NAD: Positive Grid Spark

[Demanic]

That makes me think that it may record well.

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[St_Genesius]

I'm not SUPER impressed with the Spark as a bass amp, but it does the job okay. I loaded up some of the new bass jam-along tracks today and had some fun.

Fun is probably THE watchword for this thing. It's a fantastic musical toy. The sounds are all good enoguh and the extra features (and ease of accessing them) make it a real joy to use.

[St_Genesius]

I'm not sure I agree. Given that these are being sold direct and marketed online, it seems to me they're aiming primarily at an audience comfortable with the tech. You certainly CAN use it just with the knobs on top, but I'd be very surprised if that's how their customers actually end up using it.

I will say that once you open the app, finding and using the advanced features is SUPER simple.

I am guessing most people won't access half of what is available.

[St_Genesius]

Yeah, the Trio is a very good touchstone for the capabilities in the generated-accompaniment realm. That's pretty much exactly how good the Spark is at it. Nothing new, but still nice to have built in. I wouldn't mind a looper function, but for $225, this thing is already overflowing.

I think, as far as these types of amps go, I still like the sound of my Vox Adio more, but it was both a little more expensive and doesn't have most of the - actually cool and useful, imo - bells and whistles this thing does (plus a completely USELESS app) so on balance, I think this is probably the best home practice/noodling amp on the market.

Digitech also made a pedal that did the same thing. I wonder if thye bought the tech?

[Powdered Toast Man]

I was curious about this one. A student was raving about his, and it seems like you get a lot for your money. I am guessing most people won't access half of what is available. But I am happy amps like this exist. I think most people don't want giant amps all the time- they want something small that blends into the home decor that is easy to use and sounds great.

Giant amps ARE home decor

[Mincer]

I was curious about this one. A student was raving about his, and it seems like you get a lot for your money. I am guessing most people won't access half of what is available. But I am happy amps like this exist. I think most people don't want giant amps all the time- they want something small that blends into the home decor that is easy to use and sounds great.

[Top-L]

Its crazy what they are packing into these things now!

About ten years ago, there was a computer game/program called Rocksmith. It had an auto accompany program built in, which was pretty cool for the first few minutes. Digitech also made a pedal that did the same thing. I wonder if thye bought the tech?

[St_Genesius]

Have actually had it for nearly a week. A brief review of its many functions:

1) As a small electric guitar amp: pretty good, once you dial out the crazy amount of bass in most of the patches. I don't know why, but everything is voiced VERY darkly by default.

2) As an amp controlled by your phone: mostly works, though I've run into times where I need to un/reconnect to get the sound to change along with the app.

3) As a jam-along toy with premade backing tracks: great. The cabinet is very full range, so the backing tracks sound good. This also makes it a better than average Bluetooth speaker.

4) As a jam-along you with custom backing tracks: it mostly works.

5) As a learning tool: pretty impressive. I had it analyze some songs I already knew and while the results weren't spot-on, they'd be good enough to point you in the right direction. The capo thing is especially cool.

I still haven't tried it as a recording interface, or as a bass or acoustic guitar amp. I'll report back when do.