I ordered one this morning & this video helped put my mind at ease that I made the right decision. For a moment there when you were playing to the blues backing track I thought I was listening to Robben Ford.
If only all gear demos were this good! Here we have a real person, not sponsored, who can actually play guitar really well, and who uses a variety of gear including non-snobby options like the Squier, and perhaps most importantly lets you hear what it sounds like in the room without any kind of recording interface BS. So thank you! And one question - the noise issue at higher volumes has been the only thing holding me back from this purchase, but some of the sound samples you kindly provided, especially the Strat with the plexi, sounded really loud and great. I can’t imagine needing more volume than that. Can you tell me how high you had the volume up for that and would it be fair to say that that was pretty loud in the room without experiencing any of the noise issues? Sorry for the long-winded message, but thanks again!
Glad you found the video helpful! The distortion issue only happens for me at the upper range, well beyond what I would use at home. I've only noticed it when trying to compete with other players who are playing through much louder amps. I also haven't seen any other users mention it, so it could just be mine...!
@@AndyWattGuitar It’s definitely not just yours - from everything I’ve read it’s pretty much the only strike against these amps. Thanks again for your response!
@@Hoodrio it's a fantastic piece of gear for practicing. There is no better, I have both the spark mini and the katana go and the spark is so much more fun - with song tutorials and backing tracks its just perfect. The only thing missing is that dynamics are not realistic like on a tube. Battery duration is great, it's super portable. I use it without cable, even more convenient
Finally someone mentioned recording latency. I bought it a few days ago and that's the first thing I noticed. The best solution (trick) I have found is to set the input latency offset in the DAW. I was able to do it in Reaper and the Cubase. For me 48 ms offset is perfect. If I want to record with Spark Mini (USB directly) I change this parameter in DAW and then everything works as it should. Sync between all recorded tracks, metronome or (VST drums) and live playing is perfect.
You got some decent sounds out of it. I beta tested the first Spark amp, and I use a Spark Go through headphones when I travel, but I haven’t found any realistic sounds yet. My Spark gear is a bit old, and It probably needs an update or 10. Thanks for the sounds, the playing, and the video.😁👍
Sounds great , i have an blackstar fly 3 for about 4-5 years now , its maybe not as good sounding as the spark , but for practice its good enough for me , its crazy how good these little practise amps can sound .
Truly impressed by your videos. Knowing that my darling wife is buying the spark mini for this coming Christmas, I found your playing more fascinating than even the Spark Mini itself. I am a player that was in a band for roughly 20 years, and have experimented with it all, from Mesa power + preamp combo to Marshall combo to my favorite old school (OG hand wired) Budda. I’m much older now with a family and dying to get back to playing every day. Your style of, well everything goes it seems, tends to lean towards jazz/blues. This brings me to my question of lessons to streamline my style and expand on what I already know. I am curious if you give lessons to unlock that potential fluidity you so expertly display in a player like myself. I would love to unlock the things that I think may be lying under the (my) surface. Would like to explore what options you can offer…thanks in advance, MJK
Glad you enjoyed the video! Feel free to get in touch via my website andywattguitar.com/contact/ about lesson(s) - slots are a bit limited at the moment but I can let you know what comes up 😎👍🏻
I got the blackstar fly and it was more wasp vs fly in a jar when cranked.. Got shut of that pretty quickly ... I have a boss katana but that became largely redundant when I bought the spark mini.. The spark mini blows them both away in terms of versatility and portability due to it being a rechargeable battery operated unit...It can also be turned into a 140 watt powerhouse gigging amp if you buy the spark powered cab.
I disagree. The mini is more stable, the boss katana ever so often loses connection with a tablet and the sounds are just not better, many more on the spark and also a lot of unusable sounds. The saving options are also less practical on the boss. I like both, but the spark is more inspiring for sure
Hey there, i have a Problem with my sparks. When playing sustained low notes (e-string), there is a kind of a crackling sound after the played note. Anybody else having this issue?
Thank you for the video. For this video setup, how is mini mic'd up (or is it hooked up through USB)? I've been trying to judge volume of the spark mini over acoustic noise of playing an electric guitar when practicing. I'll probably just have to get one and return it if I don't like it. :) I like the way it sounds in this video but other videos it sounds so quiet so it is hard to tell.
I imagine a Princeton would sound better than any of the 'Fender' models in the Spark, but the Spark is more portable, has a wider variety of tones/FX, bluetooth connectivity etc. Depends what you want from it!
Will the backing track just keep going until I stop it? My only problem with using backing tracks on UA-cam is that they tend to be Shorter than I'd like.
Mine is a massive turd, does anyone else has an issue going from aux to bluetooth? Like it wont connect to bluetooth for audio after using aux for audio?
Great review and playing - the timestamps are handy. Thanks.
I ordered one this morning & this video helped put my mind at ease that I made the right decision. For a moment there when you were playing to the blues backing track I thought I was listening to Robben Ford.
Any mention of Robben Ford is a massive compliment, thank you! Glad you found the video useful 👍🏻
If only all gear demos were this good! Here we have a real person, not sponsored, who can actually play guitar really well, and who uses a variety of gear including non-snobby options like the Squier, and perhaps most importantly lets you hear what it sounds like in the room without any kind of recording interface BS. So thank you!
And one question - the noise issue at higher volumes has been the only thing holding me back from this purchase, but some of the sound samples you kindly provided, especially the Strat with the plexi, sounded really loud and great. I can’t imagine needing more volume than that. Can you tell me how high you had the volume up for that and would it be fair to say that that was pretty loud in the room without experiencing any of the noise issues? Sorry for the long-winded message, but thanks again!
Glad you found the video helpful! The distortion issue only happens for me at the upper range, well beyond what I would use at home. I've only noticed it when trying to compete with other players who are playing through much louder amps. I also haven't seen any other users mention it, so it could just be mine...!
@@AndyWattGuitar It’s definitely not just yours - from everything I’ve read it’s pretty much the only strike against these amps. Thanks again for your response!
@@Hoodrio it's a fantastic piece of gear for practicing. There is no better, I have both the spark mini and the katana go and the spark is so much more fun - with song tutorials and backing tracks its just perfect. The only thing missing is that dynamics are not realistic like on a tube. Battery duration is great, it's super portable. I use it without cable, even more convenient
Finally someone mentioned recording latency. I bought it a few days ago and that's the first thing I noticed. The best solution (trick) I have found is to set the input latency offset in the DAW. I was able to do it in Reaper and the Cubase. For me 48 ms offset is perfect. If I want to record with Spark Mini (USB directly) I change this parameter in DAW and then everything works as it should. Sync between all recorded tracks, metronome or (VST drums) and live playing is perfect.
Interesting, thanks for sharing!
Great review, thanks.
I just bought a very lightly used one on eBay. Should be here in a couple of days.
Thanks SO MUCH for doing this review! This was super helpful!
Versatile, player & mini! Well done.
Lovely Strat and playing
You got some decent sounds out of it. I beta tested the first Spark amp, and I use a Spark Go through headphones when I travel, but I haven’t found any realistic sounds yet. My Spark gear is a bit old, and It probably needs an update or 10. Thanks for the sounds, the playing, and the video.😁👍
Very good review, very complete !,Thanks Andy !
Watched lots of videos of the spark mini , this one I liked the best and return too
Wow! A demo with someone playing well and in tune.
Sounds great , i have an blackstar fly 3 for about 4-5 years now , its maybe not as good sounding as the spark , but for practice its good enough for me , its crazy how good these little practise amps can sound .
Blows the Fly away.
Great playing Andy🎶👍 also very good review I have one arriving today😊
First time viewer of your channel here, Andy, but excellent playing and great review of the Mini. Needless to say, I’m a new subscriber!
Been umming and ahhing about one of these for a while now. You've helped make my mind up so thanks 👍
😎👍🏻
Great playing and v useful review. Thank you.
Nice chops
Truly impressed by your videos. Knowing that my darling wife is buying the spark mini for this coming Christmas, I found your playing more fascinating than even the Spark Mini itself. I am a player that was in a band for roughly 20 years, and have experimented with it all, from Mesa power + preamp combo to Marshall combo to my favorite old school (OG hand wired) Budda. I’m much older now with a family and dying to get back to playing every day. Your style of, well everything goes it seems, tends to lean towards jazz/blues. This brings me to my question of lessons to streamline my style and expand on what I already know. I am curious if you give lessons to unlock that potential fluidity you so expertly display in a player like myself. I would love to unlock the things that I think may be lying under the (my) surface. Would like to explore what options you can offer…thanks in advance, MJK
Glad you enjoyed the video! Feel free to get in touch via my website andywattguitar.com/contact/ about lesson(s) - slots are a bit limited at the moment but I can let you know what comes up 😎👍🏻
Nice review 🤘🏿
TBH, the Katana Mini and the Blackstar Fly are the way to go for a small practice amp. Less options but no latency and the modelling is just better.
I got the blackstar fly and it was more wasp vs fly in a jar when cranked.. Got shut of that pretty quickly ... I have a boss katana but that became largely redundant when I bought the spark mini.. The spark mini blows them both away in terms of versatility and portability due to it being a rechargeable battery operated unit...It can also be turned into a 140 watt powerhouse gigging amp if you buy the spark powered cab.
I disagree. The mini is more stable, the boss katana ever so often loses connection with a tablet and the sounds are just not better, many more on the spark and also a lot of unusable sounds. The saving options are also less practical on the boss. I like both, but the spark is more inspiring for sure
Ive had the Boss Katana and the Fly (as well as the Roland Micro Cube). They don't come close to this in terms of sound, versatility and connectivity.
The sound of the Mini blows those amps away
@@dianat.6426 you mean the aux connection? katana mini doesnt have bluetooth
Hey there, i have a Problem with my sparks. When playing sustained low notes (e-string), there is a kind of a crackling sound after the played note. Anybody else having this issue?
Thank you for the video. For this video setup, how is mini mic'd up (or is it hooked up through USB)? I've been trying to judge volume of the spark mini over acoustic noise of playing an electric guitar when practicing. I'll probably just have to get one and return it if I don't like it. :) I like the way it sounds in this video but other videos it sounds so quiet so it is hard to tell.
It's a nice little amp
how would compare it to using a Fender Princeton as a practice amp?
I imagine a Princeton would sound better than any of the 'Fender' models in the Spark, but the Spark is more portable, has a wider variety of tones/FX, bluetooth connectivity etc. Depends what you want from it!
positive grid spark mini which power supply should I buy?
It’s a USB chargeable
Will the backing track just keep going until I stop it? My only problem with using backing tracks on UA-cam is that they tend to be Shorter than I'd like.
Yes, it just loops - certainly an advantage over using a track!
Try the new Spark 2. 4x more processing, should eliminate the latency while using as an audio interface
on sale in September !!!! 💯💢
Lovely bots 😂
Mine is a massive turd, does anyone else has an issue going from aux to bluetooth? Like it wont connect to bluetooth for audio after using aux for audio?
Two tiny 2" speakers in the front and a passive bass radiator in the bass.
nice
How can i assign a download preset to one of the physical knob ? maybe the custom one
You can assign any tone patch to any of the four hardware positions
mine won't charge anymore 😳
I have it its ok but my line 6 pod express beat this thing every point😊
Sounds a little bit dark and muddy..
It depends on what tone you’re using, these things have limitless created tones to choose from
Bluetooth-App crap!