Are you a bass player curious about the Positive Grid Spark 40 amplifier? Look no further! This quick guide answers all your top questions.
If you’re a bass player interested in the Positive Grid Spark 40 amplifier, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll address all the top questions you may have about this amplifier. I will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of its features and capabilities.
What is the Positive Grid Spark 40 amplifier?
The Positive Grid Spark 40 is a versatile amplifier designed for guitarists. Bass players can use their bass guitars on this amplifier. Its got features and capabilities that make it a popular choice among musicians. The Spark 40 amplifier delivers exceptional sound quality and performance. Thanks to its advanced technology and innovative design… this amplifier meets the needs of both beginner and professional bass players.
What are the key features and specifications of the Spark 40?
The impressive features make the Positive Grid Spark 40 a standout choice.
Here are some of the key features:
1. Smart Jam Technology
The Spark 40 comes with built-in Smart Jam technology. This allows you to jam along with virtual bandmates. It generates realistic bass and drum accompaniments in real-time by analyzing your playing. This is especially useful if you want to hear suggestive tones and notes for your bass playing.
2. Tone Engine
Dial in the perfect sound for any genre or playing style. This amplifier’s got a wide range of customizable tones!
It has a variety of amp models, effects, and presets. You can achieve the tone you desire with ease.
3. Mobile App Integration
You can control and customize the Spark 40 can using the Positive Grid mobile app. This amp integration gives access to more amp models, effects, and presets. You can share your tones with other users. And you can download tones from other users too.
4. Bluetooth Connectivity
Connect your smartphone or tablet without problems using its built-in Bluetooth. Lister or stream music and backing tracks without the need for wires! This makes practicing and jamming along to your favorite songs a breeze.
5. Recording and Reamping
The Spark 40 allows you to record your bass playing straight to your computer or mobile device.
Achieve the perfect mix with re-amp. This amplifier allows you to apply different amp models and effects and then re-amp it!
The Spark 40 comes with 40 watts of power in a 10-inch custom-designed speaker. Its frequency response range is from 40Hz to 20kHz.
6. Built-in Tuner
The Spark 40 also includes a built-in tuner, so you can tune your bass without the need for an external tuner. This makes it convenient for both practice sessions and live performances.
I am able to tune my 5 string bass without issues. The built-in tuner can detect my low b string with accuracy.
7. Input and Output Ports
This amplifier has got ports for the following:
Instrument Input
You can use acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and electric bass. It accepts and processes sound from both active and passive electronics.
Headphone Output
You can hear your instrument in stereo mode through the headphone output. The Spark 40 does not have knobs to pan the sounds between the left and right channels.
Auxiliary Input
For connecting external devices like mix tape players, Discmans, and mp3 players.
USB Port
You can update the Spark 40 firmware through this port. For recording purposes, the USB port connects your Spark 40 to your PC or MAC.
How does the Spark 40 compare to other amplifiers on the market?
The Positive Grid Spark 40 amplifier won’t be the most impressive amplifier out there. But it does have the most remarkable features and specifications for its size class. This makes the Spark 40 a model with unique capabilities, making it a top choice for bass players.
One of the standout features of the Spark 40 is the Smart Jam technology. This allows users to jam along with virtual bandmates.
For bass players, Smart Jam is the coolest thing next to the beer. There are 3 ways why this is cool.
I. Select a tone suited for your ears.
a. Open up the Smart Amp app.
b. Click the drop-down menu from the upper left of the screen
c. Slide to the right until you can click “Bass”
d. Select any familiar bass amplifier you desire.
e. Select any familiar bass effects you desire.
Spark 40 Tone Engine
Get customizable tones from the Spark 40 through its Tone Engine. It’s got various amp models, effects, and presets, bass players can enjoy. Any desired sound for any genre or playing style is achievable with Tone Engine.
II. Start Jamming with Smart Jam
a. Click on the Music icon at the bottom of the Smart Amp app.
b. Select “Smart Jam”. Then choose a drummer and tap on “Let’s Jam”.
c. Choose the speed of the music you have in mind. You can change the beats per minute (bpm) by clicking on TAP until you reach the desired bpm. Click on “Start”.
d. Now “Smart Jam” will allow you to play something up to 4 bars of music. Smart Jam will analyze your riffs or rhythm.
e. Then select a track for the drums section.
f. When you’re happy with the drum style, hit on “Let’s Jam”.
g. Your virtual band members will play the music for you. All you have to do is jam along.
III. Quick Jam (My Favorite as a Bass Player myself).
a. Click on the Music icon at the bottom of the Smart Amp app.
b. Pick a genre under “Quick Jam”. This will get you to the jam section and it starts playing immediately.
c. Click on the left or right arrow at the top of the “Quick Jam” screen.
d. Start playing along. The Quick Jam will show you what chord is on what bar. It will also show you if you are in the “Intro”, “Verse”, “Chorus”, “Bridge”, or “Outro”.
Here are the 2 reasons why Quick Jam is my favorite:
1. Quick Jam plays very cool bass lines with 10 examples of the most common chord progressions. You get 4 genres making up a total of 40 chord progressions to jam to.
2. You can choose to remove the bassist from that song. Click on the “Settings” icon at the upper right-hand screen of Quick Jam. Tap on the switch icon to turn the bass on or off icon. It’s on the right side of the label “Bass”.
These are very cool features for me. I get to listen to lovely bass lines, and I get to play it in isolation with the drummer and the rhythm guitar. This gives me a very good structure for practice.
Learn very cool basslines by listening and playing along.
Mobile App Integration
The integration with the Positive Grid mobile app also sets the Spark 40 apart. This app provides access to more amp models, effects, and presets. You also have the ability to download and share tones with other users. The app enhances the versatility and customization options of the amplifier.
Connecting your Spark 40 amp to the mobile phone is possible via Bluetooth. This allows easy streaming of music or backing tracks from a smartphone or tablet. This feature makes practicing and jamming along to favorite songs seamless and convenient.
Record your jam practice with the Spark 40
The Spark 40 allows users to record their bass playing on a computer or mobile device. You can do this by connecting the USB port from the Spark 40 to your computer. Your computer will detect the Spark 40 as an audio interface.
Can you use Spark 40 for both practice and live performances?
I have 2 quick answers for you. For practice, yes. It is loud enough for you to “feel” the rumble. Even loud enough to annoy your next-door neighbors.
For live performances, yes and no.
The Spark 40 will sound great at live performances in 2 conditions.
1. If the live performance is in a small venue.
2. The drummer holds back to a playing volume where your bass is audible.
If those 2 conditions are not met, the Spark 40 will sound terrible. Even worse, your audience might not be able to hear you if your drummer plays to full volume.
Conclusion
The Positive Grid Spark 40 stands among the practice amps for bass. Thanks to its size and portability… you get unique features, customization options, and exceptional sound quality. It is a top choice for bass players seeking a versatile and high-performing amplifier.
It is a great choice for practicing at home or in a studio setting.
Would I recommend this for a bass player? Yes, I recommend the Positive Grid Spark 40 to bass players. It is feature-packed and has versatile options for bassists in practice. For its size, it offers exceptional sound quality and performance.
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Buy the Positive Grid Spark 40 Amplifier from Amazon here!
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