlesmerfeld2988]

Thanks for the tutorial

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

Thank you for the post. I hope it helped. All the best. Rock on!

[@eddybarker5072]

Just received my Spark 2 and like the looper and the speaker response is better than the original Spark 40 without the excessive bass (which you could EQ out). I’m a bit dissappointed that the 1/4” line outs to the Spark Cab still disable the Spark 2 speaker😔 Also you can’t power the Spark 2 from the Cab any longer but apparently an adapter is coming out in October ‘24 to fix that. I hope a fix comes out at some point to be able to run both Spark 2 speakers and Cab at the same time aimed different directions. Also, not a big deal, but interesting the Spark 2 speaker cover is a darker color now so it doesn’t match the Cab any longer. Sort of wondering if this is setting up for a Cab 2🤫🤫

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

Dam. Thanks for the post. That is what I heard. Makes no sense! To disable the Spark 2 when plugging into the out defeats the purpose! Let's hope a fix is on the way! I was thinking the same thing about a Cab 2. I wonder. Too bad that PG did not get this right from the start. Sorry to hear about the cover as well. I hope the kinks get worked out and we can enjoy this speaker for all that it can be!!!

[@bobbyboyderecords]

@@LUKESTRONG4LIFE why did they do this? so stupid

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@bobbyboyderecords I'm sure they have their reasons. Does it make sense? No. But I can only assume there was some technical aspect to the design that had to be addressed to mute the speakers. XSonic is working on an update on the ULooper to get both to work. We just have to wait. Be well. Thanks for the post.

[@bishimatsu]

Cool!!! Thank you!!!

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@bishimatsu Most welcome!

[@Guitarman01]

ULooper works great on spark40 and spark go. I was not able to get it to work on Spark Mini or the new Spark 2.

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

Thanks for posting. Let’s hope a firmware update can solve the issue. Thanks for letting us know. Rock on!

[@edievilmont]

Great idea, both units emit sound, that’s fantastic, both upgraded to latest firmware, but the Bluetooth playback audio gets disable, any ideas?

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

Thanks for the post. I winded up plugging my iPad directly into the Spark to get my audio. I bought a USB-C to mini stereo for my iPad. Enjoy your setup. Rock on.

[@edievilmont]

I will definitely order that cable, your idea is genius, not even positive grid engineers came up with something like that, maybe in the future they will reengineer those units to achieve what you did. Enabling an extra 40 watts from the spark40 will add an extra 40 watts of head room, total 180 watts with the spark Cab. Again good job my friend, you did what the Spark amp designers couldn’t offer. 😊

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@ Thank you for the post. Thankfully PG released a firmware upgrade that allows the Spark 2 to work with the Cab without muting. Many have had issues with the update though. Hopefully it is fixed soon. For the Spark 40, the ULooper is still needed. Thanks again for the post! Rock on!🤘

[@zz-.-]

Can you still use the looper as a looper feature AND have both sets of speakers working in unison?

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

Yes!!!!

[@zz-.-]

@ oh wow. so the spark 40 + ulooper + cab sounds like the best of all worlds, no need for the spark 2. And on your cab, you don’t hear that hiss people refer to, like an ocean sound from the speakers when on but not playing? thanks ✌️@lukestrong4life

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@ Yes. The best of all worlds. No issues. No need for the a spark 2. There is slight hiss on the Cab but it’s not a deal breaker. Rock on!🤘

[@bishimatsu]

Bradford, do all the cables you showed come with the uLooper or do you have to buy them separately?

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@bishimatsu Buy separately. Thanks for the post. I got mine on Amazon and Monoprice. 🤘

[@Chadkatz777]

Can you still play backing tracks while using spark 40 speakers and cabinet simultaneously? Thanks

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

As long as you have your iPad or music source set to Bluetooth and play it through the Spark via Bluetooth. You can also plug in your device into the Spark to play your backing tracks.

[@Chadkatz777]

@@LUKESTRONG4LIFE Sounds good. Thanks for responding. Have a great day!

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@ anytime! Rock on!🤘

[@bishimatsu]

I just bought the Spark 2 and I saw your KZbin video saying the Spark 2 connects with the Spark Cab without the need for the ULooper. Right?

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

Yes! Just make sure to update to the newest firmware. It just came out about 2 days ago. I was told though that some people are having issues. Mine worked perfect! Line out to Cab, Boom! It works!!!!

[@tonylaporte69]

Hi, about the large bottom end produced by the Spark Cab, was it solved with this set up?

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@tonylaporte69 The Cab still puts out a lot of bottom end, but this helps blend it. I winded up going back and redoing every preset I had a lowering the bass. It was a pain but worth it. With the tweaks and both sets of speakers working, it is a huge difference. Thanks for the post.

[@ronaldjosephweech2444]

so, the spark 2 doesn't accommodate the simultaneous playback of the cab and the spark 2? seems like that should have been one of the upgrades, no? it was a nice project, but what a headache to get them playing both together. i have two spark cabs. after i get the new spark 2, i'm going to go out the 1/4" outputs directly into the spark cabs ... left/right direct. or, i could go through a mixer first before the spark cabs, so i can add other signals to the expression. anyway, thanks for the show.

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@ronaldjosephweech2444 From what I was told, no. Same issue as the Spark 40. I reached out and they said the ULooper will correct the issue. I wish PG did it in the new model. Thanks for the post. Rock on!!! Keep us posted on your setup!!!

[@ronaldjosephweech2444]

@@LUKESTRONG4LIFE right. but, yes. two cabs in stereo will be enough, and a better signal than the original 1/8th inch out ... for me. to each his own. to me, to battle the mudd ... my focus is on the cabs. cool technology to get everything playing together though. it tells me that positive grid has a ways to go to be considered customer considerate. lol. nothing can be "perfect". it'll always be shy of one feature or the other.

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@ronaldjosephweech2444 So true. Maybe they’ll nail it with the Spark 3 and the Spark Cab 2! LOL! Enjoy man!!!

[@ronaldjosephweech2444]

@@LUKESTRONG4LIFE ... and, in the meantime, we can continue creating these work arounds. thanks for the idea(s).

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@ronaldjosephweech2444 Absolutely!!!

[@bobbyboyderecords]

4 outs would be nice, L and R to two cabs, L and R to the PA. or does the cab have a output?

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

Agree. That would be nice. The Sparks Cab itself has 1 x mono XLR balanced output. Hope that helps. All the best and rock on!

[@baddoggz]

Hey i got the spark 2 and I cant seem to find the usb a to usb b on the back of the spark 2. What did you do instead?

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

You have to use a USB-C cable. The old cables don’t work with the new model. I bought mine on Amazon. Good luck. Rock on.

[@kaptkrunchfpv]

Why not just use the eq in the spark app? seems to knock out the bass very well.

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

Hello. Thanks for the post. Yes, that can be done. Just stinks after you have created dozens and dozens of presets and have to go change them all. Rock on!

[@kaptkrunchfpv]

@@LUKESTRONG4LIFE Yea, I can imagine its a headache if you have a big library.

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@kaptkrunchfpv Just a pain, that’s all. I’ve slowly been going back and tweaking each one. All the best!

[@MrGlasstech]

I don't think you need the ulopper with the spark 2 amp because it has 2 lines out. Just plug one cable in because it's mono to one of the input jacks.

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@MrGlasstech Thanks for the post. I hope so! That would be great!

[@charlesmerfeld2988]

Have you tried a plastic port, sock, or foam in the port and some speaker stuffing in the 40 it seems to cut the muddy bass down

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

Thanks for the post. I have not tried that. I don’t think it’s too easy to access the enclosure. What I did find that helped a lot was putting the Cab on a speaker stand. Having both the Spark 40 and Cab playing at the same time with the ULooper also helps. All the best and rock on!

[@charlesmerfeld2988]

@@LUKESTRONG4LIFE grill comes off easy and it's all right there.

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@charlesmerfeld2988 Thanks. I’ll give it a try. Be well.

[@charlesmerfeld2988]

Does yours loop with just the cab or both

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@charlesmerfeld2988 I have to test it for that. I only use the ULooper to get sound out of both the Spark 40 and Cab. It’s the only device that works to do so. I’ll try to test it ASAP and see what happens. Thanks for the post.

[@markysixstring]

unfortunatly I recieved a very noisy cab from positive grid. Sounds like a big huge fan running in the speaker .I only use if for my spark 40 as a stand.

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

That is because it is a full range speaker. PG says that is normal. Yes. It can be annoying. Many have returned the Cab because of the annoying hiss. Just make sure you are plugged into an outlet that is “clean” and nothing interfering with the Cab. Rock on.

[@michaeljones9952]

I pre ordered the cab and the 1st thing I noticed was the noise sounding like a fan flowing through a wind tunnel, with nothing plugged in and the volume turned down to zero..no mains frequency hum or other electrical interferences..in a small room I found the noise ear fatiguing.. Positive grid asked me for a video of my setup, I told them multiple times it's not my setup if there's nothing else plugged in! They say this is normal.. mine is back in it's original box as it's no good for home recording..suited more for a gig or rehearsal but wouldn't last long getting battered from gigging!

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@michaeljones9952 ​​⁠Thanks for posting. They will tell you it’s because it’s a full range speaker and that is normal. For many of us, it’s a deal breaker. The hum is difficult to tolerate. Hope you find a good replacement!!!! Rock on!!!

[@bobbyboyderecords]

Do you get any delay or latency problems?

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

To me, not that is noticeable. Is there latency? Of course. But my ear can't pick it up. It is not noticeable to me. Hope that helps. Thanks for the post.

[@jopscalanoc2617]

How can you power up the spark 2 from spark cab dc out? The volt is different and the port cable is not compatible to spark 2 power out as well.

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@jopscalanoc2617 An adapter is being sent to all owners in the next month or so, so you can. They emailed all owners and said it will be mailed ASAP. Thanks for the post.

[@jopscalanoc2617]

@@LUKESTRONG4LIFE Hi brad. Is it safe to plug the spark2 from spark cab? One concern is spark2 have a 20v amd spark cab has only 19v. Does it make any issues?

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@jopscalanoc2617 No. I would not. Plug the Spark 2 separately from now. PG is working on an adapter that they will send out free of charge. Better safe than sorry. Rock on!!!!

[@jopscalanoc2617]

@@LUKESTRONG4LIFE cheers brad! Actually i tried it, i bought an adaptor from amazon and it works flawlessly using spark cab power source. Just for you to know. Worth all the risk. Cheers man. Rock on!

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@jopscalanoc2617 Awesome. Thanks for sharing! Great to know!!!!! Enjoy the soup! Rock on!

[@atsrecords1960]

I didn't know David Harbour played guitar

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@atsrecords1960 LOL!!! I’ve actually heard that before. I wish! Thanks for the post. Rock on.

[@charlesmerfeld2988]

They didn't send the right cable for the 40 for connecting

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@charlesmerfeld2988 I was told by someone who tried it out that even with the Spark 2, once you plug something into the output, it mutes the Spark 2. I hope that isn’t true. As for the cable, correct. You have to buy them on your own. I bought all my cables on Amazon. Good luck. Rock on.

[@charlesmerfeld2988]

@@LUKESTRONG4LIFE well it better work for my 40 lol.

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@charlesmerfeld2988 it does. You just have to buy all the cables needed. Good luck.

[@donmiller-robinson1378]

This upgrade is absolutely great in every way except for one MAJOR FAIL!! Apparently plugging into the new stereo/mono line out mutes the internal speakers in the same way plugging in headphones does. This is gobsmackingly weird. I mentioned this to positive Grid who replied "this is the normal way amps with line outs operate". Um.... NO IT'S NOT!!!

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

Please tell me you are kidding!!!! There is no way PG could blow this again! If this is real, and I do believe you, what a MAJOR disappointment!!! That is ridiculous. The main speaker should NEVER be muted! Thank you for posting. Maybe there is a firmware upgrade that can change this? It makes no sense in terms of design! WHY PG! WHY! Thanks.....I'm still waiting to get mine. Rock on!!!! I am hoping this is a bad dream!

[@donmiller-robinson1378]

@@LUKESTRONG4LIFEyeah, great upgrade but for the line out which they have got dead wrong!

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@donmiller-robinson1378 Agree 💯

[@Snazy30]

Do you lose the sound out the amp by connecting both Left and right 1/8 output jack to XLR on the cab input ?

[@LUKESTRONG4LIFE]

@@Snazy30 For the Spark 40, once you plug anything into the headphone jack, it mutes the speakers. So only the speakers work on the Cab when plugged into the 1/4” input. Hope that answers your question. They do not work together unless you use the ULooper.