Spark: Chords, Backing Tracks

Name: Spark: Chords, Backing Tracks
Rating: 4.8 (22657 reviews)
Author: Positive Grid Inc

The Smartest Practice Amp

Free · In‑App Purchases

23K Ratings
Ages

16+
Years
Category

Music
Developer

Positive Grid Inc
Language

EN
+ 3 More
Size

584
MB

The smart amp and app that jam along with you using intelligent technology. Play and practice with millions of songs and access over 10,000 tones powered by our award-winning BIAS tone engine. *Auto Chords* Automatically display chords for millions of songs. Choose any song, and Spark will auto display its chords in real-time as you play. Easy controls let you slow down the song’s tempo or loop a difficult section as you master playing it. *Smart Jam* The Spark amp and app work together to learn your style and feel, and then generate authentic bass and drums to accompany you. It’s a smart virtual band that goes wherever you go! *Voice Command* The Spark app responds to your voice commands. Tell it to stream a rock song or a blues backing track, or ask for a virtual band to follow your playing. *Tone Engine* Whether you play pristine melodies, crunchy chords or soaring leads, Spark gives you a full amp modeling and multi-effects engine, powered by Positive Grid’s state-of-the-art BIAS with the most realistic virtual tube amps and effects on the planet. *Requires Spark Amp* *10,000+ Tones* The Spark app provides over 10,000 killer guitar and bass amp -and-FX presets from famous guitarists, professional session players, expert studio engineers and hit-making producers from around the world. If you have any questions or feedback, contact us via https://help.positivegrid.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

Ratings & Reviews

4.8

out of 5

23K Ratings

Good but problems - updated
08/01/2020

Capkirk94
After waiting several months I received my spark amp today. The various amp models work fine and sound better than I expected. The smart jam feature also works quite well. However, I am having a serious issue with the auto chord feature. I synched the app with my Apple Music account and downloaded several songs, however when I tried to play along, none of the songs would play. For most of the songs the app created a chord chart that was fairly accurate ( I downloaded several songs I know well to see how it wold do) but none of the songs would play so that I could play along. Since auto chord was a primary reason I purchased the amp, I am not pleased. I updated the firmware, turned the amp on an off and deleted and reinstalled the app on my iPad and my iPhone. I also made sure the amp was not connected to both the phone and iPad at the same time. Nothing worked. I have emailed positive grid and I hope there is a solution, but I didn’t find anything in my online searches. - UPDATE - positive grid responded to my email within a day informing me they had updated the app to correct the problem. The auto chord feature now works great. Loving the amp
Good but problems - updated
08/01/2020

Capkirk94

After waiting several months I received my spark amp today. The various amp models work fine and sound better than I expected. The smart jam feature also works quite well. However, I am having a serious issue with the auto chord feature. I synched the app with my Apple Music account and downloaded several songs, however when I tried to play along, none of the songs would play. For most of the songs the app created a chord chart that was fairly accurate ( I downloaded several songs I know well to see how it wold do) but none of the songs would play so that I could play along. Since auto chord was a primary reason I purchased the amp, I am not pleased. I updated the firmware, turned the amp on an off and deleted and reinstalled the app on my iPad and my iPhone. I also made sure the amp was not connected to both the phone and iPad at the same time. Nothing worked. I have emailed positive grid and I hope there is a solution, but I didn’t find anything in my online searches. - UPDATE - positive grid responded to my email within a day informing me they had updated the app to correct the problem. The auto chord feature now works great. Loving the amp
Avoid this amp like the plague
06/18/2021

Firebird59
If I could give this thing zero stars I would, but you have to give one star in order to post a review…so with that out of the way…where do I start with how useless this thing is…how about, some background. I’ve been playing guitar and have been in and out of bands and recording studios for the past forty years…So with that said…First, l’ll start this review by pointing out how overwhelmingly muddy and bass heavy the amp itself is, and that’s with plugging the bass port. Additionally, trying to use the bass controls (in the apps amps) to tame the bass is useless as well. Also, the treble controls either add harshness to the tone, or are useless. Plus, I tried a Strat, a Tele, a Les Paul, an ES335, a Firebird, an Explorer, a Gretch, and a Yamaha, and didn’t make a bit of difference in getting a passable tone. I also tried single coils, humbuckers, mini humbuckers, P90s, and soapbar pickups, and that didn’t help in dialing in a satisfactory tone. And trying to get a tone on the amp using the bridge, neck, or the two together was futile. Though, I will say this, if you play metal the Spark amp and app are passable. Look, I could go on, but I won’t, though I will offer this piece of advice…do yourself a favor and buy a Vox Valvetronix modeling amp, or a Yamaha THR series, or just buy Bias Amp 2, or Bias FX 2 and an iLoud, you’ll be better off. The only thing the Spark amp is good for is a door stop. Again, avoid this thing like the plague!

Developer Response
Hi, thank you for bringing this to our attention, could you please send us a support ticket here for the follow up ? https://help.positivegrid.com/hc/en-us/requests/new , thank youHi, thank you for bringing this to our attention, could you please send us a support ticket here for the follow up ? https://help.positivegrid.com/hc/en-us/requests/new , thank you
Avoid this amp like the plague
06/18/2021

Firebird59

If I could give this thing zero stars I would, but you have to give one star in order to post a review…so with that out of the way…where do I start with how useless this thing is…how about, some background. I’ve been playing guitar and have been in and out of bands and recording studios for the past forty years…So with that said…First, l’ll start this review by pointing out how overwhelmingly muddy and bass heavy the amp itself is, and that’s with plugging the bass port. Additionally, trying to use the bass controls (in the apps amps) to tame the bass is useless as well. Also, the treble controls either add harshness to the tone, or are useless. Plus, I tried a Strat, a Tele, a Les Paul, an ES335, a Firebird, an Explorer, a Gretch, and a Yamaha, and didn’t make a bit of difference in getting a passable tone. I also tried single coils, humbuckers, mini humbuckers, P90s, and soapbar pickups, and that didn’t help in dialing in a satisfactory tone. And trying to get a tone on the amp using the bridge, neck, or the two together was futile. Though, I will say this, if you play metal the Spark amp and app are passable. Look, I could go on, but I won’t, though I will offer this piece of advice…do yourself a favor and buy a Vox Valvetronix modeling amp, or a Yamaha THR series, or just buy Bias Amp 2, or Bias FX 2 and an iLoud, you’ll be better off. The only thing the Spark amp is good for is a door stop. Again, avoid this thing like the plague!
Developer Response 06/28/2021
Hi, thank you for bringing this to our attention, could you please send us a support ticket here for the follow up ? https://help.positivegrid.com/hc/en-us/requests/new , thank youHi, thank you for bringing this to our attention, could you please send us a support ticket here for the follow up ? https://help.positivegrid.com/hc/en-us/requests/new , thank you
Fantastic!
10/16/2020

GDGarch2005
I read the criticism regarding delays in orders. With great trepidation...I finally pulled the trigger and just settled in for a long wait. I placed the order on Sunday and received the amp on Thursday. Four days. I was shocked but pleasantly surprised. I figured the myriad reviews singing it’s praises were pure paid rubbish. I was skeptical, to say the least. After Plugging in and fiddling around with the straight amp, then trying out the presets...I was grinning ear to ear. Then I downloaded the app and an hour and a half disappeared in mere seconds. I had to force myself to stop and turn it off for the night. I was like a kid in the candy store running from one flavor to the next. It is simply outstanding. I don’t expect it to be my one and only amp. For its purpose of practicing, chasing tone, jamming to backing tracks and potentially using it to record to the computer...absolutely brilliant. I am completely and utterly in love with this feisty amp. The flexibility and control are fabulous. I don’t understand shipping the cover separately. Still no word on that item but at least it’s not the other way around.
Fantastic!
10/16/2020

GDGarch2005

I read the criticism regarding delays in orders. With great trepidation...I finally pulled the trigger and just settled in for a long wait. I placed the order on Sunday and received the amp on Thursday. Four days. I was shocked but pleasantly surprised. I figured the myriad reviews singing it’s praises were pure paid rubbish. I was skeptical, to say the least. After Plugging in and fiddling around with the straight amp, then trying out the presets...I was grinning ear to ear. Then I downloaded the app and an hour and a half disappeared in mere seconds. I had to force myself to stop and turn it off for the night. I was like a kid in the candy store running from one flavor to the next. It is simply outstanding. I don’t expect it to be my one and only amp. For its purpose of practicing, chasing tone, jamming to backing tracks and potentially using it to record to the computer...absolutely brilliant. I am completely and utterly in love with this feisty amp. The flexibility and control are fabulous. I don’t understand shipping the cover separately. Still no word on that item but at least it’s not the other way around.
Please make Mac/PC compatible
08/24/2023

Larmond2
The app is wonderful and I haven’t had a single problem with it since buying the amp. My only objection to the app however, is that it’s not available or compatible with Mac or PC. I understand that the name of the game with the phone compatibility is convenience. Maybe I’m speaking for other people here, but for me personally it would make a world of difference if the app was available to use on my laptop.The amp is very convenient for gigging since I can connect it easily to my PA system, but my setup is mostly ran through my Macbook. Connecting my amp to my phone instead of my laptop makes things a lot harder. I also practice a lot of solo transcription and use my laptop to download, listen to, slow, and rewind audio. If I wanna change my tone or something, I have to break my focus by taking out my phone. The bottom line here is that I mainly use my laptop when I practice, not my phone. It’s not the worst thing, but it would make the playing experience a thousand times smoother and enjoyable.I hope I’m speaking for others here and that I’m not the only one who’s had this want. I hope somebody important over at positive grid sees this review and considers doing this.
Please make Mac/PC compatible
08/24/2023

Larmond2

The app is wonderful and I haven’t had a single problem with it since buying the amp. My only objection to the app however, is that it’s not available or compatible with Mac or PC. I understand that the name of the game with the phone compatibility is convenience. Maybe I’m speaking for other people here, but for me personally it would make a world of difference if the app was available to use on my laptop.The amp is very convenient for gigging since I can connect it easily to my PA system, but my setup is mostly ran through my Macbook. Connecting my amp to my phone instead of my laptop makes things a lot harder. I also practice a lot of solo transcription and use my laptop to download, listen to, slow, and rewind audio. If I wanna change my tone or something, I have to break my focus by taking out my phone. The bottom line here is that I mainly use my laptop when I practice, not my phone. It’s not the worst thing, but it would make the playing experience a thousand times smoother and enjoyable.I hope I’m speaking for others here and that I’m not the only one who’s had this want. I hope somebody important over at positive grid sees this review and considers doing this.

We update the Spark app regularly to make sure things are running smoothly and to get you jamming more than ever before. New in this update: - Fixes crashing on iOS 15 - The app now correctly recognizes when log in token is expired, prompting you to log in - Minor bug fixes and performance improvements