You probably don't need me to tell you that Black Friday is tomorrow, right? Chances are, your social media feeds have been filled with a colossal amount of Black Friday guitar deals. From affordable guitar accessories and dirt-cheap pedals, there's been plenty of fantastic deals to check out this week, but I'm particularly stoked to see one of Guitar Player's favorite guitar tech brands in the mix, too.

Positive Grid's range of Spark smart amps has revolutionized the practice amp world, and they've always been reviewed well on Guitar Player. Now, they are on sale for Black Friday, along with a tasty deal on the new Bias X software.

At the core of the Positive Grid stable is the Spark amp line-up. They all offer the same core functionality - with the Spark app giving players access to tones, with 33 amp models and 43 effects to choose from, alongside other features like Smart Jam and Auto Chords - but in 3 different form factors, from ultra compact to desktop.

Nearly all of PG's smart amps and accessories are on sale, so it's well worth a browse if you're in the market for something new. Below are a few of our standouts.

Shop more Black Friday sale

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• B&H Photo: Early Bird Holiday deals
• Fender store: Player II Strat lowest price ever
• Guitar Center: Up to 40% Black Friday sale
• Guitar Tricks: $899 $99 annual sub
• IK Multimedia: Up to $300 off Tonex hardware
• Musician's Friend: Early Black Friday 50% sale
• Native Instruments: Over 50% off UA bundle
• Plugin Boutique: 100s of software savings
• Reverb: Black Friday early access
• Sweetwater: Up to 80% off Black Friday sale
• Universal Audio: 12 Days of UAD software sale
• Waves: Huge plugin bundle deals up to 95% off

We gave the Positive Grid Spark Go 5/5 when we reviewed it last year, with GP Editor Chris Scapelliti calling it "a pleasingly loud and toneful pint-sized version [of Positive Grid's original Spark smart-amp] that you can toss in a tote bag."

Since then, the Spark Go went on to become one of 2023’s hottest guitar mini amps and Smart speakers: perfect for practicing, for use on the road with headphones, and because of the range of tones you can access by connecting it with the Spark app on your phone and dialing into dozens of classic amp sounds and pedals. Right now, it’s $30 off.

I was so taken with Chris's review that I bought one too. My son was learning to play, and using his phone to look up guitar tabs online. Sometimes I'd check on him and using his phone to look for guitar tabs had become just using his phone. What better solution than get him a mini-amp that you control by an app?

The Spark lived up to its name: it ignited something.

But let me tell you about my first amp. Back then, in the mid-80s, it was thought of as small (though it was nowhere near as small as the Spark Go, which is literally smaller than my phone, though far chunkier). A friend of my parents had been in a country-folk band. He and his family were emigrating to New Zealand so he gave me his Marshall amp and speaker. Both were covered in white-leather. It was what you might call a 'cabaret stack'.

The speaker was tall and thin and the head could perch on top in a 'T' shape. It was 30W but it was loud: perfect, I guess, for the kind of small clubs and attentive audiences he'd been playing to.

Unfortunately, to my teenage eyes, and those of my bandmates, it was the least rock'n'roll thing we'd ever seen and it had to go. I swapped it for a couple of bass bins that we added to a PA. It's probably worth thousands today.

So I never had much luck with amps. Over the years, I played less and less electric guitar. As my family grew, so my gear got less and finally, the electric went into a wardrobe and there it sat until my son said he’d like to play. So I had a guitar, but I had no amp or effects pedals.

Unamplified, the electric guitar he held in his hands sounded nothing like the people he wanted to sound like ('classic alternative' like Nirvana and the Pixies, plus new riffs from bands like Arctic Monkeys). Enter the Spark Go. It turned a flat-sounding guitar into a world of sound. I would pass his room and hear him working out Come As You Are or the Arctic Monkeys Do I Wanna Know? and I found myself drawn in. ("Can I have a go?") With headphones on, he could practice until late and when he wasn't using it, I was.

The Spark Go was at the heart of this: portable, easy to use and far less embarrassing than a white leather cabaret stack. It is hours of fun. The app gives you a world of tone at your fingertips in a format he can understand – plus it gives you access to guitar lessons, including how to play famous songs, and backing tracks to play along with.

He went to university this year, and took it with him. So I got myself one. It sits next to my desk at home. When I have five minutes between meetings, I switch it on and have a play.

Check out the full Positive Grid sale here.

Shop more epic Black Friday deals

• Amazon: Guitar gear deals
• Fender store: 50% off guitars
• Guitar Center: Up to 50% off
• Musician's Friend: Up to 60% off sale
• Positive Grid: Save on Spark
• Sweetwater: Save up to 80% on gear
• Waves: Plugins just $19.99

Positive Grid made the Spark range even more convenient in 2024 with the addition of the Spark Link, a wireless system that works with any amp. And this Black Friday their new wireless solution for home practice, rehearsals, and the stage just got more affordable with a saving of $30.

Offering 24-bit/48kHz transmission, with a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz, the Link offers a transmitter and receiver combo that works across four channels for multiple units in one environment – meaning your entire band can use the Spark Link simultaneously without any interference – it's also USB rechargeable and lasts for six hours.

It comes as two units – one transmitter, one a receiver – Spark's trademark gold and black finish. The transmitter plugs into your guitar, while the receiver plugs directly into your amp.

In our tests, we found the build quality to be top-notch. The units feel perfectly sturdy and robust with the 110° hinge feeling reliable and reassuringly stiff – built to handle the stress of the road.

Simple to set up in terms of audio quality, there was no audible difference between the Link and a guitar cable, with no loss of high-end frequencies, and the range (70 feet; 21 meters) lived up to Positive Grid claims.

It's a great piece of kit, at a great price.

See our roundup of the best Black Friday guitar deals here.

It’s only just come out, but Positive Grid has seen fit to give their super smart amp a $20 discount in their Black Friday sale. It’s not huge money off, but for an amp that packs in an incredible amount of features and sits on the cutting edge of tech, we think it’s one of the best Black Friday guitar deals we’ve seen so far.

Having been hands-on with the amp itself, we think it’s a brilliant choice no matter what style of music you play. Equally comfortable with metal and hard rock as it is with jazz and blues, the huge selection of tones and abundance of practice tools make it a must-have for home practice.

The sheer amount of tones available in the Spark 2 is really incredible, and they sound fantastic too. It’s brilliant at recreating that rich tube amp tone and giving you the feel of an amp on the edge of feeding back at a low volume. It sounds absolutely massive thanks to an increase in power to 50 Watts, and an upgrade to the FRFR speakers helps it deliver for both guitar and bass.

The stereo spread is really noticeable when you utilize delays and reverbs in your tones. The speakers have been angled slightly outwards versus the original Spark 40, which means you get some real multi-dimensional sounds when using stereo effects. You get a huge selection of overdrive and distortion pedals to add extra saturation, and there are plenty of modulation effects to let you build pretty much any sound you can imagine.

With the new looper function, PG has somehow managed to make it usable even if you don’t have a footswitch. Using just your smartphone, you can create endless complex loops, or just play a chord progression so you can try out some lead work over it. It is better with a footswitch - and the Spark Control X is available with a $20 discount in the sale - but it’s quite the achievement that it’s so usable without one. I really enjoyed the AI tone generator too, the results are mixed, but with the right input, you can create some really unique tones or ape the sounds of famous guitar players.

Steve Vai may be considered one of the world’s greatest virtuosos today, but the guitarist — who is currently playing King Crimson’s ‘80s material alongside Adrian Belew in the group Beat — was humble about his talents when he was a teenager.

Speaking with Positive Grid to promote his new signature Spark Mini amp — part of the Spark 2 series of modeling amps — Vai says he honed his craft in secret.

“I didn't tell anybody when I started playing the guitar, because I was kind of shy that way,” he explains. "The guitar was such a cool instrument. If you played it, you thought you were really cool. And I didn't think I was really cool. So I never told anybody.”

Eventually, his talents came to light in a fashion that was surprisingly showy for someone supposedly lacking self-confidence.

“I did enter a talent contest,” he continues. “It was the first time I'd played in front of my classmates. It was a big auditorium, and I played 'The Star-Spangled Banner' with my teeth… and I won. It was the first time I won anything like that.”

The $50 prize money he took home that day was well spent and helped him develop a taste for what was to come.

“That was so much money,” Vai says. “Me and all my friends took that money and we bought cases of quality beer.”

Vai's latest guitar challenge has been to master Robert Fripp's relentless guitar parts ahead of the Beat tour. Since his having shoulder surgery in 2021, he's found keeping up with Fripp's ferocity isn't easy.

“If you take something like 'Frame by Frame' [from 1981's Discipline], the riff itself is hard enough. You have to have a particular picking technique in order to be able to play it,” he says in the November 2024 issue of Guitar Player.

“But what makes it so excruciating is the relentlessness. It doesn’t stop. The thing about Robert Fripp is, he runs very deep. He’s a holistic player. He takes into account not only body posture and hand posture but also inner-being centering: the need for bulletproof attention. He is highly disciplined. It’s the only way you could achieve the kinds of things he achieved on the guitar."

Vai’s conversation with Positive Grid also saw him imparting some key wisdom to budding guitarists — regardless of whether they think they’re cool enough to tell their friends about their talents.

“I think it's important to know that your imagination is infinite — it is — and that's your greatest tool,” Vai explains. “Your greatest tool for developing anything creatively is your ability to imagine it. Once a person realizes this, the most powerful tool that you have is the ability to visualize.

“That’s how I’ve developed my technique. I’ll bring it to the guitar. My favorite thing to do is to try to imagine something that I couldn’t do... and then do it. That was the greatest payoff. It still is for me, every time.”

Visit Positive Grid to learn more about the Spark Mini Vai.

And head to Magazines Direct to pick up a copy of the November 2024 issue of Guitar Player, which features an interview with Steve Vai and Adrian Belew alongside a feature-length interview with cover star David Gilmour, plus much more.

Positive Grid has announced the full details of its Spark 2 amp, which aims to change the modeling amp game like its older brother did in 2017. 

The announcement follows a series of teasers, including confirmation that it will have a looper feature, responding to a frequent critique of the widely-lauded first-generation model.  

Other key improvements include AI preset recommendations, DSP modeling, and greater power as its makers look to go one better than its best-selling predecessor and mount a challenge to the competition that upped its game in the wake of the Spark’s arrival.  

The looper is no doubt the most exciting addition for many players. It looks to go above and beyond the typical loop and layer approach by allowing players to incorporate drum and tracking tracks into the experience. 

Basic record and play controls are accessible on the amp’s interface, with greater flexibility provided via the accompanying app. 

The AI feature may prove a little more polarizing, considering the love/hate relationship the creative world tends to have with the technology, but if it works, it could be a fantastic concept. 

As per a Positive Grid Instagram post, players can “describe the tone you’re imagining, and Spark AI will bring it to life.” 

In response, it provides a list of suggested preset downloads based on their requests. The feature is true AI in that it will learn from player picks and refine its algorithm to find more tailored solutions the more it is used. 

The amp has also been bumped up to 50 watts – a 10-watt increase. It’s perhaps a move to make these amps more viable outside of homes, such as in practice rooms, and even in small gigs. 

It’s an upgrade that may help the amp go toe-to-toe with the likes of the Boss Katana and Blackstar’s ID:Core series.  

A DSP amp modeling engine powers the Spark 2’s tones, doubling the processing power of the first-gen Spark. It's further bolstered by a duo of FRFR speakers inside the unit for greater audio quality. 

Representing a more subtle change, the control panel now features large controls for music, guitar, and master volume, while there’s handy wi-fi connectivity for easier installation of firmware updates. 

The Sonic IQ computational audio tech that debuted in the Spark LIVE also features. Positive Grid says it “fuses advanced digital signal processing, acoustic engineering, and speaker optimization” to ensure you always get the best tone possible. 

A travel-friendly optional extra comes in the form of a 12-hour rechargeable battery. 

The Spark 2 follows in the wake of other recent (ish) additions to Positive Grid’s roster, including the Spark Go for players on the move and its Spark Mini amp and Bluetooth speaker. 

The Spark was an instant hit when it launched seven years ago, mainly for its affordability and user-friendly operation. Its success greatly intensified market competition as rival brands scrambled to respond. With the Spark 2, Positive Grid wants to reassert itself at the top of the tree. 

There is the small issue of satisfying a cluster of disgruntled Spark owners who have been hoping for a firmware update to the original amp to add features like the Looper to the amp’s arsenal. As things stand, it seems that is but a pipe dream. 

Its humble $299 starting price (with an early bird offering at $259) may help. Notably, that’s the same price as its predecessor, reiterating the firm’s commitment to affordability.  

Nuno Bettencourt, an early advocate of the amp, is set to feature during Positive Grid’s livestream premiere event on August 1. It will be hosted by Guitar World’s Paul Riario. 

“I’ve used a ton of practice amps while touring the world for over 38 years and it was always just a technical, bland exercise,” says Nuno Bettencourt. “Spark 2 is like taking Madison Square Garden wherever you go – epic and versatile.”

Head to Positive Grid to learn more.

Positive Grid has announced that the launch of the second generation of its popular Spark modeling amp is imminent, and will, after countless fan requests, feature a looper.

The amp received rave reviews upon its release in 2022 thanks in part to a sister app delivering more than 10,000 BIAS-FX-powered tones, but the lack of a built-in looper proved a sticking point for many players and would-be buyers.

In truth, the Spark was a game-changer for the home modeling amps game and helped promote Positive Grid from startup hopefuls to big-table players. A smart interface, oodles of tone-tweaking possibilities, and other innovative features put many of its rivals to shame.

Several iterations have since followed, from counterparts like the Spark Mini and Spark Go, through to its band-in-a-box offering, the Spark LIVE.

However, as is the curse of being a trailblazer, its innovations, and the passing of just a couple of years in what is a lightning-fast-paced market rife with competition, has seen other firms get their necks ahead of in the race, having reacted to the success of the Spark.

As such, filling its looper-shaped void is a shrewd move, and social media posts teasing such an appointment will likely be met with a mix of excitement and relief.

The fact that one of Positive Grid’s recent posts is simply a screenshot of the firm agreeing with a fan-generated Facebook comment that the Spark “would be perfect if it had a looper,” acknowledges that.

Indeed, the modeler space may be fiercely competitive, but even Neural DSP’s Quad Cortex launched sans-looper. Perhaps several firms misjudged how desirable they would be. Either way, it seems Positive Grid is making up for lost time.

Naturally, in 2024, several tech boffins figured out third-party solutions, with XSonic’s AIRSTEP Spark Loopy app augmenting Spark’s smartphone interface.

But an official looper is a step in the right direction, especially for those wary of getting involved with third-party apps.

Positive Grid has decided to launch the Spark 2 via a drip-feeding method that unveils one new feature at a time.

The looper reveal feels like the perfect place to start.

An inspection of a video teaser shows a record/dub button as a new arrival to the amp’s control panel. The app, either an update or a new app altogether, will include drum tracks and 'Groove Looper' and 'Creative Looper' modes.

The obvious, thus far unanswered question is: How long can it loop for? Considering the Fender Tone Master Pro has a 60-second looper, and Harley Benton's budget offering, the DNAfx GiT Advanced ($206), has an 80-second looper, clear benchmarks have been set.

“The evolution of the revolution is here,” reads the firm’s Instagram post. “Elevate your playing sessions with Spark 2’s all-new Groove Looper; Packed with 100s of hyper-realistic drum tracks to build your ultimate jam and unlock new musical possibilities.”

The layering options/capabilites of the looper also remain to be seen, but the announcement does hint that the feature will be a Spark 2 exclusive, dashing the hopes of Spark 1 owners who had prayed to the gear gods for a free firmware update.

Positive Grid has managed to lock in Nuno Bettencourt for the Spark 2’s full and grand unveiling, which will take place over a live stream event on August 1.

Until then, keep an eye on Positive Grid for updates. There is also a mailing list if readers want to ensure they’ll never miss an update.

We’re huge fans of Positive Grid here at Guitar Player, so we’re very happy to see discounts of up to 40% off on a selection of their smart amps this Prime Day. Already great value for money, these tempting deals are the perfect way to get your chops in tip-top shape with their smart practice tools and a fantastic selection of tones.

If you’re after more bargains on music gear, make sure to check out our Prime Day guitar deals page for all the latest and greatest savings on guitars, pedals, amps, and loads more. 

Currently topping our best desktop guitar amps, the Positive Grid Spark 40 impressed us massively with its quality of tone. There are loads of great sounds whether you want pristine cleans or filthy high gain. Add in a load of high-quality effects and you have the perfect palette for practicing your favorite songs or honing your own creative efforts.

The Positive Grid Spark Mini is also discounted, which does everything the Spark 40 does but at a much smaller scale. We’ve owned the Spark Mini for just shy of two years now and it’s fast become a regular part of our practice regimen. Whether we’re honing our knowledge of modes or creating fresh riffs and licks for our band, the Spark Mini offers a quick and easy way to great tone that won’t disturb the rest of the household.

If you’re struggling for gift ideas this Father’s Day then Positive Grid has a sale that will whet the appetite of all the guitar-playing dads out there. Up to 40% off a range of their smart amps, software, and audio interfaces are sure to be a hit when the big day arrives, and certainly get our vote as one of the best places to shop for a Father’s Day gift.

With the big day set to arrive on June 16th, there isn’t all that much time to think of a gift for Father’s Day, and musicians can be notoriously picky about their gear. With money off the majority of PG’s excellent smart, desktop, and practice amps we’re sure any of the selections on offer will go down a storm this Father’s Day.

Being massive fans of Positive Grid here at Guitar Player, we had to check out the sale straight away to see what’s on offer and we’ve picked out our favorite savings for you. First up is the Spark 40, which has got a massive $45 discount. Not only that but you can also grab yourself the Spark Travel Bag completely free, normally retailing at $60. The Spark 40 may be the oldest of the Spark lineup but it’s undoubtedly still a brilliant option if your dad needs a new practice amp, with a huge range of sounds and plenty of volume.

On the other end of the scale, the Spark Cab has got a cheeky 5% discount. It’s only $15 but to us, that’s great value for a product that was only recently released. If your dad already has a Spark amp then it’s a great way to help them expand their sound, as the Spark Cab integrates seamlessly with any of PG’s smart amps helping to increase the sound quality and volume dramatically.

Finally, we had to shout out our personal favorite in the Spark Mini. Having sat on our desktop for the last couple of years now, our Spark Mini receives almost daily use, and for us strikes the perfect balance between compact practice amp with enough volume and low end to ensure great quality and full tonality. It’s got a tasty 10% discount at the moment, taking the price down to the $207 mark which is the cheapest we’ve seen it in a while. 

Black Friday is just under a month away yet we’ve already got our first major sale launched with Positive Grid offering massive savings on Spark amps and 60% off a huge range of BIAS modeling software. We’re expecting the Black Friday guitar deals to start ramping up as the month goes on, and this is a great way to get started with money off some of the best desktop guitar amps and amp modeling software around.

Our favorite smart amp also has a lovely discount with $40 off the Spark Mini, which delivers a powerful tone in a tiny, desktop-friendly package and got itself a rare five stars out of five in our review. I have one on my desk right now and I use it pretty much daily to hash out ideas, practice licks, or just take a break from coming up with catchy headlines.

There’s plenty more on offer too and we spied the Positive Grid Riff audio interface well below the $100 mark at just $69, which is an incredible price for a full-featured recording solution designed specifically for guitarists. In our review we praised for its no-nonsense approach to recording, giving it a healthy four and a half stars out of five.

If you already own a Spark smart amp, there are some excellent discounts on accessories available. We saw the SPark Traveler Bag is half price at just $30, which is incredible value for money. If you have a Spark Mini, you can spruce it up with the super cool-looking crimson grille, reduced by a massive $30 to bring it down to just $20.

There are some phenomenal software deals as well if you’re looking to upgrade your recording rig. There’s a massive $270 off BIAS Essential and an even bigger $480 reduction on the BIAS Platinum edition which features the entire software which features the entire software collection. Recently upgraded with all-new impulse responses, PG’s BIAS is firmly back at the forefront of amp modeling with its phenomenal sound and extensive feature set. 

It’s well known that Amazon isn’t the best place for guitarists to shop, and while the latest Amazon Prime Big Deals Day might be great for deals on a pair of AirPods, there’s not much for guitarists.  Not all is lost if you’re looking for a good deal though, as Positive Grid is offering up some excellent discounts with up to 20% off their smart amps, Riff audio interface, and some select accessories.

The sale isn’t huge, but we’ve saved you some time by picking out the best deals below. We’ve also done some quick calculations for you too, so you can see what the actual reduction is in case rather than a percentage amount. If you’re shopping from the UK or EU you can still grab a great deal, but just note some of the reductions may differ from what we’ve stated here.

If you do want to wait for Black Friday, we’d recommend checking out our Black Friday guitar deals hub for all the biggest savings before the Cyber Weekend arrives. We’ll be regularly updating it, so it’s worth bookmarking the page and checking back, as we’ll have the scoop on all the early Black Friday deals and the best offers from the weekend itself. 

Giving the gift of great tone just got a lot easier thanks to these amazing Father’s Day deals from Positive Grid. With money off and free gifts when you buy Spark amps and BIAS software, it’s a great way to show your love for Dad on June 18th, or just treat yourself to some shiny new gear.

• Shop all of this year's best Memorial Day guitar deals

The amazing Spark 40 has got a nice £30/£40 discount, but you’ll also get a traveler bag totally free when you use the FREEGIFT coupon, making it superb value for money. Spark Mini also has a discount of $20/$30 off the regular price and you get the alternative Crimson Grille for a fresh look, again totally free. If you’re in the market for a mini amp, then you’ll be pleased to see the highly anticipated Spark GO has a pre-order discount of $/£20 for a limited time only. 

We love Positive Grid’s Spark practice amps here at Guitar Player, and we gave the Spark 40 a healthy four and a half stars out of five when we reviewed it. The Spark Mini took home even greater plaudits, landing a full five stars out of five, one of our favorite desktop guitar amps without a doubt.

It’s not just amps that have deals on either, you can also get a nice $10/£20 off the Positive Grid Spark Control footswitch, which works with the Spark 40 to give you hands-free control over your presets. Sturdily made yet slim enough to fit snugly into any setup, it’s the perfect gift for someone who already has a Spark amp in their rig.

These offers are only available until June 18th, so if you want to grab one in time for Father’s Day you better move quickly!

Positive Grid’s Spark smart amp impressed me when I reviewed it in 2020, with its 40 watts of power, Bluetooth audio streaming, a huge library of amp and effect tones powered by the company’s BIAS tone engine, Auto Chords to analyze songs and display chords, and a virtual band for jamming on your own.

The gear maker downsized Spark’s hardware last year when it introduced Spark MINI (reviewed September 2022), while adding new features like Smart Jam Live, which analyzes your playing and automatically generates bass and drum backing.

Now comes Spark GO, a pleasingly loud and toneful pint-sized version you can toss in a tote bag or dangle from its wrist strap. And it packs nearly all the features of its big siblings via the free Spark App.

Like everything in Spark world, Spark GO is stylish and covetable. It’s about the size of a point-and-shoot camera, with both a side-mounted strap peg and a top-mounted volume knob to complete the similarity. The textured rubber sleeve encasing it looks and feels pleasing, and the gold hardware looks smart. Rounded edges, plus recessed controls for preset selection, volume and power, add to the sleek profile, and the knurled volume knob that rings the ¼-inch instrument input is large and grippy.

Soft detents in the control add a nice tactile feel, and I like how they make volume changes incremental, although some may prefer a potentiometer with a traditional smooth travel. In addition to the volume knob, the top-mounted control set includes a preset selection button with four red LEDs to indicate which preset (Rhythm, Lead, Solo and Custom) is active, a pair of -/+ volume controls to adjust the level of music streamed from the Spark App or Bluetooth devices, and a 1 /8-inch stereo headphone jack.

The power switch is mounted on the side adjacent to the volume control, next to a recessed input for the USB-C cable for charging and recording – yes, GO is also a 1x2 USB interface. The back of the body has several rubber concentric bevels molded into it, so you can lay the amp flat, with the speaker pointing up for omnidirectional sound, and have some isolation to prevent resonance from the table top. GO comes mounted with a black-and-tan hardshell grill, and an all-black woven grille is included in the box, should you prefer that look. It also comes with red and black straps, so you can accessorize accordingly.

While Spark GO has 33 amp models and 43 effects onboard, thousands more are available for download. Like all Spark amps, GO relies on the Spark App to get the most out of it, including tone tweaking, and preset management and downloading. In addition, you get Smart Jam, Quick Jam (featuring editable pre-made tracks with drum and bass accompaniment), Auto Chords, and video capture and sharing.

Spark App connected instantly with GO on my iPhone and I was up and running. (I had connection issues with my Pixel 6, but Positive Grid has had no similar reports, so this was probably down to my preproduction test unit.)

GO sounds satisfyingly loud, present and detailed for its size, and being able to have all of Spark’s features with you in such a compact travel-sized amp is pretty awesome. I could even see taking the GO and a pair of headphones with me on a guitar shopping trip for some privacy and detailed product auditioning.

A few app features – like EQ Scenario, which has optimized preset curves for various music styles – weren’t active at the time of review. In addition, because the hardware volume knob is an endless encoder, GO by default makes a not-so-quiet muted guitar “chuck” sound to let you know when you hit its maximum. You can turn this off in the app, which also has a handy volume level indicator.

Spark GO’s compact form is a huge part of what makes it both fun and a boon for creativity and music making. Throw GO in your backpack or jacket pocket, or let it hang from your wrist or guitar strap, and you’ll have all the inspiring tones, jamming features and more you desire or require. You’ll undoubtedly play more often as result, as I did, and that’s ultimately what great gear is all about.

Specifications

• OUTPUT: 5 watts
• SPEAKERS: 2” custom design passive radiator
• CONTROLS: Four programmable preset selector, guitar channel volume, music channel volume, power/Bluetooth pairing button
• I/O: 1/4” guitar Input, 1/8” stereo headphone/ line output
• ONBOARD EFFECTS: 33 amp models, 43 effects
• WIRELESS: Bluetooth 5.0 USB 1 in x 2 out audio interface, 16-bit/44.1 kHz
• DIMENSIONS: 4.92” x 3.34” x 1.77”
• WEIGHT: 0.76 lbs
• BUILT: China
• Preorder at Positive Grid

Visit Positive Grid for more information.

The original Positive Grid Spark revolutionized the practice amp game upon its release in 2019, giving guitarists an all-in-one device for practicing, as well as the ability to hone their guitar chops and record. A few years later, the incredibly well-received Spark Mini proved that the boffins at Positive Grid HQ could produce an even smaller amp without compromising on tone or features. 

Carrying on from where they left off with the Spark Mini comes Positive Grid's smallest amp to date – and dare we say, one of their most technologically impressive feats so far. The brand-new Positive Grid Spark GO is an ultra-portable mini amp for guitar and bass solution for players on the move, as well as a powerful and superb-sounding Bluetooth speaker.

Of course, as you'd expect, users of the Spark GO will gain access to all the clever features found on the bigger versions, from 10,000+ tones to the celebrated Auto Chords feature – which analyzes songs and displays chords in real-time – as well as Video Capture, which allows you to record high-quality video and audio, perfect for budding influencers.

5 things we love about the Positive Grid Spark GO

We were lucky enough to be sent a pre-production model to check out. So, naturally, we put this petite amp through its paces, and here are five things that stood out to us about Positive Grid's latest addition to the growing Spark family. 

1. It's a fantastic guitar and bass amp

First and foremost, the new Spark GO is a dedicated guitar and bass amplifier, and we're happy to report that it performs brilliantly with both instruments. It's hard to believe just how full and clear this little amp sounds. After five minutes of noodling, you quickly forget you're playing through a device that's not much bigger than the phone running the app.

As we alluded to at the beginning of this piece, at the heart of this itty-bitty amp is the Spark app, which runs the whole show. Like its older siblings, the Spark GO benefits from the vast array of amp models and effects available from the free app while also giving users the ability to improve as a guitarist with visionary learning and jamming features. 

2. The Spark GO is insanely portable 

Now, obviously, the big draw of the new Spark GO is just how portable it is. Weighing in at less than a pound, you'll have no trouble taking this dinky amp anywhere with you. So whether it's a desktop companion for the office, something to keep you entertained on a camping trip, or as a hotel room jam buddy, the Spark Go will happily accompany you, and all without taking up too much space. 

Better yet, the 8 hours of battery life – at half volume – is more than enough for most situations and it's easily charged via the included USB cable. The amp also comes with a handy wrist strap so you can carry it around with ease. 

3. It's extremely robust and well-designed

Okay, that brings us to the design of Positive Grid's new unit. Now, the Spark line has always had a classy, sleek design that perfectly harkens back to the classic amps that came before while moving forward with modern features. The gold and black aesthetic of the original Spark certainly put us in mind of a rather legendary British amp maker, while its shape and control layout was something modern and exciting. 

Luckily, Positive Grid has continued that trend with the Spark GO, with it reminding us of a shrunken-down retro radio and a modern Bluetooth speaker combined. That said, fans for a more contemporary look will be pleased to know that the Spark Go ships with an alternative black hardshell grille, which is easily installed, transforming the product's look. 

Overall, the unit feels incredibly robust and well put together. The rubber exterior feels hardwearing, and we imagine it will stand up pretty well to the harsh conditions of a muddy camping trip with the family.

4. It's a stellar Bluetooth speaker in its own right

Now while all the other amps in the Spark line come with Bluetooth technology, the Spark GO seems like the only one that you would actually use as a stand-alone Bluetooth speaker. 

As previously mentioned, this pint-size amp is just so easy to pick up and move around, meaning we found ourselves using it as our main music delivery device throughout the day. 

It accompanied us in our home office while we worked, to the kitchen while we cooked dinner, to chilling on the sofa listening to our favorite albums. Don't get us wrong, you could do this with the Spark Mini, but it's just not as convenient when compared to the Spark GO. 

Now, obviously, the larger amps in the catalog do deliver a deeper, richer sonic experience. Still, you shouldn't write off the GO completely. Thanks to its small passive radiator located on the back of the unit, this miniature Spark produces an impressive amount of low-end thump – especially if you lay the device on its side. 

5. It's a must-have for existing Spark owners 

As existing Spark owners – Pearl Spark Mini – we actually believe this is a must-have device for current Spark enthusiasts as well as new ones. For us, the ability to take the carefully curated guitar tones we've been using with the larger amp anywhere we please and in a tiny format that won't take up any space in a bag is especially exciting. 

Here's hoping Positive Grid offers the level of customization found on the Spark 40 and Spark Mini models, as we'd love to be able to purchase a personalized front for this beautifully petite amplifier. 

Positive Grid Spark GO Specifications

• Wattage: 5W
• Controls: Preset, Music Volume, Input Volume
• Battery Life: 8 Hours
• Accessories: Carry Strap, alternate hardshell grill
• Pre-order at Positive Grid (save $40)

High tech guitar gear innovators Positive Grid are renowned for their groundbreaking Spark smart guitar amps and Bluetooth speakers, BIAS guitar processing amps and effects software/apps, and RIFF guitar audio interface and software.

Now, the firm has unveiled its newest addition to the Spark family – the ultra-portable Spark GO practice amp.

Bringing “jaw-dropping sound and versatile guitar tone to everyone,” this (rechargeable) battery-powered smart electric guitar/bass amp and Bluetooth speaker unit allows players to practice and jam almost anywhere.

“Stream your favorite music, learn a new guitar song, warm up for your gig,” says Positive Grid’s Laura B. Whitmore. “The portable Spark GO is a powerhouse in every sense of the word and a great all round amp and companion.

“You’ll be shocked at its solid build and big sound. Use it anywhere to enjoy more guitar moments; it’ll inspire you to play every day!”

With intuitive, easy-to-use controls, the Spark GO provides a diverse range of guitar tones as well as AI-powered practice tools.

Packed with 33 amp models along with 43 effects and pedals, users can customize their tone and save the sounds using onboard presets.

Rated at 5 watts, the Spark GO’s “room-filling” sound belies its diminutive form. Boasting computational audio, a passive radiator and anti-vibration technology, its full, detailed voice has been compared to significantly larger amps.

Line out connectivity allows for extended audio options while a headphones jack provides a more private, fully immersive listening experience if desired.

Going hand-in-hand with Positive Grid’s award-winning Spark app, the GO can be used in a variety of ways to promote creativity and learning, whether finding inspiration from extensive tone/gear libraries, sharpening up your playing skills using AI, or making performance videos.

Here’s a quick rundown of what it can do for you…

• ToneCloud: Instant access to 50,000 plus guitar tones on Positive Grid’s online community
• Auto Chords: AI-powered technology analyses millions of songs and displays the chords in real time
• Smart Jam: Uses AI to learn your tone and style, then generates a rhythm section/backing track to play along with
• Video capture: Record yourself in high-quality using Spark app (then post to socials)
• Audio interface: Utilize Spark Go to record using a computer

With an MSRP of $149, Spark GO will be available for pre-order from late March at a special price of $109. Visit Positive Grid for more information.

Positive Grid’s intuitive BIAS FX 2 amplifier/effects modeling software provides customizable electric guitar and bass rigs for your computer or mobile device.

From classic to modern amps and stompboxes, the processor can be used as a plug-in or standalone app for practicing, jamming, writing and recording.

BIAS FX 2 already boasts a huge range of tone sculpting options. Now, Positive Grid has expanded the possibilities even further with a new collection of virtual amps and effects called OMNYSS.

OMNYSS is compatible with Mac, PC and iOS, and can be used with any major DAW. 

Powered by BIAS FX 2, OMNYSS comes with BIAS FX 2 LE and is currently available for USD $99 (Mac/PC) and $19.99 (iOS.) 

Existing BIAS FX 2 users can simply add OMNYSS to their amps and effects library. 

Driven by an all-new DSP engine and promising “massive tonal exploration” the new OMNYSS line-up comprises three guitar amplifiers and six effects.

Created with artists, producers and cinematic composers in mind, OMNYSS aims to provide guitar players with a broad scope of creative possibilities from subtle tone coloration to dramatic, otherworldly soundscapes.

Each of the three new amplifiers – Etheria, Aggralith and Viscerus – is paired with a signature ‘blackbox’ synth effect, adding depth and complexity to the sound.

Here’s a quick look at each amp and effects unit, along with a brief description from Positive Grid…

Amps

Effects

• ZGate: Engage ZGate to subtly eliminate unwanted noise, or clamp it down for razor-precision. 
• Cypher Drive: Unlock massive overdrive and carve precision boost tones with six defined attack modes.
• Cerberus: From complex stereo harmonies to snarling sub-octaves, Cerberus is a polyphonic octave beast. 
• Dark Matter: Adapts to every range and performance nuance, delivering natural compression and exceptional clarity. 
• Nebula: The rules of space and time are rewritten. Layer synths, modulation and reverb to expand the sonic universe.
• Space Piercer: Explore lush studio-quality digital delays and crystalline landscapes. Glitched out or shimmery smooth. 

Visit Positive Grid for more information.

We'd go as far as to say Positive Grid is the current champion of the very competitive practice amp space, and it looks like 300,000 guitarists agree with us. The smart amp innovators have just hit a massive milestone with the original Spark 40 and its new tiny version, the Spark Mini, reaching 300,000 players worldwide! To celebrate this outstanding achievement, Positive Grid has slashed the prices on all their amplifiers, bundles and software – but you'll need to be quick if you want to take advantage of these deals as they are only available for a very limited time. 

Some players may be surprised by this news, but not us. Positive Grid has continued to push the boundaries of what is possible with an affordable practice combo, and frankly, it's easy to see why this clever little practice companion has become so popular.

This sales event covers most of Positive Grid's range, with money off stand-alone amplifiers, bundles with accessories and headphones, and even their mega-popular Bias Amp 2 software, so we highly recommend having a look for yourself to see what is available.

To give you a taste of what you can expect, the original recipe Spark and Control footswitch is available with an extra $40 off – as well as a free bag – with the code CONTROL40. If software is more your thing, then you may want to take advantage of the 40% reduction of the ever-popular Bias Amp 2. 

At the heart of the Spark 40 and Mini is the excellent Bias Tone Engine which serves up an array of tones from shimmering clean to crushing high-gain, harmonically rich blues and warm, mellow jazz - as well as a myriad of studio-quality effects including reverb, delay, chorus and tremolo to name a few.

Of course, with an amp as technologically advanced as this, you'd expect more, and boy, does the Spark deliver. Innovative features like Auto Chords - which figures out the chords from your music library or streamed songs - and Smart Jam, which listens to the notes you're playing and creates a backing track in a style of your choice, mean this amp will revolutionize your entire practice routine. 

If you want to know more, you can check out our glowing 5-star Positive Grid Spark review and Positive Grid Spark Mini review to see exactly what we thought of them. 

Discover more great gear with our buyer's guides 

• Plug in with one of the best guitar cables
• Need a guitar on a budget? Here's our list of the best electrics under $1000
• Want an affordable amp? Well, here are the best guitar amps under $1,000
• Get the best of both worlds with the best acoustic electric guitars

The inventive minds at Positive Grid have been busy dreaming up new gadgets to make guitarists’ lives productive, fun, and filled with great tone. Last month I looked at the company’s new RIFF guitar audio interface and app. This issue, I’m checking out the new Spark Mini practice amp and Bluetooth speaker.

It’s a more compact version of the desktop Spark smart guitar amp and app I reviewed in our July 2020 issue, but don’t be fooled by its size – it packs all the same features into a handsome cube measuring a mere 5.76 x 4.84 x 6.49 inches and weighing just over three pounds.

In a nutshell, Spark Mini is a 10-watt stereo mini amp with 33 amp models and 43 useful guitar effects (including delay, reverb, modulation, compressor, noise gate, and much more) powered by Positive Grid’s BIAS tone engine. No doubt you did a double-take at the term “stereo combo.” Remarkably, Spark MINI delivers nearfield stereo sound from a pair of two-inch speakers angled eight degrees from one other.

On the bottom, a passive radiator pumps out omnidirectional bass. The cabinet sits on four feet with three contact points each that help decouple the speaker from whatever surface it’s on. The result is a surprising amount of punchy and well-defined bass from the compact cabinet – I could feel it pumping on my desktop even at medium volume levels.

Overall, Spark Mini has a full-range sound with a pleasingly wide soundstage. Like its big Spark sibling, it has an auxiliary input for connecting external audio devices and Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio. There’s also a USB-C connector that allows Spark Mini to work as a simple 1x2 audio interface for recording at a CD-quality 16-bit/44.1kHz.

The main performance controls are on the amp’s top, set in a glossy black panel with gold lettering. Here you’ll find the 1/4-inch guitar input, individual volume controls for the guitar signal and external music, and a knob for selecting from the four guitar presets: Custom, Solo, Lead, and Rhythm. Around back are a stereo line out, a stereo aux in, and the USB connection that connects Spark Mini to your computer for recording and doubles as the charging input.

There’s also a pair button for connecting with Bluetooth devices, including handheld devices running the Spark app (more on this below). Press the button once to engage pairing, or hold it to put the amp in Tuner mode. Finally there’s the power button. Spark Mini reaches full charge in three hours to deliver up to eight hours of use with the volume set halfway or lower (play time decreases at higher volumes).

Like its big brother, Spark Mini is a handsome combo in a glass-fiber cabinet covered with Tolex and sporting a black-and-brown woven grille. (The amp is also available in Pearl with a white grille.) Build quality is excellent, and the unit feels solid and tough. I had no qualms about carrying it from room to room – there’s a handy leather strap attached for just that purpose – or tucking it into a backpack when traveling.

So, you may be wondering, how does Spark Mini do so much with just a handful of controls? The answer is the free Spark app, which gives you a full set of virtual controls to fine-tune your tone, dial in presets and effects, and gain access to new presets from the online ToneCloud community.

The app also gives Spark Mini all the features that come with Spark, including the Auto Chords learning tool that analyzes songs and displays chords in real time, and Video Capture, which lets you record high-quality video and audio.

There’s something new here as well. The original Spark included a Smart Jam feature that automatically generates bass and drum backing to your playing. The new Smart Jam Live adds a virtual drummer that analyzes your playing and changes in complexity and intensity, in real time, making the jam feature even more useful for practice and songwriting. The short story here is that Spark Mini sounds excellent and is a whole lot of fun to use.

The BIAS-powered amp models and effects provide unlimited tone tweaking, and the fact that the amp is portable and battery-powered makes it a great companion for travel and performance.

I took my test unit on a weekend getaway, along with my Fender Jazzmaster, an Arturia KeyStep Pro MIDI controller, and my laptop, and had a productive time writing, jamming, and recording using the Spark Mini as both my speaker and audio interface. Think of it as a Swiss Army knife for guitarists on the go.

In the weeks since I received Spark Mini, I’ve also plugged synthesizers and electric pianos into it, and used it to stream music from my laptop. Whatever the situation and source material, it’s consistently wowed me with its full sound and deep set of audio features. For being small, versatile, and delivering loads of great tones and musical joy, Spark Mini gets our Editors’ Pick award.

Specifications

CONTACT: positivegrid.com
PRICE: $229. Check website for current specials
OUTPUT: 10 watts
SPEAKERS: 2” custom design (x2), passive radiator
CONTROLS: Four programmable preset selector, guitar channel volume, music channel volume, power button, pair/tuner button
I/O: 1/4” guitar Input, 1/8” aux input, 1/8” headphone/line output. USB-C
ONBOARD EFFECTS: 33 amp models, 43 effects
WIRELESS: Bluetooth 5.0
USB: 1 in x 2 out audio interface, 16-bit/44.1kHz
DIMENSIONS: 5.76” x 4.84” x 6.49”
WEIGHT: 3.3 lbs
BUILT: China

Positive Grid earned a ton of well-deserved attention in 2020 with Spark, its groundbreaking guitar practice amp and app. The compact, 40-watt combo not only delivers a range of great amp emulations and effects powered by Positive Grid’s BIAS Tone engine but also helps players practice, jam, and learn with a variety of applications and features.

Now the company brings its trailblazing innovations to RIFF, a compact and portable USB guitar audio interface for computers and mobile devices that’s optimized for electric, acoustic, and bass guitars. 

To that end, RIFF features high-resolution audio (24-bit/96kHz) and a Tone mode with three preamp and overdrive emulations that let you add warmth, analog boost, or cranked-up midrange-enhanced overdrive. But what makes RIFF especially great for guitarists is how it integrates with Positive Grid’s BIAS FX 2 amp and effects software, giving you thousands of tonal options, along with customizable functions from RIFF’s large central control knob. 

Should you not own BIAS, you’ll be glad to take advantage of the free BIAS FX 2 LE software included with RIFF. The device also comes with PreSonus Studio One Prime recording software and USB cables for interfacing with computers and iOS devices. There’s a lot going on under the hood here, so let’s jump in.

As audio interfaces go, RIFF is among the most compact I’ve seen. The sleek metal box was small enough to sit unobtrusively on my crowded studio desktop and be neatly stowed away in my laptop bag when I went traveling on weekends. 

My model had a sleek black exterior, but RIFF is also available in striking red, green, and blue finishes. Connections include (on the lower end panel) a 1/4-inch mono instrument input and a 1/8-inch stereo headphone jack for monitoring your guitar and DAW signals; and (on the top end panel) a 1/4-inch stereo line output for mixers and monitors (same signal as the headphone jack), and the USB connection for computers and devices. 

Hook RIFF up to your computer, and its bright, easy-to-read screen lights up above the large knurled control knob. Pressing down the control knob lets you select from four modes shown on the screen: Input (volume), Output (volume), Direct (for zero-latency tracking), and Tone. 

Once you’ve selected a mode, spin the control to dial in input, output, and direct volume levels, and choose from the Tone mode’s four preamp and overdrive settings: off, Modern (mild compression), Transparent (slight low and high boost), and Old School Fat (chunky midrange boost). 

Below the screen are three useful LED indicators: clip (red), which shows when your signal is too hot; direct (blue), to remind you that the Direct mode volume is set to something other than zero; and Tone (amber), to indicate that one of the three preamp settings is active.

On its own, RIFF is a terrific audio interface, thanks to its onboard Tone presets and impressive 24-bit/96kHz resolution, not to mention a 113dB dynamic range.

Recording with it is a breeze. Connect it to your computer, fire up your DAW and select RIFF as the input and output device in your preferences. Set your input and output levels, use Direct mode for zero latency, and off you go. 

Once you’ve created a new track, launch the BIAS plug-in and start designing your tone from a wide variety of amp and effects emulations, or use the software’s Guitar Match, which uncannily lets your guitar sound like pretty much any other model you can think of. In my case, my late ’60s Gibson ES-335 was treated to a hyperrealistic emulation of an early ’60s Fender Strat. But it’s when using BIAS FX 2 in standalone mode that RIFF really shows its stuff. 

When launched, the BIAS FX 2 application will lead you through the automatic gain setup, a handy feature that optimizes performance based on your guitar’s pickups.

While I sometimes had to tweak this manually to get it just right, the software did a good job of getting me in the zone. In addition to Guitar Match, BIAS FX 2 includes Authentic Tone, which delivers detailed amp and effects emulations and lets you build custom pedalboards, as well as ToneCloud, an impressive online library of some 50,000-plus guitar tones. 

For practice and learning, the Music Page feature lets you browse and search tracks to play along with, and learn songs via BIAS’s Auto Chords function, which displays chords in real time and at the tempo of your choice. 

Given all on offer here, RIFF’s single control knob works surprisingly well for navigating BIAS FX 2, and it can be customized to your preferences. Simply hold it down for two seconds and assign any of the following functions: Preset Selection, Signal Chain Activation, Metronome, Preset Scene, and Preset BPM Control.

As a recording tool, RIFF is a no-nonsense, easy-to-use interface that should be a welcome addition to any guitarist’s DAW setup. You say you already have an audio interface? Of course you do, but RIFF is optimized for electric, acoustic, and bass guitars, and provides fast and intuitive access to great guitar tones. For that alone, I think it’s a must-have. 

Add in seamless integration with BIAS FX 2 (as well as the free LE version), and RIFF becomes a powerful tool for practicing, songwriting, learning, and recording. Beyond the tonal control on offer, the RIFF/BIAS combo will streamline your workflow, just as it did for me. For flawless audio, powerful tone, and sheer ingenuity, RIFF receives our Editors’ Pick Award. 

Specifications

CONTACT: positivegrid.com
PRICE: $99 direct
INTERFACE: Central control knob (rotate, push), display, and indicators for clip, direct, and tone
I/O: 1/4” mono instrument input, 1/8” stereo headphone output, 1/4” stereo line output, micro USB
EXTRAS: BIAS FX 2 LE software, PreSonus Studio One Prime software, micro-USB to USB-A computer cable, micro-USB to Lightning iOS cable
DIMENSIONS: 0.85” x 2.16” x 3.47”
COMPATIBILITY: Windows 8 or later/macOS 10.11 or later/iOS 11 or later
BUILT: China

Launched back in 2019, the original Positive Grid Spark smart guitar amp was an absolute phenomenon when it first landed. If you were in the market for an intelligent practice amp the Spark delivered a huge range of feature that made home practice easy, great sounding and fun! The release of the new Spark Mini sees Positive Grid shaking up the amp world once again. While the pre-order window for the Mini is closing, you can still take advantage of some new early-adopter deals, including a saving of $50 when you purchase the Spark Mini and Spark Control wireless footswitch together. Positive Grid will even throw in an extra crimson grille that's usually worth $50.

While this new version of the celebrated Spark is a considerable downsize on the OG unit, it still boasts all of the features you’ve come to expect from Positive Grid – albeit with a simplified control layout, with only Preset, Guitar and Music knobs remaining on the physical amp. The much-loved Auto Chords feature – which analyzes songs and displays chords in real-time – is still accessible via the Spark app, as well as Video Capture, which allows you to record high-quality video and audio, perfect for budding YouTubers.

Powered by their award-winning Bias tone engine, you’ll never run out of sounds or inspiration, with over 10,000+ tones available, ranging from realistic amp models to perfect recreations of classic effects pedals. 

Now, if you fancy taking advantage of this early offer, you’ll want to be quick. As of writing this, 53900 people have currently signed up for pre-order notification, with 152 sold just minutes after the site went live. The 'super early bird' offer appears to have sold out already, which saw $50 off the purchase price. If you don't want the Spark Control pedal, you can still save $30 off the Spark Mini amp (complete with custom grille), dropping the price from $229 down to $199.

Positive Grid is also currently offering up to 50% off its award-winning BIAS software, including the Jimi Hendrix package. 

We anticipate the offers to evolve as specific deals sell out over the coming days, so be sure to check the Positive Grid site for up-to-date information on pricing.  

Positive Grid have cut the price on their new Spark Mini portable smart practice amp and Bluetooth speaker in this special introductory offer.

While stock lasts, you can now order Positive Grid’s next generation device with up to $34 off. PLUS they’re throwing an alternate crimson grille into the bargain normally priced at $50 for FREE.

Designed with electric guitar, acoustic guitar and bass in mind, this diminutive unit is a powerhouse of sound that can be used by musicians of all levels for recording, practicing, jamming and more – whether at home, in the studio or simply on the go.

Available in a choice of either Black or Pearl textured vinyl covering, Positive Grid's new portable smart amp – the Spark Mini – boasts an incredible array of features designed for guitarists of all levels.

USB charging provides up to eight hours of usage (on mid volume or lower) and while measuring only 146.5 x 123 x 165 mm this compact music-making tool can be taken virtually anywhere.

Featuring stereo and mono operation, the Spark Mini boasts a 10-watt Class D power amplifier and a maximum sound pressure level of 90dB at one meter – often more than enough to warrant the use of headphones!

Alternatively, the 1/8” headphone jack can be used as a line output, while utilizing the unit as a USB audio interface provides very reasonable, CD-quality sample rate and bit depth (44.1kHz/16-bit.)

Visit Positive Grid for more information.

Practice amps have come a long way from the low-tech combos of yore. Digital modeling and effects, built-in tuners and even rhythm patterns have become customary on modern examples, helping guitarists get great tone and assistance for woodshedding and songwriting. 

Positive Grid’s new Spark practice guitar amp and app take that idea to an entirely new level. Spark’s comprehensive features allow it to integrate fully into your musical life at home, from practice to recording to jamming and songwriting. 

Designed for electric, bass and acoustic guitar, Spark is a 40-watt desktop combo that offers modeled amps and effects from Positive Grid’s award-winning BIAS FX line. 

It can also play music in stereo via Bluetooth from streaming services or from external sources patched into its aux input and USB I/Os. And it can even serve as a two-in/two-out interface for your DAW. 

But what makes it a “smart” amp is the Spark app’s Auto Chord Recognition feature, which displays chords in real time for any song on your iOS or Android device. The app also has a virtual rhythm section you can jam with in a variety of genres, and its Smart Jam feature can learn and provide backing to any eight-measure chord progression you create.  

First and foremost, though, Spark is a desktop amp, and a tidy-looking one at that, dressed in supple black textured vinyl and sporting a classic-looking brown-and-tan grille cloth and removable leather handle. 

Weighing nearly 12 pounds and measuring roughly 14 by 7 by 7.5 inches, Spark looks and feels solid. Its top panel has controls for amp type, gain, bass, mid, treble and master volume. 

The effects section provides controls for modulation, delay and reverb, and there are individual knobs for your signal’s output volume and the volume of accompanying music from streaming or sources patched into the aux and USB connections. Look closer and you’ll find a tap/tuner button and a line of four LED-lit preset switches. 

In Play mode, the tap button sets the tempo for the delay effect, and the preset buttons let you save and recall your favorite settings. In Tuner mode it becomes a tuner, with the four LED switches indicating pitch. 

Finally, around back are a Bluetooth status indicator, 1/8-inch aux input for an analog device, USB port for connecting to a computer for recording and firmware updates, and the DC input for the supplied 19-volt adaptor. 

Don’t be fooled by its size. Spark has 40 watts of full-range sound from two custom-designed four-inch speakers, with a tuned bass-reflex port that allows it to produce deep and full bass as well as pure, crystalline highs. 

As an amp, it’s dead simple to use: Simply plug in, choose your amp type and dial in your preferred tone and effects. 

Spark has five types of modeled guitar amp - clean, glassy, crunch, hi-gain and metal - as well as one bass and one acoustic amp model onboard. The models all sound great, with the glassy setting delivering the softer, warmer and compressed tone you’d expect from a tube amp. 

The individual mod (chorus), delay and reverb controls make it easy to dial in effects, too. Connect to the app for iOS and Android, however, and things kick into high gear. The app comes preloaded with 30 additional presets styled after famous amps you know and love, and you can dial them in as you wish, add effects and more. 

The app is also your key to the Positive Grid ToneCloud, an ever-growing library of more than 10,000 amp-and-effects presets created by professional and famous guitarists, session players, studio engineers and producers. The options are seemingly endless, and the BIAS tone engine delivers them in stunning realism. 

Spark’s Auto Chord Recognition feature is also accessed through the app, which connects with platforms like YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music to analyze and display chords for songs in real time.

When you select a track to play, the app will either begin streaming the song and displaying chord blocks or, for songs it’s unfamiliar with, ask you to wait 15 seconds or so while it begins transcribing.

The app works seamlessly, with no time lag whatsoever. However, as automated chord detection is still in its infancy, I wasn’t expecting perfection. 

In my tests, Auto Chord Recognition was largely accurate, even on songs with lots of chord changes, but it seemed to be thrown by extended chords and busy bass lines. 

For example, while the Spark app had no trouble deciphering the sophisticated chords in Glen Campbell’s recording of Jimmy Webb’s “Wichita Lineman,” it simplified some of them, rendering major 7 chords as standard major triads, and frequently suggested passing chords that the song’s main guitar wasn’t playing. 

The results were similar with an easier song like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Don’t Do Me Like That,” and the app occasionally offered up different chords on later verses than it had suggested in the previous ones. 

Commendably, Auto Chord Recognition worked even with songs whose pitch falls between the cracks, and at this point in time I wouldn’t quibble too much about any shortcomings. The feature will train your ears to identify chords and help you learn virtually any song you throw at it. 

In addition, the app can slow the song and loop sections to help you practice your way through any difficult passages. Next up, I decided to try a little jamming. 

The Spark app currently provides prefab jams in four genres (pop, rock, funk and blues), offering thousands of different drum and bass combinations in typical song format, all while displaying chord blocks and letting you dial in bpm.

These are great for noodling and woodshedding, but if you’d like to make up your own jam or work on songwriting, the app’s Smart Jam feature will learn an eight-measure piece of music of your own creation and provide a virtual drummer and bassist to accompany you. 

Simply select a virtual drummer, each of which are designed to play a specific genre or style, and jam away. As of this writing, there was just one virtual drummer, and while it will keep you busy with hundreds of drum and bass patterns, more drummers are on the way. 

As mentioned above, the Spark amp is also a useful, if spartan, two-in/two-out recording interface and comes with PreSonus Studio One Prime recording software, should you currently be DAW-less.

Spark’s interface has a fixed sample rate of 48kHz, and while it won’t replace your existing digital audio interface, it makes it easy to get sounds from Spark into your DAW (or vice versa), and when combined with a laptop is a handy travel package for home recordists on the go. 

Clearly there’s a lot to take in here, but the bottom line is that Spark is a great-sounding, feature-packed desktop amp that does a lot of cool stuff extremely well. It’s not without its kinks.

If you have the volume on the amp presets at different levels, be prepared for an occasionally big jump in volume as you switch between them. In addition, the hi-gain setting can hiss like the real thing, but thankfully the Spark app provides a virtual Noise Gate to help you tame the noise.  

In the end, though, I found plenty to like about Spark, from its amp models and effects to the accompanying app and its versatility as a learning, jamming and recording tool. Spark looks and sounds great, and its Auto Chord Recognition and jamming features will undoubtedly make better players of us all. 

As a bonus, the Spark app responds to voice command, so you don’t have to lift a finger to request a song or backing track, or to call for the virtual band. I have little doubt Spark will light a fire under other manufacturers, and for all that, it earns our Editors’ Pick Award. Well done!

Specifications

• PRICE: $299  
• CHANNELS: 1  
• I/O: 1/4-inch input, 1/8-inch headphone, 1/8-inch aux input, USB 
• CONTROLS: Amp type, gain, bass, mid, treble, master, mod, delay, reverb, output volume, music volume, tap/tuner button, programmable preset buttons (x4) 
• POWER: 40 watts  
• EXTRAS: Spark app for iOS and Android, PreSonus Studio One Prime recording software 
• SPEAKERS: Two custom designed 4”  
• WEIGHT: 11.46 lbs
• BUILT: China
• CONTACT: Positive Grid